Bayot and Hewson both quit as ATC directors
On Thursday, The Straight reported that Ben Bayot has quit his postition as Australian Turf Club (ATC) Director, while fellow director Natalie Hewson has also put forward her resignation. Bayot was touted as a possible replacement to former Chair Peter McGuaran who resigned after the failed Rosehill sale process.
"The actions of the board do not align with my personal values," Bayot told thestraight.com.au. “The board lacks alignment, recently shown poor corporate governance and faces significant financial strain. I don't see a positive future for the club under this board."
The decision comes only days after the ATC sacked CEO Matt Galanos, and announced Steve McMahon, the ATC’s head of corporate affairs and government relations, as interim CEO.
Extreme Warrior colt wins juvenile trial in South Australia
Travis Doudle-trained 2-year-old colt Blandford Baron (Extreme Warrior) won the only juvenile trial at Murray Bridge on Thursday. He covered the 800 metre trip in 48.86s and won by 1.36 lengths from gelding Forcebewithyou (Cosmic Force) with gelding Bilk (Profiteer) in third. The filly Tweeter (Microphone) and gelding Blazing Missile (Stratosphere) made up the rest of the field.
Blandford Baron is one of 47 live foals from the first crop of Extreme Warrior who stands at Rosemont Stud. He was sold by Pepper Tree Farm at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $80,000 to Riverstone Lodge and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), and on-sold by Riverstone Lodge for $100,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Travis Doudle.
He is the first foal of winning mare Yangarra Rose (Zoustar) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Vibrant Sun (The Autumn Sun).
Private Harry to kick off in The Shorts
Trainer Nathan Doyle is looking forward to seeing what unbeaten entire Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) can do when resuming in Saturday’s G2 The Shorts. “I think you’ve got to enjoy it, that’s what you’re in the game for,” Doyle told racingnsw.com.au.
“To have these horses and these moments, you’ve got to enjoy them. You can’t beat yourself up and stress too much about it, we know the horse is in good order and it takes the stress out of it when you know he’s spot on.
Private Harry | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“You don’t take it for granted, that’s for sure. It’s been a lot of hard work to get to the stage we’re at and to have a horse like him we definitely appreciate it. But we’ve got unfinished business, we’re not conceding the job is done. There’s plenty left to do.”
Briasa set for match race with Private Harry
Jockey Tyler Schiller thinks that Group 1 winner Briasa (Smart Missile) can beat Private Harry in the G2 The Shorts on Saturday. “I think the draw definitely helps, just inside of Private Harry,” Schiller told racingnsw.com.au.
“We have enough speed to come out and he should take me where we need to go. I think 1100 metres is his minimum, he’s definitely a fast horse but 1200 metres is his strength. He’s a big boy and he takes his time to get into stride.
Briasa | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“I’d be expecting Private Harry to be somewhere in advance of us with his gate speed and we just cruise along where he’s comfortable and keep him on the bridle as long as I can. If he’s within a couple of lengths of Private Harry it should be a really good match race.”
Port Lockroy looking for second Group 1 in Sir Rupert Clarke
Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained 5-year-old entire Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) will attempt to win his second Group 1 in Saturday’s G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. “He’s going really well,” Annabel Archibald told racing.com.
“I thought his first up run was probably only a pass mark, but he just pulled up with a very slight little hamstring, I wouldn’t say issue, but he was just feeling a little bit tight. That’s all rectified now and he galloped super, we galloped him the reverse way (on Monday) and he just thrives going that way.
Port Lockroy | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“He’s one of those horses I think he’s good anywhere from 1400 metres to 1800 metres. Obviously, it leads into the Toorak as well, it wouldn’t be a one hit mission, there would be a couple of races for him.”
McEvoy aiming for fifth Newcastle Cup
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy is aiming to win his fifth G3 Newcastle Gold Cup on Friday as he rides Chris Waller-trained Travolta (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). “He's been holding his form throughout this preparation in good style so he goes there fit and well with a light weight on his back,” McEvoy told racenet.com.au.
“He went down bravely and wasn't beaten far last start (in the 2400m Tattersalls Cup) where the winner was able to steal a bit of a march. I like the fact that he has performed well over that distance with a battle-hardened run going into the Cup that is 100 metres shorter.”
Apocalyptic can do it again in Tea Rose
Last start G2 Furious Stakes winner Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) can do it again in Saturday’s G2 Tea Rose. “She’s a filly we’ve had a high opinion of, coming out at that level at only her second lifetime start and first-up from a long break was a good effort,” trainer Michael Freedman told racingnsw.com.au.
Apocalyptic | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“Obviously against good quality fillies it was a good effort. She got a nice run from a soft draw and it’s a slightly different set up at the 1400 metres drawn out-ish to what it looked like two weeks ago. She’s just been ticking over, she hasn’t had to do a great deal but she came through that run in good order.”
Marhoona a half-chance to run in The Shorts
Trainer Michael Freedman is only 50/50 about running G1 Golden Slipper winner Marhoona (Snitzel) in Saturday’s G2 The Shorts, and may head to the Heritage Stakes next week instead. “She’ll carry 58kg in the Heritage where she carries the full penalty but it would be against her own age group,” Freedman told racing.com.
Marhoona | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“She’s only getting 1kg off Joliestar (in the Shorts) so she’s not well weighted. It’d probably to be fair only be 50-50 at this stage. The reality is that there aren't many options for sprinting fillies that have won a Group 1 as 2-year-olds, or even Group 2 for that matter.”
Whatalegacy’s demolition at Kembla Grance
Bjorn Baker-trained 3-year-old colt Whatalegacy (King’s Legacy) remained unbeaten with his second victory at Kembla Grange on Thursday in a 2.8 length demolition. He is one of 12 winners for second season sire King’s Legacy, and was sold by Mill Park Stud at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $160,000 to his trainer and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA).
A half-brother to Group 1 winner Benedetta (Hellbent) and Group 2-placed Whatafox (Foxwedge), Whatalegacy is out of Group 2-placed Whatalovelyday (Domesday) who has a Hellbent yearling colt and foaled a colt by Zoustar this spring.
Reflect wins at Kembla Grange
Joe Pride-trained 3-year-old filly Reflect (So You Think {NZ}) won at Kembla Grange on Thursday. Having her fifth start, she was previously placed as a 2-year-old. DGR Thoroughbred Services (FBAA) purchased her from Segenhoe Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $310,000 and she is a half-sister to Group 2-placed Jenni The Fox (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Listed placed Rubicon Crossing (Rubick).
Reflect’s dam Miss Foxwood (Fastnet Rock) is a stakes placed daughter of Group 1 winner Foxwood (NZ) (Centaine) who also produced Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed Rockwood (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
New winner for Doubtland
Second season sire Doubtland added a new winner at Mornington on Thursday when Phillip Stokes-trained 3-year-old filly Sassy For Sure won. Placed on debut at two, she was having her third start and become winner number six for her sire.
Raced by Widden Stud, Sassy For Sure is the first foal of Sassy Salitage (Toronado {Ire}) who is a stakes placed half-sister to Group 3 winner Lady Horseowner (Equiano {Fr}).
Playing God gelding wins on debut
Mitchell Pateman-trained 3-year-old gelding Chama (Playing God) won on debut at Bunbury on Thursday by one length. He is the last foal of Listed winner Parc D’Amour (Bletchley Park {Ire}) who has produced eight winners including stakes placed Pambella, a full sister to Chama.
Fownes four-timer dominates Happy Valley
Trainer Caspar Fownes dominated Wednesday night’s Happy Valley meeting in Hong Kong with a four-timer to push him to the top of the Trainer’s Premiership. He won with Lo Rider (GB) (Harzand {Ire}), Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock), Silver Spurs (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Mighty Commander (Artie Schiller {USA}).
“It’s pretty good, it’s half the card so very happy,” Fownes told scmp.com.
“I thought I’d have a good night coming here tonight, but racing is racing and you always need some luck. I’m very happy, especially for the last winner because the owner gets a big bonus and it was the horse’s first time at Happy Valley, so it was very nice to see a great effort. I’m very proud of [Lo Rider], he’s a horse nice horse and hopefully he’s a chance to continue on.”
McDonald, Doyle and others to Hong Kong
Jockeys Hollie Doyle and Dylan Browne McMonagle lead a quartet of international riders granted Hong Kong temporary licences in the coming months. French rider Maxime Guyon and regular short-term rider in Hong Kong, Australia’s James McDonald, have also been granted short-term licences, from November 30 to March 1 and from November 12 to December 23, respectively.
Doyle, who has participated in the last five Longines International Jockeys' Championships (IJC) at Happy Valley and also ridden at Sha Tin's Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) meeting, has won four times in Hong Kong. Her licence is from November 5-December 23.
Midshipman colt tops Keeneland
Keeneland September Book 5 opened on Wednesday with continued strong trade across the board led by a Midshipman (USA) colt who topped the session at US$270,000 (AU$400,000) to trainer Wesley Ward.
Increases were seen on all fronts as 303 yearlings sold through the ring for US$15,405,500 (AU$23.1 million), up 12.09% from last year's Session 9 gross of US$13,744,000 (AU$20.6 million) for 308 horses. Average price of US$50,843 (AU$76,400) was 13.94% above US$44,623 (AU$67,100) last year and the median increased 14.29% from US$35,000 (AU$52,700) to US$40,000 (AU$60,200).
Cumulatively, Keeneland has sold 2,074 yearlings through the ring for US$487,629,500 (AU$733 million) for an average of US$235,115 (AU$353,000) and a median of US$150,000 (AU$226,000). The total is up 23.07% from the corresponding period last year when the gross was US$396,213,500 (AU$596 million) for 2,048 horses. The average rose 21.53% from US$193,464 (AU$291,000) in 2024, while the median increased 36.36% from US$110,000 (AU$166,000).
Shin Emperor to miss Arc due to illness
Susumu Fujita's Shin Emperor has been ruled out of the upcoming G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next month due to a respiratory illness, trainer Yoshito Yahagi posted on X. The post read, “Shin Emperor underwent an endoscopic examination on Monday local time due to an abnormality observed in its racing performance. As a result, asthma and moderate pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) were identified.
“While these conditions do not require immediate complete rest, it was determined that competing in the Arc de Triomphe in optimal condition would be difficult, and the decision was made to withdraw from the race.” He will head back to Japan and be readied for the G1 Japan Cup.
Three wildcards for Arqana
The group-placed Coetzee (Frankel) is one of three wildcards added to the upcoming Arqana Arc Sale on October 4.
Consigned as lot 14 and trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the 4-year-old is rated 98 and is out of the black-type Sing Softly (Hennessy). His extended family features Group 1 winners Mozu Ascot (Frankel), To Honor And Serve, Angela Renee (Bernardini) and La Cara (Street Sense). He was most recently third in the G3 Prix Gladiateur.
Renato tops Tattersalls Online Sale
Sea The Stars' Renato led the way at the Tattersalls Online September Sale when selling for 80,000gns (AU$172,000) on Wednesday. Consigned by Prestige Place, the Timeform 89-rated 3-year-old colt has placed in four of his seven starts and is a full-brother to Call Me Love, a winner of the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio and the G3 Premio Verziere – Mem.
Marco Botti said, “It worked out quite well for the owners who had decided to dissolve their partnership and the online sale was a quick and easy way to do this. In the end, he sold well. He will go to Italy now. There was quite a lot of interest in him and he had been vetted many times.”
