Vale Stephen Meyer
Tamworth hobby trainer Stephen Meyer has died aged 71. He was kicked by a horse at Scone on Friday. The incident occurred before the final race on Friday’s card, and Meyer was attended to by paramedics.
“A dedicated and highly regarded horseman from the Hunter North West district, Stephen was known for his integrity, work ethic, and deep lifelong love for thoroughbreds,” Racing NSW said in a statement.
“His humble approach and sportsmanship earned him wide respect across the industry. Every story he told always included mention of a horse. Racing NSW extends its deepest condolences to Stephen’s family and many friends.”
He had only one horse in work, Danza In The Dark (Summa Cum Laude), winner of the 2024 Walcha and Quirindi Cups and six races in total.
Middle Earth wins G3 BRC Chairman’s Handicap
Hong Kong based jockeys Zac Purton and Ethan Brown had a strong day out at Doomben with Purton winning twice on Kaluakoi (Zoustar) and the Listed Bernborough Handicap on War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro). It was Brown’s turn to greet the judge in the G3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap over 2000 metres on Ciaron Maher-trained import Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion {USA}).
“I thought we were in a fair bit of trouble coming to the turn, but he got a skinny run up the rail, so it was a brave ride,” Maher said.
“Ethan is a quality jockey and a great kid, I’m rapt that he was able to fly back from Hong Kong to take this ride and Jimmy in the Doomben 10,000.” Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was fourth in the G1 Doomben 10,000.
“The horse ran a great race in the Melbourne Cup last year, so it’s good to see him come back well and I’m really pleased for Qatar racing and all his connections.” He will run in the Q22 before spelling ahead of a second Cup preparation.
Robertson-Smith takes legal action over Betsy article
Website punters.com.au reported on Saturday that Dr Glenn Robertson-Smith has taken legal action over an article published by punting newsletter betsy.com.au. The veterinary surgeon was dismissed by Racing Victoria a day after his appointment was announced, due to findings by journalist Paul Tatnell.
Tatnell stated the Robertson-Smith had been accused of threatening to kill Melbourne Racing Club executive Jake Norton in phone messages in 2018. He was found guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court of “using a carriage service to menace or harass,” and sentenced to a diversion order but avoided a criminal conviction, allowing him to keep his vet licence.
Listed Bernborough Handicap won by War Eternal
Bjorn Baker-trained 7-year-old gelding War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro) won the Listed Bernborough Handicap at Doomben from Our Queen (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Kronenbough (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}). Stakes placed at three, War Eternal has six wins and earnings over $930,000. He becomes Pierro’s 41st stakes winner.
“He's been a remarkable horse for the stable. He's been around for a long time now and he's nudging $1 million in prizemoney. It's a well deserved first stakes win because he's hit the crossbar a few times now. He ran really well at Hawkesbury the other day and he enjoyed getting his toe in the ground here today,” said stable representative Jim Clarke.
Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock purchased him for NZ$160,000 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from Cambridge Stud’s draft.
Estremo wins his way to Stradbroke tilt
Chris Waller will run 3-year-old colt Estremo (Extreme Choice) in the G3 Fred Best next after he bolted in at Doomben on Saturday. He will need to win the Fred Best to qualify him for the G1 Stradbroke Handicap. “He'll be heading to the Fred Best now,” Waller said.
“He was a promising colt in the spring, winning the Caulfield Guineas Prelude but then he was feeling his joints, so we gave him some extra time. It was good to see him come back like that, he's had a couple of runs now which have suggested he was ready to go, and it was good to see him do it today.”
The Group 3 winner took his record to three wins from nine starts with earnings over $370,000. He was purchased by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock (FBAA) for $230,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from Newgate Farm’s draft.
Estremo is the fifth winner, from five to race, for Tree Of Jesse (Street Cry {Ire}) who is a four-race winning half-sister to Listed winner Related (Elusive Quality {USA}) and four stakes placed winners.
Zakouma gains Melbourne Cup spot
Flemington’s Listed Andrew Ramsden Handicap gains the winner a ballot free spot in the G1 Melbourne Cup and this year, that slot went to Grahame Begg-trained Zakouma (Crowded House {GB}) by three-quarters of a length from Pounding (Exceed And Excel) and Sir Chartwell (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). “Full credit to the horse. He beat the weight scale today with his rating,” Begg said.
“A great job and (breeder and owner) Trevor Delroy has been extremely patient all the way through and allowed us to do what we wanted to do with him so hopefully we’ll be here on the first Tuesday (of November). This horse is a true staying horse.”
He becomes the first stakes winner for Crowded House (GB), winner of the 2008 G1 Doncaster Racing Post Trophy, who died in 2021. Zakouma is the first live foal of Dar Es Salaam (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) who is a full sister to Group 1 winners Zabeelionaire (NZ) and Gondokoro (NZ).
Listed Ortensia Handicap won by Bev’s Nine
Consistent gelding Bev’s Nine (Shalaa {Ire}), trained by Tom Charlton, took his record to six wins from eight starts when victorious in the Listed Ortensia Handicap at Scone. He beat Brudenell (Russian Revolution) by 0.08 lengths with Golden Straand (Snitzel) in third.
“It's good to see him bounce back like that. He's a small horse with a very big heart,” said stable representative Jordan O’Shea.
“His run at Rosehill two starts back we weren't really sure what happened that day. So we elected to give him another trial and he bounced back two weeks ago at Hawkesbury (finishing second in the Gold Rush). We thought at Hawkesbury there was going to be lots of pace so we elected to ride him a bit quieter and that's why we didn't want to make the same mistake again today.
“We told Zac (Lloyd) to ping him out and assess things from there and he did a great job. Full credit to Tom for the win, he's got big shoes to fill and he's done a great job.”
Taking his earnings over $340,000, Bev’s Nine has been through the Inglis Digital sales three times, making $3500 as a weanling, $25,000 as a yearling and $35,000 as a 2-year-old. He is the last foal of Emancipationist (Elusive Quality {USA}) from the Fastnet Rock family.
New stakes winner for All Too Hard
Flemington’s Listed Straight Six was won by All Too Hard gelding Losesomewinmore for trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly, bolting home by two lengths from De Bergerac (Zoustar) and Hearcomesthestar (Zoustar). Now the winner of seven of his 14 starts and over $440,000, Losesomewinmore becomes stakes winner number 34 for his sire.
He was sold by Vinery Stud for $80,000 to Simple Bloodstock Services at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Losesomewinmore is one of three winners for Raischek (Mossman), a full sister to Group 3 winner Stirling Grove.
Fastnet Rock makes it 200 in Luskin Star
At Scone, the Listed Luskin Star Stakes was won by Chris Waller-trained import Sun God (GB) (Fastnet Rock) and became the Champion Sire’s 200th stakes winner. Fastnet Rock was pensioned after the 2023 season and died in 2025.
A private purchase by Ozzie Kheir and partners, Sun God now has six wins, four in Australia, with earnings over $540,000. He is the second foal of unraced Seaduced (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) whose first foal is G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes winner Sumo Sam (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).
Autumn King to head back to Queensland
Coming off a last start fifth in the G2 Queensland Guineas, Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained 3-year-old colt Autumn King (The Autumn Sun) won at Scone on Saturday and will head back to Queensland for another crack at black type. “It was a good win carrying 61kg,” Messara said.
“He lost his position at the 900m and got a couple of pairs further back then we wanted. Aaron (Bullock) had to take him wide on the turn so he was covering a lot of extra ground then he had to work hard. But I liked the way he hit the line. He is still learning his craft, this horse, but it was great to get the job done. The Winx Guineas has been the long-term plan.”
New winner for St Mark’s Basilica
Scratched from the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic, Kurt Goldman-trained 2-year-old gelding West Coast (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) headed to the Gold Coast poly meeting where he won on debut on Saturday.
Yulong sold him at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $220,000 to Mamba Strategic. He is the second winner and second foal for La Girl (Not A Single Doubt) who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Oughton (More Than Ready {USA}).
Fourth winner for Tiger Of Malay
First season sire Tiger Of Malay added his fourth winner when 2-year-old colt Obambulate won at Pakenham for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young on Friday night. He was having his second start. Obambulate was sold by Glen Gallic Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $75,000 to Jim Carey, and was offered by Newgate Farm at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where his trainers purchased him for $140,000.
Obambulate is the fourth winner from as many to race for Lucky Lago (Encosta De Lago), a Group 2-placed half-sister to Group 1 winner Pinot (Pierro) and a full sister to Listed winner Dizlago.
Blue Point (Ire) had a double at the meeting with Boiling Blue and Salaria.
Shalaa adds juvenile winner
The first race on the rejuvenated Belmont track was won by Dan Morton-trained 2-year-old gelding Barron Bill (Shalaa {Ire}). Owned by Brigadoon Breeding and partners, he is the only foal for First Lady (Not A Single Doubt) who died shortly after foaling Barron Bill.
First Lady won four races and is a full sister to stakes placed Dominant.
G3 Belmont Sprint won by Western Empire
The old boys of Western Australian racing went head-to-head in the G3 Belmont Sprint on the renovated surface and it was Grant and Alana Williams-trained 8-year-old gelding Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) who stuck his nose in front of Steve Wolfe-trained 5-year-old gelding Rope Them In (Playing God) to win.
Indianna Weinert-trained 4-year-old gelding Smooth Chino (Maschino), the youngest horse in the field, was third. Western Empire also won this race in 2024 and took his record to 12 wins from 36 starts with earnings over $3.5 million. Eleven of his 12 wins have been at stakes level, led by the 2021 G1 Railway Handicap.
A half-brother to Listed winner Western Temple (Dream Ahead {USA}), he is out of G2 Perth Cup winner Western Jewel (Jeune {GB}) who won eight times.
New stakes winner for Flying Artie
Saturday’s Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup was won by Riverplate (NZ) (Flying Artie) who becomes the 13th stakes winner for his sire. “Just to have this guy come back from where he has been and to win his first stakes race as a 7-year-old is simply amazing,” trainer Andrew Campbell said.
“It is just a feel-good story all round as he has a great group of owners who have been with me a long time plus all my stable staff have a small share in him. We have been trying him at the beach and he is thriving. It works out well as while he is working in the surf I‘m out there getting a feed of pipis.”
Curraghmore sold him at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale for NZ$55,000 to CW Kwok. He went through Leanach Lodge’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft where AR Campbell paid NZ$30,000 for him. His eight wins have netted his connections over NZ$440,000.
Two chances for a double ton
Trainer Mark Ganderton is one win away from 200 career victories and has two runners at Devonport on Sunday with Adachi (Alpine Eagle) and Turbo Chook (Alpine Eagle). “I didn’t realise that, but I will take it, it would be nice to get a couple of hundred winners,” Ganderton told tasracing.com.au.
“Adachi has been a tremendous horse since he arrived. I think the worst placing he has ever run was a fifth, and when he did run fifth, he was beaten 1.3 lengths by Hobart Cup winner Blonde Star; he just never runs a bad race. I think his record at the 1350m at Devonport is three runs for two wins and a second, so he loves the trip, and he loves Devonport.”
G2 Yorkshire Cup won by Frankel son Rahiebb
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's G1 St Leger runner-up Rahiebb (Frankel) justified his entry in, and booked his ticket to, next month's G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with a belated first black-type victory in Friday's 14-furlong G2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup on the Knavesmire.
“That was lovely to watch, it was very smooth and he's a lovely horse,” said Roger Varian. “He had a long year and was learning on the job all season really. He made his debut at Newcastle in February and finished up in the St Leger. He was such a baby last year and was doing a lot of things wrong, but still running well. He's really matured over the winter and you don't have to know anything about horses to know he's a magnificent specimen. Hopefully his best days are still in front of him.”
Oaks scratching wins Grade 2
Two weeks ago, Saffie Joseph Jr. found himself in an eerily similar situation when one of his horses was forced to scratch from a Grade I event right before the big dance. The latest casualty was My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo) who was scratched on April 29, only two days before the running of the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. No doubt, the 11th-hour defection had to sting a bit, however, the filly came right back to validate her connections' unwavering faith in her, winning Friday's GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Laurel Park.
“We had to scratch out of the Oaks. But it was the right decision,” said Joseph. “This was a better spot for her. Everything works out the way it is supposed to in life. I try to trust my faith. I did not look at [missing the Oaks] as a disappointment, maybe for the owners it was, but for me, my philosophy is different. What is meant to be … today was the right race. No regrets.”
Scandinavia returns in style
Coolmore's Scandinavia (Justify) has undertaken Ballydoyle's tried-and-trusted route towards next month's G1 Gold Cup and last term's G1 St Leger and G1 Goodwood Cup hero backed up his win in last month's Listed Vintage Crop Stakes on seasonal return with a workmanlike performance in Friday's G3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown.
“This was the perfect race to bridge the gap [to Royal Ascot] and we'll get more serious as we go along,” said Aidan O'Brien. “He's a big, relaxed horse and we couldn't be happier really. Ryan [Moore] was very happy and said he ended up getting there and he was just waiting. Those type of horses, that's what they do, they just get very relaxed. I'm delighted.”
