Trainer bullish

Trainer Robbie Griffiths is confident of a bold showing from Halvorsen (Magnus) in Saturday’s Listed AR Creswick S. at Flemington.

Halvorsen was narrowly beaten in a 1000 metre dash on the course last time out and Griffiths said the gelding did more than enough to indicate he was on track to be a force to be reckoned with this weekend.

"I thought it was outstanding," Griffiths said. "I was happy to run a place because experience has taught me most horses improve a lot with their first run down the straight.

"He had not had a run for a month and he is probably better at 1100 and 1200 metres than over 1000 metres.

Brideoake cleared

Victorian trainer David Brideoake has been cleared of race day treatment by Racing NSW stewards, who determined the charges could not be proven.

The Brideoake-trained Princess Jenni (High Chaparral {Ire}) was a late scratching from the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick on April 6 when she was found to have a small lump on her neck, consistent with an injection.

After taking evidence at a hearing in Sydney on Monday, stewards found the lump could have been caused by exposed steel mesh on her stable door or from a routine injection two days earlier.

Swabs taken from the filly showed nothing untoward.

Australia beckons

Last-start 2000 metre Ascot winner Le Don De Vie (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) could be on his way Down Under following his purchase for 460,000 pounds at the Goffs London Sale.

He was purchased by a partnership that includes prominent Australian owner Aziz Kheir.

Trained by Hughie Morrison, Le Don De Vie has won twice from five appearances and is a son of Leaderene (GB) (Selkirk {USA}), who is a half-sister to the G1 Prix de l’Opera winner Lady Marian (Ger) (Nayef {USA}) and the dam of the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville winner Loxley (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}).

Leading the way was Mohican Heights (Ire) (lot 10), a once-raced colt by Australia (GB) who was a winner at Leopardstown for Deuce Greathouse on May 17.

Mohican Heights will now leave Fozzy Stack’s stable to join David Simcock in Newmarket after being bought for an existing client of the trainer for £520,000, though his participation in Saturday’s Listed Chesham S. is not certain.

Doodt gets nod

Victorian apprentice Lucinda Doodt has got the call to ride hardy sprinter Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Winter Dash at Randwick.

Doodt can claim three kilograms, which will bring Jungle Edge into Saturday's 1200 metre event with 59.5kg.

The Mick Bell-trained Jungle Edge will be backing up a week after claiming victory at Sandown with Michael Poy aboard.

Distance right for filly

Shoals’ (Fastnet Rock) sister Tides will be out to further her record on Wednesday when she chases a first city win at Sandown.

She won a Bendigo maiden first-up this preparation at her second start before registering minor placings in town at Sandown and Flemington.

Tides will race in blinkers for the first time in Wednesday's Clanbrooke Racing H. for fillies and the step up in distance from 1400 to 1600 metres is expected to be to her liking.

"We've been looking forward to getting her out to this sort of trip," trainer Anthony Freedman's son and assistant trainer Sam said.

Steady comeback

A gradual approach is being taken in a bid to get stayer Chocante (NZ) (Shocking) back to racing in the late spring.

Winner of the 2017 G2 Brisbane Cup at Doomben and third in the G1 Metropolitan in Sydney, he has since been off the scene for 14 months.

“He did a tendon and we’ve been giving him every chance to make it back,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He’s had a couple of light preps and is due to go back to the paddock this week.

“He does six weeks in then six out and he’s done most of his work on the treadmill. We’re just taking him along very slowly and if he stands up well he could have a nice light campaign from late spring. He’s worth it.”

Classic on cards

Wet track specialist Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood (GB) added a tenth victory to her record last time out at Awapuni and if conditions suit she will back up in this weekend’s Listed The Ultimate Ford and Mazda Tauranga Classic.

It was the ninth win on a heavy track for the mare and trainer Marilyn Paewai said her pride and joy flourishes in the wet going.

“She just handles that wet stuff so well,” Paewai said. “She doesn’t look like she is trying that hard, obviously she is, but she always comes back in like she hasn’t had a hard run.

“She seems to skip over the ground and doesn’t go right into it and have to work as hard as the others. That’s what makes her look better, but it’s easier for her I think.”