Daily News Wrap

Zip Lock leads new order for Magic Millions 2YO Classic

This week’s G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes winning 2-year-old colt Zip Lock (Hellbent) now leads the order of entry for the upcoming R.Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. His stablemate Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) remains on top of the R.Listed Magic Millions Guineas order. Both are trained by Chris and Corey Munce.

Listed WA Summer Scorcher won by Madhi Girl

Simon Miller-trained Madhi Girl (Winning Rupert) dived to victory in Thursday’s Listed Summer Scorcher at Ascot. The 4-year-old mare has now won four in succession, six in total, and becomes the sixth stakes winner for Winning Rupert.

A $68,000 purchase by Teleah Huise from the Western Breeders’ Alliance at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Madhi Girl took her earnings over $504,000. This is the family of Champion 3YO Filly and dual Group 1 winner Delicacy (Al Maher).

Quiet Autumn for Treasurethe Moment

Trainer Matt Laurie is planning only two runs for his Group 1 winning mare Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) this autumn with all eyes on the G1 Cox Plate during the spring instead. “Ultimately, I'd just love to get her into the Cox Plate at Flemington at the end of the year,” Laurie told racing.com.

“I think she's had three extraordinary preparations, they've been big preparations, so I don't want to do too much with her in the autumn. We could be looking at two runs and spelling; probably the Futurity into an All-Star Mile and then a holiday, then try to prep her for the next big one.”

Oaks next for Ohope Wins after Group 2 victory

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained 3-year-old filly Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) broke her maiden in style when winning Thursday’s G2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes at Ellerslie. “Andrew and I have always believed in this filly and that was why we were lining her up today in a Group Two as a maiden,” O’Sullivan told Loveracing.nz.

“Hopefully she will be running in the Oaks or the Derby, or races like that in the future.” Bred and raced by Bill Gartshore and his family under their Gartshore Bloodstock banner, Ohope Wins was having her fourth start.

Stakes winner number 25 for Ocean Park (NZ), Ohope Wins is out of Choux Mania (Redoute’s Choice), a half-sister to G1 Cox Plate winner and sire Jimmy Choux (NZ) who moved from Rich Hill Stud to Rosalee Park in WA in 2019, but sadly died in 2024 from nose cancer. Both Jimmy Choux and Ocean Park are by Thorn Park. G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes winner Miss Wilson (Stratum) is also in this family.

Queensland hoop Jones wins group race in New Zealand

Jockey Angela Jones travelled to New Zealand to ride at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and will head back to Queensland having been victorious on Santa Catalina (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}) in the G3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Trained by Peter and Shaun McKay, Santa Catalina took her record to four wins.

She becomes the second stakes winner for her sire, whose other stakes winner is G3 Wellington Cup winner Mister Wolfgang (NZ). Bred by Mapperley Stud principal Simms Davision who races her with partners, Santa Catalina will be aimed at the G3 Wellington Cup.

Graham booked for Foreign Press in Sunlight

Jockey Cejay Graham will ride Foreign Press (Invader) in the $3 million Sunlight slot race on January 10, after she returns from suspension. “She hasn't raced at the Gold Coast before but I don't think it matters where she goes and what barrier she gets because she's so versatile,” Graham told racenet.com.au.

“If she can draw soft then that increases her chance again because she's very effective when she can get cover and be within striking distance behind them.” The favourite is Grafterburners (Graff) who Graham has ridden in his last two wins.

Mr Brightside out for the autumn

Lindsay Park confirmed that nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) will miss the autumn. “A routine check-up has found that our beloved Mr Brightside has a very small chip in his left-fore fetlock. He is sound and his usual happy self but best possible practice for his wellbeing, comfort and long-term soundness is to have minor surgery to remove the chip. Afterwards he will enjoy a lovely long VIP holiday at Lindsay Park Euroa,” said a social media post.

Hat-trick potential for I Am Carrot

If Domeland’s I Am Carrot (Castelvecchio) can make it a hat-trick of wins on Saturday, he’ll be set for the Brisbane Winter Carnival. “The mile looks suitable,” trainer Nacim Dilmi told racenet.com.au.

“He did look beaten at Hawkesbury last start but he was in the wrong part of the track and he managed to score a decent win. After the line you could tell he was going away from the field so he is the type of horse that is looking for further now and a big track with a small weight will suit him.”

Alabama Fox set to prove herself on Saturday

At Randwick on Saturday, co-trainer Annabel Archibald hopes Alabama Fox (Alabama Express) can show enough that she’ll be set on a stakes pathway. “There’s definitely some nice races in her and hopefully we get a bit of luck and she shouldn’t be too far away,” Archibald told racingnsw.com.au.

“We’d like to maybe win a couple of races this prep and maybe next prep we can aim a bit higher.” The winner of two races is out of Group 1 winner Foxplay (Foxwedge).

Thanks Gorgeous wins at Mornington

Stakes placed 3-year-old filly Thanks Gorgeous (Peltzer) broke through for her first win at Mornington on Thursday with a storming 2.5 length win for trainers Mark and Levi Kavanagh. “She’s been knocking on the door and really close, and been a little bit frustrating,” Levi Kavanagh said post-race.

“We dropped her back to a couple of maidens and she just didn’t get a lot of luck. She’s still won by an impressive margin – we think she’s a good filly, she’s got a lot more runs left in her better races. It’s good for her to tick that box today.” She becomes winner number eight for her second season sire.

New winner for North Pacific

Second season sire North Pacific added winner number 17 at Longford on New Year’s Day when 3-year-old Pacific Witness won for trainer John Blacker. He is a half-brother to Hong Kong winner Never Peter Out (Grunt {NZ}).

Valiant Stud will present Pacific Witness’ half-brother by Captivant as Lot 58 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Two new winners for Graff

Second season sire Graff celebrated winners number ten and eleven on New Year’s Day. Bargain Boy won at Murray Bridge for trainer Phillip Stokes, while at Canterbury, Terry Croft-trained Royal Corporal won.

Graff’s best son Grafterburners is the favourite for the Sunlight slot race.

Double for Exceedance on Thursday

At Victoria’s Burrumbeet meeting, Exceedance enjoyed a pair of winners led by Robert Hickmott-trained Foremmakate who resumed with a win. It was Jason Warren-trained 3-year-old filly Eden Rose who impressed with a 4.5 length victory. Twice fourth in stakes company at two, and fifth in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, Eden Rose is owned by Rosemont Stud.

Exceedance also had a debut winner at Inverell on Thursday with Zach Hutch-trained Beyond The Sky.

So You Think double at Port Macquarie

So You Think (NZ) sired a double at Thursday’s Port Macquarie meeting with 5-year-olds Think Of One and Think I’m Irish.

South Australian-bred yearlings bonus announced

Racing SA announced an enhancement to the Racing Rewards Bonus scheme to support the breeding community in South Australia. “All SA-bred yearlings will be included in Racing SA’s lucrative Racing Rewards Bonus Scheme, which provides approximately $3 million annually in bonuses to breeders, nominators, owners, trainers and jockeys,” said the press release.

“Effective immediately, all Category 2 & 3 Nominations for the Racing Rewards Bonus Scheme will join Category 1 nominations being free, providing breeders/nominators with financial relief of $550 (Cat. 2) and $825 (Cat. 3) (inc. GST) per Yearling.” All SA-bred horses will now be automatically eligible and 2024 born horses will be given a refund.

“We want to ensure that our local breeders and owners have every opportunity to thrive. These incentive changes reflect our partnership with the breeders’ association and our dedication to nurturing the future of South Australian racing,” said Nick Bawden, CEO of Racing SA.

Gewan to race under Forz Europe banner

Gewan, one of the leading fancies for the 2,000 Guineas, will race under new ownership in 2026 among a group of horses transferred from Yulong Investments to the newly launched Forz Europe, the racing arm of Harris Li's Ace Stud.

The horses racing under the Forz Europe banner will race in white silks with green-and-white-checked sleeves and a green cap, a reversal of those carried by the Yulong runners, which include the brilliant 12-time Group 1 winner Via Sistina.

“Launching our Ace Stud racing silks at the beginning of the new year marks an exciting future for Harris Li and his vision for Ace Stud. We have some top-class runners to look forward to next year,” said the operation's bloodstock and racing manager Paul Curran.

“We can't wait to see what the 2026 season has in store for Ace Stud.” Ace Stud, formerly known as Dullingham Park, is home to the young stallion and top sprinter Shaquille, who is about to embark on his third covering season at the farm just outside Newmarket.

Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa welcomes Jes Sikura as Director of Bloodstock

Jes Sikura, son of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa president John Sikura, will be the new Director of Bloodstock at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, according to a Wednesday afternoon release from the Central Kentucky farm. The younger Sikura has spent the last two years working in the farm's bloodstock division while attending college. He recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in marketing.

“Jes has demonstrated a great passion and acuity for the business,” said John Sikura. “He loves the farm and working with clients to serve their goals. This appointment is strictly about my belief in his integrity, ability, and commitment and has nothing to do with him being a 'Sikura'. It is rewarding to think that Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa can be a generational business fostered by such passion and love of place. We have a great tradition here of having exceptionally talented and committed people who have meant so much to our success. I expect Jes to do the same.”

Jes Sikura added: “I am extremely excited to officially join the team at Hill 'n' Dale. I feel ready to join at a time of tremendous opportunity. We have a lot to look forward to in the immediate future, from launching and managing the careers of several of our important young stallions to building on the momentum of a monumental year in 2025 which saw Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency top Keeneland September. In addition, Hill 'n' Dale acquired an ownership interest in Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, who has joined our elite broodmare band. I will be enthusiastically working towards the bright future we have here.”

Loughnane breaks calendar year record

Billy Loughnane set a 21st century record for winners in a calendar year in England when taking his 222nd race of the year at Lingfield Park on December 31. Loughnane was the first to ride 200 British winners earlier this year. He was aboard George Boughey trainee Invited (Kodiac) on Wednesday.

The previous record holder was Kieren Fallon, who rode 221 winners in 2003. Oisin Murphy earned 220 victories in 2019.

Museum Mile wins Arima Kinen

Museum Mile eased the pain of last year's agonising defeat for jockey Cristian Demuro when producing an irresistible late burst to win last Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen, the fan-voted 'Grand Prix' of Japan.

“It was revenge from last year,” an elated Demuro said of his reversal in fortunes, having partnered Shahryar (Deep Impact) when he was beaten just a nose by Regaleira 12 months ago. “Last year, Regaleira cut my dream and, this year, I brought it back. I just followed Danon Decile all the way. He opened the way for us in the last stretch and, when we came outside, I knew we could beat him. The horse likes the Nakayama track, so it was a big advantage for us. I'm very happy to win the Arima Kinen on its 70th anniversary.”