Sunlight gets Everest slot

Star filly Sunlight (Zoustar) has secured a slot for Australia's richest race, The Everest, through negotiations with Max Whitby, Neil Werrett, Steve McCann and Colin Madden

Trainer Tony McEvoy confirmed on Friday that Sunlight would run for the slot headed by Whitby and Werrett, who had Graff (Star Witness) run for them in 2018.

The three-time Group 1 winner becomes the third horse confirmed for the $14 million race, with Pierata (Pierro) and Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) both already locked in.

Woodside Park on the move

Woodside Park Stud has acquired Morningside Farm in Nagambie, a 1100-acre property located on the Goulburn River, and will move its operations from its current Tylden base over the coming years.

In a statement, Woodside Park Stud say it plans to streamline its current operations in order to deliver a sustainable future for the organisation.

"The long-term future for Woodside Park Stud will see all of its breeding operations relocate to the new site, while we continue to upgrade our broodmare band and add new quality stallions to the Victorian market," Woodside CEO Mark Rowsthorn said.

"With our fantastic team and ongoing investment in bloodstock and property, the business is well placed to continue producing high calibre progeny and maintain its position as Victoria's leading commercial breeding operation."

All breeding operations, including stallions Written Tycoon, Foxwedge, Rich Enuff, Cable Bay (Ire) and Tosen Stardom (Jpn), will remain at Tylden for the 2019 season.

Home of the Brave to miss G1

Godolphin's Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) has been scratched from Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup due to an elevated temperature.

James Cummings told Racenet that he would now look for alternative plans for the imported sprinter.

“We’ll nominate him for the Moreton Cup and we’ll decide next if he runs there or goes straight to the Stradbroke,” Cummings said.

“He could even go straight to the paddock because a hiccup is far from ideal.”

Former RV integrity head takes Queensland job

Former Racing Victoria integrity boss Dayle Brown has been appointed as a Queensland steward.

Brown spent nearly a decade in charge of Victoria's integrity department before standing down from the position in 2017.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission boss Ross Barnett said Brown's role was a short-term one at this stage over the remainder of the winter carnival.

Tasmania pinning hopes on POC Tax

Tasracing is expecting additional revenue to flow into the Tasmanian industry after the state government became the final state in the country to introduce a point of consumption (POC) tax on betting companies.

Tasmania treasurer Peter Gutwein has announced a 15 per cent tax on the net wagering of betting companies from January 1, 2020. Under a point of consumption wagering tax, operators pay tax to the jurisdictions where the customers are located.

Tasracing chief executive Paul Eriksson is expecting a win for the state in terms of a rebate for the industry.

Positive signs at Pukekohe Park

Pukekohe Park track manager Bryce Mildon is confident the track's drainage issues are behind it after a run of successful meetings.

Mildon has been track manager since September and feels the long-term issues with the condition of the track have been resolved.

“The feedback has been really good,” he said. “The track’s still a bit of a work in progress after the problems it had a few years ago, but it’s definitely on the way up now and we’re pretty happy with it."

“To be hearing such good things about the track, and for so many people to be willing to race their horses on it, that’s really good and encouraging.”

Kiwi Ida strikes at Wingatui

Stakes-winning mare Kiwi Ida (Squamosa) retuned to the winners' list at Wingatui on Friday.

Ridden by Rahul Beeharry, the John and Karen Parsons-trained 4-year-old charged to a 2.5l victory.

“Last time I was a bit unlucky and didn’t get a clear run, but today she was just too good. I just love this horse,” Beeharry said. “I love riding her, she is just such an honest horse. Whenever I ask her to go she just goes, you know she will just fight until the end.”