Sunshine In Paris confirmed for Everest
John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds will run their mare Sunshine In Paris (Invader) in their G1 The Everest slot in the spring. “Sunshine In Paris is not heavily raced, I think she is up to start 17 so she has no ‘miles' in her legs,” Camilleri told racenet.com.au.
“So, we are leaning towards another crack at The Everest and maybe the Melbourne Champions Sprint, a race she won last year.” On the G1 Doomben 10,000 win, Camilleri mentioned how Sunshine In Paris didn’t like the heavy track. “I thought 100 metres out she's not going to get there but she did which is testimony to how gutsy she is.”
Benedetta to press on to Kingsford-Smith
Last start fourth in the G1 Doomben 10,000, Benedetta (Hellbent) will continue on to the G1 Kingsford-Smith Stakes. “(Benedetta)’s come through the run well. We were rapt with her effort. Unfortunately, we hit a very Heavy track. There was a downgrade during the day and it really didn't suit her,” trainer Jason Warren told racing.com.
Jason Warren | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Jamie (Melham) said that she didn't handle that track for a stride, so to finish 1.5l off the winner and not handle the surface, I thought it was an enormous run. I think it was a really good, creditable effort. (It was) disappointing for us and the owners that we've hit that sort of surface in the Doomben 10,000 because it was quite an achievable race for her.”
Browne’s Derby prospect
Pakenham co-trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne will set Statuario (D’Argento) for the G1 Queensland Derby after his last start second in the G1 South Australian Derby. “When we travelled back from Adelaide, both Basilinna and Statuario ate up everything and didn’t really feel the trip,” Emma-Lee Browne told racing.com.
Statuario | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“That’s when we thought, ‘he’s doing really well’ so it’s probably worth pressing on with him. Especially because he had that four-week gap going into that Derby, he wasn’t heavily raced going into it. He’s going to have jump-out on Tuesday at Pakenham and then travel up on Thursday. At this stage we’re really, really happy with him but obviously we’ll get through the jump-out, make sure that he’s all perfect before he goes.”
Newitt and Jenni for Doomben Cup
Jockey Craig Newitt thinks Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) can win Saturday’s G1 Doomben Cup. “This is what we do it for. To try and find these sort of horses, she did it at her peak without me riding her but they never lose their ability, she's a little bit older now, but I still firmly believe she can (still) win Group 1 races,” Newitt told racenet.com.au.
Pride Of Jenni | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It's been nearly nine years since my last Group 1, hopefully she can deliver one on Saturday.” His last Group 1 was on Extreme Choice in the G1 AJ Moir Stakes.
Fawkner to spoil the party
Trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald think Fawkner Park (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) can spoil the Brisbane Racing Club’s party on Saturday. The club will shout all patrons a XXXX if Pride Of Jenni or Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) win the G1 Doomben Cup. “Antino's shown that he's right up there with the best horses going around and Pride Of Jenni needs no introduction,” Rob Archibald told racenet.com.au.
Rob Archibald | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We're quite happy being the slight underdogs. I know what our horse (Fawkner Park) is capable of if he gets the right set-up and I know he can mix it with those two if we get the right conditions and he's there in his best order. I like the focus being on those two and hopefully we can just sneak in behind them.” Fawkner Park ran second in the G2 Hollindale Stakes last start.
Newport rises from ashes
Last month jockey Brendon Newport, his partner Sarah Robbins, and their five children lost everything when their motorhome burnt down, but thanks to a fundraiser conducted by the Queensland Racing Industry Support Program, more than $10,000 was raised to support them. “We haven’t had much luck lately,” Newport told racingqueensland.com.au.
“Just before the fire, Sarah’s car broke down before we left to go to Alice Springs and then a couple of weeks ago, I was 10km from home when my Ford Ranger blew a piston coming back from Cunnamulla. Thankfully (trainer) Rodney Hay let us borrow one of his cars, which was nice of him.”
He rides Oligarchy (Russian Revolution), Highground (Cluster), Wolf Point (Spieth {NZ}) and Mishani Outlaw (Heroic Valour) for trainer Ray Hermann at Balcardine on Tuesday. “I’ve only ridden Wolf Point so I don’t know much about the others. But, on Wolf Point’s last run, he should be hard to beat.”
Schweida and Graham’s Cup outsider
Jockey Ceejay Graham will get her second career Group 1 ride on 4-year-old mare Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution) in Saturday’s G1 Doomben Cup. “It'll be fantastic to ride in one up here in Queensland and even better to get that opportunity for Kelly (Schweida),” Graham told racenet.com.au.
“I had hoped that I'd be able to stick with her throughout her preparation because I knew she was aiming towards that sort of line (Doomben Cup). I think I'd have to get carried back in. I'd be very emotional, purely because of Kelly. I don't think you could make a Group 1 extra special but I reckon that would do it.”
September Born set for Belmont Guineas
Neville Parnham’s good 3-year-old colt September Born (Playing God) won a trial on Monday and will head to the Listed Raconteur Stakes and the Listed Belmont Guineas. “Unfortunately, he pulled up with pretty severe bruising and had an abscess forming,” Parnham told racingwa.com.au about his last start showing in the G2 WA Guineas in the spring.
“He went into the race pretty much the favourite, I think, and we walked away with our heads down and disappointed. But he’s had a nice break now and has come back in pretty good order.” He is a full brother to Group 1 winner Kay Cee.
Boyd’s emotional return to winner’s circle
Jockey Lucy Boyd rode her first winner in 18 months on Monday aboard 4-year-old gelding Quizlet (Exosphere) who is trained by herself. “We've had a pretty rough time on the track the last 12 months, but off the track, really good,” Lucy Boyd told racing.com.
“I had our baby and we bought our property and things like that, but to be able to come back … it's really, really good. When I had Harlen, I wasn't sure if I was going to come back riding, but I'm really glad that I've been able to and do it on my terms.”
Around the nation: Monday’s highlights
With Port Macquarie abandoned, Monday was left with two meetings. Jockey Lachlan King rode a treble at Corowa in NSW on John and Chris Ledger-trained 3-year-old gelding Shelley’s Legacy (Reward For Effort) and two wins for Ben Brisbourne on Choice Witness (Showtime) and Hot One (Impending).
Half to Imperatriz to debut on Wednesday
Trainer Alex Rae will debut 2-year-old colt I'mateez (Capitalist) on Wednesday. The half-brother to super sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) was a $200,000 purchase by Lofty Thoroughbreds and AGR Racing from Bhima Thoroughbred’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. “He is very, very fast, but he does seem one-dimensional,” Rae told racing.com.
I'mateez as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We've needed to have him fit and well educated because what you see is what you get, I think, so we are hoping he can respond when put under the pressure of race day. This time around we've just let him run and be quick.”
Trelawney’s tough filly makes it two
On Sunday, 3-year-old filly Astoria Brooke (NZ) (American Pharoah {USA}) won her second in succession for trainer Cody Cole, who trains her for Trelawney Stud. “I broke her in for Brent and Cherry (Taylor) and she was quite hard work both mentally and physically, she was quite unsound back then,” Cole told Loveracing.nz.
“She was initially meant to be heading to Australia, but because of her issues they opted to leave her with us and send another over to Peter Moody. It was really kind of them to do so, then she was late scratched in the gates at Matamata early on, so she’s not been straightforward. She’s going the right way now which is good, because I’ve always had a lot of time for her.
Astoria Brooke (NZ) (outside) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“I think she’s well capable of looking at some better options. (Her dam) Astor was very hard work to train herself, that was probably one of the reasons she ended up with me as well. But they both have a will to win and even Craig got off yesterday and said she’ll make the grade, she wasn’t really copping the track, but she gave her all to get over the line in front. That’s definitely a trait they both share.”
Astor (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) won four races for Cole including the Listed Mufhasa Stakes and Astoria Brooke is her second foal and second winner.
Parsons joins 1000 wins club
Balcairn trainer Karen Parsons achieved the milestone of 1000 wins on Thursday, with it going under the radar until being noticed on Monday as she trains in partnership with her husband John who has 1327 career wins. “Our foreman, Mahi Singh, without him we wouldn’t be going at all now, he is outstanding,” Karen Parsons told Loveracing.nz.
Karen Parsons | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“He can do everything, and he gets so excited when the horses win.” A double at Riccarton with Sway Up (NZ) (Highly Recommended) and Tumuch (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) notched up the milestone.
Happy Fat Cat to retire to France but first Happy Valley
Jockey Antoine Hamelin is returning to France at the end of the Hong Kong season, but it won’t be alone as he’s hoping to take Happy Fat Cat (Shalaa {Ire}) with him. “He might be a horse I will have in my stables in France, so maybe I won’t miss him for so long,” Hamelin told scmp.com.
“Maybe he will come back to my house in France when he retires. There’s no plans to retire him yet but once he does, there’s a chance he comes over to me in France. He’s been amazing – he’s a lovely horse. I really enjoy riding him and it’s always a pleasure. He’s done really well and he deserves what he gets. I’m glad to be back on him again. That’s very good news for us, to have a good gate, but his rating is a bit high now so he will have some weight on his back. I’m sure he will still be competitive. His form is still there so I’m confident and happy.”
The pair will race on Wednesday at Happy Valley, and they have already won two races together this season.
Matilda wins German Guineas
Volker Kaufling's twice-raced 3-year-old filly Matilda (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), one of three distaffers sent postward for Sunday's G2 German 2000 Guineas at Cologne, turned the one-mile Classic into a procession, coming home clear of her rivals on black-type debut. “I am overawed and was in tears immediately after the race,” said winning trainer Yasmin Almenrader.
“I must say many thanks to the owner-breeder Mr Kaufling, who insisted on supplementing Matilda here, because he worked out she should have a big chance.” The victory provided jockey Frida Valle-Skar with a first black-type success.
Owner-breeder Volker Kaufling added, “That was awesome and I had to have a sit down to take it all in. I normally have a very low pulse, but now it is sky high. I have been in this business for over 40 years now and it is one of the greatest moments to have a homebred win a Classic.”
Matilda, who was raised at Gestut Etzean, becomes the 34th Group winner and third of the year for her sire and is the latest of seven foals out of Modesty’s Way (USA) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}), a winning half-sister to the dual Group 3-placed Listed Prix Occitanie victrix Poupee Flash (USA) (Elusive Quality {USA}) and the stakes-winning High Noon Rider (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}).
Royal Ascot for Juddmonte's Babouche
Confirming that she has lost none of her juvenile power, Juddmonte's 3-year-old filly Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) who was second-favourite behind old rival Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) for Sunday's G3 Goffs Lacken Stakes duly did what she had done to him in last year's G1 Phoenix Stakes. Keen early for Colin Keane denied cover in the Naas feature, the 2-1 second favourite was delivered to swamp Ballydoyle's 4-5 market-leader two out en route to a 2.75l success.
“That's the first time I've seen that this year from her,” trainer Ger Lyons said. “Now she's back and we can go to the Commonwealth (Cup) and if we get beat we get beat, but at least we know we are locked and loaded.”
Group quinella for Starman
Juvenile filly Lady Iman (Ire) had already provided Starman (GB) with his first black-type winner and things only got better for Tally Ho Stud on Sunday as she led home a one-two for their much-vaunted first-crop sire in Naas's G3 Fillies Sprint Stakes. Having made the breakthrough in The Curragh's Listed First Flier Stakes earlier this month, the Ger Lyons-trained half-sister to the talented 3-year-old sprinter West Acre (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) travelled with ease under Colin Keane before hunting down the sire's other runner Green Sense (Ire) in the final furlong.
“She came to me with a reputation and she's done everything easy,” Ger Lyons said. “Colin said she gets to the front and she idles, which is lovely. I asked the question 'where to now?' and Colin said 'wherever you want'. We'll sit down with Tony and Roger (O'Callaghan), it's all about the sire and doing the right thing by the filly going forward.”
Firenze Flavor wins G3 Honeymoon
She may have started slow, but 3-year-old filly Firenze Flavor (USA) (Liam's Map {USA}) was flying late to contribute her part toward a thrilling finish in the G3 Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita, pulling a 7-1 upset in the process. “We've always liked the filly,” said Gallagher.
“Her first race was good, her second race was good, her third was not so good. Then she came back and won last time. I think there's more to come for her, but first I need to go to LensCrafters. I thought she finished third.” This was her first black type win and she has won three of her five starts.
Old Friends promote aftercare with win
The Amazing Mizzen (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}) has earned 'retirement for life' at Old Friends via her victory in Race 2, the Old Friends Purse, at Pimlico Saturday, May 18, the organization announced via press release Sunday afternoon. “Today has been a special day for Old Friends in Maryland on Preakness Day,” said John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends, who handed out the winner's trophy Saturday.
“We are so grateful to Pimlico for making the Old Friends Purse possible and for giving Thoroughbred Aftercare such a large platform. (Saturday's) race was very exciting! We congratulate the connections of The Amazing Mizzen on her impressive upset victory. A place awaits her at Old Friends when the time comes.”
