ATC unveil MOI for Penrith Golf land
The Australian Turf Club have announced another portion of their post-sale plan for Rosehill, with the announcement that the Board has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Seven Hills RSL with regards to the Penrith Golf Club land. If Rosehill is sold, the ATC will spend $370 million on acquiring and redeveloping the Penrith Golf course land into a training track with 300 boxes. This additional announcement is intended to fill the gap in training facilities with the loss of Rosehill, which currently hosts 340 horses in training.
On Tuesday, members were sent a 110-page document outlining a plan to spend $800 million on upgrading Warwick Farm – a plan with no planning approval from council – and another $518 million on new member’s facilities at Randwick on land which is not owned by the ATC, only leased.
“Our vision includes the construction of another Group 1 racecourse that would secure Sydney’s place as a global racing hub,” ATC chairman Peter McGauran said. “While these discussions are in early stages, we’re excited about the potential that benefits the racing industry, ATC and Penrith Golf Club Members, and the local community.
Peter McGauran | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
“Penrith is one of the fastest growing population centres in NSW and ticks all the boxes in playing a key role for the next generation of racing. Our priority is to expand and enhance quality infrastructure for trainers and owners, who would be central to the design of a new facility.”
The vote on the Rosehill sale is to be held on May 27.
Zoustar takes the lead
Over the weekend, Zoustar took a narrow lead in the Australian Champion Stallion Premiership and currently leads with $21.69 million in progeny earnings for the season, while Pride Of Dubai has $21.63 million. Snitzel is in third with $20 million, and I Am Invincible is fourth with $19.5 million.
Benedetta can reverse order on Schwarz
Trainer Jason Warren thinks his mare Benedetta (Hellbent) can reverse the order of the G1 William Reid Stakes and beat Schwarz (Zoustar) in the upcoming G1 Doomben 10,000 on Saturday. “Bloody oath I will. They had their day in the sun (winning the William Reid Stakes),” Warren told racenet.com.au when asked if he could upset Schwarz’s final start.
“One of my biggest owners is Rosemont so I said to them ‘you've managed to get that one under your belt but I won't be giving the next one away'. He (Schwarz) had the track in his favour at Moonee Valley (in the William Reid Stakes), it was a terrible track that day. Hopefully he's not getting that advantage this week.
Benedetta | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She's in great form and she hasn't had an overly taxing preparation so far. Rather than going to Adelaide, which was quite an achievable Group 1 in the Sangster, we decided to go to Sydney so we were halfway to Brisbane.”
Shinn opts for Antino over Schwarz
Jockey Blake Shinn will serve his 10-meeting suspension this week, meaning he’ll miss riding Schwarz (Zoustar) in the G1 Doomben 10,000, but will be back to ride Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) in the G1 Doomben Cup the following weekend. “They get along with each other and they trust each other,” Antino’s trainer Tony Gollan told Radio TAB on Sunday.
Antino (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Blake really knows what this horse can deliver when he asks certain things of him and his Toorak ride will be remembered long after I'm finished in racing. The Hollindale Stakes will be pretty similar I'd suggest, it was a hell of a win. They're a great combination. We've missed out on Blake a couple of times through suspension … so I'm really grateful that he took the suspension straight away so he can ride him in the Doomben Cup.”
Coast winner Know Thyself for Scone Cup
Co-trainer Paul Messara will try to gain The Big Dance eligibility for recent The Coast winner Know Thyself (The Autumn Sun) with a run in Friday’s Listed Scone Cup. “We will know a bit more midweek and see if there is much bounce in his legs and take it from there,” Messara told racenet.com.au.
“That (The Big Dance) would be a lovely race for him to run in, it's perfect for him really. It might not be this preparation because he has done a great job already with four wins in a row but we will just see how he comes through.”
War Machine earns his way to Stradbroke
Co-trainer Ben Hayes has only had 4-year-old gelding War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel {Ire}) for a few weeks, since taking over the Mike Moroney/Glen Thompson stables, but he’s settled in well with a win on Saturday and a Group 1 target. “He's been in the system nearly two weeks now and he's been so straightforward and arrived to us in good condition,” Hayes told Loveracing.nz.
“He's an exciting horse heading up to Queensland now, where we will look at the BRC Sprint in two weeks and hopefully he can get qualified to run in a Stradbroke. From what we've seen at home, is a high-quality horse that would be up there with some of our better horses in the yard.”
Around the nation: Sunday’s highlights
With the Sunshine Coast moved to the Polytrack, there were nine meetings across Australia on Sunday. At Mudgee, 2-year-old filly A Bar In Paris (Rubick) led a double for trainer Bjorn Baker who also won with 3-year-old gelding Viktor (Frankel {GB}). At Queanbeyan, 2-year-old filly Magic Speed (Bon Hoffa) won on debut for trainer Paul Facoory over 900 metres against the older horses.
At Ballarat, So You Think (NZ) sired a double with Professor Pickles and All So Clear. Juvenile gelding Oval Office (Shooting To Win) won on debut at the Sunshine Coast. The $42,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate is out of Lady Lewinsky (More Than Ready {USA}).
Tasmania’s Hobart meeting saw Alpine Eagle sire a treble with Sh’bourne Midnight, High Tail Eagle, and Flying Billie, while at Port Augusta Akeed Mofeed (GB) sired a double with I’m Kenny and Alpha Flight.
Victorian Picnic awards dinner
The Victorian Picnic racing awards dinner occurred on Saturday night with jockey Shaun Cooper gaining his sixth consecutive jockeys premiership with 34 picnic wins, and also won the Barry Ryan Medal awarded by the Victorian stewards. Trainer Troy Kilgower earned a fourth trainers title. Brooke Verwey-Mitchell-trained Annoy’en One (Star Witness) was the Horse Of The Year having gone from maiden status to winning six races in the season.
The Yea Racing Club was awarded the Club of the Year. Country Racing Victoria’s Picnic Racing Manager Adam Olszanski said in his speech that the 32 picnic meetings were attended by 44,000 people.
Scone to host Cup meeting this weekend
Scone Race Club’s two-day Darley Scone Cup Carnival on Friday and Saturday will provide a strong boost to the local economy. “Our Friday meeting features the Darley Scone Cup which is a Big Dance-eligible race, the Inglis 2YO Challenge and the Vinery Country Cup,” Jason Hill, SRC’s CEO, told racingnsw.com.au.
“Then on Saturday we’ll have a stand-alone meeting highlighted by the Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic, the Coolmore Denise’s Joy Stakes, the Emirates Park Ortensia Stakes, Yarraman Park Woodlands Stakes and the Scone Equine Hospital Luskin Star Stakes.
Jason Hill | Image courtesy of Racing NSW
“It’s the only Metropolitan-status meeting in Country New South Wales where they race for a minimum of $120,000 per race. In all, we have nearly $2.5 million in prizemoney for the two days and it’s a real privilege for us to host these two race cards.
“We’ll have kids’ entertainment including face painting as we’re trying to open the Saturday up to a new market with families. There’ll be plenty of food vendors on-site and enough tables and chairs for thousands of guests, but if patrons wish to set up their own picnics with simple tables and chairs that’s fine. A lot of work has gone into the Carnival, and we’ve had great support from suppliers and partners.”
Double to Charm Spirit in Hong Kong
Lady’s Choice (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) led a double for his sire at Sha Tin on Saturday evening, with his other winner being Charming Steed (Fr). Trainer Michael Chang will consider taking Lady’s Choice to the G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap at the end of the month. “He’s now fully mature. Mentally, he’s improved a lot. Last year, he was still mentally a little bit hot but he’s now calmed down a lot. He relaxes, he knows the racing and he tries and he keeps improving,” Chang told hkjc.com.
“Maybe I will run him in the Group 3 race at the end of this month. He will carry a light weight, he holds his form well.” Sold by Arsdley Stud for NZ$25,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale to J Barnes, the 5-year-old gelding is raced by the HK Association of Lady Horse Lovers Syndicate.
Another treble for Purton
Jockey Zac Purton continued his march at the top of the premiership with another treble on Saturday at Sha Tin aboard Light Years Charm (Rubick), Flash Current (NZ) (Derryn), and Patch Of Stars (All Too Hard). “(Patch Of Stars) is only three, still learning and does a little bit wrong,” Purton told scmp.com.
“He wants to grab the bit and get a bit aggressive in the run and in the straight, he was hanging in quite bad. I think there’s a little bit more there and next season when he’s a bit more mature, he’ll start to show his best.”
Hollie Doyle breaks win record
Hollie Doyle enjoyed another landmark victory when claiming the outright record for most winners by a female rider in Britain by striking on Brindavan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) at Ascot. Doyle had moved alongside Hayley Turner at Chelmsford on Thursday and took the lead on her own with win number 1,023 on the Sean Woods-trained 8-1 chance in the Carey Group Handicap.
She told Sky Sports Racing, “It's good and, like I've said in the past, I've got to kind of pinch myself to believe that I've done this well. It's a great milestone to have reached and I'll keep kicking.”
Another Oaks contender for Ballydoyle
Continuing Ballydoyle's clean sweep of the week's Derby and Oaks trials, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)'s Garden Of Eden (Ire) stepped up to the mark in Saturday's Listed Naas Oaks Trial Stakes. Up from a mile for the first time, last year's Listed Ingabelle Stakes runner-up relished the extra two furlongs and 84 yards as she swooped inside the final furlong under Ben Coen to score by a length from Mehmas (Ire)'s Jaliyah (Ire).
“Obviously I was running her over the wrong trip, she wanted to go further,” Aidan O'Brien said. “Saxon Warrior is doing very well and obviously they are middle-distance horses and Ben even said she'd get a mile-and-a-half. She has a little bit of class and I'd say she loved the ground. All those races are open to her now, she's in that picture now.”
Ballydoyle continues march towards Classics
Ballydoyle's form in the Classic trials maintained its formidable momentum on Saturday with a one-two in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial. At the line, the 4-5 favourite and Ryan Moore's pick Puppet Master (Ire) had a short head to spare over Stay True (Ire) in the extended 11-furlong contest, with neither stablemate giving an inch. Camelot (GB)'s Puppet Master, who had been fourth in the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes and in the G3 Ballysax Stakes on his return, had been forced to battle his way past Stay True, one of the last crop of Galileo (Ire), inside the last two furlongs as they pulled 3.5l clear of Ghaiyyath (Ire)'s Nightime Dancer (Ire).
Paul Smith was on hand to give the lowdown. “They are two lovely horses that hit the line hard, so they get the trip well,” he said. “Puppet Master relaxed well. He is quite an uncomplicated horse and Ryan was very happy with him. As for the other one, he is in the mix for the big races going forward. We will see what happens in Ireland on Sunday and with The Lion In Winter at York. There are other possibilities like the Irish Derby and races at Royal Ascot, so we can spread them around.”
Three-horse race in Listed Oaks Trial
With just two overmatched rivals in opposition, Aidan O'Brien trainee Giselle (Ire)'s superior form and class told as the daughter of Frankel (GB) overcame Lingfield's Epsom-style intricacies, delivering a facile 9l success in the track's William Hill-sponsored Listed Oaks Trial on Saturday.
“I was afraid she'd be too keen, because she had been keen, and it was a good experience for her,” said O'Brien. “I don't know what was in her head this year when she started back, she was just very on the bridle and, hopefully, that will settle her.”
Giselle, who becomes the 155th stakes winner for her sire, is the first foal out of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and GI Just A Game Stakes heroine Newspaperoftherecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Sandal’s Song books trip to Ascot
Sandal's Song (USA) (Mendelssohn {USA}) booked his ticket to the Royal Meeting and earned a US$25,000 voucher for the trip with a late-running score in the Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday afternoon. “He (Sandal's Song) was able to get up in a nice position before they hit the turn,” said trainer George Weaver.
“I don't really hone on my first time starters. He'd done enough. I knew he was fast. Good horses go out there and do what they're supposed to do. I never worked him on the grass, but he had some turf in his pedigree. If he comes out of this race well I'd like to take him there (Ascot). I see no reason not to. I feel comfortable he's the calibre who should go if he's doing well.”
English Channel quinella in Group 2
Returning to the scene of his victory in last year's GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, LSU Stables' Far Bridge (USA) (English Channel {USA}) stamped his authority on Saturday's G2 Man o' War Stakes at Aqueduct, defeating his chief market rival Anglophile (USA) (English Channel {USA}) by a deceptively easy margin. “Very tactical, short field. Joel Rosario rode a great race,” said trainer Christophe Clement.
“To train, he has never been an issue, but in his races, he seems to be more mature this year. Going up the inside, he has the rail and if he has the rail to help him, he's always good. It's when he's in the middle of something there can be an issue, but when he's on the rail, no problem.”
Clement said that the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes on the Belmont undercard at Saratoga on June 7 would be his next start.
