Tactics key for Apocalyptic in Surround
Jockey Tommy Berry knows his tactics are going to be huge factor in Saturday’s G1 Surround Stakes for 3-year-old filly Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice). “She will appreciate getting to 1400m and a barrier that we will be able to use to work into the race when needed,” Berry told racingnsw.com.au.
Apocalyptic | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“I thought it was a good effort first-up, it didn’t set up well for us drawing where we did. She was always going to be dictated to by Savvy Hallie, and I’ve ridden her before and she has a very good turn of foot. If you let any horse with that sort of quality get away with sectionals she got away with it’s going to be hard to run her down.
“When she ran over that distance first-up last prep it was a fast run race and she was able to work into it. If she wasn’t a $1.50 chance, I don’t think anyone would have been as disappointed.”
Magic Millions Digital opens for bidding
Bidding is open for the latest Magic Millions Digital catalogue with 66 lots on offer, including last start Warwick Farm winner Straand Beauty (Exceed And Excel). "Our platform has some great features and Ginger Flyer gives us an opportunity to start to showcase our agility with how we can tailor a sale to the specific needs of our clients," Head of Digital Bryce Bevan said.
The broodmare Ginger Flyer (Gingerbread Man), who won eight races is offered with a colt foal at foot by Winning Rupert. Due to legal reasons, bidding on Ginger Flyer will close two days later than the rest of the catalogue on Friday March 6. She ran fourth in the Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes and her Winning Rupert foal is her first foal.
Sixties can win Guineas
Chris Waller thinks Sixties (Flying Artie) has the tactical speed to win Saturday’s G1 Australian Guineas. “He's led and won Group races before and come from back and wide,” Waller told racenet.com.au.
“The beauty of Sixties is he's got a great temperament and wherever Damian (Lane) wants to be he'll be responsive and he'll settle if he doesn't ask him the question early too. I'll leave it to Damian, see how they leave the barriers, what the first 200 metres suggests, see where the other horses are, he doesn't need to be too far away. He's very fit, he's ready for his grand final … another step up on Saturday but he's the right horse to be able to do it.”
Sixties | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Flying Artie double on the cards
Country trainer Charmaine Barnes will have her third runner at Flemington on Saturday when 3-year-old filly Flying Awasita (Flying Artie) takes on the $1 million Inglis Sprint. “A $1 million race plus the $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus it’s a big race. It’s a bit nerve-wracking,” Barnes told racing.com.
“She did it tough at Wangaratta. Full credit to her to slog it out and win. I’ll be content if she can run midfield. I think she deserves her chance.”
Ka Ying Rising vs Tentyris
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ})’s trainer David Hayes has added his opinion to the comparison between his horse and Godolphin’s Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}). “I’ve been asked by quite a few people and I’m sure at two and three years old, Tentyris would have Ka Ying covered,” Hayes told scmp.com.
David Hayes | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“But from three years old to four, Ka Ying put on 100lbs (45kg) and he’s now an out-and-out champion. Will Tentyris be that good at five years old? It’s a lot to improve when you’re that good at two and three. I think it’s unfair on Tentyris to compare.” Ka Ying Rising is next due to run in the G2 Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on April 6.
Hardanger could be the danger in Sweet Embrace
Jockey Tommy Berry thinks Michael Freedman-trained 2-year-old filly Hardanger (Pinatubo {Ire}) is a dark horse in Saturday’s G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes. “She’s a very good chance, she’s an unassuming type. She doesn’t blow you away in her work or trials. She ran third behind Warwoven at her first start coming from back and last start the same thing, she didn’t draw well and I had to go back but she stormed to the line late,” Berry told racingnsw.com.au.
“She’s drawn a barrier and will be able to hold a spot, she’s got gate speed if we want to use it. She’s a tough filly and will definitely be there at the end.”
Coolmore Classic target for Verona Rose
Gary Portelli has set Group winning 4-year-old mare Verona Rose (Castelvecchio) for the G1 Coolmore Classic. She runs in Saturday’s G2 Guy Walter Stakes. “If she was to win that we’d definitely put our hand up to have a crack at the Coolmore,” Portelli told racingnsw.com.au.
“That’d be the ultimate goal to get a Group 1 placing or a win and that’d be job done I reckon, she’d be worth a lot of money for her owners. She draws a good gate this week, it’s a distance she loves, she’s good second-up, sting out of the track won’t hurt her. We’d like to be handy, if we can be a little closer it gives us a better chance.
Gary Portelli | Image courtesy of Portelli Racing
“So there’s lots of ticks in the right boxes. We’re meeting some of these horses a lot worse at the weights but otherwise she has a great will to win and she will be trying her little heart out."
Knightsbridge shows tough qualities
Jockey Tim Clark is keen to ride 2-year-old colt Knightsbridge (Farnan) in Saturday’s G2 Skyline Stakes. “Knightsbridge, he's been well seasoned. He has travelled to Melbourne, he has travelled to the Gold Coast. He's the sort of horse where nothing phases him. He's a really sensible colt and he's going to handle anything thrown at him,” Clark told racingandsports.com.au.
“Those attributes, along with the good talent he has, is going to take him a fair way. The 2-year-olds seem to be taking it in turns and are fairly even. Bjorn's colt (Warwoven) has put down a couple of good performances, so I suspect all eyes are going to be on him on Saturday to see how he returns.”
Better Blitzem unbeaten in three
On Friday at Townsville, 2-year-old filly Better Blitzem (Better Than Ready) took her unbeaten record to three when taking out the Jewel 2YO Qualifier by 2.1 lengths for trainer Georgie Holt. Holt Racing purchased her for $5000 from Kenmore Lodge’s Capricornia Yearling Sale draft.
The second foal of Belitsa (Rubick), who won a juvenile race in Sydney, she is from the family of group winners Fumble (Snippets) and Care To Think (So You Think {NZ}).
New winners for King’s Legacy and Lucky Vega
Second season sire King’s Legacy added winner number 35 when Pinecliff Racing’s 3-year-old filly Tartan Tiger won for trainer Bjorn Baker at Goulburn on Friday. Her dam, Ritzy (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) has previously produced Listed winner Rhapsody Rose (Star Witness).
At Port Lincoln, second season sire Lucky Vega (Ire) added a new winner when Shayne and Chelsea Cahill-trained 3-year-old gelding Fashizlemanizle won at his third attempt. Fairley Park purchased him for $2000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale as a weanling from Gippsland Bloodstock. He is the second winner for unraced Corkedge (Redoute’s Choice) who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Vintedge (Flying Spur) and Listed winner Youths Edge (Jeune {GB}).
Sire doubles at Kyneton
Friday’s Kyneton meeting saw stallions So You Think (NZ) and Puissance De Lune (Ire) both celebrate doubles.
So You Think won with Lady Thinkabell and So Long Ago, while Puissance De Lune achieved his double with Fondled and Jackie’s Maid.
QTIS Jewel qualifiers important for Lipp
Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp has runners in both the QTIS Jewel 2YO and 3YO Preludes at Eagle Farm on Saturday with 2-year-old filly Esperanza (Spirit Of Boom) and 3-year-old filly Crypto Miss (Encryption) respectively. “I thought (Esperanza)’s win was very impressive on debut,” Lipp told racingqueensland.com.au.
“I think she’s a very handy horse, but she’s got a long way to go yet to be compared to my best 2-year-old Star Shiraz who won a (G2) Sires' Produce. She’s done well since her win and they’ll know she’s in the race again.”
Rex Lipp | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Racing SA announces Jockey Concierge role
SA Jockey’s Association President Eran Boyd will join Racing SA as the Jockey Concierge, a part time role designed to assist jockeys and families in the event of a race riding incident or injury. “Riders, particularly those competing at regional and remote venues, can face logistical challenges when serious injuries occur away from their home base,” Ryan Stanaway, Racing SA Chief Operating Officer, said.
“Ensuring family members can travel quickly and that appropriate accommodation and transport are secured can make a meaningful difference to the overall support experience. This agreement reflects Racing SA’s ongoing commitment to rider welfare and continuous improvement in its incident response frameworks.”
Coolmore’s Super Seth adds double
Coolmore Stud’s new acquisition Super Seth celebrated a double at Egmont on Friday with Millie Grazie (NZ) who won for the second time in her career and Stephen Marsh-trained 3-year-old gelding Acesandspaces (NZ) who won his maiden at his third attempt.
Acesandspaces was sold by Leanach Lodge at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$75,000 to PA Willetts. He is the first foal of New Status Quo (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who is a granddaughter of Group 3 winner Starcent (NZ) (Centaine) making this the family of I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), etc.
Tattersalls release breeze up catalogue
Tattersalls has released the catalogue for the Craven Breeze-Up Sale, which features 182 juveniles and takes place between April 13 and 15. High-profile graduates from the Craven Breeze-Up Sale include multiple Group 1-winning sprinter and shuttle sire Vandeek, 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet, Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint winner Believing and more.
Commenting on this year's catalogue, Tattersalls Managing Director Matthew Prior said, “Al Quoz Sprint winner Believing was the sale's fifth individual Group 1 winner since 2022 and crowned another excellent year on the racecourse for the Craven Breeze-Up Sale, Europe's leading breeze-up sale for Group 1 winners.
“The consistency of the sale's success at the highest level is a clear testament to the continued support of Europe's leading breeze-up consignors. That support has once again resulted in a catalogue rich in both quality and diversity, making the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, staged alongside racing at the Rowley Mile at the start of the Flat season at the Home of Racing, a compelling prospect for both domestic and overseas buyers.”
Inglis Digital USA announce Florida sale
Inglis Digital USA will partner with 1/ST to create a unique opportunity to get in the action ahead of Gulfstream Park's signature Kentucky Derby prep by debuting the Curlin Florida Derby Sale, it was announced Thursday.
The online auction will take a focus on South Florida ahead of the GI Curlin Florida Derby, giving racehorse owners an opportunity to gain liquidity by offering their horses at a time when they are most coveted.
Kyle Wilson | Image courtesy of Inglis USA
“We are always trying to provide new opportunities to our current and future customers,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Kyle Wilson. “Being associated with a race as prestigious as the Curlin Florida Derby and the day that surrounds it creates an exciting atmosphere. There is also a large population of horses based in South Florida and beyond. As we come to the end of the Championship Meet some of those horses will change hands and we're happy to help facilitate that.”
HISA update on hindlimb fractures
A new Equine Health Advisory identifying key risk factors associated with fatal proximal hindlimb fractures in Thoroughbreds was revealed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Thursday.
The advisory, which is based on data drawn from the HISA Portal, provides practical guidance for trainers and veterinarians on how to help prevent these catastrophic injuries. In 2024 and 2025, Regulatory Veterinarians at HISA Covered Racetracks reported 28 fatal tibial (12) and pelvic bone (16) fractures. Most (75%) fractures occurred during training; 25% occurred during racing.
Approximately 40% of horses with fatal tibial fractures, specifically, had zero recorded lifetime high-speed furlongs; 50% had 10 or fewer high-speed furlongs recorded in the 60 days prior to fracture. Approximately 80% of fatal fractures of the pelvic bones occurred in fillies and mares, while fatal tibial fractures occurred more evenly across both sexes.
This data suggests that a lack of high-speed exercise, such as in horses just starting training or returning from an extended layoff, may pose a significant risk for fatal proximal hindlimb fractures—just as it does for proximal forelimb fractures.
Clement, Shirreffs, Rags to Riches among Hall of Fame finalists
The late trainers Christophe Clement and John Shirreffs, as well as GI Belmont Stakes-winning filly Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) are among 13 finalists who will appear on this year's ballot for inclusion in the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.
Clement, who passed away last spring, trained Eclipse champion Gio Ponti, as well as Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist. Shirreffs, who passed away earlier this month, trained four-time champion Zenyatta, as well as GI Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo.
The two trainers are joined on the ballot by Ken McPeek, H. Graham Motion, Doug O'Neill, and John Sadler.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, trainers must be licensed for 25 years, while jockeys must be licensed for 20 years. Thoroughbreds are required to be retired for five calendar years. All candidates must have been active within the past 25 years. The 20-and 25-year requirements for jockeys and trainers, respectively, may be waived at the discretion of the Museum's Executive Committee. Candidates who have not been active within the past 25 years are eligible through the Historic Review process.
Ballots were emailed Thursday to the 154-member Hall of Fame voting panel. Voters may select as many candidates as they believe are worthy of induction to the Hall of Fame and all candidates that receive 50% plus one vote from the voting panel will be elected to the Hall of Fame.
