Town Cryer retired
Tough New Zealand racemare Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has been retired. “Joe (Doyle, jockey) said she trotted back a bit lame the other day after the race, so we decided to pull the pin,” trainer Roydon Bergerson told Loveracing.nz.
“She was probably a length off being a Group 1 winner, but she has been a really good mare to us.” Winner of eight of her 42 starts and over NZ$580,000, Town Cryer won the G3 Thompson Handicap this season and was placed in the G1 Thorndon Mile.
Town Cryer (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
"She will be sorely missed, let’s hope we can replace her with another one. I don’t think they will be as tough as her though, we have been battling a foot issue for the last two starts and she has done amazingly well. The Smith family (owners) are breeders. They will put the colts through the (sales) ring and race the fillies, so we’re hoping she has fillies.”
South Australia joins World Pool
South Australia will make its World Pool debut on Saturday with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announcing that SAJC’s G1 South Australian Derby Day will be covered by the World Pool.
The World Pool events for the day will also include the G1 2000 Guineas from England.
Pride Of Jenni on song for Queensland
Horse Of The Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) will run in Saturday’s Listed Anniversary Stakes at Caulfield. “She's not too badly weighted in that race. We've done that a few times with quality horses like Gold Trip. We sometimes run them in Quality Handicaps where there is a maximum top weight,” Maher told racenet.com.au.
Pride Of Jenni | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She lowered her colours last start (Australian Cup) but running back two weeks after a peak run is never easy. After she runs on Saturday, there's maybe (the) Doomben (Cup). She trialled really well and she's in a good spot and seems just as good as ever.”
Hedged to relax into Wangoom
Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr has tried several tricks to get Hedged (Capitalist) to relax in the running ahead of Wednesday’s Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool. “At this time last year, he got beat a nostril behind Joliestar in the Group 2 Arrowfield,” Kent Jr told racenet.com.au.
“We did apply the black (ear) muffs at The Valley two runs back and they came off again at Mornington. It was going to be beautiful but the pace slackened and he just got keen again so Ben (Melham) got him out wide and flowing. He wasn't beaten far without having the most economical run.
Michael Kent Jnr and Mick Price | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He's got really good form all around him and if we get, which we'd expect at Warrnambool as they keep it well watered for the jumpers, then he's going to run well. He'll like the bit of give in the ground and, class-wise, he's suited in a Wangoom.”
Douglas pair head to Adelaide
Clayton Douglas trained Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) will run in the G1 Goodwood Handicap, and stablemate Blue Hotel (I Am Invincible) will head to the G3 David Coles AM Stakes next Saturday at Morphettville. “It will be nice to have a stakes winner as a travelling companion,” Douglas told racing.com.
Clayton Douglas | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“She did a little bit on the water walker and we trained her out of the paddock for the 10 days since. She hasn’t missed a beat, she just eats and copes, she’s a solid Vinnie (I Am Invincible) type filly and I think she should trial well. She’s got good qualities and what she did at her first start was pretty good and I think the big track at Morphettville will really suit too. Hopefully she can go back and go back two from two.”
Guineas for Modella ahead of Brisbane
Exciting 3-year-old filly Modella (Castelvecchio) will run in Saturday’s G3 Hawkesbury Guineas ahead of a Brisbane campaign. “We have decided to stay here. We just think she was a bit keen last start (in the James Carr) so have changed a bit of gear with her and she has been working quite well in that,” co-trainer Lee Curtis told racenet.com.au.
“We want to try her at the 1400 metres and then if all goes well and she runs well, we will look to go up to Queensland. She could end up in a Stradbroke or an (Queensland) Oaks or The Roses, I just don't know and we just want to get through this weekend before.”
Island Dec back in class for Canterbury
Co-trainer Luke Price will regain the confidence of 3-year-old filly Island Dec (Kermadec {NZ}) with a run at Canterbury on Wednesday. “She’s been jumping on the bridle and just charging,” Price told racingnsw.com.au.
Luke Price | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“She did it so well first-up over 1250 metres, she switched off and attacked the line and won with a bit in hand in lesser grade. I’m going to keep things as simple as possible for her. I think we’ll get genuine speed coming back to 1100 metres and I think it will work.” She was eighth last start in the G3 PJ Bell Stakes.
Another juvenile winner for Hayes brothers
Trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes have won their second successive VOBIS Gold Strike, this year with 2-year-old filly Mrs Iglesia (Dirty Work) who was coming off a last start win. She is one of three winners for her first season sire. “It was quite a nice watch," said Ben Hayes.
“I think Mrs Iglesia just had a nice, easy run, beautiful ride by Ben (Allen), the gaps came at the right time and I don't think that Killiana lost any admirers either. Maybe on that Soft track, she's not as effective, that could be the reason. Both ran really well and I couldn't be happier.”
Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Lindsay Park have had a great season with their 2-year-olds and won this race last year with Harpalee (Alabama Express).
Around the nation: Tuesday’s highlights
Warrnambool’s carnival kicked off on Tuesday, headlining the four meetings across Australia, where 3-year-old gelding Big Sexy (Swear) won on debut. Tavistock (NZ) sired a treble with Brierly Steeplechase winner Duke Of Bedford (NZ), Through Irish Eyes (NZ), and Sing For Peace (NZ). At Quirindi, 3-year-old filly Calico Miss (Better Land) won on debut.
El Morzillo aimed at Stradbroke
Last year, 3-year-old filly Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) won the G1 Stradbroke with a light weight and this year, trainer Kelly Schweida hopes to get 3-year-old filly El Morzillo (Star Witness) into the field. “You've got to aim high and she would have to qualify to get in, but I think the Stradbroke is a race that really suits a 3-year-old filly like her,” Schweida told racenet.com.au.
El Morzillo | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Who knows what is coming for the Straddy, they just seem to jumpout of the woodwork? But the Straddy is the type of race where they generally run along at a good tempo and that would really suit her. I think she is better ridden back in the field and unleashed late with her good turn of foot. When she won at Flemington last start, she was 15th at the 400-metre mark.”
Another Darren Weir hearing
Tuesday was the scene of another hearing into the Darren Weir case with Justice Adrian Finanzio reserving his decision on Weir’s appeal of his latest ban. Weir's representative Jim Murdoch KC argued the additional two-year ban for jigger use, handed down after Weir had served a previous four-year disqualification for jigger possession, was excessive and out of proportion. The new ban was given after Racing Victoria saw CCTV footage of the usage.
He also argued that Weir has technically continued to be banned as he hasn’t trained during the time when his initial ban ended until now. Racing Victoria representatives argued that Weir’s time in between bans was not 'time served' as his pre-training business contravened the terms of his eventual 2-year disqualification period.
Stakes placed Alottago set for win
Trainer Lance Robinson hopes to end 2-year-old Alottago (Tagaloa)’s season with a win on Saturday. He was third in the Listed Welcome Stakes last start. “He has done well since his last start, we are really happy with him,” Robinson said.
“I think the 1200 metres will really suit him. My only concern is whether he cops a real heavy track or not. We have got to run to find out, so we are going to find out. “We have got a very high opinion of him. We will get this one over and done with and he will have a nice spell, and hopefully we will get him ready for some nice 3-year-old races in the spring.”
Knight set for mid-week win
Veteran trainer Harry Richardson thinks Grinzinger Knight (I Am Invincible) can provide him with a mid-week win at Ipswich on Wednesday. “The 1500 metres was too short for him at the Gold Coast last start when he led most of the way but he was coming again at the finish and would have won in another two or three bounds,” Richardson told racingqueensland.com.au.
“His previous run at Eagle Farm was very good so he should go very well although it’s getting harder with the winter carnival upon us as a lot of the Saturday horses are being pushed out to the midweeks.”
Voyage Bubble to push on to Champions & Chater Cup
Trainer Ricky Yiu will press on with Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) for the G1 Champions & Chater Cup after he ran second in the G1 Champions Mile. “It was a real shame but he still ran well,” said Yiu.
Voyage Bubble | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He will most likely head to the 2400 metres – we’re aiming to run him.” The field will be without last year’s winner Rebel Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who wasn’t among the nominations.
Seventeen remain in Guineas, headed by Kingman's Field Of Gold
Following Monday's confirmation stage, 17 colts remain in contention for Saturday's Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, headed by the impressive G3 Craven Stakes winner Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). The potential field is down from the 24-strong group who stood their ground at the latest entry stage.
The John and Thady-Gosden-trained Field Of Gold is the sponsor's 2/1 favourite to follow up his Craven victory over the same course and distance, ahead of Ballydoyle's unbeaten Twain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) at 5/1. The unexposed Ruling Court (USA) (Justify {USA}) and last year's G1 National Stakes hero Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) are next best at 7/1, with 15/2 shot Shadow Of Light (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Europe's champion 2-year-old colt of 2024, the only other contender currently trading at single-figure odds.
Meanwhile, the Charlie Appleby-trained Desert Flower (Ire), a stable-mate of Ruling Court and Shadow Of Light, remains a warm order for the Betfred 1000 Guineas after the daughter of Night Of Thunder (Ire) featured among 15 confirmations for Sunday's Classic.
Vale Ralph Kinder
Longtime horseman Ralph Kinder, owner of Alliance Bloodstock, passed away last week at his home in Paris, Kentucky. He was 67.
“Sad to share my beloved dad tragically passed Thursday morning from a heart attack while on the farm in Kentucky,” Kinder's son Baron reported in a Facebook post. “I am mostly still at a loss for words, but ask for you all to pray with me that he makes himself home in spirit with all of our loved ones who've gone before us. I'm sure they're having a big celebration welcoming him into the fold.”
Kinder was involved with over 160 stakes winners, including 2009 G1 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird (USA).
Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan returns to the races
It was on the first Saturday in May, 2024 that Mystik Dan (USA) (Goldencents {USA}) ran the race of his life to win the G1 Kentucky Derby by a nose over Sierra Leone (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}). One year and four starts later, he hasn't won again, but will hope to end the losing streak on the anniversary of his greatest triumph.
On Saturday, Mystik Dan will take on seven others in the Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn Park. It will be his first start since he was beaten 20.75l in the G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational on January 25 at Gulfstream Park.
“It's never easy,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “For a horse to transition from two to three to four is hard. I wish I could undo some decisions I made. At that time, I thought they were the right moves. He's not the first Kentucky Derby winner that struggled coming back after the Derby and a tough Triple Crown series.”
Kentucky Derby Museum celebrates 40 years
The Kentucky Derby Museum is celebrating 40 years of telling stories Monday as they officially opened their doors to the public on April 28, 1985 and have served more than 7.2 million guests since then, the organization announced Monday morning.
Established thanks in part to an endowment from the James Graham Brown Foundation and support of private donors, the museum credits its partnership with Churchill Downs as a key part of its ongoing success. The Derby Museum welcomes nearly 38,000 students annually through its outreach and in-house education efforts, and in the past 10 years, has invested $10 million in exhibit upgrades and facility improvements to ensure future generations may continue to explore Derby history in evolving, engaging ways.
