Fire at Belmont racecourse
Early on Tuesday morning, a fire broke out at Belmont racecourse in Perth. The fire, on land outside the track was near the 1300 metre mark and no one was injured in the blaze. It was brought under control but the trials scheduled for Tuesday were cancelled.
The meeting scheduled for Wednesday February 12 has been transferred to Ascot.
Schwarz set for Group 1 resume
Schwarz (Zoustar) will run in Saturday’s G1 CF Orr Stakes to add a valuable Group 1 to his stallion resume. “He's got every credential in the book, a good pedigree and a good physique,” Tom Charlton, who trains Schwarz in partnership with John O'Shea, told racenet.com.au about the $1.25 million yearling.
Schwarz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“A son of Zoustar, they're hard to get a good one of them so they're pretty valuable. A Group 1 is a key to allowing the stud to put a good price on them when they do head to stud.
“When he pulled up from the spring, it was an idea to have him forward enough for these Group 1 races. Now with a good foundation, we can head in with plenty of confidence in him and tackle the better horses around. Mr Brightside looked forward in his trials and has proven pretty effective in this race in the past. We're not under any illusions and he's going to have to improve again but it's not beyond the realms of possibility for him to do that.”
Godolphin team ready for autumn
Godolphin trainer James Cummings spoke to RSN on Tuesday about Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Zardozi (Kingman {GB}), Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}), Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Pericles (Street Boss {USA}), as well as G1 Blue Diamond chance Aleppo Pine (Blue Point {Ire}).
“(Broadsiding) got tested at weight-for-age last prep, but he has bounced back with a good break and is going strongly. He is a very important horse for us,” Cummings said of the Champion 2YO Colt.
“(Traffic Warden) is flying. He has not let us forget that he is a very good horse. He will run in the Lightning and will be a very good chance in the Newmarket as well with a light weight.
James Cummings | Image courtesy Ashlea Brennan
“The Australian Cup is going to be a perfect race for (Zardozi). It looks like a good target for her to aspire to.
“At this stage, we are burning along nicely for the Doncaster. We’ve got a few options on how we get (Tom Kitten) there, but we expect to have him set to go on the big day.
“I think (Aleppo Pine) is very talented. He will arrive, ready to go first up, in the Blue Diamond Prelude. The team in Melbourne are delighted with the way he has come to hand.” The 2-year-old colt won on debut on December 7.
Gollan pitches idea for change at Racing Queensland
Trainer Tony Gollan has spoken about the replacement for outgoing Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott. “The biggest issue we have in Queensland at the moment is the three-code model and I think each code would prefer to have their own CEO,” Gollan told racenet.com.au.
“As far as thoroughbreds go, we want to try to keep within sight of NSW and Victoria. We are coming into a very challenging period, with the wagering downturn, we need someone who is laser-focused on the needs of thoroughbred racing.
Tony Gollan | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I am all for some co-mingling resources and having some back of office stuff united. But when you are looking for a CEO, the current system is a disincentive. They (the CEO) will be trying to do something in one code and then there's another problem somewhere else and they will keep being distracted.
“I think it would wear anyone down. Each code has their own challenges in their own way and that is very intricate to each code. We need someone who is CEO who is not political, because obviously it's too political racing up here in Queensland.”
Time to clean up, says Tassie’s new integrity boss
Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll is keen to clean up racing in the apple isle. “It's fair to say there hasn't been a lot of confidence in Tasmanian racing,” Carroll told racenet.com.au.
“I can understand why that is the case. We have to rebuild the confidence of the racing public and the racing participants. That's my number one priority. Everyone asks me what I am going to do to fix things up. It's a bit like my days in cricket, you actually get around and listen to the participants about what's wrong.
Sean Carroll | Image courtesy of Integrity Victoria
“I have been going to stables and kennels and talking to people. When I took the job, I wasn't presented with a smoking gun which laid out the issues. My job is to find out those issues and to get to the bottom of them.
“I've got an act of Parliament that sets out what my agenda is and sets out the powers I have. I have got pretty extensive powers, where I can subpoena people to come and give evidence under oath and produce documents. They are compelled to do that and there are substantial penalties for failing to do that. I can hold public inquiries, a bit like mini Royal Commissions.
“My job is a new role that is being an oversight body for all of racing in Tasmania. It is essentially to make sure there is a level of accountability for all racing in Tasmania, including the administration of racing which is different to the role I had in Victoria. We have to prioritise integrity to the punter and to the racing public.”
Around the Nation: Tuesday’s highlights
Tuesday saw three meetings with 3-year-old gelding City United (Unite And Conquer) winning at his fourth start at Horsham to become the seventh winner for his second season sire. He placed in all three starts leading into this win. At Warwick, 3-year-old gelding State In Texas (Star Turn) won his second in succession and took his record to three wins from five starts.
The Magic Man draws perfectly for Millennium
Trainer Paul Perry is thrilled with the inside draw for 2-year-old colt The Magic Man (Showtime) in Saturday’s Inglis Millennium. “He has drawn well and it's always nice to be drawn handy,” Perry told racenet.com.au.
“He can put himself there so he might be a chance. Up to date he has done well this preparation and has been pleasing. I think he is where he is (at this stage of his preparation) and will probably have a break after this anyway I would say.”
Rivellino ready for Millennium challenge
Trainer Kris Lees thinks Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}) can remain unbeaten in Saturday's R-Listed Inglis Millennium at Royal Randwick. “He has pulled up well from his tick over trial and James McDonald rode him and is happy to stick on him, which is always a positive,” Lees told racenet.com.au.
Rivellino | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“Barrier draws hold the key with these 2-year-olds in these sort of races but I can't fault my horse. He has come on well, which he will probably need to because I don't know how much depth was in that race in won but we will find out. There is a form reference I guess because he beat Paul Perry's horse (The Magic Man) and it ran second behind Wodeton as well, albeit it he beat it better than we did.”
Williams resting up for Mr Brightside
Jockey Craig Williams is recovering from an illness and hopes to be ready for Saturday’s assignment aboard Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the G1 CF Orr Stakes. “Willo is on the mend and looking forward to being back for Saturday on Mr Brightside,” agent Jason Breen told racing.com.
“He's not riding for the rest of the week, so he can be 100 per cent ready for Saturday.”
Sneaky preparation for Blue Diamond Prelude
Trainers Sam and Anthony Freedman expect 2-year-old filly Expulsion (Bivouac) to build on her debut effort in Saturday's G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (f). “She was a sneaky run,” Sam Freedman told racenet.com.au of her seventh place on debut.
“She got back and she wasn't completely sure of herself but she closed the race off well. She'll be better suited at 1100, but she'll be better again at 1200 metres. She's a nice filly going forward.”
Autumn warm up for Sakima
Trainer Peter Snowden will run promising 3-year-old Sakima (Snitzel) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday to see what she’s at heading into the autumn. “I just want to get through Wednesday and see where she sits,” Snowden told racingnsw.com.au.
Sakima as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“There are a few nice fillies races coming up over the next few months, so we will see how she goes and work out what we aim for.” A $1.25 million purchase from Newgate Farm at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sakima was a winner at two and placed in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes over the spring.
OTI’s Derby runner heads down proven path
Tony Pike will run OTI owned Golden Century (Pierro) in Saturday’s G2 Waikato Guineas as a launchpad to G1 NZ Derby. “He’s a progressive staying 3-year-old, his racing manners have obviously let him down from time to time, but he’s improving with each run,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.
“That (Gingernuts) was his biggest test to date and he did very well, he’s improved again in his trackwork and I’m more than happy with him heading into Saturday. He’s got more improvement to come once he gets up to the mile and a half of the Derby, which he’s bred to do.” He was second in the Listed Gingernuts Salver last start.
Size’s Sky Jewellery hopes to stay unbeaten
John Size is confident his 3-year-old Sky Jewellery (The Autumn Sun) can maintain his perfect record at Happy Valley on Wednesday. “He did his job well and he was impressive on his first day out. He’s come home and he seems OK since. He’s in pretty good order and he should be able to go on with it,” Size told scmp.com.
Sky Jewellery | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He showed us plenty before he started racing and he looked like he’d win first start. He’s done that and acquitted himself very well and I think he’ll keep going. The gate is really important and he’s got more work to do to win the race. He’s not going to get a sweet run by any means but hopefully his class can help him out.”
775k Curlin colt tops Fasig-Tipton
While Monday's single-session renewal of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale didn't quite attain the levels of one year ago, the latest edition did offer several of its own highlights.
Hailing from the Red Oak Stable dispersal, Hip 395, a colt by Curlin (USA) led the day with a US$775,000 (AU$1.25 million) final bid from Maverick, bidding online. Out of Grade I scorer Unbridled Mo (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}), the Feb. 24 foal was consigned by agent Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, who also offered his 12-year-old dam a few hips later. Catalogued as Hip 401, the Apple Blossom winner was secured by Jacob West, acting on behalf of Repole Stable, for US$350,000 (AU$564,000).
Curlin (USA) | Standing at Hill 'n' Dale Farms
Heading the broodmare portion of the sale, Boxwood (USA) (English Channel), led through as Hip 228, brought US$650,000 ($1,043,556) from agent Steve Young. She was in foal to Nyquist.
At the session's conclusion, a total of 260 head sold for US$11,495,500 (AU$17.7 million). The average was US$44,213 (AU$71,000) and the median was US$17,000 (AU$27,500). One year ago, 372 horses sold over two days for a total of US$21,687,000 (AU$34 million) with an average of US$58,298 (AU$94,000) and median of US$17,000 (AU$27,500).
Starman favourite for UK First Season Sire title
It's too soon, isn't it, to be thinking about this year's first-season sires? Well, not according to bookmaker Paddy Power, which has already released a market on this year's championship for Britain and Ireland, installing Starman (GB) as odds-on favourite to take the crown.
There are a number of good reasons to imagine that this might be the case. For a start, the Group 1-winning sprinter stands at Tally-Ho Stud, which enjoys loyal support from many commercial breeders as well as backing their own stallions to the hilt. In recent years Tally-Ho has had both Mehmas (Ire) and Cotai Glory (GB) land this particular title. Then there's the fact that Starman was the busiest freshman of his intake, covering 254 mares in 2022.
UK partnership announced
It was announced in a joint statement on Monday that representatives of the Thoroughbred Group and the Racecourse Association (RCA) have undertaken a commitment to work together to pursue the signing of an industry-wide commercial partnership structure.
These partnerships would see a commercial link formed between participants and racecourses to share the revenue that is generated by the sport. This is agreed to be a critical requirement if the industry is to reward owners and provide racegoers and bettors with competitive and engaging racing. In turn, it is hoped that this will improve the experience and returns for those who invest in the sport, as well as the outlook for the businesses and individuals that depend on it to earn their living.
HISA announces new members
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is pleased to announce the addition of Thoroughbred horsemen Michael Annechino, Neil Howard, Todd Mostoller and Justin Revak to its Horsemen's Advisory Group. Formed in 2022, this body of racing industry participants provides HISA's executive team and Standing Committees with formal feedback on the evolution of its Racetrack Safety Program and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. Its new members succeed outgoing Horsemen's Advisory Group members Timothy Keefe, Maggi Moss, Graham Motion and Kirk Wycoff.
The Horsemen's Advisory Group has 18 members with a wide variety of viewpoints from across the racing industry. Its membership includes trainers, owners, bloodstock agents, horsemen's group representatives and veterinarians.