Daily News Wrap

Alabama Lass set for G1 AJ Moir Stakes

Co-trainer Ken Kelso is excited to see how his Group 1-placed 4-year-old mare Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) measures up when she resumes in Saturday’s G1 AJ Moir Stakes. “I am really happy with her, she has really improved since that trial (winning her 1050m heat at Te Rapa last month), she is really flying. I couldn’t be happier with her going into the race,” Kelso told Loveracing.nz.

“They don’t give Group 1s away in a Weet-Bix package. We are testing the water. It is a big transition from a 3-year-old filly up to weight-for-age. It has come up a really strong field. Normally the Moir is eight to 10 runners and this year it is a full field of 15, which is a lot of runners for Moonee Valley.”

Yulong to keep two star mares apart until Cox Plate

Yulong confirmed on Thursday that they will keep their two star mares, Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) and Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) on different paths until they clash in the G1 Cox Plate. “We feel that it is in the best interests of the horses not to meet until they need to,” racing manager Troy Stephens said in a press statement.

Gallery: Yulong Investments' star mares, images courtesy of Sportpix.

“After discussions with Mr Zhang, the Yulong team and the trainers, both Chris and Matt have agreed to change their preparations slightly, keeping each mare on their own separate path that will ultimately benefit the horses long-term. This season's Cox Plate is certainly not a two-horse race, but it will definitely add to the spectacle if these two great mares' line up for the first time together in October.”

Esha gains a start in Moir Stakes

With both Tiger Shark (Rich Enuff) and Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) electing to run in Sydney, the two scratchings from the G1 AJ Moir Stakes have given emergency 3-year-old filly Esha (Extreme Choice) a start in the race. “A dream come true (Group 1 runner) this early on,” co-trainer Hayden Black told racenet.com.au.

“We all want to win a Group 1 and we're a live chance … pretty nervous to be honest. She has been faultless, been in great shape. I'd say Friday night will be a sleepless night. Her high cruising speed and turn of foot is something I've never seen in a horse before.

“We don't expect her to win a Group 1 at her third ever race start but we really think she can. We still don't know where her ceiling is … never really got her that far, we've never really extended her, so there might be more to come.” Black joined Shane Nichols as co-trainer last week.

Headwall hunting an Everest slot

With two Group 1 placings in the autumn, trainer Matthew Smith is hoping Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}) can run well in the G3 Concorde Stakes on Saturday and earn himself a slot for the G1 The Everest. “For anyone that’s hoping to get a run in the Everest it’s pretty important,” Smith told racingnsw.com.au.

“It’s a kick off point but I just want to see the horse come back and run well to know we’re on the right track. If you happen to win it you’ll be laughing, if he’s on his game and he could win or run top three someone would nearly grab you.”

Wide draw doesn’t put off Within The Law

Trainer Bjorn Baker isn’t too bothered by the wide draw for 3-year-old filly Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}) in Saturday’s G2 Furious Stakes. “It’s not all about Saturday even through I think she will run well, it’s about getting to 1400 metres and a mile and it’s a great stepping stone,” Baker told racingnsw.com.au.

“It’s a big field, there’ll be plenty of speed on and we can put her in her comfort zone, she can definitely hit the line. She has a very good turn of foot, she’s a quality filly. It is tricky but she is so genuine I know she is going to give 100 per cent, you could never write her off.”

Jedibeel on notice for Mulberry’s Everest slot

Brad Widdup-trained Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) is a natural choice for owner Mulberry Racing’s slot in the G1 The Everest, but he needs to showcase his talents in Saturday’s G3 Concorde Stakes. “He’s in the big league, there’s no ifs and buts,” Widdup told racingnsw.com.au.

“I brought him up gradually trying to bring him through his grades and I’ve had to wait for him to get to this level. There’s no real pressure on Jedibeel bar if he performs he could be in the mix (for the Everest). At the end of the day we don’t want to send a horse to a race like that unless he’s performing well.”

The trainer also has Savvy Hallie (Hellbent) in the G2 Furious Stakes. “She’s learned to win now, she’s a bit older and wiser and has come through the run really good. It as a big effort from her last start to back up after nine days and do what she did. I’m not saying she’s a superstar or anything like that but she’s pretty bloody good.”

Golden Eagle for Swiftfalcon

Team Hawkes will send 4-year-old gelding Swiftfalcon (Exceedance) on a Golden Eagle pathway after he resumes in Saturday’s G2 Tramway in Sydney. “He’s trialled well. Can’t fault him. He’s come back bigger, stronger, better. First-up at 1400m is right up his alley. Probably, if anything, just mentally and physically he’s now really started to improve which is what we’ve wanted to see,” Michael Hawkes told racing.com.

“It was always going to happen, it was just a matter of time. He was racing in some great company last time with Broadsiding and the like, so there’s no Broadsiding around now so hopefully he can go one better. He’s probably heading towards an Epsom and then Golden Eagle.”

Not for sale, Rosberg to debut in Listed class

Trainer Clinton McDonald will debut 3-year-colt Rosberg (Deep Field) in Saturday's Listed McKenzie Stakes at The Valley and has told everyone that he’s not for sale. “Not this one,” McDonald told racenet.com.au.

“He's a lovely colt and shown us a lot at home. Obviously, it's a big ask but we think he's a horse that's up to it. We want to head to the Coolmore third-up so he's got to put his hand up on Saturday. We're going there to win. We think he's good enough to win first-up. It's time to pull the Band-Aid off and see what he's got.”

Sold by Newgate Farm at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $260,000 to Shane McGrath Bloodstock, he was put through the Inglis Ready to Race Sale and was purchased by his trainer for $750,000. “We had to buy him back otherwise he would have ended up in Hong Kong.”

Headwater filly wins on debut at Coffs Harbour

Nathan Doyle-trained 3-year-old filly Cool Waters (Headwater) won on debut at Coffs Harbour on Thursday for owner Coolarest Farm. Coolarest Farm purchased her for $180,000 from Barador Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft and she is a full sister to Group 3 winner Mileva.

Their dam, Lady Einstein (Magic Albert) is a winning half-sister to full siblings Group 2 winner Second Effort (Mossman) and Group 3 winner Diamond Effort.

Pair of debutant 3-year-old winners at Moe

Thursday’s meeting at Moe opened with the debutant winner, Gavin Bedggood-trained 3-year-old gelding Axiom (Exceedance). Sold by Twin Hills Stud for $80,000 and purchased by his trainer at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Axiom is the first foal of stakes placed Nothing Matters (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}).

Pat Carey and Harris Walker-trained 3-year-old gelding Lake Gillear (Rich Enuff) also won on debut at the same meeting. He is the first foal of winning mare Magic Pippa (Reward For Effort).

Proven sires add 3-year-old winners at Northam

Both Playing God and Toronado (Ire) added 3-year-old winners at Northam on Thursday. Luke Fernie-trained filly Spicy Thang (Toronado {Ire}) broke through at her fourth start, and her first outing at three. She was sold by Yarradale Stud to First Light Racing for $120,000 at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Ima Single Man (Gingerbread Man).

Michael Lane-trained filly Eternal Wine (Playing God) won on debut. Purchased by her trainer and TMJ Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale for $90,000 from Ruby Racing and Breeding, she is the first foal of city winner Drinkwhatyoulike (Denman).

Double for Press Statement at Mackay

Thursday’s Mackay race meeting saw a double for Press Statement led by 4-year-old mare Presszora who won on debut for trainer Clinton Taylor by an impressive 4.58 lengths. She is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Amor Victorious (Caravaggio {USA}).

Lyle Wright-trained 4-year-old mare Thormendous Miss took her record to three wins from 12 starts. She is the last of two foals, and the only winner, for Selenite (Ilovethiscity) who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}).

Domeland’s import ready for Friday’s Wyong Gold Cup

The Listed Wyong Gold Cup on Friday has Big Dance eligibility and Domeland trainer Nacim Dilmi will run Salt Lake City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “The Wyong Cup wasn't really part of the plan but he pulled up so well after his Kensington run and (Domeland founder) Mr Cheng said if you want to have a go at it, that's fine, as long as the horse is well,” Dilmi told racenet.com.au.

“Being an import and by Galileo, he is bred to go further and he's been working really well. If we were to give him a go at stepping up in trip, we may as well do it in this race. If he jumps well and can be midfield or even a couple of pair forward, and can find a bum and he can relax, I think he can race really well. If I can be close to the leaders around the 600m, I know our guy is going to be fighting quite strong because he does have a big stride that is going to help him with the distance.”

Changes to whip rules bring Hong Kong into line with others

The Hong Kong Jockey Club have changed their whip rules heading into the new season, which starts on Sunday, to align with other major jurisdictions. “The topic of the whip is one that has been given a lot of attention in a number of racing jurisdictions over the last 10 to 15 years,” Andrew Harding, the club’s executive director of racing, told scmp.com.

“We considered a range of options which were available looking at what’s been done overseas and what we have decided upon, I think, is a measured change that will achieve our objectives in terms of safety and in terms of welfare, while at the same time ensuring that the sport is conducted in a way that our fans expect.”

The chief steward outlined the thinking behind the decision. “What we’re asking the riders to do is to give the horse a chance to respond to the whip in the early stages of the race,” said chief steward Marc van Gestel.

“Let the horse’s momentum build, try and get the horse at its top and get it into a good rhythm and stride. And then, when they get to the 100m, if they are in contention and the horse is responding to whip use, they may at their discretion then use the whip in consecutive strides over the final 100m.

“One of the things the club was keen on was not to require jockeys to count whip strikes during a race, which a number of other global jurisdictions do. We think that takes the jockeys’ focus away from how they actually ride in a race.”

Champion Stakes for Ombudsman

Autumn plans for leading older horse Ombudsman are beginning to take shape, with a third clash with Delacroix (Dubawi) in the G1 Irish Champions Stakes all but ruled out in favour of an appearance on QIPCO British Champions Day.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the son of Night Of Thunder has been one of the star performers of the summer, having registered Group 1 victories in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and Juddmonte International either side of a narrow defeat to Delacroix in the Coral-Eclipse.

After gaining revenge on that rival on the Knavesmire, the stage was set for a deciding contest between the pair at Leopardstown, but connections of Ombudsman confirmed on Wednesday that they are looking elsewhere. The G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, October 18 is now the primary target, with the GI Breeders' Cup Turf and G1 Japan Cup also set to enter calculations later in the year.

Jill’s A Hot Mess tops Inglis Digital USA

Young broodmare Jill's a Hot Mess (Laoban) led the way Wednesday at the closing of the Inglis Digital USA September Sale, topping the sale with a winning bid of US$145,000 (AU$222,000) by Bluewater Sales, agent. The 7-year-old mare is in foal to Vekoma, who currently leads the second-crop sire list.

“We have loved the ease and fun of the digital sales process, both selling and buying,” said Meg Levy of Bluewater Sales. “Timing for this mare was perfect, with the weekend Vekoma had. That's the beauty of the process.”

Grade 1 winning son of Tapit to be sold in November

Grade I winner Arthur's Ride (Tapit–Points of Grace, by Point Given) has retired from racing and will be offered as a stallion prospect–consigned by Lane's End–at the Keeneland November Sale, according to a Lane's End release Wednesday.

Campaigned by Karl and Cathi Glassman's Glassman Racing, the grey enjoyed his best season in 2024, beginning with an allowance win by 7.5 lengths at Gulfstream. Later in the summer at Saratoga, he dazzled with a 12 ¾ length allowance win before taking the GI Whitney Stakes, where he defeated eventual Eclipse Champion National Treasure.