Ka Ying Rising trials impressively at Sha Tin
In his first hit out as he prepares for the G1 The Everest, David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) won his trial over 1050 metres at Sha Tin in 59.26s. “You’d like to think he’s going to do it easily against those horses. It’s good to have him back out there going through his routine,” jockey Zac Purton told hkjc.com.
“He was on the wrong leg on the corner, it’s a bit frustrating how he does that, but apart from that it was all good. He can get on the wrong leg and then in the straight he doesn’t change legs. The problem is it’s always been very easy for him in the mornings. When he gallops, he won’t change his legs because he’s just floating along and then on race day, he has got into a habit of doing the same thing.” He will return to the races on September 7 before travelling to The Everest.
Randwick track holding up with weather
Friday added only 9.4 mm to the Randwick track with Racing NSW stewards inspecting the track in the afternoon and giving it the all-clear. “An inspection of the Randwick track by Racing NSW Stewards, along with Australian Turf Club officials, has deemed the track suitable to race on a heavy 10 with a weather forecast for improved conditions on race day,” stewards told racingnsw.com.au.
“In keeping with normal practice, Stewards will inspect the track again on Saturday morning with ATC staff.”
Wet track an unknown for Gringotts
Trainer Ciaron Maher isn’t sure about how Group 1 winner Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will handle the wet track in Saturday’s G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick. “He wouldn’t have come across those conditions too much,” Maher told racingnsw.com.au.
Gringotts (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“There’s no indication that he won’t handle it and it probably comes down to being fresh up and how well they travel. The last one off the bridle that handles it is close to the winner.”
Too Darn Hot nomination open on Inglis Digital
The latest Inglis Digital sale is open for bidding and includes a nomination in Champion First and Second Season Sire Too Darn Hot (GB). The sale of the Too Darn Hot nomination is a collaboration between Godolphin, Watership Down Stud and CatWalk and will see all proceeds go directly toward funding critical research to help those living with spinal cord injuries.
The sale, with 302 lots catalogued, closes on August 27.
Zoustar colt aimed at Caulfield Guineas
Mike Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) are aiming 3-year-old colt Space Rider (Zoustar) at the G1 Caulfield Guineas and he runs at Moonee Valley on Saturday. “Beautiful colt, he made a big impression on debut in Queensland,” Kent Jnr told racing.com.
“We tried to get him to the Magic Millions; we gave him one more run and he pulled up with a bad blood that day. He's always looked like he'll enjoy a mile, so hopefully he gets it. We had him in last Saturday, but with that Heavy 10 track at Rosehill, we avoided it, so he's down here.
Space Rider | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“Moonee Valley, 1200 metres, he normally puts himself up there on speed. It'll probably catch him a little short, but then we'd like to go to the Exford Plate and possibly the Stutt Stakes. If everything went well, we'd hope to get him to the Caulfield Guineas.”
Blinkers on for Cherish Me
Trainer Ciaron Maher will run Cherish Me (Brazen Beau) in blinkers when the 3-year-old filly resumes at Moonee Valley on Saturday. She won the Geelong Diamond on debut at two. “She had a jump out with blinkers (and she) went very good,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racenet.com.au.
“She was nice and sharp … had another piece (gallop) Tuesday morning with them on, small field (Saturday), ready to go. We think she's a Thousand Guineas prospect and probably goes to the Jim Moloney after Saturday, win, lose or draw. Exit is a likeable filly, similar to Cherish Me, they'll go down the same path … Exit just needs that little bit of extra distance now but finds a winnable race again. I'm not shying away from her, I think she's got a bit of class.”
Small field to suit New York Lustre
Trainer Enver Jusofovic’s Group 3-placed mare New York Lustre (Manhattan Rain) was a fan favourite last season when she won five in succession, and runs in Saturday’s Listed Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley. “Although it's a stakes race, it's quite a competitive race. It's a good field, but she goes well at The Valley and she's got a good record over 1000 metres,” Jusofovic told racing.com.
New York Lustre | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Obviously this is a little bit harder now, she's up against a Group 1 winner in Mornington Glory and a Group 2 winner in Baraqiel, so it will be a good test for her. I know it's a small field, but she's drawn a little bit wide (barrier six). There's not much you can do about that. Hopefully she can jump and put herself right on the speed.”
Ten-month suspension for Callow
Jockey Noel Callow has been given a 10-month suspension by Racing Queensland stewards over a video where he racially abused an Indigenous man. “The submission that a 4–6 week suspension, as typically applied in AFL for racist or offensive remarks, is an appropriate penalty overlooks a critical distinction. In those cases, the remarks were made during play or in private settings, and not self-recorded, published, or circulated by the offending player,” wrote the stewards report released on Friday.
“Racist and obscene language, even if intended as misplaced humour as submitted by Mr Callow, is objectively offensive, blameworthy, and damaging to racing's reputation once publicised. While Mr Callow contends that he only shared the footage with a limited number of associates, it remains the case that he created, recorded, and disseminated the material.
Noel Callow | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“That act initiated the chain of events which foreseeably led to wider publication. A licensed person bears responsibility for the risks inherent in recording and sharing offensive material. The fact that others may have contributed to its wider dissemination does not absolve Mr Callow of accountability for placing the content into circulation.”
Gooree Cup on Saturday
Mudgee Racecourse will host the 45th Gooree Cup on Saturday. “We are excited to once again be showcasing everything that Gooree Park has and continues to achieve in the racing industry alongside our wine and Wagyu produce at the 45th Gooree Cup in Mudgee,” Jeannette Tioseco, Managing Director of Gooree Park, told racingnsw.com.au.
“Our long standing relationship with Mudgee Race Club and the Gooree Cup, now in its 45th year, is something we are really proud of and it provides us with the perfect occasion to celebrate our connection with the local racing community, Mudgee Race Club and Gooree Park Wine Club members, in addition to locals and visitors alike.”
Scheduled the day after the Panthers vs Raiders NRL clash at Glen Willow, the raceday celebrates many local victories. “We’re excited to be hosting the 45th Gooree Cup the day after the Panthers vs Raiders game, welcoming both locals and visitors to Mudgee Racetrack for a memorable day,” said Tony Brown, Mudgee Race Club Chairman.
“This year we are also welcoming Royce Symmons as the Ambassador for the 45th Gooree Cup after he completes his 2025 Big Walk for Dementia Australia (10 days from Faulconbridge to Mudgee) at the Panthers game the night before. We are proud to be further supporting his fundraising efforts with a huge raffle, which will be drawn at the end of the race meeting.”
Racing Victoria announce new program
Racing Victoria announced the launch of the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Restorative Engagement Program. Administered by Alfi Health independent of Racing Victoria, the program is designed to assist racing participants who have been affected by historical sexual harassment, or sexual or physical assault within the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry.
The program will open for applications on September 1. It will include a forum with RV, as well as access to counselling (up to 10 sessions) and psychiatric care (up to 4 sessions) and is open to any Victorian racing participant, current or past, who was affected by this issue prior to September 2023. If you want to report abuse after that date, you can use Racing Victoria’s current reporting service on the Integrity section of their website.
Goulburn track holding up for Cup day on Sunday
Goulburn Racing Club believe their Cup Day on Sunday will proceed with improving weather on Saturday. “Our forecast suggests minimal rainfall for the next three days so we are all keen to push on and deliver a vibrant country showcase meeting in the true Goulburn way,” Goulburn Race Club's CEO Robyn Fife told racingnsw.com.au on Friday.
“The Goulburn Australia Goulburn Cup has attracted keen interest from a variety of well-performed stables with the race’s Big Dance Eligibility status adding to the intrigue of the race. A quick glance through each runner’s credentials highlights raceday experience from near and far. There’s a mix of local, interstate and even international flavour across the twenty accepted runners.”
Written Tycoon - Snitzel cross strikes again
Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained 3-year-old gelding Bedourie (Written Tycoon) opened the card at Geelong on Friday with a 2l victory. He was resuming at three, having placed at two and had run fourth in the VOBIS Gold Rush in April.
Sold by Yulong to Moody Racing for $525,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Bedourie on bred on the Written Tycoon/Snitzel cross, that is responsible for Group 1 winners Captured By Love, Private Life, and Velocious. A full brother to 4-year-old mare Editing, who was a winner at her second start at three last season, Bedourie is the second foal of Group 3-placed Talented (Snitzel) who had a Zoustar filly this spring.
Stakes placed Hanseatic filly wins at Geelong
Lindsay Park-trained 3-year-old filly Rohesia (Hanseatic) won at Geelong on Friday to become the seventh winner for her second season sire. She was third on debut at two in the R.Listed Inglis Banner Stakes won by Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}).
Sold by Rosemont Stud to Lindsay Park for $150,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Rohesia is the first foal of Vinnie Rose (I Am Invincible), who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Centrefire (Shooting To Win).
Early juvenile form to fore with Menshevik
Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained 3-year-old colt Menshevik (Russian Revolution) broke through for his first win at Geelong on Friday. He was having his fifth start and had showed promise early when running fourth on debut in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (c&g) last season.
Menshevik as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Annabel Neasham Racing bought him for $150,000 from Newgate Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, and he is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Tempt Me Not (Strategic Maneuver) and Listed winner Castanya (Capitalist). His dam, Ganda (Encosta De Lago) was served by Extreme Choice and Stay Inside in 2024.
Two down, one to come
Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham wanted to win three of the five features races at the Cairns carnival and he achieved the first when Lady Damus (Nostradamus) won the Cairns Lightning last Saturday and on Friday, he added the Cairns Newmarket with Speed Legend (Star Witness). The final two feature races, the Cairns Cup and Magic Millions Daintree Guineas, run on Saturday.
Speed Legend has won 14 of his 36 starts with earnings over $400,000. Initially sold by Widden Stud at the 2018 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale for $65,000 to Woodpark Stud, Speed Legend was purchased by T Hedley for $27,500 at the Inglis Digital May 2023 Sale.
At the same meeting 3-year-old gelding Tarong (Power {GB}) broke through for a win at his sixth start for trainer Leslie Gordy.
South Australia’s Racing Rewards winners announced
Racing SA announced on Friday that Out Of Square (Hellbent), trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, is the 2024/25 Racing Rewards winner with $78,430 of Racing Rewards bonuses earned during last season. “She's been a bit of a surprise packet really. At home, she doesn't show much – you can hardly get her out of a canter. But she's had a good prep,” Chantelle Jolly told racingsa.com.au.
At three last season, she won four of her nine starts and over $220,000. Raced by Mill Park Stud and partners, Out Of Square is the third foal and third winner for winning mare Charlotte Square (Street Sense {USA}).
The leading Breeder/Nominator was Cornerstone Stud Farm with $73,700 in Racing Rewards, Sir Prancealot (Ire) was the Leading Sire with $243,375 in Racing Rewards, while Minella Bloodstock was the Leading Owner picking up $90,414.50.
Inaugural Golden Saddle in WA worth $1 million
October 4 will see the inaugural running the $1 million Golden Saddle, WA’s richest regional race, and part of Kalgoorlie’s iconic Race Round. It will be run on Kalgoorlie Cup Day. Rebecca Bayliss-trained Final Siren (I'm All The Talk) will race for slot holders Morton Racing and RAM Racing. “We were actually going for the winter series when he had a little stable mishap after the Beaufine,” Bayliss told racingwa.com.au.
Rebecca Bayliss | Image courtesy of Rebecca Bayliss Racing
“He cut his leg which stopped all of that and redirected us towards this (Golden Saddle). We are very lucky; it could have been a lot worse, and it’s healed beautifully. We are going to trial him Monday week at Belmont. Then two weeks into the Nicopolis Stakes. It gives us a lot of time, three weeks to the Golden Saddle.”
John Stewart's Goliath heads home for first German run
Resolute Bloodstock's Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) will be making his German debut in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden on September 7, according to trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. The 5-year-old gelding won the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year and only missed by a head when second in the G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron at Deauville on August 16.
“I will run him over longer distances again and will have him start again over 2400 metres,” Graffard told Galopp Online during Thursday's racing at Deauville. “He will compete in the Grosser Preis von Baden in Baden-Baden at the beginning of September.”
Song Of Clyde makes it three for Clive Cox
Clive Cox's love affair with York's Harry's Half Million By Goffs showed no signs of abating after Middleham Park Racing's 2-year-old colt Song Of The Clyde (Sergei Prokofiev) delivered a third straight edition of the valuable contest for the trainer.
“Harry Beeby was a good friend of mine, it's such a good incentive and even better to win it three times running,” said Cox. “He had a bit of size and scope as a yearling and we've always liked him. He's got a wonderful mind and it was really pleasing when he won at Chester. He ran well with a penalty at Newbury and the drier ground helped him here. He's not just about the sales races, we'll see how he comes back and he'll have a bright future from here.”
Fierceness is a late nom to Pacific Classic
Fierceness (City of Light) is among late nominees for Del Mar's GI Pacific Classic on August 30. The 4-year-old is owned St. Elias Stables and Repole Stable, the latter also campaigns GI Stephen Foster winner Mindframe (Constitution). With the goal of keeping the two Repole runners separate until the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, Mindframe is slated to contest the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on August 31. The Pacific Classic is also a 'Win & You're In' race for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Latest Fasig-Tipton Digital sale includes dam of Oaks-placed Drexel Hill
Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 225 entries, led by the dam of GI Kentucky Oaks runner up Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro), for its August Digital Sale, which may be viewed online. Bidding is now open and will close Tuesday, August 26.
“We have a fantastic catalogue for our August Digital Sale,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “The horses of racing age on offer represent a strong group of in-form runners, eligible for a wide range of conditions. The sale also includes an exciting selection of 2-year-olds–highlighted by a recent Saratoga stakes winner.”
