Early look at The Valley
Mr Marathon Man (GB) (So You Think {NZ}) will have a spin around The Valley on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s G2 Feehan S.
"We don't know if Moonee Valley is really his track but we'll find out," trainer Michael Moroney said.
"Probably with some horses it is important and he is not straightforward so I wouldn't mind him having a bit of a look around there first."
Mr Marathon Man (GB)
Moroney said Mr Marathon Man had a good gallop at Flemington on Saturday morning so Tuesday's gallop would not be as searching.
"I'll take Strike Force to gallop with him. He is a good old Moonee Valley horse and knows his way around, so he can just cart him around."
Study should wait
The Australian Jockeys’ Association favours a statistical analysis on the male-female ratio of rider deaths, but believes it should wait until the families of two young women have time to grieve.
Apprentice Mikaela Claridge, 22, died from injuries sustained in a trackwork fall at Cranbourne on Friday morning and 32-year-old Melanie Tyndall suffered fatal injuries in a race fall at Darwin's Fannie Bay course a day later.
Australian Jockeys’ Association Chief Executive Des O’Keeffe said it is apparent more women are in the industry, but there should not be a knee-jerk reaction that they suffer more fatalities.
This century 21 jockeys and track riders have died in work-related incidents, nine of them female.
O'Keeffe said the families and friends of both women were in distress and while both accidents were the subject of coronial and WorkSafe inquiries, they did not need the added pressure of speculation about the causes.
Success for Toronado
Wasmya (Fr) is the latest black type winner for Swettenham Stud shuttle stallion Toronado (Ire).
The 3-year-old was successful for the third time in her four-start career when she claimed the Listed Stadt Baden-Baden Viererwette in Germany.
Wasmya is trained at Chantilly in France by Francis-Henri Graffard for breeder Al Shaqab Racing and is out of Lamorlaye (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), whose dam Love To Dance (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire Dylan Thomas (Ire).
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Travel brings out best
Champion trainer Chris Waller has had to think outside of the square to get The Avenger (Smart Missile) in the best form of his career.
The Avenger’s latest success at Eagle Farm was his second from his last three starts with travel the key to his improved showings.
Waller's Queensland manager Paul Shailer said The Avenger was a gross horse and it was a constant battle to keep weight off him.
The Avenger
"But he is one horse who does take benefit from the road trip and it is part of the plan to keep him fit," Shailer said.
"The trip up or down the highway on a Wednesday is like an extra track gallop. We don't like to work him on the training track so it is working out well."
Arc hope wins
Godolphin's Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) boosted his prospects for the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with success in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden in Germany.
The Charlie Appleby-trained 4-year-old showed the opposition no mercy, galloping his rivals into the ground as he stepped up to 2400 metres for the first time.
In the hands of William Buick, Ghaiyyath strode further and further clear in the straight to win by 14l.
"I was lucky enough to be able to give him a summer break. Some people might question what he beat, but he did it very well,” Appleby said.
"We will discuss the Arc with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in the next week to 10 days and see how the horse is."
Australian options
The connections of Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) have a couple of Australian options to consider in a team talk later this week.
The multiple Group 1 winner finished an eye-catching fifth when resuming in Saturday’s G1 Tarzino Trophy.
Danzdanzdance (NZ)
“Melbourne was the original preference, but the way the weather is in Sydney it is worth looking at maybe going there first,” co-trainer Chris Gibbs said. “We know she can handle the wet. We’ll probably be guided by the weather.”
If Danzdanzdance goes to Sydney her likely first mission will be the G1 Colgate Optic White S. at Randwick on September 21.
“If it keeps raining in Sydney she could stay on longer,” Gibbs said. “There are races two weeks apart that she could run in.
“If she goes to Melbourne there’s the Stocks S. at Moonee Valley at the end of the month. The Makybe Diva S. is in a fortnight at Flemington, but it comes up too soon.
“As for the Cox Plate, she would have to be really flying and winning well to consider that.”
Jockey discharged
Jockey Rachael Murray was dislodged at Monday's Gosford barrier trials when her mount reared over behind the barriers and stepped on her chest.
She remained conscious and was transported to Gosford Hospital.
Racing NSW’ Dr Duckworth said Murray’s x-rays were clear and she was discharged on Monday afternoon.
Plate start confirmed
The G1 Tarzino Trophy placegetter Helena Baby (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) will get his shot at redemption against winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) later this month.
Helena Baby wasn’t among the initial nominations for the G1 Windsor Park Plate on September 21 as he was originally set to be flown to Hong Kong after contesting Saturday’s run.
Helena Baby (NZ) will get a shot at redemption against Melody Belle (NZ)
“He was to be vetted and go into quarantine, but I sent an email to his owner C Y Lee and put forward a case for him to stay and run in the Windsor Park Plate,” trainer John Bell said.
“I needed a quick reply and he came back to me saying it’s up to you John so he’ll now run in the Windsor Park.”
