Daily News Wrap

Queensland racing review terms announced

The Queensland government announced the terms for the 2025 Queensland Racing Review on Monday, after the public consultation period closed on April 7. The steering committee was announced and will be led by, “Matthew McGrath is the Independent Committee Chair of the Queensland Racing Review. Mr McGrath is an experienced businessman, former Chairman of the Australian Turf Club, and a current board member of the Cronulla Sharks.”

Scott Neaves, Kym Daly, and Lynette Keep are the three Queenslanders who will join the steering committee, and they will review the submissions against the terms of the review which was announced as:

• Making sure all racing codes are financially sustainable.

• Improving integrity and animal welfare standards.

• Upgrading infrastructure to meet current and future needs.

• Supporting the success of country racing events.

• Encouraging better collaboration across the industry.

Misting to qualify for Oaks on Wednesday

Trainer David Vandyke needs Misting (Cosmic Force) to show plenty on Wednesday at Ipswich to qualify for the upcoming G1 Queensland Oaks. “The rain has been a massive disruption for a lot of my horses but we’re all in the same boat,” Vandyke told racingqueensland.com.au.

“Misting has just about got enough money to qualify for the Queensland Oaks and it won’t be the end of the world if she misses out as she’s just at the start of her career. She’s out of her grade a bit on Wednesday but she needs a run and hopefully she’ll show us enough to warrant going on to the Oaks.”

Vandyke also trains the half-sister to G1 Queensland Oaks winner Duais (Shamus Award), 3-year-old filly Philia (All Too Hard) who will run in the G2 The Roses prior to the Oaks.

Derby for Beau Dazzler

Jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester will ride Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) for trainers Tony and Maddy Sears in the G3 Rough Habit Plate on Saturday ahead of a tilt at the G1 Queensland Derby which would be Guthmann-Chester’s first Group 1 ride. “If I can win the Derby it would not only be a career highlight, it'd knock me off my feet because I wouldn't have thought I'd have a live Group 1 chance 12 months ago,” Guthmann-Chester told racenet.com.au.

“It'd mean everything. I think I'd be pretty blown away if I did get the result. It probably wouldn't sink in for a while because if you asked me two years whether I'd ever win a Group 1, I would've said ‘never'. Twelve months ago if you said ‘you'd have a live chance in a Derby' I'd say ‘you're kidding yourself'. To be in this position, it's surreal and I just really hope the horse runs well and we get the result we're looking for.”

First winner for Russian Camelot

Widden Stud’s first season sire Russian Camelot (Ire) sired his first winner on Monday when 2-year-old filly Morgana won the first at Mornington for trainer Patrick F Ryan Jnr and jockey Craig Newitt in a 0.5l victory from colt Bayou Music (Street Boss {USA}) and colt Wiser (Exceed And Excel).

Fourth then second in her two starts prior to Monday’s victory, Morgana was a $10,000 purchase by Patrick Ryan from Widden Stud’s March 2024 Inglis Digital Sale draft. A half-sister to 3-year-old filly Bushann (Stratum Star) who placed in the Listed Oaklands Plate last start, Morgana is the fourth foal of Rising Hope (Encosta De Lago) who won six races including two in the city. This is the family of G2 Del Mar Palomar Handicap winner and Grade 1-placed Morgana (USA) (El Gran Senor {USA}) and her Group 2-winning full brother Panama City (USA).

Singapore champion set for Stradbroke

Trainer Dan Meagher will run Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec {NZ}) on Saturday at Flemington to get a guide on how the dual Singapore Horse Of The Year stacks up ahead of a potential G1 Stradbroke run. “People here won’t understand what a great horse he was in Singapore. If he doesn’t show what he’s capable of I wouldn’t be running,” Meagher told racing.com.

“Not many horses win Horse of The Year twice, 10 Group 1 races and have a record of 22 wins from 30 starts. He hasn’t run down a straight track but the bottom line with him is that he’s a good horse; he’s a winner and he should perform wherever he goes whether it’s down the straight or in either direction.

“He’s past his peak but hopefully he’s still good enough for here. He’s always been a casual worker and you don’t get a guide until race day with him.” Lim’s Kosciuszko’s 10 ‘Group 1’ victories were rated as Listed by the International Pattern Committee, but that shouldn’t take away from his dominance in Singapore over several seasons.

Reserve Bank to spell for spring targets

Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr announced on Monday that G1 Goodwood Handicap winner Reserve Bank (Capitalist) will spell and be aimed at spring targets. “I suppose the exciting thing about the colt is we don't know where his ceiling is as yet,” Kent Jnr told racing.com.

“He's really progressed in a short space of time. We've always held him in very high regard, but he's really furnished and matured this time around and I thought every run he's gotten better and better. He's on that upward plane. We don't know what his top is yet, but the options are endless for him.

“He's always had that stud-colt look about him. He's a gorgeous type and always had plenty of ability and he's got the most magnificent attitude, so it was no surprise to see him do that. He basically did it off level weights under a compressed scale and carried the same weight (54.5kg) as Giga Kick, so he was the best horse.

“He'll have a rest now and get ready for the spring. He's had a very busy prep with five runs and three interstate runs so he can certainly have a rest and give us all plenty of time to think about what's ahead for him.”

Arrowfield draft on Bloodstock Auction

Arrowfield Stud have placed a draft of 12 yearlings with the current Bloodstock Auction sale. “We are delighted that Arrowfield Stud has continued to support Bloodstock Auction,” Company Director Anthony Gafa said in a press release.

“They are amongst a number of commercial breeders realising that we offer an outstanding platform, one which has an ever increasing client base, in which to showcase their horses. We expose their horses to a large audience with over 23,000 members of our community providing for spirited bidding.”

Around the nation: Monday’s highlights

With Murwillumbah abandoned, there were two meetings remaining in Australia on Monday. Too Darn Hot (GB) sired a double with a winner at each meeting, thanks to Trembles winning at Mornington and Too Darn Lovely at Quirindi, while Wandjina sired a double at Quirindi with The Piccolino and Wanda River.

Beadman spelled for spring

Exciting G3 Ken Russell Stakes winner Beadman (Snitzel) will be spelled, rather than press on to the G1 JJ Atkins Plate, with co-owner Henry Field already thinking about The Everest. “With these early season 3-year-olds, I never lock one in for The Everest until I see how they are going in the spring,” Field told racenet.com.au about The Everest slot owned by his Newgate Farm.

“But if Beadman was to win the Golden Rose then you would be foolish not to run him in The Everest. There are a few reasons we have decided to spell Beadman. He's on his first preparation because he got quite crook as a yearling.

“He is basically three preparations behind most other 2-year-olds so what he has shown so far is really on raw ability and is very exciting. Plus, Peter (Snowden) thinks this colt is the real deal so we want to give him a decent spell now then target the Golden Rose and the Coolmore Stakes. If he was to win the Golden Rose, then of course we will look at The Everest.” Beadman has won two of his three starts.

Vale Ben Smith

The death of Newcastle trainer Ben Smith, aged 42, was announced on Monday. Racenet.com.au reported that Newcastle police were investigating the death, but no suspicious circumstances were being reported. Smith was nearing the end of a 13-month suspension over a banned substance found in one of his horses.

In 2018, Smith won the G1 Galaxy Handicap with In Her Time (Time Thief) and the G1 Sires' Produce Stakes with El Dorado Dreaming (Ilovethiscity), but shortly afterwards was given a three year-nine month ban by Racing NSW stewards after being found guilty of cobalt and conduct charges.

He resumed training in 2022, but was given a further ban for using a banned substance while handing a horse, and for the presence of meloxicam in one of his runners. This 13-month ban was almost completed.

Vale Paula D'Addona

On Monday Racing Queensland announced the passing of trainer and former jockey Paula D'Addona. She died on Saturday morning, aged 53. “She lived and breathed her horses – her thoroughbreds,” Cairns Jockey Club committee member Rebecca Conlan said.

“She loved the animal, the horse, first and foremost – that was her passion. She started off life at pony club before going to equestrian and on the showjumping circuit throughout her teenage years throughout North Queensland. She was the type of person who got along with everyone at the races.”

D’Addona had just relaunched her training career after a hiatus since 2014, and her first runner back was Uncle Russ (Adelaide {Ire}) who ran at Ipswich on Saturday. Up to 2014, she had trained 141 winners. D'Addona is survived by her son Joey.

Vale Fiona Ralph

Racing Victoria and the Bendigo Jockey Club have confirmed stablehand Fiona Ralph passed away in the Royal Melbourne Hospital over the weekend from head injuries sustained in a fall at Bendigo racecourse last Tuesday. “We are shocked and saddened at the news of Fiona's passing after what appears to be a tragic accident on race day at Bendigo,” RV chief executive Aaron Morrison said in a statement.

“On behalf of all within the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Fiona's family and friends at this incredibly tough time. Our thoughts are also with trainer Toby Lake and his staff, along with the team at the Bendigo Jockey Club who are equally shocked at Fiona's passing.

“In this tough time, her family have taken comfort knowing that she got to spend her last day watching two of her favourite racehorses at the track. The racing community is a big family who share a common love of the horse and I know that this sad news will be felt by all, regardless of whether they knew Fiona.”

Just Too Fly a steal for Doak

Managing owner Kim Doak recalls buying G3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes winner 2-year-old colt Just Too Fly (Justify {USA}) with a giggle. “This is one that Luke (Fernie) just liked straight away,” Doak told racingwa.com.au on Monday and mentioned that the colt will be set for next season’s WA Guineas.

“I’ve learnt in the past few years that when he looks at the horses and I look at Luke and he gets excited, I take note. He really wanted to have a go at this particular horse and to be fair, I thought we were no chance. I thought chestnut, Justify horse, well bred, that’s going to be outside of our price range.

“On the day bidding we managed to get lucky and I remember calling Luke after. We couldn’t stop laughing, like little kids giggling on how lucky we’d been. It was a good feeling then and it’s an even better feeling now. We just know we have a good horse in our pocket.” Just Too Fly was purchased by trainer Luke Fernie from Riversdale at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $210,000. He has earnings over $240,000 from his four starts and single victory to date.

Sunday’s treble for Cole and Grylls

Trainer Cody Cole and jockey Craig Grylls combined for a treble in New Zealand on Sunday with Full Of Courage (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}), Four Square Pete (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), and Renovations (NZ) (Ardrossan). Grylls also won on Shaun and Hazel Fannin-trained Afternoon Siesta (Shamus Award). “You don’t have to tell Craig too much, I just let him figure out what he has to do,” Cole told Loveracing.nz on Monday.

“He filled the shoes for Joe (Doyle) when he couldn’t be there. I called Gryllsy and said, I know you want Sunday off, but would you please be able to go down and ride these horses for me please. He didn’t hesitate, he’s an absolute champion of a bloke and is always willing to help. I’m very grateful and glad that he got the results he did, because he was doing us a favour.”

Brazilian jockey gets first Kiwi winner

Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz won his first race in New Zealand on Kevin and Stephen Gray-trained 3-year-old gelding Tycoon Boss (Street Boss {USA}) at Trentham on Saturday. “He’s (Queiroz) a huge talent. He’s Joao Moreira’s godson, and Joao and I have been good friends since his days riding in Singapore. Joao wanted to get Bruno to Singapore for some international experience and asked me to help him get started,” Stephen Gray told Loveracing.nz.

“After being unable to speak a word of English when he arrived, his progress was incredible – to the point where he rode four winners on the very last day of racing in Singapore, clinching the premiership.

“He’s only 23 and has ridden over 1100 winners already. He’s a huge talent, young, light and a very humble, nice and hard-working person. Joao wants him to learn his trade a bit more over here in New Zealand with us. It’ll give him a great grounding for his future career.

“If he settles in well here and gets going, especially in the spring, I think he could do very well. His record is incredible. I expect him to be a real asset to New Zealand racing, and he could well prove to be as good as any rider in the country.”

Derby runner-up Journalism to run in Preakness

Journalism (USA) (Curlin {USA}), runner-up in the G1 Kentucky Derby, will contest the G1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Saturday, co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners confirmed in a tweet Sunday night.

“Journalism has been grand since the Kentucky Derby and (trainer) Michael McCarthy has green-lighted him to head to Pimlico Race Course for the 150th Preakness Stakes,” said the post on X. “We look forward to showcasing Journalism's talents in Baltimore in such a coveted American Classic with Umberto Rispoli set to ride.”

After watching Journalism train Sunday morning at Churchill Downs, McCarthy said, “I thought he looked very good. I didn't see a whole lot of difference. He's a horse that carries a lot of substance, a lot of condition. He looked very, very good this morning.”

Winners guaranteed Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe spots

Arc Races, a new eight-race initiative that will grant each winner a spot in the €5-million G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the autumn, was launched by France Galop on Sunday. Highlighting some of the best of French racing, the aim of the series is to raise the profile of the Arc, which takes place at ParisLongchamp on October 5 this year.

Spread across the calendar, the Arc Races include the following contests: the G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club on June 1 and the G1 Prix de Diane Longines on June 15 both at Chantilly; Saint-Cloud's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on June 29, the G1 Grand Prix de Paris back at ParisLongchamp on July 13, and the G1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on August 24. In addition, ParisLongchamp will host the Qatar Arc Trials on September 7 which encompass the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille, the G2 Qatar Prix Niel and the G2 Qatar Prix Foy.

Winners of the Arc Races will be granted a wildcard to run in the Arc, provided they meet the race conditions. If there are too many starters (race limit is 24), Arc Races winners will be given priority and will not be included in the elimination procedure.

Winners of the Arc trial races will have their entry fees refunded. More importantly, if they don't have an entry in the Arc, they will receive a free supplementary entry worth €120,000 (AU$208,000).

Dubawi's Delacroix looks smart for Ballydoyle

Just minutes after stablemate Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) secured G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains glory in France, Aidan O'Brien nominee Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) laid his Classic credentials on the line in Leopardstown's G3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes and passed with flying colours, registering a 2.75l triumph in the 10-furlong test.

“Gavin (Ryan) went along at an even tempo (aboard Rock Of Cashel) and Wayne (Lordan) got a lovely lead into it,” reflected Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong. “When he got after him, a furlong-and-a-half out, the most impressive part was he really lengthened and quickened to the line. Wayne said going to the line he was having a good look, which is a good sign there is plenty left in there. His homework has been very good since here the last day, he's come forward lovely and all being well he'll come forward again. It's on to Epsom now.”

Delacroix, one of his sire’s 192 pattern-race winners, is the latest of four foals and one of two scorers from as many runners out of multiple Grade 1-winning dual US champion Tepin (USA) (Bernstein {USA}), who also bagged Royal Ascot's G1 Queen Anne Stakes. Tepin, whose other winner is last term's G1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Grateful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), is a full-sister to G2 Peter Pan Stakes and G3 Coolmore Lexington Stakes placegetter Prime Cut (USA).

Belmont aim for Hill Road

Amo Racing's Hill Road (USA) (Quality Road {USA}) may have earned himself a tilt at the June 7 G1 Belmont Stakes with his win in the G3 Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday. “He bounced out of the Peter Pan in good shape,” trainer Chad Brown said Sunday.

“Hopefully once we get him back under tack and he's healthy and good, we will go onto the Belmont. After a little bit of a layoff, it was a reasonable spot for him to get going again. It wasn't too difficult of a race, it was at the right distance, at least off a layoff, and I think at a mile and a quarter, you'll see the best of him. That's what he's been looking for.”