Webster staying on

Mark Webster has agreed to extend his tenure as Inglis Managing Director for a further three years.

He will remain in the role until at least the end of 2023, by which time he will have served 16 years in the position.

“It has been a privilege to serve as the Inglis Managing Director since 2007 and I am delighted to extend my term to assist the company through these challenging times and to implement a number of new growth opportunities,’’ Webster said.

“With the support of a dedicated and progressive board of directors and a first-class management team, I am enthusiastic to be serving the racing and breeding industry into the future.

“Innovation has been a priority during my tenure and I can assure our customers there is more to come.’’

Chatswood lowers fees

Chatswood Stud has reacted to the current times by reducing service fees for Reward For Effort and Inference.

Reward For Effort, whose progeny have earned more than $23 million, will stand at $11,000 (inc GST), while Inference, a Group 1-winning son of So You Think (NZ), will be offered at $6600 (inc GST).

“This will obviously be a challenging season for our industry. Chatswood has built a client base by standing stallions for 49 years and I hope these fee reductions help keep breeders motivated enough to keep doing what they love,” Greg Willis said.

“Both Reward For Effort and Inference have never covered less than 100 mares per season and I am confident their value will ensure that remains the case in 2020.”

Sierra Sue ready for Oaks

Connections of exciting filly Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) are hoping she can continue her near perfect formline when she contests the G1 Schweppes (Australasian Oaks) at Morphettville on Saturday.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained filly has won three of her four career starts, with her only blemish coming when she finished runner-up over 1600 metres two starts back.

Part-owner John O’Neil has been thrilled with her performances and he is enjoying the experience of being involved with the Busuttin-Young stable.

“It has been a short relationship, but a really positive one, and one we are building on pretty quickly with Trent and Natalie,” O’Neil said.

“They are great communicators and wonderful trainers. Trent bought this horse off a trial with Ozzie Kheir, so all the boys who are in Ozzie’s crew jumped into this. We are really excited to win three starts out of four in the first prep.”

Lion roars for Contributer

Multiple Group 1 winner Contributer (Ire) sired his first winner when Lion’s Roar won the Good Luck Andrew Bensley 2YO Showcase H. at Wagga on Thursday.

Fittingly, the Champion Thoroughbreds-raced gelding was prepared by John O’Shea, who trained Contributer to win both the G1 Chipping Norton S. and G1 Ranvet S. when head trainer at Godolphin.

“Contributer was a very special horse to me and hopefully he will continue to be,” O’Shea said. “I was delighted to train his first winner.”

Sold by Wellfield Lodge at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2019 Karaka Book 2 Yearling Sale, Lion’s Roar was secured by O’Shea and Jason Abrahams' Champion Thoroughbreds for NZ$65,000.

Bensley honoured

The Australian Turf Club has paid tribute to broadcaster and journalist Andrew Bensley following his retirement from Sky Racing and TABCORP.

Bensley had a highly successful 21-year career on television, radio and social media platforms with his final day on air last Saturday.

Australian Turf Club Chairman Matthew McGrath congratulated him on his stellar career covering the Australian racing industry.

Bensley will be awarded an Honorary Membership of the Australian Turf Club in recognition of his efforts.

Vale Diane Neylon

The racing industry lost an unsung hero last week with the sad passing of pedigree expert Diane Neylon. She will be warmly remembered for recommending some of the finest matings, advising on many successful purchases and offering proven advice on breeding theories throughout her life.

Neylon advised the mating that produced the influential stallion I Am Invincible and the three-time Group 1 winner Private Steer (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). She also convinced trainer John O’Shea to secure Racing To Win (Encosta De Lago) as a yearling and he went on to win five Group 1 races.

“Having battled breast cancer successfully, unfortunately it was brain cancer that claimed her in the end,” close friend Ronda Matthews said. “Without the restrictions COVID-19 has caused, there is no doubt the room would have overflowed with all her friends and associates from her thoroughbred family there in person.”

Diane was farewelled by son Mark, daughter Siobhan, her two grandsons Liam, 8 and Edward, 6, her brother Tony and a handful of close friends at her funeral last Friday.

“Her dear friends and clients are proud to be part of Club Neylon and she will be dearly missed by them all,” Matthews said.

Mare hard to catch

Greysful Glamour (Stratum) is in the right form to make a bold play for top honours in Friday’s Listed Navigate Advisors Wagga Wagga Gold Cup.

The Mark Newnham-trained mare was third in the G3 Epona S. two runs back and then finished runner-up in the G3 JRA Plate, both times taking up her customary role at the head of affairs.

In between times, she was a trial winner and from an inside gate rider Koby Jennings should be able to let her stride forward and dictate terms off the front.

Savacool (NZ) (Savabeel) is a genuine mare coming off a third in the G3 Easter Cup and she looks sure to run well again while Master Of Arts (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is improving with each run and doesn’t mind a rain-affected track.

Neither does his stablemate Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}), who has measured up in better fields than this in the past. Kaapfever (NZ) (Sufficient {NZ}) is well-seasoned and a last-start second at Warwick Farm showed he was ready to step up to Listed company.

Change for better

Trainer Kevin Corstens has brought about a change for the better with Street Icon (Street Boss {USA}) and the mare’s ability to adapt to a back-running style and her improved form has secured her a start in the G1 TAB Classic (Robert Sangster S.).

"There were Group races in mind for her towards the end of the autumn and I was hoping to take her up to Queensland, but that wasn't going to be at all easy," Corstens said. "Plus I know a lot more people in South Australia, so Adelaide won out."

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Corstens cannot enter South Australia without first undergoing two weeks isolation and long-time family friend David Aldridge is looking after the mare at Murray Bridge.

Queensland beckons

A Queensland campaign is now in the offing for promising filly Sky Horse (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) after her 2l victory over 1600 metres at Sandown on Wednesday.

It was the second consecutive win for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained 3-year-old after winning over the same distance at Pakenham last month.

“Last start I thought the other horse had the better of her, but she just kicked back and got the money,” Maher said. “She’s a proper horse in the making I reckon. She will stay whatever trip you want and she handles whatever conditions you have got.

“We will see how she pulls up first and foremost. She could go to Queensland, we will have a look at the program there. We will space her runs again. She is improving with each start and I think if we are kind to her she will do the right thing by us.”