Daily News Wrap

Bushfire threatens Victorian farms

Lindsay Park, Larneuk Stud, and Leneva Park are among several properties in Victoria who were under threat from a bushfire near Longwood on Thursday afternoon. “The property backs onto Big Hill and the fire is on the other side of Big Hill at the moment,” Levena Park’s Mick Sharkie told racenet.com.au.

“There's a lot of rough terrain that you can't really get vehicles in there. It's essentially on our back boundary. We've got a water truck on the property and teams have been up all night watching but nothing has kicked off yet.” A forecast change in wind direction on Friday could push the fire towards the farm.

“Essentially, we've moved everything to the front of the property. Water is not an issue and smoke is not an issue. You can see, whoever designed it originally had fire in mind. For the moment, things are OK, but tomorrow the wind is forecast to provide a really challenging day as far as this fire goes if the CFA can't get it under control.” A phone group has been set up by Leneva Park, Lindsay Park, Michael Christian who has a property nearby, and several other smaller farms.

“We spent a lot of time last year, going into the summer, on a really extensive fire plan and a phone network for all of the horse properties around us. Thank God we did because we're effectively a place of last resort for all those people given how we're set up.

“There's quite a number of horse properties around us and we're all on this phone network, making sure everyone is all right. If the fire comes close to them, they can get their horses over to us or get them over to Chrisso's place or something like that. We've had to take a few horses from locals that have already had to evacuate.”

Next Crop trivia night on Friday

The third annual Next Crop trivia evening will be held at the Magic Millions Gold Coast complex on Friday night from 5pm. “The great thing about Next Crop is that we feel it’s invaluable to the industry in helping promote the next generation within our industry and to create clear pathways for people wanting to navigate the industry,” Next Crop Committee Chair Arvin Chadee told TTR.

Next Crop is run by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

“The trivia night is designed to get people together at the sale yard. A lot of the breeding staff will be there. They’ve all been working hard prepping yearlings and an event like this brings everyone together as a community.

“This year, we are using the event as a launching pad for the new committee. Our goal is to engage with the next crop of participants to get a clear understanding of what members need from us. What we can improve and what we can provide for them. We’ve also launched a survey to formalise this engagement and there will be QR codes at the event.”

Prizes include a $500 voucher for Kurrawa Surf Club - donated by Magic Millions Digital, 10 Members Reserve tickets for Magic Millions Gold Twilight Race Meeting (Saturday January 10) and 10 General Admission tickets for TAB Magic Millions Raceday (Saturday January 17).

Wyong plan to beat the heat

With high heat forecast for Saturday at Wyong, Racing NSW has made the decision to start the meeting early to beat the heat with the first at 11.05am. “Following discussions with Racing NSW the decision was made that the meeting could continue on Saturday with an early start time and increased protocols in place,” Wyong Race Club's Andrew Hurley told racenet.com.au.

“The club will have a raft of protocols in place to ensure the highest welfare for the horses and comfort for our patrons. Additional misters and ice hoses will be in place for the horses while for the patrons we'll have extra umbrellas and air-conditioning. Ticket sales are ticking along really well and we're looking forward to a bumper second The Lakes meeting at Wyong on Saturday.”

Know Thyself could aim higher after The Lakes

After Saturday’s The Lakes at Wyong, Know Thyself (The Autumn Sun) could be given loftier targets in the autumn by trainers Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich. “He’s definitely a Group 2 level horse I think and on the right day he could be a Group 1 horse,” Messara told racingnsw.com.au.

“He’s effective on wet ground and I think if he’s ever going to win a big one it’ll be on softer ground. He’s won eight from 12 starts and that’s hard to do. He’s a horse that always tries, you never go to the races and get a bad showing from him.”

Exploit to debut in Future Stars

Pakenham’s Friday night meeting will see the debut run of Traffic Warden’s 2-year-old full brother, Exploit (Street Boss {USA}), Chris Waller-trained Exploit will run in Godolphin’s colours like his brother, and he was recently third at the trials. Eleven juveniles will step out in race three and first season sire Portland Sky is represented by filly Egyptian Dancer, while Home Affairs has Gin Twist and La Gitana.

The meeting also sees the first heat of the Future Stars Series. “The Future Stars Series has quickly become a genuine pathway for emerging talent, and we’re proud to again host a series that gives maiden horses a meaningful opportunity to progress through the grades,” Southside Racing’s General Manager Alistair Dwyer told racing.com.

Royal Exile is a fast learner

Trainer Jenny Graham’s 2-year-old gelding Royal Exile (King’s Legacy) is out to maintain his unbeaten record on Saturday at Wyong. “The form out of the race has worked out well but it’s very hard for the 2-year-olds to beat the older horses that side of Christmas,” jockey Ash Morgan told racingnsw.com.au.

“He had a good look when he got to the front so he’s still learning his job. He feels like one of those horses that will learn quickly and take a lot of improvement off that run.” He will head to the Inglis Millennium if he runs well on Saturday.

Olive’s full siblings set for Saturday

Trainer Nick Olive will run a pair of full siblings on Saturday at Wyong, and he bred the pair along with some mates. “They are not really (much alike) but both have ability,” Olive told racenet.com.au of 2-year-old colt All Acclaim (Harry Angel {Ire}) and last start winning 3-year-old filly All Adore.

“The filly (All Adore) has got a lot of ability, I think she is a really nice horse. She has been obviously beating up on country opposition and ran a good race at Kembla in a pretty good race. He is probably a bit bigger and stronger than her where she is a bit more athletic.”

The pair are out of All Too Ready (All Too Hard) who is a half-sister to Group 2-placed So You Too (So You Think {NZ}).

Emotional long-shot ready for Saturday

Apprentice jockey Bronte Simpson died in a car crash a few days before Christmas, and Saturday’s Wyong meeting will host the Bronte Simpson Memorial Midway. Among the field is outsider Stylebender (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who was Simpson’s first winner. “It’s serendipity that the Midway has been named after her, it’s fitting but it’s so sad,” Buchanan told racingnsw.com.au.

“She was Sara Ryan’s apprentice (when Stylebender won at Muswellbrook) but she used to come and ride for me every day when she was ready to branch out a bit. She was a big part of our stable. I had a lot of time for her, I thought she had huge future as a rider. She was naturally gifted.

“She had an inner strength, was very softly spoken but she was so good with horses and a very steely resolve to achieve the things she wanted to do. You never know when you’re not going to see somebody again. It’s a wakeup call.”

Stylebender isn’t favoured by punters but he might just surprise. “It was 1500 metres first-up when Bronte won on him last prep, he’s had a good lead up with his two trials. Obviously he steps out in stronger company in a Midway race. He’s so clean winded and he’s very effective fresh, so I expect him to run well.”

Jokers Grin move due to opportunity

After social media blew up commenting on the decision to send The Quokka winner Jokers Grin (Maschino) to Chris Waller, co-owner Mark Jones stressed that it was not a reflection on current WA trainer Bernie Miller. “It was probably 12 months ago that we figured he was going to be weighted out of WA racing,” Jones told SENTrack on Thursday.

“There are a limited number of races over here, for him. I must reiterate – we haven’t moved the horse because we aren’t happy with Bernie. He did an amazing job with the horse. It’s just the opportunity for the horse.” Jokers Grin will be set for the 2026 G1 The Everest.

King’s Legacy’s debutant is beautifully bred

At Sale on Thursday, second season sire King’s Legacy added winner number 27 when Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 3-year-old gelding Heironaut won on debut by 1.75 lengths. He was sold by Bhima Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $350,000 to Anthony Freedman Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA).

He is the first foal of Group 1 winner Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) whose 2-year-old gelding has been named McGauran (Snitzel). She has a yearling filly by Maurice (Jpn).

Yes Yes Yes sired a double at the meeting with 3-year-old gelding Yes Yoshi who was on debut and Yes We Are, who took his record to two wins from five starts.

Third winner for Sensei

Second season sire Sensei added his third winner on Thursday when Darryl Hansen-trained 3-year-old gelding Wax On Wax Off won at Rockhampton. Hansen Racing purchased him for $11,000 from The Grove Thoroughbreds’ Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft. He is the third winner from as many to race for unraced mare Janssen (Raheeb).

Group target for Star’s Sanniya

Exciting Tasmanian 3-year-old filly Sanniya (Stratosphere) will head to the Listed Lady Lynette then the G3 Mystic Journey next after a seven length demolition job in Wednesday night’s Carpet Charge at Devonport. “He (trainer Barry Campbell) has placed this filly very very well. He could’ve easily stayed against her own age, but he was happy to throw her in the deep end,” jockey Craig Newitt told tasracing.com.au.

“She made a small but very quality field look very average. The 1100 metres of the Lady Lynette, good luck trying to catch her there and then hopefully she’s physically strong enough for the 1200 metres.” An unbeaten Listed winner at two, Sanniya has won four of her five starts for owner Star Thoroughbreds and partners.

Incredible comeback for Duryea

Queensland trainer Darleen Duryea sustained spinal injuries and a brain bleed in a trackwork fall in 2021, and will soon return to the races with former Hong Kong galloper Please Stand Up (Tosen Stardom {Jpn}). “I was always going to get back into it. It was a matter of how bad did I want it and I just had to fight as hard as I could to get back at it,” Duryea told racingqueensland.com.au. She trains from an all-terrain wheelchair.

“Even to get back this far and have a horse trialing, there is a sense of achievement. Initially, my parents were told that I belonged in a nursing home and I wasn’t going to make it very far. But, they underestimated me.

“I park in the car where I can see everything that is going on. And, the guys ride up to me on the horse and talk to me through the fence and away we go. I just try and do as much as I can. I am pretty excited about it all because he is a pretty good horse to have lining up in a maiden. I think he will crack a maiden pretty soon.”

Previously named Copartner Pudong in Hong Kong, Duryea gave him his Australian name with a good dose of humour. “Well, I was doing my best to stand up at the time when he arrived and I thought it worked. Like Slim Shady in the Eminem song - please stand up. I was listening to that song one day when he was in the paddock and I thought that would do for a name. This is my kind of humour. His stable name is Shady now.” During her rehabilitation process, Duryea recently took her first steps in leg braces.

Treble for Ho at Happy Valley

Jockey Vincent Ho rode a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night to steal the thunder of trainer Caspar Fownes, whose double pushed him back on top of the Trainer’s Premiership. Ho rode both of Fownes’ winners, Love Together (Capitalist) and Perfect General (Zoustar). “He’s a decent horse,” Ho told scmp.com of 3-year-old gelding Love Together.

“Today, everything was good. He travelled nicely without racing too keenly and I had a horse outside me on the turn, which helped. So everything was good. He’s a nice horse.” Ho’s other winner was Jolly Companion (All Too Hard).

Green Room dies aged 23

Outstanding broodmare Green Room (USA) (Theatrical {USA}) has died aged 23. The dam of three Group 1 winners is also the granddam of City Of Troy (USA). Bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms, the daughter of Theatrical never made it to the racecourse herself, but her name has echoed across the turf over the last two decades. Her own lineage entitled her to such acclaim even before one considers the exploits of her three highest-profile offspring: G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Lord Shanakill, and Galileo pair of Together Forever and Forever Together.

Together Forever, a €680,000 (AU$1.18 million) yearling purchase by Coolmore who would go on to win the G1 Fillies' Mile before surpassing that accomplishment by producing the Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International winner City Of Troy among her five black-type-earning offspring to date.

Forever Together won the Oaks by four and a half lengths and was second in the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes as well as being beaten a neck by Sea Of Class when runner-up in the Irish Oaks. Another of Green Room's Galileo daughters, Do You Love Me, picked up some black type when placed in the Listed Fairway Stakes at Newmarket.

Duffy returns to WinStar Farm, Walden to step down

In a plan to transition for the future, WinStar Farm announced on Wednesday that Gerry Duffy will return to become President on April 1. Elliott Walden will remain CEO until October 1, with Duffy taking over as CEO and President effective October 1.

“I have been blessed to work for Kenny Troutt for the last 25 years,” said Walden. “Under his visionary leadership we've won a Triple Crown, two Kentucky Derbies, three Belmont Stakes, five Breeders' Cups, and four Eclipse Awards. Kenny has tremendous instincts and together we built a team with a wealth of experience. The success we've achieved has been a collaborative effort and I have loved my time supporting Kenny's vision.

“Timing is everything with a transition of this magnitude,” Walden added. “Early last year, I told the Troutt family my plans of stepping down. Five years ago, I wrote in my journal my number one pick to become the next CEO of WinStar, and that name was Gerry Duffy. I couldn't be happier that he has accepted the role and I look forward to supporting Gerry, David (Hanley), and the entire team during this transition and into the future.”

Recognising the strong foundation already in place, Duffy shared his excitement about the partnership and his respect for the Troutt family's enduring impact on the industry.

“Kenny's vision has always been the driving force at WinStar,” said Duffy. “He calls us to 'Dream Big' and we plan to continue doing just that. I am excited to come back to work with Kenny, Lisa, Preston, the entire Troutt family, and the team at WinStar. It really is the privilege of a lifetime to lead a farm as prestigious as WinStar.”