Daily News Wrap

Yulong joins Sunline Scholarship fundraiser

Yulong and NZTBA announced on Friday that a nomination to Lucky Vega (Ire) would be included in the Sunline Scholarship fundraiser to be held at the National Breeding Awards on Saturday 26 July.

“Yulong has a strong working relationship with a long list of Kiwis, and the Sunline Scholarship has played a crucial role in the development of these key industry professionals shaping both the New Zealand and global thoroughbred industry, including Jamie Richards and Bruce Slade. As our own team includes many talented young New Zealanders, it made perfect sense for Yulong to support this initiative,” Jun Zhang, General Manager at Yulong, said.

“We’re proud to play our part in the evening, offering a nomination to leading first-crop sire Lucky Vega - whose own career was kicked started with a first winner across the Tasman - and hope the funds raised contribute to the next generation of New Zealand’s industry leaders.”

Cool Archie to miss the spring

Trainers Chris and Corey Munce have elected to skip the spring with G1 JJ Atkins Plate winner Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) and aim at the autumn instead. “I'm mindful that he has had a long 2-year-old campaign and I don't think I should be rushing him back just because it's the spring carnival,” Chris Munce told racenet.com.au.

“He will probably only have a couple of runs over the summer and concentrate more on the autumn. We would look at a race like the Doncaster, if he is going well enough, 3-year-old horses have a good record in it. Realistically, I think this could be what works for him.

“My heart is in the position where I just want to look after him for the moment, considering he did such a good job over the winter and he had some pretty hard runs. Not only that, but he had been campaigning for the Magic Millions, which then rolled into the winter. The horse has always looked to be like he is going to be a better 3-year-old anyway.”

Gaerth hunting first black type win

Jockey Brayden Gaerth has completed his apprenticeship and is hunting his first stakes win on Rockin’ Rupert (Winning Rupert) in Saturday’s Listed HG Bolton Sprint at Bunbury. “I’m very excited to be partnering with him,” Gaerth told racingwa.com.au.

“Obviously he’s a pretty class horse and his runs last prep were really good in good company. Especially his run in the Winterbottom, it was pretty impressive. I know that the team are very happy with him and his trial was good. I’m excited to see him tomorrow and it’s a competitive race, an even field. But I’m certainly happy with my ride in the race. I think he’ll be right there.”

Price takes on jockeys’ title race

With Blake Shinn ahead by seven in the Melbourne Jockeys’ Title from Craig Williams, co-trainer Mick Price has booked the pair for his two runners in the Sprint at Flemington on Saturday. Shinn will ride La Fracas (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Williams will ride Moby Dick (Toronado {Ire}). “It's a good battle, isn't it?” Price told racing.com.

“Craig was at the trials on Monday, he did everything bar wash my car, so good luck to the two of them. (Moby Dick) does need to improve, he needs to improve a lot to win, I think. His 4-year-old form leaves a bit to be desired. We had an opinion of him as a 3-year-old that he would go on to be a really nice horse to race, but he's had tie-forward surgery and I'm just not sure that he gets the full complement of air. He seems a different horse now, we had to do it, but he seems a different horse to me.

“(La Fracas) is very fit, he's very sound, he's got good talent, he's drawn barrier one. He's certainly good enough to win, he just needs to do a few things right.”

Benedetta changes stables

Group 1-winning mare Benedetta (Hellbent) has been moved from trainer Jason Warren to Ciaron Maher by managing owner Eales Racing. A $75,000 purchase by Eales Racing from Mill Park Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft, Benedetta won eight of her 22 starts for Warren and over $2 million, including the 2024 G1 Goodwood Handicap.

With Your Blessing aiming at Group 2 plan

Trainer John Thompson would like to set With Your Blessing (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) for the G2 Missile Stakes in August, but it depends on how he resumes at Rosehill on Saturday. “He just has to keep stepping up,” Thompson told racenet.com.au.

“He nearly won that stakes race last time in so he isn't far away. If he won on Saturday, you would say yes to a Missile Stakes. He will run really well and if was Randwick I would be really confident because he hasn't won at Rosehill. I wouldn't read too much into it but he is going as good as ever so I am really happy with the horse. He has about seven runs at Rosehill and hasn't won there but hopefully we can change that.”

Barari impressive at Mildura

Trainer Ciaron Maher’s juvenile filly Barari (Pride Of Dubai) won impressively on debut at Mildura on Friday by 3l. Sold by Segenhoe Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $22,000, she was bought by Main Ridge Thoroughbreds.

She is the third winner for Omneeya (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who is a daughter of Group 1 winner Amanee (Pivotal {GB}) who raced in South Africa.

Leading second season sire Too Darn Hot nabs a double

Friday’s meeting at Albury saw leading second season sire Too Darn Hot (GB) feature with a pair of 3-year-old winners. Jason Warren-trained Fitzalan won at her second start, having run second on debut, and she won by 1.2l for jockey Lachlan King and is raced by Rosemont Stud.

Recently returned from Singapore, trainer Tim Fitzsimmons enjoyed a strong 3.4l win with gelding Blazing Sword, who has put together two in a row now. Initially sold by Segenhoe Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $210,000 to Annabel Neasham, he was sold at the Inglis March 2025 Digital Sale for $18,000 and bought by Velocity Racing.

Blazing Sword has had four starts for Fitzsimmons for two wins and two placings. He is the first foal of Trieste (Fastnet Rock), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Gust Of Wind (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).

So You Think (NZ) sired a double at Tamworth with Great Idea and 3-year-old filly Considered, who has won two in succession.

Your Song juvenile makes it two

At Rockhampton on Friday, Your Song’s 2-year-old gelding Our Eagle Rock, trained by Sileas Green, took his record to two wins from seven starts with an 0.15l victory over the older horses.

Raced by his breeders, G & E Sturgiss, Our Eagle Rock is the second winner for Talon Lady (Mossman) who won three races on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. Your Song stands at Gooree Park.

Townsville trainers’ title race tight

Trainer Stephen Massingham has a one win lead in the Toowoomba trainers’ title as he aims for his first premiership, with last year’s winner Georgie Holt sitting in second. “I’m one in front and hopefully it'll stay that way,” Massingham told racingqueensland.com.au.

Smart Legend (So You Think {NZ}) runs for Massingham in Saturday’s Winter Cup over 2000 metres with the winner exempt from a ballot for the Townsville Cup on August 9. “He hadn’t been in the stable for long when he had his first run for me. His first run was good, but he over raced with blinkers on and he went too hard. I’ve taken them off for this run.”

Widdup and Archibald tied for Hawkesbury title

The Hawkesbury trainers’ title is currently tied at 13 wins on the course each for trainers Brad Widdup and the Archibald training partnership. Widdup has five runners on Saturday, while Annabel and Rob Archibald have two.

“She probably wouldn’t be in this race had she not struck trouble just after the start that day. Going from 1300 metres to 1500 metres at home will suit her,” Widdup told racingnsw.com.au about 2-year-old filly Tequisoda (Pierro).

Last year’s Listed Opunake Cup quinella back again

The 2024 Listed Opunake Cup was won by Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) from Spencer (NZ) (Derryn), and both are back to have another crack at it with Spencer’s trainer Erin Hocquard believing he can turn the result around this year. “I’ve kept him ticking along in between times, but for one reason or another he hasn’t had a run since then. He was meant to go to the trials, but they got cancelled too. So he’s freshened himself up in a way,” Hocquard told Loveracing.nz.

“But he galloped very well at Hawera on Tuesday and did a similar bit of work at Wanganui a week or two before that, so we’ve managed to get a good amount of work into him. I think he compares pretty well to what he was like going into the race last year. Hopefully he’ll go alright again. Going so long without a run is a bit of a concern, especially if the track is really heavy, but I think a few of the others will be in a similar boat.”

Snazzytavi on road to recovery

Cambridge Stud’s dual Group 1-winning mare Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is slowly healing from laminitis. “While she remains at Matamata Veterinary Services, a dedicated team of vets and farriers have painstakingly repaired her laminitic feet and she is finally heading in the right direction,” Chief Executive Officer Henry Plumptre told Loveracing.nz.

“We acknowledge the care and dedication shown by Dave Keenan and his team at MVS, Tracey, Barb and her devoted carer Claire. We also acknowledge the wealth of expertise that Scott Morrison, from Rood and Riddle in Kentucky, Link Bauman from Equine Podiatry in Tamworth and Steve Robinson from Scone Equine have brought to the table.”

“However, we have made a decision not to cover her this year as a pregnancy could compromise the hard work put in over the past five months. She remains bright and alert and not above chasing her helpers out of her paddock when she feels like it.”

Newcastle racegoers back charity event

Newcastle Racing Club announced on Friday that their charity race day last weekend, July 12, raised over $150,000 for breast cancer related charities. The sixteenth annual Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation (HBCF) Pink Race Day broke last year’s record, raising $152,500.

“The Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation is a local charity set up by local people, and our aim is to provide support to people that are experiencing breast cancer and their treatment and the aftermath,” HBCF President Cath Adams said.

“We have tallied our numbers and can announce the total raised has come in at more than $152,500. The HBCF are so happy with this result, and this will make a huge impact in helping us to deliver our services.”

Winner number 4000 for trainer Casse

The milestone victory came about 530 miles away from Saratoga Race Course, but that wasn't going to stop Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse from celebrating. Casse, 64, won his 4000th career race when It's Witchcraft (USA) (Tapit {USA}) won the 11th race at Colonial Downs by a nose in a four-horse photo finish.

“That is my life,” Casse, 64, said through an ear-to-ear smile. “We thought we had (Colonial race) won, then you have to get one place to another.” He became the 14th trainer to get to 4000 wins. It has been quite the journey for Casse, who got his training license in Massachusetts when he was just 17 and he worked with his late father, Norman. In 1979, at the age of 18, he won his first race, at Keeneland and he was off and running.

“I have a bunch of wonderful people and owners,” Casse, originally from Indiana, said of his horse racing circle. “I never work, I get to play every day. I am a very fortunate person. And, boy, 4000! You know what that means? There were a lot of losers!”

Casse was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2020. Four years earlier, he was enshrined in the Canada's Racing Hall of Fame. He has been honoured with the Sovereign Award, given to the outstanding Canadian trainer, 16 times.

Dam of stakes winner Romeo in Fasig-Tipton Digital

A total of 190 horses have been catalogued for the Fasig-Tipton July Digital Sale, which is now open for bidding and will close Tuesday, July 22. Nearly 60% of those catalogued are racing stock, with more than 100 horses of racing age and 2-year-old racing prospects. These include five recent debut winning 2-year-olds.

Among the featured offerings are Hip 6, Fancy Love (USA) (Not For Love {USA}) from the consignment of Hartwell Farm, agent. The 13-year-old mare, offered in foal to Eclipse Award winner Arcangelo (USA) on a May 22 cover, is the dam of recent Bashford Manor Stakes hero Romeo (USA) (Honor A.P. {USA}), who sold for US$1.7 million (AU$2.6 million) to top the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale on July 8.

Del Mar launch paddock pals to entice fans

In an effort to give young fans an “inside” look at the game, Del Mar launches 'Paddock Pals'–an up-close-and-personal session in the paddock on race days. Beginning Saturday, July 19, the program will see a Del Mar staff member randomly select a youngster and their family out of the crowd and accompany them into the paddock prior to certain races throughout the summer season. There the “Pal” will be in close proximity to the Thoroughbred racehorses as they are saddled up for their impending activity, listen in on chats between owners and trainers and interact with jockeys in their colourful silks as they prepare to mount up and ride.

As the horses head out to the racetrack, the “Pal” will receive a final memento prior to heading back to their seat to watch 'their' race unfold–a set of official jockey goggles.

“Lots of racing fans will tell you that they first learned to love the game in their youth when they went racing with their parents, family or friends,” said Del Mar's president Josh Rubinstein. “We want kids throughout the summer to not only enjoy the general experience at Del Mar, but also have a unique encounter that they can carry forward forever.”