Giga Kick to miss The Everest
Winner of the 2022 The Everest and two Group 1 races, Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) is unlikely to have a third attempt at the race this spring. “He was a bit flat after his last run in Queensland so we haven't got up him at this stage,” trainer Clayton Douglas told racenet.com.au.
Giga Kick | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Therefore, it's more than likely he won't be going to The Everest this year. He'll potentially just have a Melbourne spring but you never know. He's six now so he's not getting any younger and he hasn't won a race since he was three. There's potentially a race like the Schillaci for him first-up. We're just going to poke along with him. He's a star horse but I'd love to see him get back to his best form and winning races.”
Te Akau aiming for second Moir victory
After winning the 2023 G1 AJ Moir Stakes with star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), trainer Mark Walker would like another, and he thinks 3-year-old filly La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) is the filly to do it. “You're always hopeful but she's still got a fair way to climb the ladder to reach Imperatriz, but she is a Group 1 winner as a 2-year-old and obviously Imperatriz wasn't,” Walker told racing.com.
La Dorada (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
“She's heading in the right direction but it's not every day of the week that an Imperatriz comes along. We just feel the Moir, 50kg, obviously 3-year-old fillies have a good record in that. She'll be better suited over 1200 metres but it's just a starting point.”
Yellow Brick to resume in Show Country
G1 Stradbroke-placed Yellow Brick (The Mission) will resume in Saturday’s G3 Show County Handicap at Randwick. “We feel Yellow Brick is going better now than when he raced in the Stradbroke,” co-trainer Tony Sears told racenet.com.au.
“He's going enormous. He has trialled very, very well and he had an exhibition gallop at Beaudesert last Saturday and he went really well. And his last bit of work this morning before going to Sydney was great. Andrew Mallyon will ride the horse on Saturday, we certainly can't complain with the way he has ridden him. He's the right sort of jockey for the horse and he has ridden him in a lot of his work too.”
Campbell Rawiller comes out of retirement
Jockey Campbell Rawiller has announced his return to the saddle. He retired in April. “At the time, stepping away felt right,” Rawiller wrote in a statement he posted on social media.
“It gave me a much-needed release from the pressure and stress of weight management and the expectations that come with race riding. Since then, I've taken all the pressure off and allowed myself to reset. Thankfully, my body has now settled at a far more sustainable riding weight, which has added fuel to the spark I was struggling to put out. I'm stepping into this next chapter with a fresh mindset and a renewed passion for my dream job.”
Oak Hill ready for Carlyon Stakes
The Hayes brothers at Lindsay Park have only had Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) for two starts and he’s won them both. He’ll run in Saturday’s Listed Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley. “We're very lucky with these Ballymore horses that came to us,” JD Hayes told racenet.com.au.
Oak Hill (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Mike (Moroney) picked some very nice horses and we just got them at the right time as they have flourished into men. He's developed them and we feel like the coach that has just taken over a premiership side. Some of them are a bit like ruckmen, they have taken a bit longer, but they are really starting to blossom with maturity. Oak Hill is definitely one of those horses.”
Tasmanian filly Geegees Mistruth set for Cockram
Ben Geard confirmed that Tasmanian Group 3-winning 4-year-old mare Geegees Mistruth (Wordsmith) will be set for the G3 Cockram Stakes at Caulfield on August 30. “Bonnie (stable name for Geegees Mistruth) has trialled exceptionally well in two Hobart trials, and Stuart and the team at Stuart Gandy Racing (SGR) could not have her in better order heading over the water for her Victorian campaign,” Geard told tasracing.com.au.
Geegees Mistruth | Image courtesy of Tas Racing
“We want to ensure that when we take on some of the best horses in the country, we are not tackling Bass Strait every time. Unfortunately, that’s one of the disadvantages of living in our island state. We look forward to seeing what the next few months bring, but either way, we are proud of what the horses have achieved to date, both in Tasmania and interstate. We acknowledge the tireless effort put in by Stuart, Ruth (Gandy) and the entire team at SGR, and we are very thankful for that.” She will be transferred to Te Akau Racing for the spring, as will Geegees Gemstone (Alpine Eagle).
Maher looking for first city winner on Wednesday
Declan Maher will run Perhaps Perhaps (Written Tycoon) at Ipswich on Wednesday as he attempts to claim his first metropolitan winner. He had his first winner in Queensland with his fifth starter back on July 20 when War Drama (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) won at the Sunshine Coast. “It didn’t take long to win my first race here. We’ve got 11 horses in the barn so far and there’s more coming soon,” Maher told racingqueensland.com.au.
Declan Maher | Image courtesy of Maher Racing
“(Perhaps Perhaps) ran a nice race first-up and we’re just starting to get to know her a bit more. She was in a front a few strides past the winning post. I trained her half-sister in Melbourne when I was with (brother) Ciaron, so I changed a few things around with her when she first came to me. I put a tongue-tie on and a cross over nose band to help her breathing. It looks a very suitable race for her and Damien Thornton is staying on.”
Gus The Great to debut for Pride
Trainer Joe Pride will debut 3-year-old gelding Gus The Great (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, but he’s not named after NRL commentator, former player and coach, Phil "Gus" Gould. “My pet corgi is named Gus and the first greyhound I've ever raced, Gus The Jet, who I own with (jockey) Brenton Avdulla, won the G1 Vic Peters Memorial on the same day Estadio Mestalla won,” Pride told racenet.com.au.
“I'm having a bit of luck with the name so I've gone with Gus The Great with this horse. I like Gus The Great, he reminds me a bit of Tiger Tees. You can't tell him what to do, there is a touch of arrogance about him, and a lot of good horses have an arrogance about them. He's trialled really well and so has Isle Of Wight. I'm happy for them both to race on Wednesday.” Tiger Tees (NZ) (Dubawi {Ire}) won 13 races for Pride including the G1 Galaxy Handicap in 2014. Stablemate Isle Of Wight (I Am Invincible) debuts in the same race, and the 3-year-old colt is owned by Newgate.
Undisputable does just that at Ballarat
Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained 3-year-old gelding Undisputable (Zoustar) lived up to his name with a dominant 4.75l victory at Ballarat on Tuesday.
Unplaced in his only start at two, Undisputable was second last start when resuming at three. His trainers purchased him from Ridgmont’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $280,000, and he became the fourth winner from as many to race for Unassailed (Fastnet Rock) who is a city winning half-sister to Listed winning full siblings High Esteem (Redoute’s Choice) and Great Esteem. Unassailed’s 2-year-old colt by Home Affairs has been named Laconic Live, she has a Home Affairs yearling filly, and she is in foal to Farnan.
Debut winner for Ole Kirk
At Ballarat, Robert Hickmott-trained 3-year-old colt Starfleet Command won on debut to become winner number 17 for last season’s Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk. Passed in as a yearling, Starfleet Command is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Comrade Rosa (Capitalist) out of Listed winner No Looking Back (Redoute’s Choice).
Winner number 18 for Farnan
Farnan has a comfortable lead on the second season sires’ table with progeny earnings over $200,000 in the first two weeks of the season, more than $150,000 ahead of his nearest rival. On Tuesday, 3-year-old gelding Party Boss become his 18th individual winner when victorious at Albury.
Trained by Gary Colvin, Party Boss was bought by his trainer from Coolmore Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft for $20,000. He is the first winner for Nicky’s Brown Miss (USA) (Big Brown {USA}) who won the Listed Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes.
Leave No Doubt makes it two
A winner on debut at two, 3-year-old gelding Leave No Doubt (Doubtland) added his second win on Tuesday at Ballarat for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy. One of four winners for second season sire Doubtland, Leave No Doubt took his earnings over $73,000. He was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) for $160,000 from Widden Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft.
He is the first winner for winning mare Elusive Melody (Your Song) who is in foal to King Colorado.
Maurice colt wins on debut at Scone
Nathan Doyle-trained 3-year-old colt Better Late (Maurice {Jpn}) won on debut at Scone on Tuesday by 2.18l over 900 metres. Passed in as a yearling, Better Late is the third foal and third winner for Late Charge (GB) (Exceed And Excel) whose first two foals were both winners in July this year. Late Charge won three of her 10 starts as a 3-year-old and has a Tiger Of Malay 2-year-old filly and a Home Affairs yearling filly. She is in foal to Harry Angel (Ire).
Mr Worthington wins at Dalby
Queensland’s Tuesday meeting at Dalby was opened by the 2.46l victory of 3-year-old colt Mr Worthington (Worthy Cause) in race one for trainer Joe Gleeson. His sire Worthy Cause has sired Group 1 winner Hinged and Group 2 winner Cause For Concern from only 52 runners.
Placed at two, Mr Worthington is the first winner for Batten (Captain Sonador) who won two races including one at Toowoomba. Batten has been retired as a broodmare.
New Zealand CEO for Howden appointed
On Tuesday, insurance group Howden announced the appointment of Chris Hughes as Chief Executive Officer of the Howden broking business in New Zealand. He will report to Howden, Pacific CEO Matt Bacon. “We are beyond thrilled to have Chris join Howden, bringing with him superb skills and experience to impart to the business,” Bacon said.
“We have taken our time to find the right person for this role, and we believe that Chris will provide the leadership Howden needs to continue its growth strategy in New Zealand and the Pacific region. This appointment also allows Nigel to step into the role of Chair, so that the business can continue to benefit from his valuable wisdom and guidance. I want to personally thank Nigel for his leadership and support since taking the CEO role which oversaw significant growth for Howden in New Zealand. These appointments will provide us with exceptional leadership, enhancing our client offering and reinforcing Howden’s commitment to the region.”
Current CEO Nigel Wallace will transition to the role of Chair of Howden’s broking business in New Zealand.
Awapuni track needs more time
A track inspection on Tuesday, attended by representatives from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, RACE Inc., the Racing Integrity Board, the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association, senior trainers and Flemington track manager Liam O’Keefe, determined that the Awapuni surface needs more time before it is ready for racing. Trials were held last week without issue.
“The track has made gradual improvement during the winter, but it still needs that little bit more time so it can host a large set of trials that would then tick off a race meeting,” O’Keefe told Loveracing.nz.
Liam O’Keefe | Image courtesy of Victoria Racing Club
“It was a general consensus to give the track more time. It is still quite young and immature off the back of the necessary renovation works that were carried out to soften the track, which was really important so the horses can get good purchase in the track and make sure they are not going to slip.
“That (renovation) was successful and the trials went well, albeit there was a bit of kickback, which is expected with a new track. That is a good indicator to everyone that it needs more time, so it is going to get more time, which is a great result.”
10 new members for US Jockey Club
The Jockey Club has announced the election of 10 new members. In alphabetical order, they are:
Craig Bernick: president and CEO of Glen Hill Farm, as well as president of the Lavin Family Foundation Peter M. Brant: founder of White Birch Paper Company in addition to a magazine publisher, philanthropist, art collector, and film producer Boyd T. Browning, Jr.: president and CEO of Fasig-Tipton Case Clay: founder of Case Clay Thoroughbred Management Dennis Drazin: CEO of Darby Development, the operator of Monmouth Park; president of Drazin & Warshaw; and chair of the New Jersey Racing Commission.
Marette Farrell: founder of bloodstock agency Exhale Enterprises Jonathan Green: co-owner and general manager of D.J. Stable, as well as co-creator and co-host of the weekly podcast Rail Talk Andrew Moore: general manager of racing for the FanDuel Group Dean Reeves: chairman and co-owner of Reeves Young, founder of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, and owner of Two Springs Farm Bill Strauss: entrepreneur in addition to co-founder and CEO of ProFlowers
Incentives for California-bred horses added
In an effort to stimulate the California breeding industry, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) unveiled several new breeding incentive programs Monday, highlighted by the 'Flagship Foal Incentive Program.'
With the CTBA awarding US$1,000 (AU$1540) for each foal registered as a Cal-bred, the Flagship Foal Incentive Program begins with foals of 2027 at a cap of 25 foals per breeder. Payments will be made upon the CTBA receiving a Cal-bred application and the registration papers from the Jockey Club, due December 31 of the foal's yearling year.
“We are incredibly excited about these programs, which reflect our commitment to supporting our members and advancing California's Thoroughbred breeding industry,” said CTBA chairman Justin Oldfield. “With the changes we've seen in 2025, CTBA recognizes we are at a critical time for our industry. Our board was compelled to act and did so unanimously to support the needs of our breeders across the state, both in the north and the south. By investing in our breeders and enhancing the quality of our broodmares, we are building a stronger and more competitive future for California racing.”
Stars on show in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International
Coolmore's G1 Eclipse hero Delacroix (Dubawi) will renew rivalry with Godolphin's Sandown runner-up Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) and is one of six runners booked for Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York after three of nine overnight contenders were scratched from the extended 10-furlong contest at Monday morning's declaration stage. The former will attempt to provide Aidan O'Brien with a record-extending eighth renewal from stall three, while Ombudsman bids to regain the winning thread from stall five.
Godolphin is also represented by the Andre Fabre-trained supplementary entry Birr Castle (Cloth Of Stars), who will act as Ombudsman's pacemaker under Robert Havlin from stall six.
Danox Company's Shogo Yasuda-trained G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Darby) hero Danon Decile (Epiphaneia), who was last seen accounting for this contest's 2024 runner-up Calandagan (Gleneagles) and Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) in May's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, is the latest of Japan's midsummer raiding party on deck and will depart from stall four with veteran rider Keita Tosaki in the plate.
Race voided at Windsor
The Apprentice Handicap at Windsor on Monday was declared void after a false start, with five of the seven riders each banned for 10 days.
Beaumadier (Kuroshio), ridden by Conor Whiteley, appeared to anticipate the stalls opening, while at the same time Master Zack (Ardad) reared under Ryan Kavanagh, triggering the gates. Kavanagh then stepped on to the side of the stalls and Master Zack ran away while blindfolded, breaking through a couple of the plastic rails, but was reported to be fine. The remaining six runners completed the five-furlong race, with the slow-breaking Beaumadier behind the remaining runners. Rider Tommie Jakes passed the post first on Michael Attwater's Cabeza De Llave (Pearl Secret).
Jockeys Jack Doughty, Jack Dace, Taryn Langley and Alec Voikhansky all completed the course on their respective mounts and along with Jakes received a 10-day for failing to pull up. Dace's ban will run from September 3-13 inclusive, while the other four riders will be sidelined September 1-10.
