Latest Order for G1 Golden Slipper released
The updated order of entry for the G1 Golden Slipper has been released by the Australian Turf Club. North England (Farnan) leads from Icarian Dream (Blue Point {Ire}) with The Playwright (Written By) in third.
Melbourne Cup prizemoney mess
Trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon have commenced legal action against Racing Victoria with regards to their trainer’s portion of the prizemoney won by Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) in the G1 Melbourne Cup. It amounts to $464,640. Racing Victoria deposited the funds into an old bank account for Esprit Racing, who used employ the trainers.
In a twist, racenet.com.au reported on Tuesday that Esprit Racing went into liquidation this month, and director Judith Hutchinson filed documents claiming Laxon and Symons owed the company $569,875.
Via Sistina compared to Winx
Yulong have responded to various punters comparing Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) to Winx (Street Cry {USA}). “It's not for us to sort of make those comparisons, that's for others to judge,” Vin Cox told racenet.com.au.
“But we are absolutely flattered by it. We are just fortunate we are in a position that we do have a mare of that quality and a mare that has been compared to a legend of Australian racing. It's very exciting to be a part of her journey.”
Gallery: The horses that are being compared to each other, images courtesy of The Image is Everything
Via Sistina resumes on Saturday in the G2 Apollo Stakes. “Superstars in any sport draw crowds. The elite athletes are great to see on a racetrack. It brings everyone back to what we are here for, which is all about the horse, the athlete and competition. No question at all there will be a lot of talk about Via Sistina and there's a lot of hype about her and I think that's great for racing.”
Mazu happy to take on boom 3-year-olds
Trainer Joe Pride thinks his sprinter Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) is up to the challenge set by boom 3-year-olds Switzerland (Snitzel), Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}), and Growing Empire (Zoustar) in Saturday’s G1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington. “He won't be popular in betting,” Pride told racenet.com.au.
“I see this every year. People just overlook the obvious older horse that has been at that level for a while, and they are always looking for that up and comer. He's a Group 1 performer while some of these have got to measure up. Sometimes they get it right but sometimes they get it wrong.
Mazu as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“He's an honest, genuine horse and he's a tough bugger. He's very consistent in his race day performance and I'm going in with a horse that I know is capable at that level.”
Growing Empire ready for Lightning
Ciaron Maher trained 3-year-old colt Growing Empire (Zoustar) has matured since the spring and runs in Saturday’s G1 Lightning Stakes. “We met (Switzerland) at two different stages last preparation, we were at the back end of our prep and had run enormous, but he had travelled and had danced a few big dances,” assistant trainer Jack Turnball told racing.com.
“We are a bit bigger and stronger, as is Switzerland, so two boom 3-year-old colts - it's going to be really good to see them square off.”
Nicely bred Able Yellow to debut on Wednesday
Trainer Blake Ryan will debut 4-year-old gelding Able Yellow (Justify {USA}) at Hawkesbury on Wednesday who is a son of Group 1 winner Srikandi (Dubawi {Ire}) who won the G1 Stradbroke Handicap and G1 Tatt's Tiara. “Able Yellow is owned by one of my good Hong Kong clients, and this is his first preparation with me,” Ryan told racingnsw.com.au.
“I’m not aware of his previous history as to why he hasn’t raced, and he’s still immature. Physically he’s like ‘The Hulk’, but has the mentality of the elephant who is scared of the mouse. I’ve given Able Yellow two 800m trials (he ran second at home on January 20 and 10 days later won narrowly at Kembla Grange) and he’s got ability, but is going to be better when he gets out over further ground.”
Able Yellow as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
A $200,000 purchase from Fernrigg Farm’s Inglis Easter draft by C Ngai and Dermot Farrington Bloodstock, his dam’s first two foals are winners and her current 3-year-old gelding Justice Warrior is a full brother to Able Yellow.
Just Precious looking for hat-trick
Stuart Kendrick trained 3-year-old filly Just Precious (Justify {USA}) has won her last two in succession and runs on Saturday. “I bought her online for about $15,000 as a weanling which is something I’ve done with young horses in the past,” Kendrick told racingqueensland.com.au.
“She’s got a great pedigree but she was very immature early on and wasn’t a good prospect to go through the sales. She was a big gangly filly and definitely wasn’t a stunner. She was very impressive winning at Doomben and she’s got untapped ability.
Just Precious winning at Doomben Stradbroke Season Book Now Handicap | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“She’s got a great pedigree line and I’m not sure if she’ll stay but she should get up to 1600 metres. Saturday’s race will tell us a lot more about her but hopefully she’ll measure up to the winter carnival here and a race like the Queensland Guineas."
Just Precious is the third foal of Fire Opal (USA) (War Front {USA}) who was a winner over 1150 metres in Ireland and is a full sister to Hong Kong Classic Mile winner and sire Sweet Orange (USA) and Group 3 winner Intelligent Cross (USA).
Around the Nation: Tuesday’s highlights
With all eyes on the trials on Tuesday, there were still two race meetings in Australia. At Goulburn, 3-year-old gelding Hurstville Zagreb (Divine Prophet) won on debut.
Final slot secured for 2025 King of the Mountain
Long-time Toowoomba Turf Club supporter, Harvey Black, has secured the final slot for the 2025 King Of The Mountain, to be run on Toowoomba Show Holiday on Friday, March 28. “We are thrilled with the overwhelming support for the 2025 Mort & Co King of the Mountain Carnival,” Toowoomba Turf Club Chairman Jason Ward told racingqueensland.com.au.
“The competition for slots has been incredible, and we thank all slot holders, sponsors, and stakeholders for their commitment to making this event a standout on the racing calendar. Special thanks to Mort & Co for their continued partnership and to everyone who played a role in bringing this exciting race to life."
Hong Kong injured jockey update
Hong Kong Jockey Club chief steward Marc van Gestel confirmed on Tuesday morning that Vincent Ho had sustained a head injury in a fall on Sunday and remained in ICU. He also has minor shoulder and neck fractures, and is expected to be transferred out of ICU in the next 24 hours. It is expected that he will heal “with conservative management”.
Vincent Ho | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Purton will be out for up to six weeks with a broken toe, while Angus Chung will miss six weeks after fracturing his right facial bone. Keith Yeung is expected to be back in two to three weeks after suffering “contusion injuries over his left shoulder muscles, thigh muscles and left buttock muscles”.
Orman nabs short term Hong Kong contract
With four jockeys out of action in Hong Kong, Brisbane rider James Orman has secured a short term contract in the lucrative region. “For me, this is a dream come true,” Orman told racenet.com.au.
“It's a massive opportunity, especially for someone like me who is not a lightweight jockey. You never know what's going to happen going over to Hong Kong and I will be doing my absolute best and hopefully luck falls my way. My goal would be to boot home some winners and try to stay over there as long as I can. I am over the moon.”
Atishu ready for farewell campaign
Go Racing General Manager Matt Allnutt said Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) will resume in Saturday’s G2 Apollo Stakes in what is likely to be her final campaign before heading to stud. “Chris got her going a bit earlier than he has in recent campaigns,” Allnutt told Loveracing.nz.
“He has been really happy with her work and her trials have been good. She will need this run on Saturday and then she will be a lot more forward than she has been previously second-up. It is going to be a great race on Saturday.
Atishu (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image is Everything
“She will go to the All-Star Mile and then the Australian Cup, that’s the plan at this stage. This is more than likely going to be her last season of racing, so it is all about maximising her value and winning as many Group 1s as we can.”
Kiwi juvenile pair to debut at Te Aroha
Trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall will debut a pair of juveniles, Alizarin (NZ) (Lonhro) and Lodi Dodi (Blue Point {Ire}), at Te Aroha on Wednesday. “(Alizarin)’s a colt that is learning the trade, he does most things right and he’ll keep improving, especially as a 3-year-old,” Richardson told Loveracing.nz.
“He was a very athletic yearling, well-balanced and a good mover. He just had everything you like to see in a yearling with a good pedigree as well.”
Gallery: The pair of kiwi juvenile horses that will debut at Te Aroha on Wednesday, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“(Lodi Dodi) wants to go around for a bit of practice, but she is a lovely filly. In the last fortnight, she’s really relaxed and started to work properly. She’s a very happy horse and like the colt, whatever she does she’ll improve off. She will be a better 3-year-old off her pedigree on the mum’s side.”
Alizaran is out of Group 2 winner Abidewithme (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and was purchased by Richardson and Brendan McCullum for NZ$180,000 from Cambridge Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. Lodi Dodi was a NZ$170,000 buy from Hallmark Stud at the same sale.
Racing WA Breeding Masterclass
Aushorse and Racing WA are hosting a racing and breeding masterclass for people interested in learning more about the Thoroughbred industry. It will be held Magic Millions Sales Complex, Swan Valley, WA on Sunday February 16.
A free BBQ will be offered at 12:30 pm before we kick off the Masterclass at 1:30 pm. By registering for the event, you will go in the draw to win one of five $1,000 lucky door prizes to put towards owning your own racehorse.
Arson at Rathasker Stud in Ireland
Nearly 20 pregnant broodmares escaped unharmed from what Gardai (the national police and security service of Ireland) are treating as the second arson attack on Maurice Burns's Rathasker Stud in County Kildare within the past six months alone.
Rathasker Stud is home to stallions Bungle Inthejungle (GB), Coulsty (Ire) and Gregorian (Ire). It is not the only premises in the Kildare area that has fallen victim to arson and Gardai are said to be appealing for witnesses to the latest blaze that took the fire brigade over nine hours to bring under control.
Aftermath of Rathasker Stud arson | Image courtesy of Rathasker Stud
“Our hay sheds were torched on Friday evening,” Burns explained. “We keep a lot of fodder up there but at this time of year we also keep mares in those sheds. Had one of my neighbours not spotted the smoke when he was passing by those sheds at around 5.25pm, it would have been pretty horrific as the mares would have been caught up in the blaze. As soon as he called me, I pegged it over to that yard and, by the time I arrived, the flames had already started to accelerate.
“The lads in the yard were very good. Some of them had finished work at five o'clock and had gone home to shower or whatever but they came back so quickly when we called them that some of them were nearly in their underpants! We had 18 mares and the teaser in those sheds. If we didn't act fast they were gone, so we're very lucky.
“The fire brigade came at 6pm and they didn't leave until 3.30am. All of the sheds are gone now and it was fairly traumatic. But it's not the first time that this has happened. It's actually the second time that one of our sheds were torched and the Gardai are following a definite line of enquiry. There have been a good few cases of fires in this area in the past 12 months alone–the late Mrs Weld's house was lying empty and they burned that as well.”
Maurice Burns | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Bahrain extends Newmarket sponsorship
The Kingdom of Bahrain has extended its sponsorship at The July Festival at Newmarket by five years, up to and including 2029. Already the longest standing sponsor at Newmarket's premier summer meeting, the Kingdom of Bahrain has supported the G3 Bahrain Trophy since its inception in 1991. From 2023, they extended that support to the G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes and the G2 July Stakes.
Sophie Able, Newmarket Racecourses and International Director, said, “The relationship between The Jockey Club and The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to go from strength to strength, and we are delighted to be extending this partnership with them.”
