Racing Queensland review to release on Saturday
The Steering Committee of the Queensland Racing Review will release their findings at an event at Doomben on Saturday. The event will be at 9am in the Vo Rogue room. “The event will present the latest insights from the independent review and outline a clear roadmap to strengthen the sector, supporting participants, employees, volunteers, and communities across Queensland,” said the statement by the committee.
The Queensland Racing Review has focused on three areas. “Industry sustainability: Strengthening the economic, social, and regional benefits of racing; Integrity and welfare: Ensuring racing continues to uphold the highest standards; and Governance: Identifying opportunities for improved oversight, structure, and operations.”
Good record in Northerly excites Parnham
Jockey Steven Parnham respects the record of 3-year-olds in the G1 Northerly with horses that age winning five of the last 12 races. “I've won four Northerlys - three of them on 3-year-olds - and I've also run a second, a third and a fifth on 3-year-olds, so I know the journey and what it takes and I think this filly has it,” Parnham told racing.com.
All the attention will be on boom unbeaten 3-year-old colt King Of Light (Earthlight {Ire}) but Parnham has high hopes for his ride, 3-year-old filly Pure Excess (Exceedance). “I guess the lure of winning these races is enough for me to chase it, so I don't mind wasting to get down to that weight of just 50 kilograms.
Steven Parnham | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“It's hard but we don't get a lot of opportunities for Group 1s in our state and it's very hard to get good rides so any opportunity that comes along, I'm happy to take it. I didn't want to die wondering and you can't win it in the jockeys' room.”
Could another older entire win a western Group 1?
Lindsay Park believe their 5-year-old entire Apulia (Fiorente {Ire}) can win Saturday’s G1 Northerly Stakes, following in the footsteps of 5-year-old entire Libertad (Russian Revolution) who won last Saturday’s G1 Winterbottom Stakes. “We're very happy with the way he's travelled over. The initial flight was good, he's really settled in well,” Ben Hayes, co-trainer with brothers Will and JD, told racenet.com.au.
Apulia | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He had a jumpout, and jumped out really well. He did his final piece of work (Tuesday) and we couldn't be happier with him. He's really impressed us. He always had ability as a young horse, he won the Group 2 (Vase) at The Valley and was narrowly beaten in the (Victoria) Derby – which was very frustrating. He had a big campaign there, he took awhile to come back after that and sustained a little injury. He was forced to have a long holiday.
“Since then he's come back, we've got a good, patient ownership group, everyone was patient and he's rewarded us. He's a beautiful stallion, he's got a great temperament and he's a very easy entire to handle. We bred him (Apulia) together with the Garretts (Jeff and Rhonda Garrett), to be able to get these results with horses you breed just makes it extra special.”
Waller and NSWTA back plan to move Rosehill meeting
Hot weather forecast for Saturday has resulted in Racing NSW shifting the meeting to Sunday for welfare reasons. “Well done to Racing NSW in being proactive and making this decision in response to the forecast high temperatures at Rosehill on Saturday,” trainer Chris Waller told punters.com.au.
“We as trainers respect that this is a financial challenge with wagering dropping off on a Sunday compared to a Saturday. But this is a decision not just for the horses but the jockeys and staff who will all appreciate the cooler conditions on Sunday. To be able to still race for Saturday money, and not lose the meeting at the last minute and have horses' programs interrupted, I'm sure is appreciated by all the trainers.”
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The NSW Trainers Association agreed. “Racing NSW has acted decisively and put the welfare of our animals and our participants first and foremost,” NSWTA said in a statement.
“Extreme weather events require clear, timely decision making, and this move demonstrates the regulator's dedication to protecting everyone involved in our industry. Ensuring a safe racing environment is a shared responsibility. We appreciate the careful consideration given to all available options. Moving the meeting is the right call.”
Free entry to Rosehill on Sunday
The Australian Turf Club announced that entry to Rosehill will be free for the public on Sunday. “We have worked closely with Racing NSW to make this decision as early as possible to prepare for the move to Sunday,” Australian Turf Club's Interim CEO, Steve McMahon told racingnsw.com.au.
“Whilst we apologise for any inconvenience this change has on Members and our customers, horse welfare and safety is our first consideration. With such extreme hot weather forecast right across Saturday there was no option but to make horse and participant safety a priority. So we wanted to give everyone involved extra time to revise their plans for the weekend.”
Pinstriped books a slot in Supernova
Group 1 winner Pinstriped (Street Boss {USA}) will run in the Supernova in the Moonee Valley Racing Club slot. “It's been a frustrating preparation without much luck and the public probably haven't seen the proper Pinstriped this spring,” trainer Enver Jusufovic told racing.com.
Pinstriped | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“But he is holding his condition really well and has been working terrific so I'd expect nothing less than a bold showing. I think the Pakenham circumference will really suit him.”
Melek wins on debut for Maher
Trainer Ciaron Maher has been patient with 4-year-old gelding Melek (St Jean {Ire}) who won on debut on Wednesday at Caulfield Heath. His sire St Jean died only a month after Half Yours won the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup double.
Melek is out of very tough jumping mare Regina Coeli (Pure Theatre) who won the 2017 Grand Annual for Maher. Regina Coeli has one other winner, Compostela, a full brother to Melek, and she is a half-sister to dual Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Al Garhood (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) who has a jump named after him at Warrnambool.
Double for Hellbent at Warwick Farm
Hellbent added a double at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with a pair of 5-year-olds. Miss Hades took her record to five wins and over $250,000 for trainer Gary Portelli. Hellbent On You also won for the fifth time and she is trained by John Thompson.
Hellbent’s 3-year-old filly Lebanese won at Ipswich on Wednesday for trainer Tony Gollan. She was having her second start.
Valentia added a double at Balaklava with 3-year-old filly Breakfast and Real Valentia who took his record to 11 wins from 77 starts and earnings over $230,000.
Babyfaced Assassin to bounce back at Gosford
After a poor run last start, trainer Gary Portelli expects 4-year-old gelding Babyfaced Assassin (I Am Invincible) to return to form on Thursday at Gosford. “He ran a couple of good placings when third at Goulburn in October and then a close second at Hawkesbury early last month,” Portelli told racingnsw.com.au.
Gary Portelli | Image courtesy of Portelli Racing
“Then we took him to Canterbury and everything that could go wrong did go wrong. He bungled the start and was a long way behind early. He ended up being beaten a fair way but it’s a complete forget run after what happened when the gates open. Take that run out of his form and the race at Gosford on Thursday looks like it should suit him.”
Wyong planning for good crowd on Wednesday
The R.Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic runs next Wednesday and the club are hoping for a good crowd for the 24th running of the race. “Our Magic Millions Classic has stood the test of time, and we’re looking forward to another great renewal,” Wyong Race Club general manager Greg Purcell told provincialracing.com.au.
“Pre-sales for the day have been good, so we are expecting an excellent midweek crowd.” Gai Waterhouse has won the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic on five occasions, most recently with Farnan.
Nugent heads to city with Galeka
Darling Downs trainer Wayne Nugent has won just one black type race from his small stable. The 2008 G3 George Moore Stakes with Friendly Embrace (Clang). This Saturday, he heads back to the same meeting, but with Country Stampede Finalist Galeka (Impending) who will be ridden by his apprentice hoop Jade Metcalfe. “If we are fortunate enough to win, then it will be the most special of my training career,” Nugent told racingqueensland.com.au.
“Just for Jade, the journey she has been on for the last few years. To get to this point and have the opportunity to ride in Brisbane and showcase her skills, it is amazing for her. It is a big occasion for the horse and Jade. Jade has a good relationship with the horse and they work well together.
“They understand each other very well and that helps on race day. Jade knows exactly how she wants to race and where to put her in the run. David (owner David Digney) has been as invested in Jade’s career as I have and there was no question who would be riding this horse on Saturday.”
Yabby Pump and podcasters thrive with micro share business
Brothers Cameron, Tom and Michael Hay run syndication business MustR Racing, and have moved into selling micro shares after teaming up with two popular podcasts, Alpha Blokes Podcast and Hello Sport. “We got in touch with Alpha Blokes about buying a horse called Yabby Pump and we'd only done that with conventional syndication,” Cameron Hay told racenet.com.au.
“About 11,000 people tried to buy in but only 50 could get a share. We then bought Cold Brew and switched to micro shares and there was so much demand, it broke our computer system for three hours. About 30,000 people were trying to get in on the horse and it blew our minds.
“It just shows the reach these podcasting communities have and it brings so much of the younger generation into racing that previously wouldn't have any chance of affording it. It works with these podcasting communities because they're looking to engage their audience and they're looking for something to create content with throughout a few years, so it's been a big hit. The big thing was trying to bridge the gap between people that love a punt on the weekend but can't afford to buy a horse.”
Yabby Pump (Castlevecchio) runs on Sunday at Rosehill. “Yabby Pump is racing on Sunday and we were supposed to have Cold Brew there as well, but unfortunately, he pulled up a bit sore on Tuesday morning. Getting moved to Sunday is tricky with most of the owners flying down from Queensland, but we still expect it to be a cracking day out.”
Hawk Wing dies aged 26
Multiple Group 1 winner Hawk Wing has died from colic in Korea. The brilliant winner of the G1 Lockinge Stakes was 26.
The son of Woodman claimed the G1 National Stakes at two for Aidan O'Brien and Susan Magnier. At three, he found only stablemates Rock Of Gibraltar and High Chaparral too good in the G1 2000 Guineas and the G1 Derby, respectively. Back in the winner's circle in the G1 Eclipse Stakes, he ran second in both the G1 Irish Champion Stakes and G1 Champion Stakes. At four, he delivered his career-defining victory, running out an 11-length winner of the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
An injury in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes resulted in retirement to Coolmore Stud. He stood there from 2004-2008. From 2009 onward, Hawk Wing was based at KRA Jeju Stud Farm in Korea. A total of 15 of his progeny were stakes winners led by eight group winners. GI American Oaks heroin Cambina and G1 Sydney Cup victor Stand To Gain were his best runners. Hawk Wing shuttled to Australia for two seasons, 2004 and 2005.
Rain to suit Ladies Man in G1 Mufasa
Last year’s G1 Mufasa Stakes (previously known as the Captain Cook Stakes) winner Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) is back to have another crack this year on Saturday at Trentham. He hasn’t won since then. “He was good at Tauranga, I gave him a pass mark for that, but more importantly he’s gone the right way since, his work on Tuesday was very good,” trainer Allan Sharrock told Loveracing.nz.
Ladies Man (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
“It’s probably a stronger field this year, what with Waitak at the top of his form, La Crique there again and with that other very good mare Legarto as well, so it’s not going to be easy. In our favour is the weather they’ve had in Wellington this week; I think a bit of precipitation and with the track currently rated Heavy8, that could swing things our way.”
Opie Bosson will be attempting to win his 100th Group 1 race when he pairs with Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) in the race. She’s coming off a last start Group 3 win.
