Howlett under pressure in Tasmania
Tasmanian Racing Minister Jane Howlett is under pressure to resign over her communications with Tasracing.
“Minister Jane Howlett must immediately resign for misleading Parliament. If she won’t, Premier Jeremy Rockliff must act decisively and remove her from her position today,” Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said in a statement.
“First, under sworn testimony, the public relations’ representative for Tasracing detailed how he had sent the message in question to the Minister’s office in its entirety. The text of that message makes it clear it was for public consumption. Second, this same person also said categorically he had not received TasInsure policy details from the Minister’s office. These two pieces of evidence directly contradict what the Minister has repeatedly told Parliament.”
Melbourne Jockey’s Premiership heats up
With Craig Williams copping an eight meeting suspension after the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes on Saturday, his lead on the Melbourne Jockey’s Premiership could be lost as he will miss the metro meeting at Caulfield meeting on June 27. He’s currently on 49 metro wins while Jamie Mott is on 48. Mark Zahra is third on 42. Mott has a strong lead on the Victorian table with 113 wins across the state with Linda Meech second on 97.
Craig Williams | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Ben Thompson leads the Queensland table with 113.5 wins and also leads the Brisbane chart with 75.5 wins.
Boudvillan risks premiership for a holiday
Jockey Pierre Boudvillan will risk his NSW Jockey’s Premiership title by taking a well-earned month off. He currently sits on 126 wins for the season, with Tommy Berry second on 108.
“I will have a bit of time off and head home (to France). It has been a great season with a lot of riding and travelling but it has been worth it,” Boudvillan told racingnsw.com.au.
“The goals have changed a bit as the season has gone on. Aaron Bullock rode 127 winners last season to win it. I’m close to that and that is what I wanted to get to. I have another few weeks to get more winners before I take a break.” He rode a treble at Canberra on Friday and a double at Narrandera on Saturday.
James McDonald leads the Sydney table with 88 wins from Zac Lloyd on 71.
Civic Stakes for Whinchat
David Pfieffer-trained Whinchat (Russian Revolution) will run in Saturday’s Listed Civic Stakes. He has trialled since a failed run in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone.
“We got a mighty speed battle at Scone and it didn't suit him,” Pfieffer told racingandsports.com.au.
“He's six, rising seven now, so I'd like to test him over the mile at some stage. We were going to do it last 'prep' and aim at The Lakes at Wyong. That track there would be right up his alley, and he actually won the 1350 there that day, but we had a setback leading into it.
“I'm thinking if we can try him over 1500 in a few weeks' time then he might go to the paddock and aim up for something like that at the back end of the year.”
Skyhook to remain in training at four
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained 3-year-old colt Skyhook (Written Tycoon) has gone to the spelling paddock after his victory in the G3 Gunsynd Classic but will remain in training at four with the Golden Eagle as a potential target.
“It's a big carrot to say no to, the Golden Eagle,” Alexiou told racingandsports.com.au.
Skyhook | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“(Doncaster Mile winner) Sheza Alibi is probably going there, but you never run away from one horse, albeit she looks like a very bloody good one. Possibly the Premiere (Stakes), Silver Eagle, Golden Eagle but nothing in concrete yet.
“A lot of those races next prep are not Group 1s, but he is an entire. Possibly, down for the CF Orr late spring as well, which could be a nice race for him at Caulfield.”
Juvenile winner for Tassort
Norm Gardner-trained 2-year-old filly Kathleen’s Prayer (Tassort) won on debut against the older maidens at Nowra on Monday. She becomes the sixth winner, from seven to race, for unraced Sweet Chimes (Bel Esprit).
Sweet Chimes shares a second dam, Countess Pedrille (Zoffany {USA}) with Champion Sire I Am Invincible.
Doubles for Toronado and Casino Prince
At Pakenham on Monday, Toronado (Ire) sired a double with John Sadler-trained 3-year-old filly Duntulm Lass who won her maiden, while Greg Eurell-trained Happy Link won by 2.5 lengths to record her third career victory.
At Tamworth on Monday, recently retired stallion Casino Prince sired a double. Peter Mills-trained Memphis Blue won his maiden while Scott Singleton-trained Spenzalot took his record to three wins and nearly $100,000 in prizemoney.
Vale Brian Cornish
Former jockey Brian Cornish died in early June aged 87. Originally from Orange, he came to Sydney for his apprenticeship, riding his first winner was at Randwick on Windsor Rose (Deville Wood {GB}) at 4/1 on April 25, 1956. After retiring, he returned to Orange where he worked on several Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse farms while training a few horses out of Orange racecourse.
Brevitas set for stakes race next
Trainer Phillip Stokes will aim Saturday winning 2-year-old filly Brevitas (Doubtland) at the Listed Oaklands Plate at Morphettville in two weeks’ time. She was ridden by Harry Grace.
“I’ve had a good run for them (Stokes stable) so far, and (also) been very unlucky in a couple of photo finishes,” Grace told racingsa.com.au.
“We always try and target these races. It’s nice to get one with a very promising filly,” Tommy Stokes said post-race.
First Cup win for Mxothwa
Apprentice jockey Sima Mxothwa earned his first Cup victory in Sunday’s Waimate Cup for trainers John and Karen Parsons on Tumuch (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}). Winner of the 2025 Listed Timaru Stakes, Tumuch took his record to nine wins and NZ$355,000.
“That was my first cup victory, I am really rapt,” Mxothwa told Loveracing.nz.
“A race with a cup next to it is a really big achievement for me, especially for someone who is still trying to find their feet. I am now based in Christchurch, and I am working for Andrew Carston at Riccarton. I have been down here for five months and I am loving it, just the cold, frosty mornings get to me sometimes. It is a really cool place, a nice training centre with lovely people.
“It (southern stint) has started off pretty well, I just hope the ball keeps rolling and I get more opportunities. That is the only way to improve.” He rides Carston-trained pair of That’s Charming (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Freedom Reins (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) on Tuesday.
Rugby mates unite with Dubawi Diva
Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray’s 2-year-old filly Dubawi Diva (NZ) (King Of Comedy {Ire}) won on debut on Sunday for a group of mates united by rugby.
“We were approached by Luigi Muollo, who’s got Novara Park, and he had a few fillies to lease, so we went out and picked one and she stood out to us,” Ritchie told Loveracing.nz.
“Allan (Pate) has raced quite a few horses with us and is involved with the Owners’ Federation and members of the Leamington Rugby Club are involved, I kept a share for myself so it’s a good way to kick it off. She came through the race really well and we’d like to look at a bit of black type before the fancy 3-year-olds step out in the spring. The Castletown Stakes and the Ryder Stakes will probably be on her agenda.”
Bolger’s filly wins Munster Oaks
It has been a while since Jim Bolger had a real top-flight prospect and so it was welcome sight that greeted Cork's faithful on Sunday when his unbeaten filly Sparan Nua (Dawn Approach) took the G3 Darley Munster Oaks.
After Newtown Anner Stud's recent acquisition had mastered her elders in the mile-and-a-half contest, her breeder and trainer was looking at next month's Curragh Classic. “She is still learning on the job and was green enough there today,” Bolger said of the 11-4 favourite, who was stepping up after winning over a mile at Naas and nine furlongs at Gowran.
“I wasn't certain today upping in trip and taking on the older horses, but she has a good attitude and I'd say the Irish Oaks is where we'll go now. I'll talk to Maurice Regan and see what he wants to do, as she'd need to be supplemented.”
