Snitzel mare produces Group 1 winner in Japan
Sunday’s G1 NKH Mile was won by Rodeo Drive (Jpn) (Saturnalia {Jpn}) who took out the event for 3-year-olds in a blanket finish for jockey Damian Lane. Winner of his first two starts, then third in the G2 Nakayama New Zealand Trophy last start, Rodeo Drive is the sixth foal, and fifth winner, for two-race winner Beverly Hills (Jpn) (Snitzel).
Beverly Hills’ dam Brilliant Very (Jpn) (Northern Taste {Can}) produced four stakes winners before being served by Snitzel in 2011, one of two seasons when he shuttled to Japan. Brilliant Very produced dual Group 1 winner Company (Jpn) (Miracle Admire {Jpn}), Group 3 winner Historical (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), and Listed winners New Very (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}) and Leningrad (Jpn) (Tony Bin {Jpn}).
New winner for Home Affairs
At the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, Henry Dwyer-trained 2-year-old colt Home Tomurra (Home Affairs) won at his second start to become the 10th winner for first season sire Home Affairs. His trainer purchased him for $130,000 from Torryburn Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Home Tomurra is the fifth winner for Apamurra (Lonhro) who is a half-sister to Essaouira (Exceed And Excel), the dam of Group 1 winners Astern and Alizee (Sepoy). Astern had a winner on the same card with Matthew Hoysted-trained 3-year-old gelding Pontevico, while Lonhro had a double as a damsire with Bodhran (Microphone).
First winner for Standout
First season sire Standout celebrated his first winner on Sunday when Nick Olive-trained 2-year-old filly Star Of Lily won at Moruya at her second start, having run third on debut. Her trainer purchased her from Corumbene Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $26,000. She is the second winner for Lilith (Hinchinbrook)
G2 Expressway Stakes winner Standout is a son of Exceed And Excel. He has 19 foals in his first crop and has had two runners to date.
The Mothers Day Cup at Moruya was won by 4-year-old gelding Exceed Success (Exceedance) who is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Roots (Press Statement). Their dam, Arctic Success (Big Brown {USA}) is being offered as Lot 726 at the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Maher’s duo to clash in Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher will send both Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}) and Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) to Saturday’s G1 Doomben 10,000.
“The Kingsford Smith and Doomben 10,000 are similar races and (Jimmysstar) is really well,” Maher said.
“He'll do another piece of work on Monday and if that goes smoothly, and there's no reason why it wouldn't, then he should take his place (in the Doomben 10,000). We'll have him and hopefully Another Wil who trialled well in Melbourne and NSW. He'll do a piece of work at Doomben this week.”
Desert Lightning heads to Queensland
Saturday’s G1 Goodwood Handicap victor Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) will head to Queensland for the G1 Kingsford-Smith Stakes and G1 Stradbroke Handicap.
“He’s been great this time since we did a couple of little surgical things on him. We cleaned up his fetlocks at the end of last preparation where he wasn’t 100 per cent sound and he’s really come on this time around,” co-trainer Peter Moody told racing.com on Sunday.
Desert Lightning (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“He was super in the Hareeba Stakes from a bad barrier. His work in the lead-up had us extremely confident he would run well.” Stablemate She’s Got Pizzazz (Zoustar) is already in Queensland where she won Saturday’s Listed Silk Stocking.
“She’s now a multiple Group winner and we will look to build on that. She might go to a Stradbroke with no weight on her back.”
Lady Of Camelot needs to win
Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse is pragmatic about G1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) and her Royal Ascot bid.
“We are very happy with Lady Of Camelot, she is coming up well and I thought it was a good run first-up after such a long break,” Waterhouse told racingandsports.com.au.
“But to get to Royal Ascot she has to improve. You would like her winning the Doomben 10,000 or at the very least running, really, really well. You need to be at your absolute best to win at Royal Ascot.”
Charlton to split Stradbroke runners
Trainer Tom Charlton will take his two G1 Stradbroke Handicap contenders to the race via different pathways. Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) will run in the Luskin Star Stakes at Scone while Napoleonic (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will head to the G1 Doomben 10,000.
“Linebacker is nominated for both, and we can think about it, but he will probably go to Scone and Napoleonic will go to Queensland,” Charlton told racingandsports.com.au.
Tom Charlton | Image courtesy of the Australian Turf Club
“With Linebacker, 1300 is a distance he's very effective at. He will enjoy Scone and if we can get a bit of confidence in him, we can get him to the Stradbroke (Handicap). His Canterbury Stakes run was great, and the George Ryder turned out to be a very good form race, and he wasn't too bad in hindsight. In the Doncaster, he put himself in a good position and they went very quick. He presented like he was going to be in the finish, but the pattern of that race probably played against him.
“James (McDonald) is riding Napoleonic, so clearly he thinks he's capable of winning.”
Accidental Bid aims for a different Derby
Having missed a start in the G1 South Australian Derby, Accidental Bid (GB) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) is now heading to Queensland for the G3 Rough Habit Plate to qualify for the G1 Queensland Derby.
“We've been able to get work into him, factoring in the travel,” Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racingandsports.com.au.
“He did well, condition wise, without running in the South Australian Derby, so we were happy to gallop Wednesday, knowing that he was going to travel twice in a six-to-eight-day period. I don't think we will be using fitness as a problem, but he will need the run to be fully prepared for the Derby. We galloped him the reverse way, and he was very natural, which was helpful and I think he will be spot on for his next race and then he will improve again for the Derby trip.”
Tavi Time on track for second Scone Cup
Last year’s Listed Scone Cup winner Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is on track to head there again on Friday.
“He's in really good order at the moment and ready to peak on Friday,” trainer Kris Lees told racenet.com.au.
“He was beaten about two-and-a-half (lengths) in the Hawkesbury Cup last year and this time he was a couple of lengths from the winner which suggests he's going as well, if not better. I actually think he's probably going better but in saying that he needs to be because he'll have a couple more kilos to carry this year.
“It's such a lovely big track and it's a great place to educate inexperienced horses. It's also become a must attend carnival. It's probably developed into the biggest country carnival in New South Wales now, so a lot of owners want runners at the carnival. The racing is very competitive with horses coming from everywhere so it's a good betting carnival as well.”
The Western Front chasing Cup berth
Lindsay Park will send last start winner The Western Front (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) to Saturday’s Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington on Saturday to chase a G1 Melbourne Cup berth.
“It's a step up in class (from last start) but his work has been very good,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.
The Western Front (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It's a good opportunity to try and qualify a horse for the Melbourne Cup and the ownership group are really excited. The key with him has been trying to get him to relax and since we put the earmuffs on in the race, he has been relaxing. Look, he's a quirky horse but he's got the ability to do it… I think it's a race he can be very competitive in.”
Bazaball set for stakes class
Kelvin Southey-trained Bazaball Rewarded (Reward For Effort) will be set for the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes on May 30 after her victory at Caulfield on Saturday.
“They'll (owners) be very wild (celebrations), very wild,” Southey told racenet.com.au.
“We're looking at the Bel Esprit, the 1100-metre back here. We're going to have a look at that … 1000 metres to 1100 metres is probably her right spot.”
Doubles in Tassie
At Hobart on Sunday, local sires Stratosphere and Alpine Eagle both sired doubles. Stratosphere’s winners were 3-year-old gelding Lawrenny Boys who won his maiden, and Zuni who enjoyed his third career victory.
Alpine Eagle won a maiden race with 3-year-old gelding Northern Child while Light Force made it two in succession.
Juvenile winner for Sun City
Tom Button-trained 2-year-old filly Octopolis (Sun City) won her maiden at Bowen on Sunday at her third start. A $22,500 graduate of the Capricornia Yearling Sale when bought by her trainer from Noble Bend Farm, Octopolis is the third foal and second winner for winning mare Magic Ink (Pressday).
Scone to celebrate 80 years this weekend
The two-day Scone carnival on Friday and Saturday will celebrate 80 years for the club. Friday features the Listed Scone Cup while Saturday’s meeting is headlined by G3 Dark Jewel Classic. “Fashions on the Field will return across both days in a refined, boutique format, alongside an expanded program,” SRC’s CEO, Jason Hill, told racingnsw.com.au.
“This includes the return of the Hunter Belle Trackside precinct, and the continuation of the popular family-friendly Saturday format. Racegoers can expect a strong focus on presentation and experience, with enhanced amenities, premium hospitality offerings and local produce showcased throughout the weekend.”
Congestus books ticket to Japan Derby
G1 Victoria Oaks winner Kirramosa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ})’s 3-year-old son Congestus (Jpn) (Contrail {Jpn}) booked his ticket to the G1 Japanese Derby in winning Saturday’s G2 Kyoto Shimbun Hai. He’s unbeaten in three starts.
“I'm incredibly happy to win with trainer Tomokazu Takano, who has supported me so much. I rode him for the first time last start, and even then, I could really feel how much ability he has. Today, the competition was stronger, but to perform like that against this field, the Japanese Derby is definitely something to look forward to. He was very impressive,” jockey Atsuya Nishimura told netkeiba.com.
Kirramosa has produced five winners from as many to race in Japan and this was her first stakes winner.
Cameo joins Oaks story
Coolmore and Westerberg's G3 Park Express Stakes fifth Cameo (Wootton Bassett) benefitted greatly from a jump up in trip and entered G1 Oaks calculations with a powerful display, and a fourth success for Aidan O'Brien, in Saturday's Listed William Hill Oaks Trial at Lingfield.
Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong, who was on duty at Naas, added, “She was very impressive and got a lovely trail into it. In fairness to her, when Ryan asked her to knuckle down, she went away. Wayne (Lordan) rode her the first day at the Curragh and felt going up in trip and better ground would suit, and those were the two factors she got today. She is a lovely, big, strong, imposing filly and she is bang in the Oaks mix now.”
Derby trial goes to Maltese Cross
Britain will have at least one key player in the Derby after Maltese Cross (Sea The Stars) battled to prevail in Saturday's Listed Lingfield Derby Trial for the William Haggas stable.
After a thrilling tussle with fellow Brit Bay Of Brilliance (New Bay) in the extended 11-furlong prep, George Waud's flagbearer who took a key Newbury Derby pointer last month edged that Ralph Beckett-trained colt by a neck as they pulled 6.5 lengths clear of Balzac (Japan) in third.
“He's going to have a shot at it if he's alright. Obviously the team across the water are pretty strong, but why can't we have a go? I think Tom felt he was much better today, he was like me a bit underwhelmed at Newbury, as we were expecting better. He said he got there too early today and had a bit of a fight and Ralph's horse ran very well and is obviously a useful horse,” said Haggas.
Celtic Dispute aimed at Royal Ascot
Celtic Dispute (Leinster), a debut second as the 4-5 chalk going 4 1/2 furlongs for trainer Patrick Biancone over the Gulfstream dirt on April 16, switched to grass and defeated the boys in Saturday's Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The winners of both the Royal Palm Juvenile and the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies (held later on the program) each earn an automatic entry into one of six juvenile stakes during the Royal Ascot meeting (June 16-20) at Ascot Racecourse and a $25,000 equine travel stipend.
The Biancone-trained Lennilu (Leinster), winner of last year's Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes, finished third in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. “You don't have to be a genius to know that Wesley (Ward) is going to the front. I said to (jockey) Luis (Saez), 'Don't worry. If he wants to go, let him go, and we'll catch him later,” Biancone said.
Liberty Rings (Awesome Slew) won the fillies version. “She looks like a turf horse, big and scopey and a large foot. We figured it was worth a shot. We really don't get a chance to run in races like this very often,” said winning trainer Nicholas Palmer, the owners' son.
“It's a career defining moment. We've been trying really hard to win a stakes, so this is a big deal for us. “I want to go (to Royal Ascot). Hopefully, I talk them into going.”
