Allpress makes history
New Zealander Lisa Allpress has finished equal third to American Mike Smith in the inaugural international jockeys' challenge in Saudi Arabia.
A three-time champion jockey at home, Allpress created history when she became the first woman to ride a winner in Saudi Arabia, steering Matmon (GB) (Kreme {GB}) to victory in the first of the four designated races.
"I came here with no expectations. I just wanted to enjoy the experience, but we have been very well looked after and I want to thank everyone who has organised it," she said.
"Where I come from it's not a crazy thing for a woman to be riding in the big races, but this means a lot. I'm just happy to be here and doing my thing. I came here with an open mind and I'm extremely thankful to be asked. It's very ground-breaking and I can't believe it, it's very special."
Sylvia a star
Sylvia's Mother (Snitzel) handled a step up to 1400 metres at Flemington with ease to claim the second straight stakes win of her preparation.
Sylvia's Mother claimed the G3 Frances Tressady S. for fillies to set up a potential crack at a Group 1 race in Sydney.
"We thought if she ran out a strong 1400 metres, which she did, she would win," Wayne Hawkes said. "She's a pretty good mare. She wants to win and she tries really hard."
The G1 Coolmore Classic over 1500 metres at Rosehill in two weeks is certainly an option for Sylvia’s Mother.
Spring Heat delivers
Lightly-raced mare Spring Heat (More Than Ready {USA}) produced a barnstorming finish to capture the G3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate at Ellerslie.
The 5-year-old came into the race off the back of a placing at the highest level after finishing third in the G1 Telegraph at Trentham last month.
“That was a pretty cool ride by Danielle (Johnson),” co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan said. “I was getting a bit anxious as she was a fair way back. She wasn’t panicking though and it was a great performance aided by a very good ride.”
Cards close to chest
Trainer Robert Heathcote wouldn’t be drawn into speculation that star 2-year-old Rothfire (Rothesay) could be a late entry for the G1 Golden Slipper S., after the gelding remained unbeaten at Doomben.
Starting the shortest-priced favourite in Brisbane in years, Rothfire bounced straight to the lead on Saturday and romped away with the 2-Year-Old The Jewel Prelude.
Heathcote said Rothfire would definitely start in the 2-Year-Old The Jewel at the Gold Coast on March 14.
"We have him in the ATC Sires’ Produce S. and he is not entered for the Slipper, we would have to pay a late entry. I would have to talk with the owners and I will have to make up my mind pretty soon, but I will say no more."
Successful reunion
Six-time G1 Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams and last year's Cup-winning trainer Danny O'Brien have combined for a staying race win at Flemington with import King Of Leogrance (Fr) (Camelot {GB}).
O'Brien has four horses part-owned by Williams in his care including King Of Leogrance, who confirmed G2 Adelaide Cup plans with his success in Saturday's Listed Roy Higgins Quality.
"Lloyd gave me horses about 20 years ago, but I don't think I won with any of them so it's nice to get on the scoreboard, and he's a really nice stayer," O'Brien said.
"We've got four in work at the moment and I believe there's others that will come over the next little bit.”
Derby hopes
Eric The Eel (Olympic Glory {Ire}) has confirmed a trip to Sydney with his win at Doomben.
Trainer Stuart Kendrick immediately confirmed the 3-year-old would head to Sydney with the G1 Australian Derby at Randwick on April 4 as his aim.
"We wanted to get him out to 1600 metres and then step up in distance. I have always said we wouldn't see the best of him until he is getting over 2000 metres," Kendrick said.
Trainer Stuart Kendrick
Kendrick said Eric The Eel would probably start in the G1 Rosehill Guineas in three weeks’ time before the Derby.
"The option is also there for the Tulloch S. a week before the Derby, but we will settle the matter once we get to Sydney and see how he travels."
Coolmore hopes boosted
Dawn Dawn (All Too Hard) came from near last to win the G2 Guy Walter S. underlining her credentials for a G1 Coolmore Classic start.
It was a heady afternoon for the Hawkes stable, which less than an hour earlier celebrated a win at Flemington with Sylvia's Mother (Snitzel), who is also on a Coolmore path.
Both mares are raced by owner-breeders Robert and Pam Crosby who were on track at Randwick on Saturday and overjoyed with the results, much to the delight of co-trainer Michael Hawkes.
"It's days like this when you see these guys behind me jumping around like yo-yos, it's fantastic," Hawkes said.
Rising star
Te Akau Racing’s stellar season rolled on with another new stakes winner in Saturday’s Listed Mufhasa FastTrack S. at Ellerslie, which David Ellis hailed as a training masterstroke by Jamie Richards.
The clear leader in the national trainers’ premiership, Richards has won 88 races in New Zealand this season including 14 at black-type level.
The latest addition to that group is Star Of Bombay (NZ) (Atlante), who impressively beat a talented line-up of sprinting 3-year-olds on Saturday.
“That was the win of a filly going places,” Ellis said. “She actually had a bit of a hiccup in the last 10 days and missed a gallop, so it’s a remarkable training performance by Jamie. It’s not easy to go eight weeks between runs and then produce a performance like that at this level."
