Daily News Wrap

Racing SA announces fuel subsidy

Racing SA becomes the third state, following NSW and Victoria, to formally announce a fuel subsidy to assist racing participants. “Rising fuel prices affect every part of a trainer’s operation, from raceday travel through to feed, freight and general business costs,” said ATA SA State Executive, Damien Wilton.

“This support is a practical measure that acknowledges those pressures and will assist trainers, particularly those travelling to regional meetings, and is another example of the ATA and Racing SA working together to provide benefit to the local industry.” The subsidies will apply during April and be reviewed at the end of the month.

ATC keen to welcome fans for the ‘autumn Everest’

With free public transport included in general admission and member’s tickets for Saturday’s Randwick meeting, there’s no need to use the cost of fuel as a reason not to attend. “Doncaster and Derby Day at Royal Randwick on a holiday long weekend is a Sydney tradition which offers day-long action and entertainment,” Australian Turf Club's Interim CEO Steve McMahon told racingnsw.com.au.

“The Asahi Super Dry TJ Smith Stakes is the Everest of the autumn and in itself a mouth-watering reason to see a field of world-class sprinters looking to throw down the gauntlet to Ka Ying Rising’s crown. We may even see another visit from Hollywood royalty to Royal Randwick with movie star Matt Damon’s horse Are You Kidding running in the ATC Australian Derby.

“All public transport modes lead to Royal Randwick with free travel included in all General Admission and ATC members tickets for a long weekend of fun and value for your dollar."

Redemption for Linebacker in Doncaster

Last year’s G1 Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) comes into Saturday’s G1 Doncaster Handicap off a seventh in the G1 George Ryder Stakes. “He has been good all preparation. His run in the Canterbury Stakes was excellent when seventh. He just missed the break a bit and ended up a pair further back than we thought,” co-trainer Tom Charleton told Loveracing.nz.

“Last start in the George Ryder, he got himself in a good position in a much quicker run race and a testing 1500 metres. He didn’t run badly but he was probably slightly below his best, which he can do second-up. He also had a really good blow after it and felt the pinch.

“Take out the winner (Autumn Glow), who is on a different level to everything, he wasn’t far off the next best milers and now we get a significant weight drop in the Doncaster. We are happy with his progress, he looks stronger and his coat has come on.”

Group 1 debut for Pilkington

Trainer Jack Pilkington will line up his first Group 1 runner with 2-year-old colt Am I Dreaming (Trapeze Artist) in Saturday’s G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes. “Am I Dreaming has eaten up and done well since the race,” Pilkington told racingnsw.com.au of the debut winner.

“The Sires' or the Champagne Stakes in another fortnight from Saturday has always been our aim. Am I Dreaming is in great order, and we’re going to the Sires' for all the right reasons.”

Baker ready for his own Derby

Trainer Bjorn Baker’s father Murray won the G1 Australian Derby five times, and now Baker is adamant his time has come with Green Spaces (Street Boss {USA}). “It’s a special race for the family, the old man has won it five times,” Baker told racingnsw.com.au.

“Nom Du Jeu was the first trip when I was back with him that I travelled a horse to Australia. In some ways it’s probably the race, as much as anything, that is the reason why I’m here. Essentially I’ve trained five Derby winners already without the money or the kudos.

“I think he’s in great order, his work since his last run has been excellent. Everything with us suggests 2400 metres is not a problem. It’s a tricky race but I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Caulfield rail moved to give track a rest

The much criticised Caulfield surface after the G1 William Reid Stakes will be given a rest. “We acknowledge the track did not perform to expectations,” MRC head of racecourses Michael Suey told racenet.com.au.

“The William Reid was the sixth meeting in two months (course proper) with three in the true position … this is a fairly heavy workload. Over the past five years, this year was the busiest schedule Caulfield has seen. For the same period last year we raced three times and only had one meeting in the true position.”

The rail will move out 4 metres for Saturday’s meeting. “Over the previous six meetings the rail has only been in the 4 metre position on one occasion and we're happy with how that ground presents. Yes, there was wear from the William Reid meeting but in essence was the second time used this year, that ground still now, four (metres) out to nine is good ground. It never really damaged or cut out, it held up really well, that gives us comfort to put the rail at four and be comfortable for Saturday.”

Farnan filly set for Adelaide

Robbie Griffiths-trained 3-year-old filly Farakta (Farnan) will be set for the Adelaide carnival after winning her maiden at Geelong on Wednesday. “She’s a beautiful, big strong girl,” stable representative Sandy McKenzie said.

“This is the second one that Robbie’s raced with Kia Ora Stud — Serasana won the Sandown Guineas. It’s a big thrill. She’s just going to go better and better. There’s so much upside, she’s just a big strong girl. Robbie was going to try and get her out over a little more distance, and hopefully we head towards the Adelaide Carnival.”

Juvenile winner for Rommel

Rommel’s good season continued with 2-year-old filly Rok ‘n’ Rom winning on debut on Wednesday at the deferred Ascot meeting. Trained by Josh Brown, who bought her for $18,000 from Yarradale Stud’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale draft, Rok ‘n’ Rom won by half a length.

She is the third winner for winning mare Rokeby’s Witch (Blackfriars) who has a Lightsaber yearling filly.

Derby winner to grab another

Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained G1 New Zealand Derby winner Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) heads to Saturday’s G1 Australian Derby, having drawn 10 of 13. “He arrived at about 10:30pm last night and he was ready to go when he left home,” James told Loveracing.nz.

“He will just trot and canter for the next few days and line up on Saturday. Had he drawn better we might have raced a little bit handier, but his natural way is to find his feet anyway, and that's probably what we're forced to do from the draw.

“I would think this would be the last run of the season. He's already had a Derby build-up in New Zealand and you can go to the well too often with them while they are still maturing. He’s booked on a flight home on Tuesday night and I hope he puts his best foot forward.”

Grant Burrill returns to Widden Victoria

Widden Victoria announced Grant Burrill as their new farm manager. He will start at the end of April. “Widden has always held a special place for me, so I’m really pleased to be coming back to take on this position in Victoria. The farm presents a fantastic opportunity, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to further develop the operation while maintaining the highest standard of care and service for our clients,” Burrill said.

Burrill currently works as the Victorian Territory Manager for Horsepower Feeds, and prior to that had seven years at Spendthrift Farm in Victoria. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Stud Manager of Widden’s Hunter Valley property.

Albert Einstein & Gstaad scratched by "computer glitch"

Aidan O'Brien has said that Albert Einstein and Gstaad could yet be supplemented for the G1 2000 Guineas after being mistakenly scratched from the Classic on Tuesday morning.

The much-vaunted Albert Einstein headed ante-post lists for the Rowley Mile showpiece prior to his disappointing reverse in Saturday's Gladness Stakes at the Curragh, after which O'Brien suggested his charge could revert to sprinting while leaving the option of a possible Guineas bid open.

Gstaad, winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at the end of his 2-year-old campaign, looked firmly on course for the May 2 Classic after pleasing connections in a racecourse gallop at the Curragh on Sunday, but he too was scratched on Tuesday.

O'Brien said both horses had been scratched from the 2000 Guineas due to a “computer error” but connections ultimately failed in a bid to have them reinstated. The British Horseracing Authority did confirm that they could be re-added at the supplementary stage on April 27, albeit at a cost of £30,000 (AU$57,400) per horse.

When asked whether both horses could now be supplemented for Newmarket, O'Brien said, “We'll get closer to the race but I'd imagine something like that (supplementing). At the moment we're thinking of Newmarket for both of them and we'll see how it goes. Puerto Rico is still in there too but he could go to France, he's already won in France.”

A BHA spokesperson commented, “Following the scratchings earlier today of Gstaad and Albert Einstein from the Betfred 2000 Guineas, trainer Aidan O'Brien contacted the BHA to explain that this had happened in error.

“Such scratchings are immediately communicated to the media and betting markets. This is a policy that is applied consistently across all races in Britain and to all connections and, while we understand that this will be a frustrating outcome for all concerned, it is for this reason that the horses in question cannot be reinstated after the event.

“Should connections wish for either horse to compete in the Betfred 2000 Guineas, a supplementary entry can be made following the process outlined in the race conditions.”

American options for television coverage

Last week's news that FanDuel TV is gradually winding down its product through 2027 has ripped through the industry like a tornado. In response, some, like the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, have urged the company to reverse course.

“Should there be a viable path to reconsider this decision, we urge FanDuel and Flutter Entertainment leadership to explore it. We also encourage consideration of a sale of the network to an entity willing to continue regular operations. The infrastructure, audience, and brand equity built over decades represent valuable assets,” the organization wrote.

Others, like the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), have said they're already exploring alternative options.

“We believe the next phase of distribution can be more targeted, more innovative, and ultimately more effective in driving handle and fan growth,” according to a statement the organization put out over the weekend.

Golden Gate in California to be turned into parkland

A San Francisco environmental group has signed an agreement to purchase the former Golden Gate Fields and preserve it as open space and a panoramic new waterfront park, according to a report in The Mercury News.

According to the report, the non-profit group The Trust for Public Land has signed a US$175 million (AU$252 million) option to buy the 161-acre property from the Stronach Group. The deal is scheduled to close early next year, after which the trust said it will transfer the property to the East Bay Regional Park District, a public agency that operates 73 parks in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put nature and public access at the forefront, expand recreation and restore the waterfront so it is much more accessible,” Guillermo Rodriguez, California state director of the Trust for Public Land, told Mercury News' Paul Rogers. “The views are spectacular out there.”

Golden Gate Fields, which was purchased by the Stronach Group in 1999, hosted horse racing from 1941 until 2024.