Bigger Catalyst pleases Chipperfield

Trainer Clayton Chipperfield is rapt with the improvement his star Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) had made in his break ahead of the spring.

Chipperfield said the 3-year-old has taken a huge improvement from his break since finishing sixth in the G1 Australian Guineas in March.

“He’s done super,” Chipperfield said. “He looks a lot stronger and more developed than when we saw him out in public last, so we’re very happy with him.

“We really noticed how far behind he was in the 3-year-old races in Australia up against the bigger boys. He looked a little behind but with the time that he’s had now he’s hopefully going to look the part with the rest of them when we come back.

“He’s only a few days away from coming back in now, we’ve re-tested everything and all is 100 per cent.”

Chipperfield said the Golden Eagle at Rosehill is likely to be Catalyst's main spring goal.

“Nothing is set in concrete but the Golden Eagle later on in the year, we’ve got that down as possibly his final race of the campaign,” Chipperfield said. “What happens before then, we’ll just have to see how he comes up.”

Deep Field debutant impresses in Hong Kong

Newgate's Deep Field now has his fourth winner in Hong Kong, with the well-bred gelding Winning Dreamer (NZ) victorious on debut for Frankie Lor at Sha Tin.

Winning Dreamer had performed well at a series of trials and took that to his first start on the track proving too slick for his more experienced rivals over the 1000 metre straight track.

He cost Tartan Meadow Bloodstock NZ$300,000 at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from the draft of Haunui Farm.

He is out of stakes-placed Markisa (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), a three-quarter sister to both Danewin and Commands, and a grand-daughter of the blue hen Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}).

His win further boosts the credentials of Deep Field, who has had Californiadeepshot, All In Mind and True Legend win for him in Hong Kong.

Hopes high for Savabeel colt

Co-trainer Natalie Young harbours spring ambitions for Ballarat winner Albarado (NZ) (Savabeel) after he held on to win a strong 2-year-old race over 1200 metres.

Albarado, a NZ$140,000 purchase out of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, proved too strong for her rivals, holding off a trio of Godolphin runners in Alcyone (Teofilo {Ire}), Choir (Teofilo {Ire}) and Halic (Golden Horn {GB}).

Young, who trains with her partner Trent Busuttin, was impressed with what she saw and is hopeful the colt can improve into the spring.

“He’s a lovely big Savabeel colt, he’s just done everything right so far and I think he’s got plenty to work with and he’s probably still going to mature a little bit more. He’s probably still a little bit low in the wither, he’s probably going to strengthen up a little bit in another 3/4 months' time so should be spot on for the spring,” she said.

Third-placed Choir is a half-brother to Group1 winner and now stallion Microphone.

Second Aussie winner for No Nay Never

Coolmore stallion No Nay Never (USA) has his second Australian winner thanks to the Kris Lees-trained Never Talk, who debuted with a victory on debut in the 2YO Showcase at Tamworth.

Ridden by Jeff Penza, Never Talk sat just behind the early pace and got the run at the top of the straight to surge through and win by 0.7l with Without Shame (Shamus Award) second and the winner's stablemate Triple Ace (Helmet) third.

Bred by Arthur Mitchell, the filly is the first foal to race from Palace Talk (NZ) (Street Cry {Ire}).

No Nay Never has had three winners from his first Australian crop, including G3 Waikato Stud Slipper winner Need I Say More. The Richard Litt-trained Cordyceps Miracle is his other winner in Australia.

Meanwhile, fellow first-season stallion Rich Enuff, who stands at Woodside Park, had his first multiple winner when Hamilton Hill won his second race at Toowoomba.

TRSA introduces jockey maternity leave

Thoroughbred Racing South Australia has announced the introduction of a Maternity Leave Payment Scheme.

The scheme is available to eligible female riders who are restricted under the rules of racing to perform their normal duties due to pregnancy and will apply from the beginning of the second trimester through to the birth of the child.

“South Australia has a long and proud history of female participation in our industry and this measure is just another step towards ensuring females can pursue their goals in racing without impediments,” Chief Executive Officer of TRSA Nick Redin said.

“The percentage of female jockeys has increased sharply in recent times and a glance at the South Australian records over the past five, 10 or 15 years shows they are a crucial and integral part of our local scene.”

TRSA has implemented the payment scheme at a rate equivalent to the relevant jockeys average weekly earnings for the previous 12 months prior to the conception of the child. The amount is capped at $1513 per week and $12,100 in total.

German enjoying more freedom

Young Victorian jockey Lewis German is enjoying having more freedom after switching masters.

German has been apprenticed with Enver Jusufovic for a couple of months after moving from Lindsay Park and has been able to ride more for other stables, including for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, with whom he won with Heptagon (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) at Caulfield on Saturday.

“I have ridden a lot of winners for the Hayes stable but I was a little limited in the opportunities to get rides for other trainers," he said.

“It’s very competitive in the city and because I couldn’t ride work for the other trainers it was tough to get outside mounts.

“I want to come out of my apprenticeship with a bigger range of contacts and relationships and the move gives me the chance to do that.

“I’m still available to ride for the Hayes team when they need me, but now I’m at Cranbourne I’m enjoying the change.

“I can ride trackwork and trials for people like Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Robbie Griffiths, Greg Eurell and others while I can also go to Caulfield on a Tuesday and Mornington on a Wednesday so I’m always busy.”

Although based in Australia, New Zealand-born German hasn’t forgotten his roots.

“I’m always a Kiwi at heart as I love New Zealand and try and go back when I can,” he said.

“I’ve managed a few trips back which I have enjoyed but the opportunities are here in Australia and for my future that’s where I need to be.”