Ipswich expecting good crowd on Saturday
Ipswich’s big meeting was almost a disaster last year when an electrical fire in the grandstand occurred. This year, the club is expecting over 12,000 people to attend. “Obviously one aspect we are looking forward to is having people back in the grandstand following the Cup eve fire last year,” Ipswich Turf Club CEO Nathan Exelby told racenet.com.au.
“Broadcaster David Fowler cut a lonely figure as the only person in that stand last year. Restoration works were completed in October and we're looking forward to seeing our members and guests back in that stand for the 2025 Cup. The crowd last year was 12,500 and we are expecting a similar number this time around based on ticket pre-sales.
Nathan Exelby | Image courtesy of Ipswich Turf Club
“The Ipswich Turf Club is proud of the role its TAB Cup meeting plays in the winter carnival landscape. It's not a Group race meeting, but as a party, it stands alone. The combination of the infield festival and the 200m-plus marquee line along the home straight, it is a sight to behold and newcomers to the Cup meeting are consistently amazed at the scope of the event.
“The Brisbane Racing Club do a super job with their carnival, having positioned it as the launching pad to future stardom. Ipswich doesn't attract that same level of horse, but we run three very competitive stakes races and another (the TL Cooney) that is knocking on the door of being upgraded to black type status.”
Gear change for Xidaki in Eye Liner
Trainer Peter Snowden has removed the cross-over noseband for Xidaki (Zoustar) in Saturday’s Listed Eye Liner Stakes. “I've had a cross-over noseband on him this time in because he was struggling last time in and I felt it cost him a couple of races. But it seems he has been resenting it this preparation because he's been getting too far back in his races. So I've taken the noseband off for Saturday and hope he can settle closer in the run,” Snowden told racenet.com.au.
“Ipswich is a track where you have to stay positive and he has drawn five. I don't want him to get too far back from there. I'm confident he has the tactical speed to be in the first five or six in the run. He's going great at home and I can't believe he won't be running well on what he has been showing me in his trackwork.”
El Soleado to honour Laing on Saturday
The late Robbie Laing-trained El Soleado (Toronado {Ire}) was the last horse Laing took to the races, running second that day. He’s been transferred to trainer Robert Hickmott by owners Colleen and Kevin Bamford and runs at Flemington on Saturday. “He was a terrific bloke, obviously a great trainer, great family, great footballer and we had plenty in common, that's for sure. We used to have a chat about the footy or the horses, whichever came first. He's sorely missed in the industry,” Hickmott told racing.com.
El Soleado | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It's a tough race, I hope (El Soleado) hasn't got second-up syndrome in him but a bit of stimulation with coming to a new place is probably going to aid him a touch. It would be a fantastic tribute to Robbie if he could salute, that's for sure.”
Latest Inglis Digital catalogue out now
Opportunities abound in the latest Inglis Digital sale with G3 Fred Best Classic winner Spicy Martini (Justify {USA})’s dam Extra Olives (Redoute’s Choice) in foal to St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) headlining the sale. West Australian Group 3 winner Searchin’ Roc’s (Awesome Rock) is another stand out lot.
Yulong is the leading vendor with 21 entries while the likes of Annabel Neasham Racing, Widden, Vinery, Ciaron Maher, Anthony Freedman, Taghadoe Stud, Waterhouse/Bott, Blue Gum, Sledmere, Lindsay Park, Rheinwood Pastoral, Yarraman etc have all supported the catalogue strongly.
A total of 485 horses have been lotted for the sale including 173 racehorses (76 race fillies), 157 broodmares, 66 racehorse shares, 42 yearlings, 41 weanlings and 6 unraced stock.
Hopper on target for Winx Guineas
Trainer Peter Snowden says Hopper (Snitzel) reminds him of his dam, Artistry (Shamardal {USA}), who he trained to win a Group 3 race. He runs at Randwick on Saturday ahead of a tilt at the G3 Winx Guineas next month. “She was a late 3-year-old when I picked her up but she went bang straight away, she got to a good level,” Snowden told racingnsw.com.au.
“This fellow is doing the same thing now. He’s heading toward his 4-year-old time he’s coming into his own now. He’s only starting to put it together and there’s definitely more to come.”
Philipsburg back from injury for Cup
Trainer James Ponsonby scratched Philipsburg (NZ) (Per Incanto {NZ}) from the G2 Brisbane Cup with a minor injury, but he’s ready for Saturday’s Listed Ipswich Cup. “He got banged up in the paddock and we thought we'd pull the plug because he had a little bit of inflammation. It turned out to be nothing, which was good. He would've struggled to beat Campaldino (in the Brisbane Cup), the way it went,” Ponsonby told racenet.com.au.
Philipsburg (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“This (the Listed Ipswich Cup) looked like a fair race on paper in terms of weight conditions. He's well, although he hasn't had a lot of luck since he's been home in Sydney so I thought when in Rome, do as the Romans do – back up and try to get another one.”
Stapleford to make most of loan
Apprentice Mitch Stapleford is on a three-month loan from Scott Singleton to Joe Pride, and rides Moonlight Dream (Zoustar) for Pride at Kembla Grange on Saturday with four other rides too. “He is a great kid with a good amount of talent as a rider. He has come to me at the right time looking to get him through his provincial claim. I think he will do it no problem at all. He just has to build a bit of momentum,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au.
“He is in a new place now and I am sure he will become popular with a few city stables down here. He will take off for sure.”
Shailer’s Zousain can win again
Trainer Paul Shailer thinks last start winner Mister Bianco (Zousain) can do it again on Saturday at Ipswich. “It was a dominant win and he won by a decent margin. The third horse, Gin A Tonic, franked the form by winning at the Sunshine Coast last Sunday,” Shailer told racingqueensland.com.au.
“He’s racing with confidence now so he should be very competitive again at Ipswich. He had a tick-over barrier trial at the Gold Coast on Tuesday which he won well and Michael rode him and was very impressed with his performance.”
Paul Shailer | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Trainer Conron returns to city
Recently returned to training after a six-year hiatus, trainer Craig Conron will head into Flemington with Winning Toast (I Am Invincible) who Conron purchased online for $35,000. “I'm just hoping he goes well, I've got faith in the horse,” Conron told racing.com.
“I think he can make that jump, but they've got to do it. And if he doesn't, I've still got a nice horse anyway. So, am I really nervous? Not really, no. I'm just really looking forward to it.”
Izzy’s Star wins at Coffs Harbour
Frosted (USA) juvenile filly Izzy’s Star (NZ) went one better than her debut when winning at Coffs Harbour for trainer Kris Lees on Friday. Raced by Royal Blue Bloodstock and Lago Racing, she is the first live foal for city winner Cavalini (Exceed And Excel).
At Geelong, Craig Williams rode a treble.
Expressions of Interest open for Orange facility
Expressions of interest are open for a training facility near Orange in NSW. “Towac Park spans 67 hectares and the expansive grounds feature wide open spaces ideal for horse exercise, including a newly developed cross-country course. The facilities continue to evolve reflecting our commitment to the ongoing improvement of the precinct,” said the press release.
“Racing Orange has new and refurbished on-course stable blocks now available and included in the track fees are access to an 8-horse undercover walker, aqua treadmill with incline function, the all-weather sand training track, a 20m round yard and access to the course proper once a week (weather permitting) with special gallops available on request.”
New Zealand’s public holiday highlights
New Zealand celebrated Matariki on Friday, a Maori festival which was first observed as a public holiday on 24 June 2022. The race meeting at Otaki saw the Listed Castletown Stakes for 2-year-olds won by Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), while Complacent sired a double including Raukawa Cup winner Tony Dravitzki-trained Piper’s Son (NZ) as well as Paradis (NZ).
“He’s always shown a bit of potential. He’s really just a one-pace horse. Elle (Sole) took the initiative and went to the front. Full credit to her and this is a great result,” Dravitzki told Loveracing.nz.
Piper’s Son (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Paradis was having her first start for a new trainer, Suzy Gordon. “I don’t think she’s ever started over less than 2100 metres before. In her first start for me today, I thought we’d start her out at a mile and see how we go. She’d been working well. I thought she’d probably go a good race today, but I thought she might need to get up to 2000 metres.”
Cole’s Rareza set for four in a row
If Cody Cole-trained Rareza (NZ) (Exosphere) can win Saturday’s Listed Tauranga Classic, it’ll be four wins in succession. “She’s going well and has come through her last win nicely. Obviously, it’s a step up to weight-for-age and it’s not going to be easy, but she deserves to be there and worked well on Thursday morning,” Cole told Loveracing.nz.
Rareza (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“She’s a mare that comes from Mum’s family and goes back to For Love, who won the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes so more black type on the page would be valuable. Rareza was a foal share with Mike O’Donnell of Fairhill Farm and went through the weanling sale, but she didn’t get a bid, so we syndicated her to race and here we are now.”
Poon gets Group 3 shot on Packing Hermod
Jockey Matthew Poon will ride Packing Hermod (Rubick) in Sunday’s G3 Premier Cup, and with Manfred Man-trained Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) not running, his chances are high. “Everybody thought Manfred Man’s horse was going to run, so everybody thought the other horses would be carrying a light weight. We picked the jockey early and I think that’s why Zac (Purton) didn’t pick this horse,” trainer Francis Liu told scmp.com.
“This horse keeps improving and I think next season he will be even better again.” Packing Hermod has won his last two in succession.
Arabian Story makes it 40 for Bin Suroor
Despite his string dwindling from an all-time high of 250 horses to having just 30 in training currently, Saeed bin Suroor said he was relishing being back on the biggest stage of all after sending out Arabian Story (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) to win the Britannia Stakes under Oisin Murphy – a man the trainer labelled as 'different class' following the success.
Carrying the Godolphin blue, Arabian Story made his first ever start on turf a memorable one in the prestigious 3-year-old handicap just over a fortnight after breaking his duck on the all-weather at Chelmsford. Talk about an audacious plan.
Saeed bin Suroor | Image courtesy of Godolphin
“We took him to Dubai (over the winter) and physically he improved a lot out there. Oisin rode him at Chelmsford and I told him that, the way he works in the morning, he works really well. I told him to keep him handy that day and I said the same thing today. He won well and he gave him a good ride. Oisin is the best. He's the best jockey in the world. He's different class. He's the three-time champion jockey in Britain,” Suroor said.
“I used to have 250 horses in the past. And quality. But now we have around 30 horses in the stable and many of those are old and the younger ones are backward. Dubai Future is a nine-year-old but is still trying hard and won races in Dubai and finished third in the Gold Cup today. We try to do the best with what we have in the stable.”
Timeform loved Ombudsman’s Group 1
Godolphin's G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes hero Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has been awarded a mark of 130 by Timeform for his efforts at Royal Ascot on Wednesday. He is now the highest-rated older horse in Europe, with Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) both at a mark of 128.
Timeform handicapper Rory King said, “Ombudsman might have lost his unbeaten record in the Brigadier Gerard but that still represented an improved effort in form terms (gave the winner 3 lb), and he took another big step forward to announce himself at the top level in the best possible way in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Jorge Navarro Sent to ICE facility
One day after he was released from a federal prison, disgraced trainer Jorge Navarro is now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is being detained at an ICE facility in Miami called Krome North Spc.
The self-proclaimed “Juice Man”, Navarro was handed a five-year sentence for his leading role in the felony drug misbranding and adulteration charges arising from an investigation that involved the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York. He began serving his sentence on Mar. 18, 2022. Exactly three years and three months after his sentence began he was released from the Federal Prison.
Navarro's lawyer Jason Kreiss predicted before Navarro was sentenced that he would be deported after serving his time because he is not a U.S. citizen. It's possible that Navarro will be sent to his native country Panama. Another option is that Navarro will be deported to El Salvador, including to a large detention facility called CECOT, where conditions are reportedly harsh. While not directly run by ICE, this prison has drawn attention partly because some individuals deported from the United States, including those previously held by ICE, have been sent there.
