Bowman to head to Melbourne

Leading jockey Hugh Bowman has been booked for a series of high-profile rides in Melbourne through the spring, including G1 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Caulfield Cup.

Bowman's first feature ride for the Melbourne spring will be aboard King’s Legacy (Redoute's Choice) in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10 after Racing Victoria announced on Friday that interstate jockeys would only need to quarantine for five days and return a negative COVID-19 test if they wish to ride in Melbourne.

Anthony Van Dyck, currently third favourite for the Caulfield Cup, was one of several spring riding engagements confirmed by Aidan O'Brien.

In the Cox Plate, Ben Melham will ride Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Mark Zahra, Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while in the G1 Melbourne Cup, Kerrin McEvoy will ride Tiger Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and John Allen will ride Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}).

Dame ready for shot at history

Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) is spot on for her shot at creating a bit of history in next Saturday's G1 Flight S. at Randwick.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly is aiming to become the first horse since Samantha Miss (Redoute's Choice) in 2008 to win all four legs of the Princess Series.

Co-trainer Paul Snowden is very happy with where Dame Giselle is at.

“We didn’t have to do much work between her second and her third wins. Now we are starting to get, not the miles into her legs but tone that mental state down a little bit," he told Racenet.

“She did a little bit of work on Saturday morning and it was very impressive to see how relaxed she was.

“It was quite windy conditions which isn’t ideal for horses and she was really comfortable and happy within herself.”

Fabergino to stay in Melbourne

Beaten G1 Moir S. favourite Fabergino (Maschino) will remain in Melbourne to look for more stakes glory in the spring.

Trainer Tiarnna Robertson has confirmed that the G2 Caulfield Sprint will be the flying mare's next assignment.

“The moment she stepped slowly on Friday, her race was over,” Robertson told Racing.com.

“It was obviously disappointing, but we’ll move on from that and look towards the next race.

“But she’s really bright in herself and it’s like she just had a track gallop.

“We’ll hope the sun shines in Melbourne moving forward and aim to start her in the Caulfield Sprint. "

O'Brien's stayers step up

Danny O'Brien will be looking for further Group 1 glory in the G1 Turnbull S. at Flemington next Saturday with two horses to tackle the 2000 metre race.

O'Brien, who celebrated the win of Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in Saturday's G1 Underwood S., will have 2019 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) and King Of Leogrance (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) in action.

“Getting to the 2000 metres next weekend at Flemington is going to be an ideal chance to see how Vow And Declare is going,” O’Brien said. “I’d be disappointed if he didn’t run a really good race there.”

King Of Leogrance, the G2 Adelaide Cup winner, will be having his first run since finishing second in the Listed Andrew Ramsden S.

Lucas Cranach dies in paddock accident

Leneva Park stallion and 2011 Melbourne Cup placegetter Lucas Cranach (Ger) has died in a paddock accident.

The son of Mamool (Ire), he was a winner of the G2 Peter Young S. as well as a Group 2 race in Germany. He succumbed after what was described as a 'freak accident'.

Australian Bloodstock, who brought him to Australia, reflected on his racing career where he won six of 12 starts, including his third behind Dunaden (Fr) in the 2011 Melbourne Cup.

“Never forget the enjoyment/roller coaster this bloke gave us,” Australian Bloodstock tweeted.

“The courage under adversity to still run third in the Melbourne Cup we'll always remember. The best horse we never got to see!”

Lucas Cranach embarked on a stud career in Australia and has produced 44 winners. He had recently transferred to Leneva Park from Bullarook Stud.

Thoroughbreds Are Go returns

Thoroughbreds Are Go, Australia’s only thoroughbred re-homing and re-training program, returns on Sky Thoroughbred Central at 7:30pm AEST on Monday night.

Monday’s first episode of Series 2 includes a story on the Riding For Disabled organisation at Richmond on the outskirts of Sydney and how the thoroughbred's sensitivity makes it the perfect horse for the job.

Another feature focusses on Godolphin’s Lifetime Care and how the early handling of thoroughbred foals, bred to be racehorses, gives them the best chance of being a productive and willing horse in a variety of disciplines for the whole of their lives.

There is also a segment on training tips for off the track thoroughbreds from Scott Brodie.

Ready to Strike

Trainer Richard Collett is hoping Super Strike (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) can begin to reward the patience he and breeder Janet Hepi have shown with the progressive galloper.

Super Strike was an impressive winner at Ellerslie on Saturday and Collett hopes that is a sigb he can take the next step.

“He (Super Strike) did a good job and I actually didn’t realise that they ran 1:09.44 until I got home and watched the replay so I thought geez it’s been a big effort to come from where he did to win," Collett said.

“He just took a while to find clear air and had to come between a couple to make his run but he was very strong to the line.”

There have been a number of offers to buy the horse however they have been rejected by Hepi who has been racing horses with Collett for many years.

“Janet, who bred and owns him, has been with me for a long time and I think she is keen to retain and race this one here in New Zealand for as long as possible,” Collett said.

“You get offers all the time but I can understand when you get a smart one that you want to keep them and enjoy that success.

“He’s a big lad at around the 560kg mark and there is still plenty of improvement left in him.

“He will go back to Ellerslie in three weeks and then we will plan from there but there is a nice sequence of races around here over the next few months, so we have a lot to choose from.”

Concert on song at start of campaign

Cambridge trainer Roger James feels Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) has a big campaign ahead of her after an impressive second first-up at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Concert Hall charged to finish second behind winner Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) over 1400 metres.

“She is a mare that has always had ability but it was great to see the turn of foot she had over 1400 metres which is well short of her best,” he said. “She’s had a long slow build-up and has a good base of fitness.

“I watched the race replay on Sunday morning and thought that if she had got a clearer run then the race might almost have been hers.

“It was still very pleasing and indicated she has a lot ahead of her.

“I’m going to see how they both come through their runs but after performances like that, I wouldn‘t expect them to have their next starts for three to four weeks.”