Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Ninja collars Ka Ying in Randwick trial
The stands around Randwick’s mounting yard fuller than usual for a Tuesday morning, with fans gathering to see defending G1 The Everest champion Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) have his public hit-out before his date with destiny on October 17. And in a similar fashion to last year, the world’s leading sprinter did not give up all his secrets in a simple trial.
David Hayes’ gelding led the pack into the home straight under a comfortable hold from Zac Purton, but challenger Ninja (Farnan) - who forewent a start in the G2 Premiere Stakes last Saturday in order to meet the champion on Tuesday - rose to meet him in the home straight. Neither were given much urging to pull away from the rest of the field, with Ninja striding out at the last second to clinch victory by a neck.
Two and three quarter lengths separated them from the rest of the field, where Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice), bearing the same Myracehorse silks as Ninja, was third, followed by Joliestar (Zoustar).
The field was rounded out by Everest-bound Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}), Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}), and G1 Golden Eagle candidate Amazing Journey (Ire) (Starspangledbanner).
When he dismounted, Purton said, “he was a bit more relaxed, which was good, but he pulled up having a really big blow. He blew more this morning than he does after a race in Hong Kong.
“He was feeling the ground with where he’s at, but he’ll come on for this.”
Ninja winning the trial at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Hayes was similarly coy with his remarks post-trial, saying it was better than the same trial last year - where Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) and Overpass (Vancouver) got the better of the superstar gelding - but that he had seen the 6-year-old perform better.
“The way the track was, the longer grass and the soft ground wasn’t in his favour,” he said. “He didn’t change legs, that’s always an indicator he’s going pretty easy. When Zac puts him under a bit of pressure, he changes legs and finds a lot. It’s a pass mark, but not exciting.”
Both Hayes and Purton have their fingers crossed for a little sun on headquarters in the next 10 days ahead of the title defence, and Hayes shared that he had another goal he would like to tick off along the way.
“I’d love to have a crack at the track record,” he said. The course record of 1:07.32s still stands from the 2019 Everest won by Yes Yes Yes.
“He’s 30 pounds bigger than he was this time last year. I think bigger is better.”
David Hayes | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
At the time of writing, last year's runner-up Tempted (Street Boss {USA}), Headwall, Ninja, smart 3-year-old filly Blue Door (Stay Inside), G1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Spicy Martini (Justify {USA}), and multiple Group winner Savvy Hallie (Hellbent) have been confirmed to clash with the defending champion on October 17.
Just five slots remain - owner Ozzie Kheir shared with SEN on Tuesday morning that Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will run in the race, but contracts with the slot holder have yet to be finalised.
Home And Dry finds winning run out wide
Three-year-old filly Home And Dry (Home Affairs) caught the eye with her return to the trials at Randwick on Tuesday morning. Twice trialled as a juvenile without heading to raceday, the Michael Freedman trainee was given a patient ride by Tommy Berry behind frontrunner Hy (Yes Yes Yes) in her first hit-out of the near season.
Video: Watch Home And Dry's trial replay at Randwick, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Within the final furlong, eventual placegetter Barossa (Dundeel {NZ}) improved to take the lead, but Home And Dry found better running out wide and closed the gap to win by half a length from the gelding, with another half-length separating them and From Me To You (I Am Invincible).
Home And Dry is the third foal from Listed winner and multiple stakes performer Invictus Salute (Exceed And Excel), and she bears the Sledmere Stud colours after passing in at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year.
Invictus Salute is a half-sister to multiple Group winner and sire Splintex. Their dam, Group-performed Acquired (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), is a half-sister to the prolific producer Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), and also to Ocean Of Tears (NZ) (Minardi {USA}), grandmother of Ozzmosis, and to Luna Bella (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), dam of Listed Talindert Stakes winner Weatherly (Beneteau).
Emirates Park, Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA), and Freedman purchased a three-quarter-sister to Home And Dry for $1.55 million at this year’s Easter sale. Invictus Salute unfortunately slipped this season with an Ole Kirk.
Vinnie colt sizzles in Randwick juvenile heat
The juvenile heat at Randwick was also a cause for interest when won by Overleap (I Am Invincible) for Ron Quinton. The sharp colt was quick out of the barriers and straight to the front for apprentice Matt Kirk, and still showed improving speed to win by a length and a fifth over Heli Jinglong (Justify {USA}), with over two lengths back to Terfeshaneh (Home Affairs) in third.
Video: Watch Overleap's trial replay at Randwick, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Overleap was a $320,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for Gall Bloodstock from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud. His dam Overstep (Exceed And Excel) was a four-time winner and twice placed at Listed level, and has produced three winners to date all by I Am Invincible. She is due to produce a foal by Brave Smash (Jpn) any day.
Overstep’s dam Elusive Desire (Elusive Quality {USA}) is a half-sister to two-time Listed winner Secret Liaison (Artie Schiller {USA}), dam of last season's G2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Berzelius (Extreme Choice). This is also the family of G2 Waikato Guineas winner and G1 New Zealand Derby–G1 New Zealand Oaks runner-up Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Western Australian Group-winning star This’ll Testya (Testa Rossa).
Captivant filly dashes in at Doomben
Tony Gollan’s Kitty Got Claws (Captivant) impressed in her finish in the juvenile heat at Doomben on Tuesday morning. The filly emerged triumphant by a neck in a battle with Celestialmessenger (Lucky Vega {Ire}), with a gap of nearly six lengths separating them from the rest of the field.
Video: Watch Kitty Got Claw's trial replay at Doomben, video courtesy of Racing QLD
A $90,000 purchase for Gollan, Strong Bloodstock, Oliver Koolman, and James Bester Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Kitty Got Claws is a granddaughter of multiple stakes winner Ashley’s Kitty (USA) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), who is a half-sister to three stakes winners in the States led by G1 Santa Anita Gold Cup winner Cupid (USA).
Amongst the close family are the likes of G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Kathleen O (USA) (Upstart {USA}), G2 Chandelier Stakes winner Ain’t Easy (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), and Australian-bred Japanese Group winner Fiano Romano (Fastnet Rock).
Dam Speedy Kitty (Exceed And Excel) delivered a full sister to Kitty Got Claws in September. Gollan has nominated Kitty Got Claws for the 2027 G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.
Tiger Of Malay colt impresses in first outing
The juvenile heat at the Gold Coast was taken out by uncatchable Tiger Of Malay colt Katsuko. The Gillian Heinrich and Ben Rodgers trainee put in a sharp showing for his debut trial and skipped away from runner-up Ever Glow (Tassort) by a length and a half.
Video: Watch Katsuko's trial replay at Gold Coast, video courtesy of Racing QLD
A homebred for Heinrich Bloodstock, Katsuko is the third foal out of three-time winner Miss Amber (Sepoy), a daughter of multiple juvenile stakes performer Ambers Waltz (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who has also produced Listed Belmont Oaks runner-up Kimberley Rose (Hellbent). Miss Amber has a yearling filly to come by In The Congo.
Herself a daughter of 11-time winner and G3 Hyperion Stakes victress Ambers Halo (Don’t Say Halo {USA}), Ambers Waltz is a half to G2 Western Australian Guineas winner War Saint (War Chant {USA}) and G3 Lord Reims Stakes winner Taiyoo (Haradasun).
