Daily News Wrap

Tactical contest for G1 Makybe Diva Stakes

With only six runners in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes, trainer Tony Gollan sees the race as a tactical affair and is putting his faith in Blake Shinn for Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}). “I don’t think Blake would allow it to be a sit and sprint,” Gollan told racing.com.

“If it’s going to be like that, Blake would want to up the pressure a little way out. He (Antino) is not really a sit and sprint sort of horse. Blake does his own homework. He knows what he is doing. He knows what the horse can do.”

Lovatsville extend partnership with ATA

The Australian Trainers Association (ATA) will continue to benefit from a partnership with Lovatsville in 2025/26 with the Victorian farm announcing they will provide a series of nominations to each of the stallions on their 2025 roster for the winning trainers of select Victorian regional races. “It is a challenging time for all businesses, in all industries, with the rise in costs leaving their mark. We hope that our support of the trainers, who are often at the coalface of expense in caring for the horse, helps ease the financial pressures that we know a number of them are facing,” Sam White, Lovatsville founder, said in a press release.

“This announcement continues the great strides we are making on behalf of our members, rewarding them for the contribution to the industry. They now have the opportunity to compete for a “bonus” $170,000 through these nominations, on top of the already fantastic prize money available in Victoria,” said Stephen Bell, CEO of the ATA.

Vale Dr James Rodger

On Thursday, Racing NSW announced the death of esteemed equine breeding and racing vet Dr James (Jim) Rodger. “Jim was a pioneering veterinarian who transformed equine medicine in Australia and was also one of the co-founders of Scone Horse Week, at the forefront of establishing Scone as the horse capital of Australia,” stated racingnsw.com.au.

“His role as a mentor to so many in the equine veterinary profession both within Australia, and internationally, will see his legacy continued through many generations.”

Vale Leanne Hartley

Racing Queensland has issued a statement on the death of Beaudesert thoroughbred trainer Leanne Hartley who died in an accident on Wednesday. “Our sincerest condolences are extended to Leanne’s family and friends, and our thoughts are with them during this tragic time,” Racing Queensland Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said.

“We expect every participant to be able to come home safe and sound and it is heartbreaking that we have lost one of our own.” Queensland Police have reported her death as accidental.

Skyhook to emulate Menari

Co-trainer Gerard Ryan hopes his promising 3-year-old colt Skyhook (Written Tycoon) can emulate his former promising gallopers Menari (Snitzel) and Trapeze Artist in Saturday’s G2 Run To The Rose and G1 Golden Rose. “I’d have thought he’d improve because had one soft trial prior to winning first-up, he drops 3.5kg and meets them okay at the weights,” Ryan told racingnsw.com.au.

“Yeah, I’m happy with what I’ve seen so far. He had a nice tickover trial last Tuesday and worked well on the course proper. All of it worked for Menari, he won the Rosebud and then won the Run To The Rose. He ran third in the Golden Rose (behind Trapeze Artist) but he knuckled coming out of the gates and pulled a front shoe off and he ended up not racing again.”

Guineas target for Fastoso

Trainer Greg Eurell hopes 3-year-old gelding Fastoso (Shamus Award) can put in a good show in Saturday’s Listed Exford Plate. “He's a nice horse. I quite like him; he's a progressive genuine racehorse. I see him as a 1600 metre horse,” Eurell told racing.com.

“He won well at Bendigo but he'll be a better product on a drier track. Whatever we see this campaign we will see a better product next one. I like him as he has a bit of scope. We're heading in the Caulfield Guineas direction but Saturday is the defining point. If he runs well then you'd have to head in that direction as he's a 1600 metre horse.”

Derby campaign for Arcora

Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have set 3-year-old colt Arcora (Justify {USA}) on a G1 Victoria Derby path and he will run in Saturday’s Listed Exford Plate. “You've got the (Moonee Valley) Vase and the Group 3 Classic at Caulfield a couple of weeks before so there's plenty of options,” Young told racenet.com.au.

“He doesn't have to come out and win (to get into the Derby) so we could go to the Guineas then step him out. He had two weeks out in the paddock since he won. He relaxes quite nicely but he's actually showed he's sharp with that two-week freshen up. He didn't lose too much fitness but he needs to have a little break otherwise he would have been up too long to get to the Derby.”

Rain a concern for Lilac

Co-trainer Rob Archibald is concerned about the wet ground for Lilac (Justify {USA}) when she runs in Saturday’s G2 Sheraco Stakes. “She was excellent last preparation,” Archibald told racingnsw.com.au.

“She started in all the big races and I thought she did a fantastic job culminating in that last win in the James Carr. She’s going to have to take that next step into more open company but we think she’s got the ability to do it. I wouldn’t say we’re quite where Lady Shenandoah is, but she can be very competitive in a race like this. Most of her form is on better ground so obviously it’s a bit of an unknown on the heavy, soft seems okay, but she goes there in good order and is there to run well.”

Eurell has potential Cup runner with Euphoric

Trainer Greg Eurell has never had a runner in the G1 Melbourne Cup but that might change if Euphoric (Sebring) can win The Archer on Saturday. “After his last start at The Valley, The Archer was the next race for him and it's a 'win-and-you're-in' the Cup race. If he won and he wasn't in, you'd be kicking yourself,” Eurell told racing.com.

“Looks it's pie in the sky, a lot of the nominations are that way for the Cup, but imagine if he won and we didn't have a nom in. When we saw this race was a qualifier for the Melbourne Cup, we thought 'Well it's worth throwing a nom' as if something happened on Saturday and we were lucky enough to pull it off, then we could head in that direction.”

Fatty Pier will need the run in Tramway

Co-trainer Darryn Weatherley blames the Queensland climate for Group 1 winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) being too big before Saturday’s G2 Tramway Stakes. “I tell you what he’s a bit like me, he’s enjoyed the Australian hospitality and we’ve both gone out a notch or two in the old belt,” Weatherley told racingnsw.com.au.

“He’ll be a bit vulnerable on Saturday I would imagine. Just looking at him I feel he’s a bit soft but Saturday is not his grand final. I’d really like to see him hitting the line and being competitive then we know where we are going.” He is being aimed at the G1 Epsom Handicap.

Double double for Richards

Trainer Jamie Richards added a second double on Wednesday night at Happy Valley to go with his double on opening day. On Wednesday, he won with Storming Dragon (Star Turn) and To Infinity (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and on Sunday, he won with Groovy Feeling (Cable Bay {Ire}) and Bulb General (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}). “It’s incredible. I had 21 winners last season and now I’ve had four winners in two meetings,” Richards told scmp.com.

“I’m very, very happy. It’s quite hard to explain, really. To Infinity was a bit of a surprise, but Storming Dragon had run consistently well all last season and he trialled well behind Ka Ying Rising and My Wish and Brenton gave him a lovely ride. It’s a wonderful start to the season for the whole team and I must thank them for all the work they’ve done in the off-season.”

Maher strikes with debut 3-year-old double at Seymour

Star Trip (Star Turn) went around on debut as a warm favourite, off the back of an impressive Cranbourne jump-out earlier in the month, and he lived up to expectations with a soft 0.75l win over 1000 metres.

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding is the second winner out of the two-time winning Shamardal (USA) mare Joyful Journey. The progressive Star Turn 3-year-old was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $280,000 from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The second leg of Maher’s Seymour debut double came courtesy of The Real Mahjong (Universal Ruler), who scored at his first start. The 3-year-old gelding is the fourth winner from five to race out of the unraced Blackfriars mare Full Time. His pedigree carries a strong West Australian influence, and he becomes the 31st winner bred on this exact cross.

Star Thoroughbreds unveil another exciting filly

The Chris Waller-trained Cafe Au Lait (Alabama Express) broke through at her third start at Seymour, winning in the manner of an exciting filly under Jye McNeil.

A $250,000 purchase for Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Yulong draft at the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Cafe Au Lait boasts a strong pedigree. Her grandam, Pure Energy (Mossman), was a three-time juvenile winner, highlighted by victory in the G2 Reisling Slipper Trial and a placing in the G1 Golden Slipper.

Caffeine, dam of Cafe Au Lait, has since produced a 2-year-old filly by Grunt (NZ) and last month foaled a filly by Tagaloa.

OTI strike with smart Seymour debut winner

Azazel (NZ) (Shocking) made an impressive winning debut at Seymour for OTI Racing and partners. The Mark Walker-trained gelding came into the maiden mile off some sharp jump-out form, and proved too strong for his opposition, with the hot favourite Cavalry (Brutal {NZ}) having little luck and finishing third.

OTI Racing have enjoyed previous success with the progeny of Shocking, most notably with the late I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), who won two Group 1 races over 1600 metres in the same colours.

Azazel was secured by Mr DC Ellis (CNZM) and OTI for NZ$140,000 from Riverrock Farm at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.

Sheeza Diva breaks through at Hawkesbury

Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting saw the Mitchell and Desiree Kearney-trained Sheeza Diva (Pierro) break through in authoritative fashion at her eighth start. She proved too strong for the warm favourite Above The Law (Harry Angel {Ire}), who has now been runner-up in all three of his outings.

Sheeza Diva is the fifth foal out of Dizzy Diva (Starspangledbanner) and hails from a strong family that traces back to G1 Australian Oaks winner Dizelle (Zabeel {NZ}).

Puissance De Lune gets another winner

Just a day after his son Sav On Ice captured the Listed Balaklava Cup, Puissance De Lune (Ire) was back in the winner’s circle, this time at Bunbury where the striking grey filly Moonshine Queen scored stylishly at her second start, winning over 1400 metres by a length.

Trained by Daniel and Ben Pearce at Karnup, she is the second winner for her dam Bourbon Dynasty (Trade Fair {GB}). Her first foal, Tizzle Top (Vert De Grece {Ire}), won over the mile and was placed in the Listed Belmont Classic.

Headwaters son delivers at Lismore

The Marcus Wilson-trained Headstrong (Headwater) broke through at his third start at Lismore on Thursday.

Showing the benefit of racing experience, he looked a stronger and more furnished horse this preparation and delivered as a warm favourite under Damien Thornton, scoring by just over half a length.

Debut winner for Omaha Beach

The well-named Sands Of Omaha (Omaha Beach {USA}) made an immediate impression on debut at Lismore, winning with ease by more than two lengths for Hesket Thoroughbreds and trainer Matthew Dunn.

The filly, who looks capable of progressing to stronger company, became the first winner for Limeshow (Al Maher), a dual winner and half-sister to Group 3 winning juvenile Limestone (Helmet).

Vinnie Roe dies aged 27

Vinnie Roe, who won the G1 Irish St Leger four times from 2001-2004, has died. The pensioned son of Definite Article was 27.

Bred by Virginia Moeran, the bay was out of Kayu (Tap On Wood) and sold for 48,000gns (AU$102,000) as a foal. In 1999, he made IR£50,000 (AU$112,000) to subsequent trainer Dermot Weld at Goffs. Vinnie Roe carried the silks of Irish film director Jim Sheridan and Antonio Balzarini, and was partnered by the legendary late Irish jockey Pat Smullen in all bar one of his 29 starts.

A stakes winner and group placed as a juvenile, he won his final four starts at three including his first Irish St leger and the G1 Prix Royal-Oak. Second in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, Vinnie Roe claimed his second Irish St Leger in 2002 and was named the Cartier Champion Stayer that year. Over the rest of his career, he added two more Irish St Legers, and also sported fourth, second, and eighth-place finishes in the G1 Melbourne Cup (2002, 2004 and 2005).

At stud he covered primarily National Hunt mares, and was pensioned at Longford House Stud in Ireland after the 2019 season. His best in that sphere was the Grade 2 chase winner Vinndication.

Racing stops in UK for a day as protest goes ahead

Wednesday was a dark day for British racing. Racing cancelled across the land while the sport's leaders made an empassioned stand in the country's seat of power against a proposed rise in betting tax, warning of plenty more dark days to come.

There can be no denying the intent with which the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has set about alerting the government as to the very real threat to Britain's second-biggest spectator sport. The outcome of a proposed 'harmonisation' of betting taxes, which could see the tax on horserace betting elevated from 15 to 21 per cent, will not be known until chancellor Rachel Reeves sets out the Autumn Budget on November 26.

Wednesday's four scheduled race meetings at Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Lingfield and Kempton had all been moved to different dates to allow the sport to come together, the gates of all of the country's 59 racecourses firmly closed, to protest at the potential harm to a sector of the British workforce which is responsible for around 85,000 jobs and which already supplies £300m annually to the Treasury in tax revenue.

Backside documentary to debut

Backside, an observational documentary that honours the primarily immigrant workforce that helps sustain the horse racing industry, will be screened at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville. Filmed over five years by an all-LatinX team, Backside 'offers an intimate look at the lives of workers who begin their days before dawn, seven days a week, caring for some of the world's most prized racehorses' in the barns behind Churchill Downs—known as the “backside.”

According to a release, the documentary 'goes beyond the pageantry of the (Kentucky) Derby to reveal the grit, skill, and dedication of immigrant and multi-generational workers whose labour often goes unseen. The documentary examines the intersection of class, race, and labour, humanizing the people who sustain an elite American sporting tradition while emphasizing the deep, symbiotic relationship between humans and horses.'