Lofty targets
The G1 Epsom H. and the Golden Eagle figure among the spring options for Opacity (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who has continued building on a promising start to his racing career with another Randwick win.
The John O'Shea-trained gelding got to the right part of the track out wide in Saturday's TAB H. and burst through between runners under Hugh Bowman to register his fifth win from seven starts.
"He had been set for the G2 Queensland Guineas from the day he went to the paddock after he won at Canterbury over the 1900 metres," O'Shea said.
"Today was meant to be that day, it's just not to be, but all the same he's had a good seasoning campaign. He continues to put ones next to his name and I think Hugh thinks quite highly of him. He's won on him his last two goes.
"So when he gets down in the weights, and if he got into something like an Epsom on 50kg or 51kg I think he'd have plenty to offer."
Negative tests
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has confirmed negative results from widespread testing at Cambridge Stud for the Theileria equi infection.
Blanket tests were carried out after a broodmare imported from Europe in 2019 tested positive prior to a flight to Australia. She had arrived in New Zealand with a clean bill of health.
Ministry scientists worked with the stud to quarantine the mare and immediately test all adult horses that were either paddock mates of the infected mare or had grazed the same pasture. They tested negative, as have all 241 of the other horses at the farm.
The situation temporarily halted the export of some horses from New Zealand to Australia as Australian importing requirements include certification from the New Zealand government that the entire country is free of Theileria equi.
Exports have now resumed under an interim arrangement and MPI continues to work with Australian authorities.
Overdue and deserved
Dual Group 1 placegetter Chapada (Bullet Train {GB}) has made an overdue return to the winner’s circle at Flemington for just the second win of his career.
He was successful in Saturday's Grinders Coffee Carriage Paddock Plate for trainer Michael Moroney having been winless in his past 15 starts since winning his maiden in the spring of 2018.
In between times, Chapada was third in the G1 Victoria Derby and also ran third in the G1 Rosehill Guineas.
His spring campaign last year included a placing at weight-for-age in the G2 Zipping Classic.
Back in business
Co-trainer Grant Dalziel and jockey Dwayne Dunn successfully resumed their association when they combined with upset winner Standoff (Smart Missile) at Flemington.
“He hasn’t ridden for me since before he went to Hong Kong, it’s our first catch-up for a long time,” said Dalziel, who already has a date in January in mind for the filly.
"She's very immature, but we'll go back to the Magic Millions as you don't get many opportunities to run in million dollar restricted races.”
Standoff was tardily away in the Schweppes Bagotville Trophy before she was able to get up behind the leading pack and then finished off strongly to beat Sunshines (Akeed Mofeed {GB}).
Standoff was a $30,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase out of Elle’s Lodge’s consignment and is a half-sister to the multiple winner and Group performer Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt).
Berry buries rivals
Aided by a fine ride by Tommy Berry, the well-bred Terwilliker (Pierro) left no excuses for his rivals in the Schweppes H. at Randwick.
Berry rode the 5-year-old son of the G1 Myer Classic winner Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow) aggressively to lead and, after putting the pressure on before the turn sailed clear to down Elaborate (Excellebration {Ire}).
“He got into a nice rhythm and he’s a good stayer,” trainer Anthony Cummings said. “When Tommy stepped it up near the half-mile most of the others were off the bit.”
Straight specialist
Prezado (Denman) again displayed his affinity for the Flemington straight when he triumphed in the Jim Beam Hill Plate on Saturday.
It was the 5-year-old’s third consecutive victory over the 1000 metre trip and fifth in total for trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra.
Zahra said he was unsure of Prezado’s future with a lack of stakes races on the gelding’s preferred course and distance.
Expensive colt scores
High-priced Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase Ortaire (Snitzel) has broken through for his first win in Japan at his third appearance.
Significantly, the colt beat the older horses over 1600 metres for owner Kazumi Yoshida, who went to $700,000 to secure him out of Arrowfield Stud’s draft.
Ortaire is the first foal of the G1 Myer Classic winner Politeness (Street Sense {USA}), who has a Snitzel filly at foot and is on foal to the champion stallion again.
Back in top form
The Colin Little-trained Vassilator (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) was back in the winner’s circle when landing the VRC Heritage H. under a well-timed Craig Williams ride.
All three of Vassilator’s wins have come at Flemington, a fact not lost on his Caulfield conditioner.
“Obviously, he likes this big flat track and likes to be able to steam home,” Little said. “He’s been racing really well. I think wide barriers have cost him a bit. He hasn’t had a lot of luck. We just eased up on him a bit as he got a little older.
“We just seem to think that he needs less work and he’s happier on an easier preparation so we gave that a try last time and we were pretty happy with him.”
Trainer charged
Racing Victoria stewards have charged Archie Alexander after one of his horses returned a swab that breached allowable cobalt levels.
The Alexander-trained Tom's Knight (Duporth) returned a urine sample containing traces of cobalt in excess of the allowed threshold of 100 micrograms per litre. The swab was taken after the gelding won at Kilmore in November, 2018.
Alexander is facing charges of administration of a prohibited substance and allowing a horse to compete with a banned substance in its system. A date for the hearing has yet to be set.
