Autumn Glow to be tested over 2000 metres
Trainer Chris Waller announced on Tuesday that his unbeaten star mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) would head to the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes next, testing her over 2000 metres. It will be the first time she’s run further than a mile. “Following discussions with Arrowfield Stud and Hermitage Thoroughbreds, it has been confirmed that Autumn Glow will contest the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Day 2 of The Championships,” the statement read.
“We’ve been very pleased with how she has come through her George Ryder Stakes victory. James McDonald and I have been particularly taken with her ability to relax in her races, along with her outstanding recovery post-run. We now look forward to her final run of the preparation on April 11.”
Inglis Digital closes on Wednesday
Drafts from Godolphin, Halo Racing, and Vieira Racing are the highlights of the latest Inglis Digital Sale which closes on Wednesday. Kamea (Sebring), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Caballus (I Am Invincible) is on offer, and she is in foal to Tassort.
Via Sistina confirmed in foal
Yulong announced on Tuesday that 12-time Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) was in foal to Champion Sire Dubawi (Ire). “She's at our property at Newmarket in England and she's in foal to Dubawi,” Yulong CEO Sam Fairgray told Racing HQ.
"It's great news that we heard a couple of days ago that she tested positive, so it's really exciting now to see the first foal out of Via. Obviously he (Dubawi) is a champion stallion and physically it's a good mating with Via being a big, robust mare and Dubawi being a smaller, neater and stronger sort of horse. So, it worked on paper and physically as well.”
Via Sistina (Ire) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Sheza Alibi gallops ahead of Doncaster
Co-trainer Katherine Coleman shrugged at suggestions Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) has an easier task in the G1 Doncaster Handicap now Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) will run in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes instead. “We have a whole lot of respect for her and Chris Waller’s stable, in general. It is something we have no control over – they are going to go there or they won't,” Coleman told racing.com.
“(Tuesday morning) was the first time Jamie Melham has had a sit on her, so we just said to her to have a nice feel of her. She was not out there for a hard trial or anything – just letting her stretch her legs and I thought her work late, through the line was really good, going on to win the trial nicely.
Katherine Coleman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She (Melham) was just really pleased with her. She said she was lovely and relaxed. She’s got a great nature and attitude towards her work. She was pretty cruisy throughout the trial and until she gave her a squeeze and asked her to round it out and when she did, she quickened up really nicely.”
French option added to Cup
The 3000 metre Prix Kergorlay has been added to the ballot free races for the G1 Melbourne Cup. Cup winners Americain (USA) in 2010 and Protectionist (Ger) in 2014 both came through this race. “France has a storied history and connection with the Lexus Melbourne Cup, and we are delighted to formalise our partnership with France Galop by introducing the Sumbe Prix Kergorlay as a Golden Ticket race,” VRC chief executive Kylie Rogers told racing.com.
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup attracts the best stayers from across the world, and this new partnership both incentivises and ensures that the strongest international contenders are competing on the first Tuesday in November. We look forward to building on this partnership and the long-shared bond between our two racing nations.”
There are now ten ballot-free races for the 24 runner slots in the G1 Melbourne Cup.
Taplin’s ‘runt’ aimed at Queensland Derby
Trainer Kerry Taplin described Quit ‘n’ Tap (Vadamos {Fr}) as a ‘little runt’ at birth, but he defied the odds and won on debut. Now he’s on a G1 Queensland Derby pathway. “I’ve bred over 100 foals in my time and never had a foal like him,” Taplin told racingqueensland.com.au.
“He was so small and runty. His mother didn’t like coming from New Zealand’s South Island to Queensland when she was in foal. She was a fantastic mare who won three country Cups on New Zealand’s South Island.”
Quit ‘n’ Tap | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
Quit ‘n’ Tap won at the Sunshine Coast and heads to Eagle Farm on Wednesday. “I didn’t think he’d win like that although he trialed well going into the race. I think he’ll get 2200 metres and more but at the moment he’s racing on speed. At this stage, I’m taking it one race at a time but hopefully he’ll get to the Rough Habit Plate in the winter and if he goes well in that we’ll look at the Queensland Derby.”
New winner for Farnan
Jason Deamer-trained 3-year-old filly Farnciful (Farnan) became her second season sire’s 47th winner when she won at Port Macquarie on Tuesday at her third attempt. Kia Ora Stud sold her to Dynamic Syndications for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She is a full sister to G3 Chairman’s Stakes-second Invincible Son, who ran mid-field in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes at his next start. The 2-year-old colt is placed twice from three starts. Their dam, juvenile winner Invincible Diva (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) has a yearling filly by Prague.
Juvenile winner for Smart Missile
Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile celebrated a juvenile winner on Tuesday when Clinton Taylor-trained 2-year-old filly Missile Baby beat home stablemate 2-year-old gelding Coal Seam (Santos) by 0.19 lengths at Rockhampton.
Missile Baby, who was on debut, was bought by Taylor for $30,000 from Emmanuel Bloodstock’s Capricornia Yearling Sale draft. She is the second winner for dual winner Look Out Baby (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).
Michael Costa to return to Queensland
Jebel Ali Stables’s head trainer Michael Costa will return from four years in Dubai to his home in Queensland. “I have loved every minute of my time at Jebel Ali Stables,” Costa told racenet.com.au.
“To be entrusted with training for His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been the greatest honour of my career. What we have achieved together is something I'm incredibly proud of. To take a stable that was rebuilding and see it rise back to the top is a reflection of the people behind it.
Michael Costa | Image courtesy of Michael Costa Racing
“Sheikh Ahmed is an extraordinary man. He puts the good of the sport before himself – always. His passion for racing, his integrity, and the way he looks after his people set a standard that is truly exceptional. He has changed my life in a way I could have only dreamt of as a child. To be given this opportunity, to be trusted in this role, and to work so closely with him is something I will forever be grateful for.
“Now it's time for the next chapter. We return to Queensland with new goals and a clear vision — to source elite Australian speed, compete at the highest level in Australia and bring back that Australian speed to compete in Dubai and Royal Ascot. To build something special and to take everything we've learned here into the future.”
State Of Valour hoping to win maiden in Group 1
Trainer Chad Ormsby hopes State Of Valour (NZ) (Sword Of State) can win his maiden in Saturday’s G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes. He ran third last start in the G1 Sistema Stakes. “Everything’s good with him, he’s trained on well and he’s in a really good space right now,” Ormsby told Loveracing.nz.
State Of Valour (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“I couldn’t ask for more than that, so we’re looking forward to the weekend. Stepping up to 1400 metres will be interesting. He’s not really bred to go further than 1200, but the way he relaxes in his races I think he’ll manage it.”
Increased prizemoney for 4-Year-Old Series
The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Tuesday that the 2027 4-Year-Old Series would benefit from increased prizemoney. “The enhancement in stakes to our four-year-old Classic Series further rewards owners who have made significant investments by purchasing young talents with a view to winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby,” Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding told scmp.com.
“The drive of owners to win this race is key to the quality of the horses that are imported each year, underpinning our world-class racing.” The Hong Kong Derby will lift by HK$2 million (AU$366,000) to a record HK$28 million (AU$5.1 million) and prizemoney for both the Classic Mile and Classic Cup has been lifted by HK$1 million (AU$183,000) to HK$14 million (AU$2.6 million).
Chau gains ride on Voyage Bubble
Jockey Jerry Chau will replace Zac Purton on Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) for Sunday’s G2 Chairman’s Trophy. “Ricky (Yiu) told me last week. I will gallop him some time before the race and I’m looking forward to riding him,” Chau told scmp.com.
“It’s a Group 2 race and hopefully he can get his form back and win again.” He was a disappointing fifth last start.
Imperial Emperor headlines Tattersalls Online
Dubai World Cup fancy Imperial Emperor features among the entries for the upcoming horses-in-training sale held jointly by Tattersalls Online and the Emirates Racing Authority. The online sale will run from March 26 to April 1 and features 195 lots. It marks the second time that Tattersalls Online and the Emirates Racing Authority have linked up for such a venture.
Imperial Emperor | Image courtesy of Dubai Racing Club
The sale will be held as an alternative to the live end-of-season auction which would normally take place around the Dubai World Cup meeting.
Tattersalls Online Sales Manager Katherine Sheridan commented, “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with the Emirates Racing Authority for this second online sale, building on the success of our landmark collaboration in November. Last year's inaugural event proved how effectively our platform connects buyers and sellers around the world. This collaboration underscores Tattersalls Online's innovative role in modern bloodstock trading whilst making UAE racing talent accessible to the global market.”
Turfway’s Bach announces retirement
After 25 years at the helm of Turfway Park, and 13 years as general manager, Chip Bach will retire from his duties with the Florence, Kentucky track effective April 1, the venue announced Monday morning.
Bach began his career at Turfway in 1999 as director of operations and human resources. In 2012, he was promoted to general manager of Turfway and later added oversight of Newport Racing & Gaming when it opened in 2020 during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As general manager, Bach helped oversee the track's transition into a revitalized racing destination under Churchill Downs Incorporated while strengthening the track's relationships with horsemen, jockeys, and regulators.
“Being asked to become general manager of Turfway Park in 2012 was one of the most meaningful moments of my career,” Bach said. “To be trusted to lead a place with such a rich racing history meant a great deal to me.”
