Subedar eyes Up and Coming

James Cummings may consider elevating impressive Rosehill winner Subedar (Sepoy) to stakes level after he made it two wins from as many starts in a BM70 Hcp on Saturday.

The 3-year-old gelding, who is out of Group 1 winner Virage de Fortune (Anabaa {USA}), came with an impressive late burst to defeat Wimlah (Sebring) over 1400m and while Cummings said he would like to step him through his grades, a shot at the G3 Up And Coming S. on August 24 is not out of the question.

"He's beautifully bred and another promising Sepoy emerging from the stable at the moment," Cummings said. "He seems to me to be a horse that has a great winning attitude, he keeps sticking his neck out and knows how to find the line."

"We have a little opinion of Subedar, and he can keep coming up through the grades from here but by the same token, it’s not impossible that he would end up in the Up And Coming, if that race doesn’t look too strong in the nominations," he said.

"He's a horse that we like and he's certainly going somewhere."

He is one of four winners from Virage De Fortune, who is the granddaughter of superstar mare Emancipation (Bletchingly).

Patience play with Heirborn

The Freedman stable has high hopes for unbeaten 3-year-old Heirborn (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) but will give him every chance to develop into his frame before elevating him to top level.

Heirborn made it two wins from two starts when he prevailed in a BM70 Hcp at Flemington, but while he holds a Caulfield Guineas nomination, assistant trainer Sam Freedman said he may yet to be a preparation away.

"He's a very genuine horse. We've liked him from Day 1. He's just got the best attitude, he's so relaxed. Hopefully he can stretch out over a bit further," he said.

"You can still see in the run, he is doing a lot wrong, but he's got such a good attitude and he's just a big frame. He's got to really fill into himself, the way he races there, he's looking for the mile now."

"We’ll get him home and see how he goes, and Anthony will map out a plan from there."

Heirborn was a $125,000 buy for Bahen Bloodstock and Anthony Freedman Racing at the Inglis Premier Sale in 2018, with Sam Freedman revealing that he convinced his father to buy the son of Charm Spirit.

"Dad and I had a bit of a headbutt at the time, he didn’t really like him, he thought he had long pasterns, but hopefully it can all work out now," he said.

Golden, Silver shine for The Inevitable

Tasmanian-trained 4-year-old The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) is on a path towards the $7.5 million Golden Eagle in November after he upended the winning streak of Assertive Approach (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) at Flemington on Saturday.

At his first run of the campaign, The Inevitable, a winner of the G3 CS Hayes S. in the autumn, caused a minor upset when he dived late to claim the odds-on favourite in the 1000m BM90 Hcp.

Trainer Scott Brunton has big spring aims for the diminutive gelding and will take him to Sydney for the new found spring riches for 4-year-olds.

He said the son of Dundeel would return to Tasmania before travelling to Sydney for October's Silver Eagle (1300m) and the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in November.

"He's a serious racehorse this, don't worry about that," Brunton said.

Quartet for Gollan

Brisbane's leading trainer Tony Gollan has equalled his career-best with four winners at Doomben on Saturday.

Gollan has trained a quartet of winners at a metropolitan meeting on four previous occasions.

His winners on Saturday were Just Orm (Falvelon), Unlikely Story (NZ) (Star Witness), Galtero (Snitzel) and Tokoriki Lad (Falvelon).

"It's always good to have multiple winners and credit must go to my staff," Gollan said.

John Messara to speak at The Jockey Club Round Table, Saratoga

The 67th Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, held at Saratoga Springs, New York on Monday morning AEST will feature Arrowfield Stud’s John Messara in a Q&A session. The conference will focus on international perspectives as well as communications strategies in times of crisis.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Stipendiary Steward Kim Kelly will discuss category 1 interference policies and general stewarding practices in Hong Kong.

The Jockey Club Chairman Stuart Janney, III will preside over the conference, live streamed on www.jockeyclub.com.

Siskin keeps unbeaten record

Defying the rain-softened ground and a trio from Ballydoyle, Juddmonte’s Siskin (USA) (First Defence {USA}) kept his unbeaten record intact as he prevailed from Monarch of Egypt (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}) in Friday’s G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh.

“I want to thank Prince Khalid Abdullah for putting me in his training ranks and for giving me a horse of this quality to train so soon,” trainer Ger Lyons said. “Every drop of rain that fell took a year off my life and I was worried that this had the makings of a messy race, but in the end it was a cracking Group 1.”

Lyons is looking at the Sept. 28 G1 Middle Park S. that Juddmonte sponsor at Newmarket now.

Phelan calls the tune in National

It’s A Wonder (NZ) (Istidaad {USA}) produced a dashing front-running performance to take out the 145th edition of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton.

The 9-year-old profited from a bold ride from Shaun Phelan, who ensured It’s A Wonder stayed well clear of his rivals, eventually winning by 23l.

“I just thought I’d let him do what he does best which is to roll along,” Phelan said.

“She was lonely out there in front and I think I sang my favourite song, Blurred Lines, about three or four times."

“Coming to the last fence I was just praying it would come up right and it came up great."

“Harvey (Wilson) is one of the best jumps trainers but he’s never really had a good go at one of these big races. He’s found the right horse to do it today."

“He’s such a great conditioner of a horse, that’s why I rode him how I did as I knew he would be the fittest horse in the race.”

Gagarin (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) was second and Mr Enthusiastic (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) third.

Six winners on a Saturday for Magnus

Sun Stud's Magnus celebrated six individual winners across Australia on Saturday.

Magnus had chalked up four winners for the new season before Saturday but his progeny were to the fore at six different venues.

He had winners at Doomben, Cairns, Donald, Carnarvon, Gladstone and Alice Springs. The six winners were achieved from 15 starters, while three of his other progeny ran second, including Malibu Style in the G3 Aurie's Star S. at Flemington.