Daily News Wrap

Racing Victoria change import protocols

On Monday, Racing Victoria announced some changes to the original 2021 veterinary protocols for horses competing in the Spring Carnival. “The protocols have served to arrest an alarming trend and been a catalyst for the last four Spring Racing Carnivals and Melbourne Cups being conducted without serious injuries,” Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison said.

“After each Carnival the protocols are evaluated to consider their application, ongoing suitability and any potential enhancements based on stakeholder feedback, our learnings, data and new technology. What remains unchanged is that every international horse will have to pass a CT scan to compete here, however, we're taking a more pragmatic approach with the volume of scans for those horses not entered in the Cups or Cox Plate.

“Importantly, all other veterinary oversight of the international horses remains in place to monitor them during the Spring Racing Carnival. Beyond that, the advancement of technology means this year we can introduce PET scanning where appropriate and time permitting to provide further information if an area of concern is identified on a CT scan here in Australia.

“Our goal remains to deliver world-class racing, whilst ensuring the safety of horses and riders. We look forward to working with international and local connections to maintain the recent positive trend.”

The key changes include:

"International horses that do not hold an entry for the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate or Melbourne Cup will only be required to undertake one mandatory pre-travel Computed Tomography (CT) scan and won't be required to have further CT scans before each race in Australia. Such horses will remain subjected to other protocols including multiple pre- and post-travel physical veterinary inspections. Where a horse in this cohort undertakes pre-travel Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), it must undergo its mandatory CT scan in Australia prior to racing in Victoria.

"Pre-travel international scan to be a CT wherever practical - Where reasonably practicable, international horses must undergo a CT of all distal limbs in their home country prior to entering pre-export quarantine to travel to Australia. MRI of the distal limbs will only be permitted where a CT scan is not reasonably accessible. Standing CT technology is available in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, France and Germany. Japan and Ireland remain without high-quality standing CT technology commensurate with that in Australia.

"PET scan now available to validate CT results if desired – For international horses competing in Victoria and local horses in the Melbourne Cup, where a mandatory CT scan has identified a potential issue, a follow-up Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan will now be accessible, time permitting, to further assist in determining the horse's suitability to race. To afford an opportunity for PET scanning, the window for horses entered in the Melbourne Cup to present for their compulsory pre-race CT scan has been extended, now opening prior to the Caulfield Cup.

"Melbourne Cup Eve vet inspection must take place in Victoria - All Melbourne Cup acceptors must be in Victoria in sufficient time for their physical veterinary inspection on the day prior to the race. This inspection will no longer be permitted interstate."

Unbeaten Cicala set for Listed run

Co-trainer Will Clarken will set unbeaten 3-year-old filly Cicala (Tamasa) for the Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphettville at the end of July. “She's a very unassuming little filly," Clarken, who trains in partnership with Niki O'Shea, told racing.com.

“I saw her about a month ago and she looked a bit light, so we dropped her back to the farm and she's really strengthened. Rochelle (Milnes, winning rider) galloped her last Tuesday and basically declared her, I wasn't as confident! But she rode her like that.”

She is unbeaten in two starts and is the only winner for her sire Tamasa, a Group 3-placed son of So You Think (NZ). His only other runner is placed.

Golden Eagle potential plan for Philia

Trainer David Vandyke will sit down with the owners of 3-year-old filly Philia (All Too Hard) to decide on a spring plan which may include the Golden Eagle. “We're considering options in Victoria and Sydney,” Vandyke told racenet.com.au about the G2 The Roses winner.

“We're not sure which direction we'll go yet. One of the owners is overseas (in Aspen, Colorado) at the moment. The only thing set in stone is that we'll give Philia a six-week break now and during that period I'll meet with the owners to discuss which direction we head.

“They're all very knowledgeable and intelligent people. It'll just be nice if we can have a roundtable discussion and share all our thoughts before making a firm decision. There's some great prizemoney in Sydney now with the Silver Eagle and Golden Eagle and races like that.”

Ryan and Alexiou fined $6000 over drug test

Racing NSW stewards have fined Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou $6000 over a positive test taken from 2-year-old gelding Sanctified (NZ) (Super Seth) at Rosehill on January 18, 2025. “The details of the charge being that the Training Partnership of Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou did present Sanctified to race in Race 1 at the Rosehill Gardens race meeting on 18 January 2025 and a post-race urine sample taken from the colt was found to contain the prohibited substance dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) above the residue limit,” said the report.

Sanctified was disqualified from his third placing, and 2-year-old filly Sheeza Diva (Pierro) gained the third place.

Change of luck due for Miller and Parnham

Jockey Brad Parnham and trainer Stephen Miller are hoping for a change of luck in Saturday’s Listed Belmont Guineas with Elite Missile (Smart Missile). The last four horses the pair have combined with in stakes company have run second. “I’m obviously real keen on his chances,” Parnham told racingwa.com.au.

“He was a great run the other day in Bunbury. We drew the widest gate and had to get back to last. He does always finish off strong, but if we can draw a little bit better and not have to give them such a big start. The way he was finishing off you would say the 1600 metres is going to probably suit him better. Look, I think he’s going to give them a big shake.”

Injured jockey update: Gallagher

Jockey Clayton Gallagher was dislodged from his horse at Narromine on Monday and was taken to hospital with sore hip and back. No further updates were given by Racing NSW.

New winner for Lucky Vega

First season sire Lucky Vega (Ire) sired a new winner at Toowoomba on Monday with Michael Nolan-trained 2-year-old gelding I’m Lucky Two winning at his second start. He becomes his sire’s fifth Southern Hemisphere winner.

Not offered at auction, I’m Lucky Two is the first foal of Sapiero (NZ) (Shocking) who has an Alabama Express yearling filly. A winner, Sapiero is from the same family as G1 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success (Success Express {USA}).

Exceedance juvenile wins at Scone

Kris Lees-trained 2-year-old gelding Herman Said (Exceedance) won on debut at Scone on Monday. Sold by Vinery Stud at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale for $68,000 to World Wide Bloodstock, Herman Said is the seventh juvenile winner from the second crop of Exceedance.

He is the second live foal for city winner Bright Eyes (Bel Esprit) whose first foal 3-year-old filly Lightly Sparkled (Headwater) won on Friday.

At the same meeting, jockey Aaron Bullock rode four winners on 3-year-old filly Pindorama (Written Tycoon), Pearls Treasure (Press Statement), Smoke On The Water (Jukebox) and 3-year-old gelding Solitario (Pariah).

Pair of Pierata winners in NSW

Pierata enjoyed a pair of 3-year-old winners on Monday with Brett Robb-trained gelding West Head making it two in succession with a win at Narromine, and Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained gelding Pieronimo winning at Scone.

The second season sire has 53 individual winners including two stakes winners.

Sydney Strapper award nominations close soon

Nominations for Sydney’s ‘Strapper of the Year’ award for the 2024/25 season close on Wednesday June 25. “The award is sponsored by Racing NSW and co-ordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy. The award is peer-nominated with stablehands at Metropolitan race meetings being invited to nominate who they think is deserving of the award,” said the Racing NSW press release.

“A selection panel of racing officials will subsequently choose the winner from a short-list of finalists. The award will be presented at the NSW Racehorse Owners Association’s prestigious ‘Racing's Night of Champions’ on Thursday, 28th August 2025.”

Seesa wins on debut in New Zealand

Expat Mauritian amateur rider Abhay Seesa rode a winner for his boss Ralph Manning on his first day at the races on Sunday aboard Dancin In The Dark (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}). “I was very excited as it was my dream. To get my first win with my first ride was great, and it was great to get the win for my boss. A big thanks to my boss, who has supported me and continues to support me,” Seesa told Loveracing.nz on Monday.

“I didn’t plan on becoming a jockey because my biggest passion when growing up was cars. When I was 15-years-old, one of my cousins told me that I have got good weight and stature to be a jockey, so I said I would try. When I rode my first horse, I was thinking that if I became a jockey, it would be fun, and I would have a good future. I started to really like it, and it became another passion of mine.

“I dropped out of school when I was 16-years-old and I started working with horses (in a racing stable) as ground staff in 2019. I worked in that role for a couple of years and started riding track work in 2021.” With limited opportunities in Mauritius, Seesa moved to New Zealand in January 2023.

“I was meant to get my apprentice licence this winter, but I have only had 17 trials, which isn’t enough, so I missed out on this intake, and they proposed for me to get my amateur licence. I was feeling ready to ride in a race, so I applied for the amateur licence, and I got it three days before my first ride. It (amateur riding) is great to get more experience. When I become an apprentice and riding in races I won’t be panicked, I will be confident about my ride, and I won’t be nervous.”

Richards key chances on Wednesday

Trainer Jamie Richards has two runners at Happy Valley on Wednesday with last start winner Seasons Wit (Capitalist) drawing the inside. “Barrier one is obviously very helpful. I haven’t had much luck for any of my other runners so it’s nice for him to get a good gate at least,” Richards told scmp.com.

“The field looks a bit stronger and there’s obviously a few more of them in there, but he’s trained on really well from his last start and I’m really looking forward to him. I’ve tried running him over the 1400 metres and 1200 metres distances this season but he’s suited a return to the 1000 metres trip, so fingers crossed for a big run.”

Perennially unlucky Storming Dragon (Star Turn) drew the outside again. “The poor horse just can’t draw a gate, but when you go to the Valley you take the chance that you’re either going to draw well or not. He’s going well enough to still be competitive despite stall 12, but it doesn’t make life any easier.”

Brazil jockey error almost cost victory

At Gávea Racecourse in Brazil on Sunday, jockey Leandro Henrique celebrated too soon aboard Sinsel (Brz) (Alpha {USA}) in the G1 Grande Premio Brazil, almost costing his 3-year-old colt the victory. The race is a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup meeting in November, and the colt now has three wins from six starts.

Make Believe filly has Italian Classic double

Endo Botti's Klaynn (Ire) completed a Classic double with her wide-margin victory in Sunday's G2 Oaks d'Italia Tattersalls at San Siro Racecourse, running her 12 rivals into the ground with a dominant front-running performance.

Cristian Demuro, who was riding the daughter of Make Believe (GB) for the first time, charted a wide course throughout and gradually increased the tempo in the straight, with his mount responding generously as she lengthened clear in the closing stages. At the line she had seven lengths to spare over her closest pursuer, Pink Black (Ire) (National Defense {GB}), who edged out Mystery Of Love (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) by a short head in the battle for the runner-up spot.

Successful in April's G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1,000 Guineas), Klaynn then forfeited her unbeaten record when finishing a valiant fourth in the G2 Derby Italiano won by Molveno (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}), before being bought privately by Teruya Yoshida ahead of Sunday's Classic. Botti, who was winning the Oaks d'Italia for the first time, after his success in a six-furlong handicap earlier on the Milan card, went on to complete a treble when Interstellar (Ity) (Zoffany {Ire}) won the G3 Premio Carlo Vittadini.

Vale Hugh Mulryan

Tributes have been paid to Hugh Mulryan after his tragic death at the age of just 25, with BBA Ireland's Adam Potts describing his three years as Mulryan's housemate as “the best years of my life”.

The son of owner-breeder Liam Mulryan, Hugh had carved out a promising career of his own in racing and bloodstock, having spent time under the wing of trainers such as Denis Hogan and Sir Mark Prescott, as well as working on the farm and at the sales for Baroda Stud.

The County Galway native had recently relocated to Britain to take up a new role with Adrian Keatley in Ryedale, North Yorkshire. “We're all devastated and it's hard to come to terms with,” said Potts, who also traded a number of horses with Mulryan in recent years.

“He lived with me for three years and they were the best years of my life. He was well-read, a deep thinker, and asked the big questions. Often, he'd come home having spotted either an angle in the sales, a new brunch spot, one lined up for a gamble or some African jazz musician no one had ever heard of, so there was always something to be getting stuck into!

“He loved racing, but more importantly he loved horses and horses loved him. He'll be dearly missed.”