Blue Door gets The Everest slot
John Singleton has told media that he has a ‘handshake deal’ with Newgate Farm’s Henry Field for his exciting 3-year-old filly Blue Door (Stay Inside) to run in Newgate’s The Everest slot. “I've known Henry since he was 10 years old, he grew up with my daughters, Jessie and Sally,” Singleton told racingandsports.com.au.
Blue Door | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“I like the way Henry goes about things and he is the sort of person you can do a handshake deal with knowing he will honour it. There's still a bit to work through but both parties have agreed to terms so we are going to The Everest.
“She's very fast and with only 51kg, she will be in front for a long way in The Everest. I'm hoping the 'barrier gods' are kind and we can draw between say barrier two and five so we can use her speed. I realise she hasn't been out to 1200m before but she has no weight on her back.”
The Everest next for Guest House
G1 Golden Slipper winner Guest House (Home Affairs) will have a short holiday at Coolmore’s Mt White farm before being aimed at the G1 The Everest. “My opinion was to keep The Everest alive, as you would,” co-trained Mick Price told racingandsports.com.au.
Guest House | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I'll probably send him to Mount White, the Coolmore facility there, where he goes in the cold water and has a freshen up and then you've got three weeks back into The Everest. I think it'll work good. If they don't want to do it fair enough, but that's what I'd been doing.”
He ran sixth in Saturday’s G1 Golden Rose. “He had no joy in running, there was some fairly aggressive riding going on there, and he didn't appreciate it when they sat up midfield and he got on heels. Then he went to come out on him and got hip-and-shouldered back in and overraced.
“The winner was great, to be fair, but I think 1400 is inconclusive based on that.”
ASIC release syndication findings
Six legislative instruments about managed investment schemes are due to sunset on 1 October 2026 and in June ASIC asked for feedback about them. On Monday, they released their findings which were based on 19 submissions, mostly from the horse racing industry.
“We determined that the legislative instruments are operating effectively and efficiently and continue to form a necessary and useful part of the regulatory framework. In remaking the instruments, we revised the drafting to improve clarity and consistency as appropriate,” the statement from ASIC said.
“We have increased the investment limit for a horse racing syndicate relying on the scheme registration relief from $500,000 to $750,000. This increase takes into account the rise in the costs of operating a horse racing syndicate since we made ASIC Instrument 2016/790.
“We have also increased the participant limit from 50 to 75. This is intended to ensure that participation in horse racing syndicates remains affordable, taking into account the increase in the investment limit and the existing ratio between the respective thresholds.
“We have not adopted CPI indexation of the investment limit. We consider that fixed thresholds provide certainty and clarity for stakeholders and the thresholds should be assessed periodically when the instrument is reviewed.”
Autumn Boy to head up to Epsom Handicap
Chris Waller will gallop Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) in Melbourne on Tuesday before sending him up to Sydney for Saturday’s G1 Epsom Handicap. “He's not back from Melbourne, he's going to gallop there Tuesday and he's going to come back Wednesday night,” Waller told racingandsports.com.au.
Autumn Boy | Image courrtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I guess there is a five per cent chance I could run him in the Turnbull, but that's highly unlikely. He'll run in the Epsom, that's our plan and James (McDonald) is booked to ride him so that's showing our hand pretty firmly.” The G1 Caulfield Guineas and G1 Rosehill Guineas winning 4-year-old entire was second in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes last start.
First group of internationals arrive in Melbourne
Seven European-trained gallopers have settled into the Werribee International Horse Centre after completing their journey from the UK and Ireland on Monday. Trainer Joseph O'Brien provides four members of the first shipment, being Starford (Ire) (Beckford {GB}), Omni Man (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Kizlyar (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Small Fry (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}).
Point Of Law (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will join the Ciaron Maher yard for his Cups campaign. Roger Varian-trained Enfjaar (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Harry Charlton-trained Wine Dark Sea (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) are the other two.
Half Yours getting towards best distance
Saturday’s G1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres is getting closer to dual Cups winner Half Yours (St Jean {Ire})’s best distances. “I can’t be happier with him. He’s just pleased us in every way. He’s just got to tick that 2000m box, his form is superior at 2400m and above but the horse, we couldn’t be happier,” co-trainer Tony McEvoy told racing.com.
Rothfire retired
The comeback king and dual Group 1 winner Rothfire (Rothesay) has been retired. “It has been an incredible journey for myself and his wonderful team of owners,” trainer Rob Heathcote told racenet.com.au.
“At times it was like walking on egg shells always knowing his next run could well be his last. The fact that has now happened, well it's as much a relief he can now be retired and enjoy the rest of his days.
“This horse endeared himself to the racing public, more for his resilience than his actual winning achievements. In my eyes he sits right up there with the great Buffering. The Queensland Off The Track Program is working with me to ensure he has a wonderful retirement.”
Winner of 12 of his 47 starts and over $5.6 million, Rothfire won seven of his first eight starts, including the G1 JJ Atkins Plate at two in front of an empty grandstand due to COVID lockdowns in 2020. He was injured when fourth in the G1 Golden Rose at three and had a whole year off. He had an emotional return to the Group 1 winner’s circle when victorious in the 2026 G1 Doomben Ten Thousand.
He’s On Point wins on debut
Lindsey Smith-trained 3-year-old colt He’s On Point (Blue Point {Ire}) made the most of his debutant outing with a victory at Kilmore on Monday. Mungrup Stud sold him at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale to Spicer Thoroughbreds for $170,000.
He’s On Point is the fourth winner from four to race from Cool Trade (Trade Fair {GB}) whose seven wins included the Listed Scenic Blast Stakes.
Frosted (USA) had a double at the meeting with Frosted In Time and Frostration.
Anders filly wins on debut in WA
At Bunbury on Monday, Tiarnna Noske-trained 3-year-old filly Andalady (Anders) won on debut. Owned by Cape Fall Thoroughbreds, Andalady is the second winner for Cape Lady (Charge Forward). Cape Lady is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Seannie (Sebring).
At the same meeting, Sue Naylor-trained 3-year-old gelding Browning Street (Long Leaf) broke his maiden at start number two. He was a $20,000 purchase from Rangeview Stud’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale draft and is a half-brother to Listed winner Rissoles (Playing God).
Baker joins NZTR
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) announced on Monday that Craig Baker, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s (ATR) Executive General manager of Racing and Operations, will join NZTR as its Head of Racing Development.
“Over the next 12 months, we will be working closely with clubs, the Racing Integrity Board, Entain, TAB New Zealand and the newly formed Establishment Board to advance a number of important change initiatives. Craig’s practical experience and industry-wide perspective will be invaluable as we work through that programme,” NZTR General Manager of Racing Mitch Lamb
Exceedance filly set for Group 3 next
Lance Robinson-trained 3-year-old filly Dulce Caballo (Exceedance) won nicely on Saturday on debut at Riccarton and will head to the G3 Barneswood Farm Stakes ahead of the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas. “She was very impressive,” Robinson told Loveracing.nz.
Dulce Caballo | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“We have always thought a lot of her and she had trialled up really well. When she ran second in her last trial, they went three seconds faster than any other heat, so I knew then that we had a pretty smart filly on our hands.
“At this stage, we will box on and probably go to the Barneswood and see how she goes there and make a call on the Guineas after that.”
Champion 2-year-old filly Super Corredora back at three
Off for the past six months after struggling to find her footing early this year following her GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies score last October, Super Corredora (Gun Runner) came roaring back Sunday with a powerhouse win in the GII Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita. The 1 1/16-mile contest offers a fees-paid 'Win and You're In' berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland.
A return trip to the Breeders' Cup is on Super Corredora's dance card, as is a 4-year-old campaign, according to trainer John Sadler.
“She is going to have a good year next year also,” said Sadler. “She is a nice filly. What more can you say.”
Named champion 2-year-old filly in January, Super Corredora kicked off her 3-year-old campaign with two inexplicable off-the-board losses in the Las Virgenes Stakes Feb. 8 and the GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes Mar. 8. Rather than push her, connections gave the bay a freshening.
Listenupshance off to Breeders’ Cup next
In a GI Bing Crosby Stakes redux, Great Friends Stables and Run Fast Racing's Listenupshance (Shancelot) outfinished Maximum Bourbon (Maximum Security) Sunday in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes. Contested over six furlongs at Santa Anita, the Sprint Championship is a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, which will be held Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
“It's incredible,” said Run Fast Racing's Adam Kruger. “Power is in the people, not in the pockets. We are going to show everybody that this sport is beautiful and people need to feel like a participant, not just a spectator. That's what makes everything work.”
G3 Oklahoma Derby won by Silent Tactic
John C. Oxley and Victoriam Farm's Silent Tactic (Tacitus), never worse than third until he was eased in the August 29 GI Travers Stakes, showed why his connections are willing to draw a line through that race. The Mark Casse trainee got back to his winning ways with a battle to the wire in Sunday night's GIII Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.
“You just have to cross a line through that last race,” said Casse assistant Caden Arthur. “Jose (Ortiz) gave him a great ride (in the Oklahoma Derby).”
Baaeed’s first stakes winner
Having flaunted her considerable talent at Gowran Park, Qatar Racing's TDN Rising Star Curracloe (Baaeed) had to back it up in contrasting conditions in deeper waters on Sunday but proved the real deal to become the Shadwell luminary's landmark first Stakes winner.
Tackling ground far more testing than on debut in The Curragh's G3 Darley Fillies Stakes, registered as the Weld Park Stakes, the 13-8 joint-favourite was able to follow Alpine Wedding (Sioux Nation) without any trouble and when given the command by Ben Coen brushed her aside as she had first time out to win by 2.75 lengths. The Flame of Tara third Damsel In Distress (Minzaal) was another 2.25 lengths away in third.
“She's a lovely, straightforward filly and ours don't usually win first time out,” Coen said of the Johnny Murtagh-trained daughter of the American Oaks and Just a Game runner-up Sassy Little Lila (Artie Schiller) who cost 240,000gns (AU$473,000) at Tattersalls October Book 2. “We were worried about the ground, but she handled it and has a temperament to die for. She went to sleep on me following Billy [Lee] and isn't there until you ask her for it. She galloped out to the line very well and will definitely get a mile next year and will get further, but she has a bit of pace.”
First two home in Goffs Million will reinvest
Connections of the first two horses home in Saturday's Goffs Million will reinvest some of their big-race riches in this week's Orby Sale, according to trainer Paddy Twomey, who was the mastermind behind one of the buying and training performances of the season with Trean and Hi Corbett Court.
Both horses were sourced by the trainer for a combined sum of €105,000 (AU$170,000) at the Orby Sale last year, with the winner costing just €20,000 (AU$32,400). To put Saturday's achievements into context, the Twomey-trained colts took home a cool €700,000 (AU$1.13 million) of the €1 million (AU$1.6 millino) in prizemoney on offer for the race, leading Goffs chief Henry Beeby to label such scenes that played out in the Curragh winners' enclosure on Saturday as the perfect advertisement for the Orby Sale.
Beeby said, “We're in the business of selling the dream and, a €20,000 horse from Orby Book 1 winning the Goffs Million, not to mention a €50,000 bonus when they won their maiden, is a dream result. The joy they all experienced was just fantastic to witness. Paddy Twomey has done exceptionally well out of this sale. He won the Million with One Look a few seasons ago and he is just a very shrewd operator.”
Bolt D’Oro’s owner and trainer under investigation for fraud
According to a report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Mick Ruis, best known in horse racing circles as the owner and trainer of multiple Grade I winner Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), is among three scaffolding executives who have been indicted on charges that they conspired to defraud the U.S. Navy through a scheme that allegedly involved lies and trickery to secure construction-related contracts with the U.S. Navy.
Ruis is the lead defendant in the case.
According to the Union-Tribune, Ruis, Isaiah Levi Diehl and Shawn Peilun Huang allegedly conspired to use a scaffolding company owned by Huang that qualified as a small business to apply for and win contracts the Navy had specifically set aside for small businesses, but they allegedly planned all along to use larger companies to actually complete the work. Ruis was indicted alongside his two co-defendants on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and major fraud against the United States. All three have entered not guilty pleas.
Ruis was in the headlines when he fought a successful battle to have the results of the GI Santa Anita Derby overturned. Bolt d'Oro finished second behind Justify (Scat Daddy). Justify tested positive for scopolamine, but was not disqualified by the California Horse Racing Board. A Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled in favour of Ruis, and Bolt d'Oro. Justify was subsequently disqualified and placed last and Bolt d'Oro was officially declared the winner.
