Dubai out for mare

A possible trip to Dubai for Sunlight (Zoustar) to the World Cup meeting is off the table due to a hind leg injury in a paddock accident.

However, trainer Tony McEvoy said the multiple Group 1 winner could still be in line for an overseas trip to Royal Ascot in June.

"She had a bit of filling in a hind leg, just on the outside of the off-side hind cannon bone and when we investigated it we found she's got a chip off the splint bone," Tony McEvoy said.

"It's pretty straight forward stuff, they'll take it straight out then it's six weeks recuperating, three weeks in the box, three weeks walking, then she'll be right to go.

"I've had quite a few of them with great success but it means the Lightning is out. It's frustrating, but not the end of the world."

In doubt for sprint

A cloud hangs over In Her Time (Time Thief) ahead of the G1 Hong Kong International Sprint after she was found to have a quarter crack in her left front foot.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club said the Australian mare would be re-examined on Sunday morning, hours before the race.

Trained by Kris Lees, the Group 1-winning sprinter is Australia's only entrant at the International meeting.

Riodini stays undefeated

Riodini (NZ) (Proisir) provided another example of his burgeoning talent when the unbeaten 3-year-old comfortably accounted for his rivals in the G3 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher S. at Ellerslie.

Settled perfectly one out and one back by rider Sam Collett, Riodini bided his time before pouncing on the leaders shortly after rounding the home bend. His next assignment will be the G2 Auckland Guineas on New Year’s Day.

Trainer Nigel Tiley had been keen to see his charge settle near the pace from his good barrier and was delighted with how the race panned out.

“It was exactly where we wanted to put him,” Tiley said. “She was sitting quietly on him and when she asked him the question at the 300 metres, I was feeling pretty confident.

“I think we can step him up to the mile and then we are going to have to make some decisions after that. I think the way he was dominant at the line, as I don’t think there was anything taking ground off him, I’m confident we will get the mile with him.”

Overdue victory

Etah James (NZ) (Raise The Flag {USA}) ended a lengthy winning drought when she outstayed her opposition in the Listed Pakenham Cup.

The Matt Cumani-trained mare sat outside the leader under apprentice Fred Kersley and took control of the race 200 metres from home for her first success since she claimed the G3 Lord Reims at Morphettville in March, 2018.

“I don’t want to give Fred too many compliments because he’s a cocky bugger, but he did say he was going to make a race of it and he did,” quipped Cumani’s assistant trainer Anthony Bobbin.

Travel ruled out

Niccanova (Nicconi) is staying close to home despite his win in the Listed Brisbane H. at Doomben.

Trainer Steve Tregea likes to travel his horses and has ranged from Mackay in the north to Sydney in the south in recent years.

But he said he has finally had to admit Niccanova simply doesn't like travel unlike many of his stablemates.

"I took Niccanova to Mackay for their carnival this year and he looked terrible up there. He just doesn't seem to like travel and we won't be tempted by races like The Villiers in Sydney in coming weeks.

"There are some nice 1600 metres races coming up for him in south-east Queensland, So he can stay home."

Few options

Mike Moroney may have to run Star Surprise (Sidereus) against the older horses following the 3-year-old won the Duff & Co H. at Pakenham.

"He's eligible for the Magic Millions and I might have a bit of a chat to the owners," he said.

"But the problem is, we've had a look through the program and because he's probably going to be open class there's not a lot around for him.

"He might have to race against the older horses in the Standish which looks like the only race here for him."

Relieved trainer

Bjorn Baker breathed a sigh of relief after Bobby Dee (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) broke a run of minor placings for the stable and post a surprise win at Rosehill.

Stakes-placed filly Let It Pour (Redoute’s Choice) was beaten at Gosford midweek as raging favourite and both Hinchbeast (Hinchinbrook) and Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}) were narrowly in earlier races at Rosehill.

"I needed it to get out of an almightily bad week," Baker said. "It's a nice change of luck. I've had a few short-priced favourites and they've all been running well, but things just haven't been going our way."

Sent out at $31, Bobby Dee was expected to need further than the 1500 metres of the Bisley Workwear H., but with a positive ride from in-form apprentice Samantha Clenton he proved too tough for his rivals.

Scout on target

The Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained Scout (Spirit Of Boom) remained on course for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas after surviving a Doomben protest.

He won the Summer Racing Carnival 3YO by a short half-head from Rothenburg (Rothesay), whose rider Stephanie Thornton claimed Scout had come in on her at the 250 metres when she was taking a run to his inside.

Ryan Maloney, who rode Scout, argued he had held his line and it had not altered the result. Stewards took about five minutes to dismiss the protest.

Time mare’s best friend

The best is yet to come from Cead Mile Failte (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), according to co-trainer Johno Benner.

She completed a hat-trick of wins at Trentham with a dominant front-running performance in the Chalmers H., and an effort that emphasised her versatility.

“That’s probably not the way to ride her, but we had to take bad luck out of the equation,” Benner said. “My feeling is that she’s still six months away from her best, this time next year she’ll be even better.”

Benner has yet to confirm the mare’s immediate future, but has stakes options.

“There’s the Marton Cup and she’s nominated for the Wellington Cup,” he said. “Whether that’s a step too far at this stage we’ll find out. We’ll get her home and see how she does first.”

3YO building momentum

Mascarpone (NZ) (Shooting To Win) holds multiple Group 1 nominations and he took a winning step closer to more serious targets with success at Trentham.

The Graeme, Debbie and Bailey Rogerson-trained 3-year-old settled back on the fence in the Lone Star Petone Premier, but once into the open he finished powerfully to win for the second time in his six-start career.

“He’s still learning what it’s all about, but he’s getting there,” stable representative Michelle Northcott said.

Bred by Gerry Harvey, who remains in the ownership, Mascarpone is entered for the Levin Classic, Telegraph H. and the New Zealand Derby. He is from the family of the G1 Australian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).