Angel Capital set to prove his Group 1 talent
This autumn marks an opportunity for Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) to prove his Group 1 talent. He resumes in Saturday’s G2 Expressway Stakes and will be aimed at the G1 Newmarket Handicap. “He’s been around the mark in the big races but hasn’t hit the board yet,” jockey Zac Lloyd told racingnsw.com.au.
“It’s crucial to get a Group 1 win for him. He’s very pushbutton to ride, he can get a fraction keen sometimes in his races but his trial was smooth and he enjoyed himself. Hopefully he can do everything right and I’m sure he will race well.”
Angel Capital | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Yulong owned Angel Capital won on debut at two, winning three stakes races at three. At four, he resumed with a win in Listed Chautauqua Stakes, was fourth in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, sixth in the G1 The Everest and second in the G1 CF Orr Stakes.
Schweida’s Sunrays Group 1 test
Trainer Kelly Schweida will test 3-year-old filly Sunrays (Hellbent) in Sydney company in Saturday’s G2 Light Fingers Stakes ahead of a planned G1 Surround Stakes run. “It just depends on how she goes on Saturday and then I'll talk to the owner (Peter Moran),” Schweida told racenet.com.au.
Kelly Schweida | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Winner of five of her eight starts, including two Listed wins at two, Sunrays flopped when resuming at three last start. “When I did the sectionals they ran home in 32.87 so she's back six lengths and there's no way she can run those sort of times.”
Best still to come for Ceolwulf
Four-time Group 1 winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has to defy his poor first up record on Saturday in the G2 Apollo Stakes, but jockey Chad Schofield says the best is beyond that run. “His grand final is not on the weekend but he’s a horse of the highest quality and you always expect him to go and run well,” Schofield told racingnsw.com.au.
Ceolwulf (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We also know he’s going to improve a stack out of his early runs in the preparation. As long as he gets a good position, a good run and hits the line well I’m sure Joe (Pride) and the connections will be happy.”
Waller to split his three sprinters
Chris Waller will split up Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel), Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Joliestar (Zoustar) after Saturday’s G2 Expressway Stakes. “These three won’t be running together next start,” Waller told racing.com.
“Joliestar has come back well. She’s been spot on for a couple of weeks. Nice draw, James (McDonald) rides and she is well-suited. It’s a great starting point. Do we defend her title in the Newmarket? Or do we go to the Canterbury Stakes next start?
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Lady Shenandoah had no luck at all, last prep. She was never far away in all of them. James (McDonald) said to me last year this horse could beat them all, but she just needs to physically develop and mature. Has she got there yet? She is getting close. Nash rides from a good draw.”
Outspan to emulate Stay Inside?
Exciting young sire Stay Inside won the Pierro Plate on his way to G1 Golden Slipper glory, and trainer Michael Freedman hopes Outspan (Bivouac) can do the same. “There is no clear, dominant pick for the Slipper at this stage. It's wide open, a little bit like last year,” Freedman told racingandsports.com.au.
“He's obviously going to have to put his hand up, but I'm happy with how he's going. Trainers are holding their horses back a bit longer. My two Slipper winners, neither of them started until the New Year, and I think that will become more common than not.” His other Slipper winner was Marhoona (Snitzel).
Wakeful Club Lady Of Racing nominations open
Nominations have opened for the Victorian Wakeful Club's 2026 Lady Of Racing Award, which recognises contributions made to the Victorian Thoroughbred industry. Last year's recipient was TTR's own Vicky Leonard, who called it a special privilege to be acknowledged by the society with the award. Other recent recipients include trainer Natalie Young, former VRC Chairman Amanda Elliot, and jockey Jamie Melham.
The deadline for nominations is close on business on Wednesday, February 18, and the award will be presented at the club's annual Lady of Racing Award Lunch on Wednesday, March 4, at Caulfield Racecourse.
Queen Of Clubs on Oaks campaign
Trainer Gary Portelli knows Queen Of Clubs (Maurice {Jpn}) will isn’t likely to win Saturday’s G2 Light Fingers Stakes but she’s on a path to the G1 Australian Oaks and needs the test. “We're on an Oaks campaign,” Portelli told racingandsports.com.au.
Queen Of Clubs | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“Winning a stakes race is what we're hoping to do, and I don't think that's going to come until she gets to 2000 metres. I don't think she is sharp enough to win against these really good fillies like Apocalyptic, who is a really sharp horse. She will be hard to beat right up until the mile, but from there on, the gate opens up a bit more.”
Vale Robert Chapman
Racing Victoria and Kilmore Racing Club were saddened to announce the passing of Robert “Chappy” Chapman. “RV extends its condolences on behalf of the entire Victorian racing industry to Robert Chapman’s family, friends and colleagues on the news of his sudden passing,” said RV Chair, Tim Eddy.
“I’d like to recognise Chappy’s incredible contribution to the racing industry over a period of more than five decades, he will be missed by many.”
“The Kilmore community is devastated by the loss of the beloved Robert “Chappy” Chapman,” said Kilmore Racing Club Chief Executive, Ben Murphy.
“Chappy made so many connections across various racecourses and sporting clubs throughout his life, and our condolences go out to his family, friends and anyone who was lucky enough to know him.”
Winner number 32 for King’s Legacy
On Thursday, Ron and Judi Wanless-owned 3-year-old gelding Chevallum (King’s Legacy) won at his second start at Ipswich for trainer Matt Hoysted. He becomes winner number 32 for his second season sire.
Sold by Haunui Farm for NZ$90,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale to KPW Bloodstock, Chevallum is the first foal of stakes placed Tears Of Jupiter (Zoustar). Her yearling filly by Too Darn Hot (GB) will be at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Black Caviar exhibition opens at Flemington
Victoria Racing Club has unveiled an exhibition called 'The Perfect Run' to celebrate Black Caviar’s unbeaten 25 wins, and it’s located in The Forum at Flemington racecourse. Trainer Peter Moody recalled meeting the Queen after the victory at Royal Ascot. “Just to see her love of the horse and to see her come down into the enclosure, which I believe hadn't happened before, and gave the horse a pat, was very special,” Moody told racingandsports.com.au.
“(Black Caviar) was that buggered after the race, and we had Paddy (Bell) on one side and me on the other, and there were so many people in the yard that we were that worried someone might give her a smack on that big bum of hers.
“I thought crikey, if she takes offence to it, we might take out The Queen here with Black Caviar. I don't know how she would have gone with 600 kilos running over the top of her. There might have been a change of Monarch and Charlie might have got the gig a few years earlier. And we would have been really considered convicts then.”
Racing SA announce leadership scholarship
On Thursday, Racing SA announced a new scholarship in partnership with the Sport SA Marjorie Jackson Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport Program, aimed at future leaders of the sport. “Racing SA recognises the value of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Program, and this scholarship reflects our commitment to supporting people across all areas of racing,” Racing SA CEO Nick Bawden said.
“By enabling access to meaningful development opportunities, we are investing in the long-term strength of our racing community.”
Pinhookers dominate day 1 at Goffs February Sale
Day one of the Goffs February Sale got off to a blisteringly-hot start on Wednesday when the €3,898,500 (AU$6.5 million) turnover, which was headlined by a €220,000 (AU$366,000) Mehmas colt that went the way of Tally-Ho Stud, eclipsed the entire sum this sale generated 12 months ago by €41,000 (AU$68,000).
Henry Beeby promised that the pinhookers would “be out in force” this week and, true to his word, the majority of the most expensive weanlings sold on Wednesday were knocked down to some of the masters of that craft.
Few do it better than Tony O'Callaghan who, despite decrying the fact Tally-Ho had to pay big for the Boherguy Stud-drafted Mehmas colt, admitted that he simply could not leave Kildare Paddocks without lot 126. “The horse is right but the price is wrong,” O'Callaghan said. “We had to have him. We liked the horse; he is the full shilling. Trade is good for the good ones.”
Of the 239 horses offered on Wednesday, 161 were sold at a clearance rate of 67%. The turnover was up a remarkable 187% while the €24,215 (AU$40,000) was on the rise by 71%. The median was up by a remarkable 129% at €16,000 (AU$26,650). Goffs made the decision this year to split up the weanlings from the rest of the catalogue and it clearly paid off in spades with that section of the market up by 29% on last year.
Treble propels Chau into Tony Cruz contention
The Tony Cruz Award for the best local Hong Kong jockey is a strong possibility for jockey Jerry Chau after a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. He leads the local jockeys and is fourth in the overall Jockey’s Premiership. He won on Inno Super (Capitalist), Bunta Baby (Cable Bay {Ire}) and Flying Wrote (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}).
“I got very good draws tonight, the horses performed very well and I’m very happy. I need to thank the owners and trainers for their support of me this season. This month, the draws and races have been going well for me and I’m very grateful for all of this. Hopefully the luck keeps coming and I can keep riding more winners,” Chau told scmp.com.
Vale Stuat Dromgool
New Zealand is mourning racing participant Stuart Dromgool who passed away at age 90 at his Cambridge home last Sunday. A talented sportsperson, he won the national championship in wood-chopping several times. “He was a sub three-hour marathon runner, which got him selected for the Commonwealth Games trials, but then he was disqualified when the selectors found out he had been competing for money,” his son Mike told Loveracing.nz.
“As he recalled later when talking about those days, why wouldn’t you take the money when you could earn two quid for running a road race? Wood-chopping was his first love back then though, he loved that sport and was very good at it.”
As a trainer, he named his Cambridge stables, Waitful Lodge, after a horse he rode successfully over jumps as a jockey with his main successes as a trainer coming in the 1970s. “Royal Cadenza won the Auckland Cup leading for most of the race for Bob Skelton, Cattle King just loved heavy ground and Reklaw began racing as a 2-year-old and was still racing as a 13-year-old – you just don’t see that these days.”
Tattersalls extend race sponsorships
Tattersalls will extend its sponsorship of the G1 Middle Park Stakes, G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and G2 Royal Lodge Stakes for a further two years after sponsoring the races for the first time in 2025.
Taking place on the final day of the Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket on Saturday, September 26, the races will be run as the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes, Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions Cheveley Park Stakes and Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes.
The three races add to an already substantial portfolio of sponsorships for Tattersalls, with other high-profile sponsorships at Newmarket including the G1 Falmouth Stakes, G3 Tattersalls Stakes, £200,000 (AU$382,000) Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes and £200,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes.
Matthew Prior, Tattersalls managing director, said, “Tattersalls are delighted to extend our sponsorship of the prestigious Middle Park, Cheveley Park and Royal Lodge Stakes on Cambridgeshire day for a further two years and continue our long-standing support of British racing and Newmarket Racecourses.”
Share in Banishing acquired ahead of Saudi Cup
A major percentage of multiple graded winner Banishing (Ghostzapper) was purchased by Sharaf Alhariri and he will run in Saturday's US$20 million (AU$28 million) G1 Saudi Cup in Alhariri's silks, according to agent Ron Anderson.
Connections said in a statement, “We are pleased to announce the purchase of the horse Banishing for Mr. Sharaf Alhariri. Mr. Alhariri, who won the Saudi Cup 2024 with Senor Buscador, continues to make strategic moves in the racing world with this exciting new addition to his stable.
“Banishing will be ridden by Saudi champion jockey Adel Alfouraidi, marking a promising new partnership that blends top-tier equine talent with exceptional riding skill.”
