Wichita suffers leg fracture

Well-performed Northern Hemisphere galloper Wichita’s (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) future is in doubt after he sustained a serious leg injury at the Werribee International Horse Centre.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained 4-year-old suffered a fracture to his right hind leg on Wednesday, which was detected after he had completed his trackwork and returned to his box.

Racing Victoria and stable veterinarians are currently assessing the horse's injury to determine an appropriate management plan.

Wichita's primary target during the spring racing carnival was the G1 Cantala S. on October 31 for which nominations are yet to close.

Cantala next on Nonconformist's agenda

Grahame Begg is set to steer in-form Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) towards the G1 Cantala S. at Flemington after his impressive win in the G3 Coongy Cup at Caulfield on Wednesday.

The lightly raced 4-year-old recorded career win number four, finishing strongly and holding off multiple Group 1 winner Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) to make it four wins from nine starts.

It was a second stakes win for Nonconformist, who is now set to be tested in top company at his next start.

"I've got in the back of my mind, probably a race like the Cantala. I'll give him a bit of a freshen up and get him back to the mile. He needed that win today to get his rating up a bit. We’ll see what happens from here," Begg said.

Off the back of Wednesday's success, Nonconformist is now $13 for the Group 1 1600 metre race at Flemington on October 31.

Ellsberg impresses Ryan

An impressive debut win from Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday has trainer Gerald Ryan considering stakes options for the colt this campaign.

At $280,000 from the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Ellsberg is the most expensive yearling by the late Aquis stallion Spill The Beans and Aquis themselves went in partnership with Ryan in the ownership.

In the Aquis aqua and black, he sat on the pace in the Impending @ Darley H. over 1300 metres and while he ran out down the straight, he had 0.8l on Selburose (I Am Invincible) on the line, with her Chris Waller-trained stablemate Easifar (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) in third.

Ryan said post-race that a race such as next month's G3 Spring S. at Newcastle could be suitable.

"He's a nice horse. I have got a bit of time for him. He's taken his time," Ryan said. "A race like the Spring S. will suit him, he’ll definitely run a mile. He's also a Magic Millions horse."

Ellsberg is out of Love Of Liberty (General Nediym), the sister to Group 3 winner Electric General.

Spanish Whisper set to break online record

Spanish Whisper (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is set to create a new record for a thoroughbred sold through an Australian thoroughbred auction with bidding for the triple Group 2-winning mare reaching NZ$750,000 with a day left still to go.

Bidding for Spanish Whisper, who is on offer unreserved price by Newhaven Park through Gavelhouse Plus, will close at 5pm AEDT on Thursday, but she has already set a new mark for a thoroughbred sold online, reaching NZ$750,000 as of 5pm AEDT on Wednesday.

“Obviously every day counts with mares at this time of the year so it was important to get her online as quickly as possible and the immediate interest was no surprise,” gavelhouse.com General Manager Haylie Martin said.

“She’s a magnificent specimen and a valuable outcross mare in any country.

“John Kelly really nailed it earlier this week when he noted that she’s as nice a type as has ever set foot on Newhaven Park and that those that talk of queens will need to find a new superlative for her.”

King to push on

Dual Group 1 winner King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) will race on this spring despite a disappointing performance in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

"We are going to push on and reassess him," co-trainer Peter Snowden told Racing.com.

"He will probably have a jump-out here at Flemington (next) week, then we will reassess. But at this point in time we are heading towards the Cantala."

Cummings enjoying Everest ride

Anthony Cummings has Libertini (I Am Invincible) competing in the $15 million The Everest and the mare presents with undeniable credentials despite coming up with the outside barrier at Tuesday's draw.

She claimed the high profile scalps of Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) and Nature Strip (Nicconi) when she resumed with a barnstorming victory in the G2 Premiere S. over the 1200 metre Everest course at Randwick.

Cummings said the mare has continued to thrive and he is enjoying the experience of having his first runner in the world's richest race on turf.

"The money gets everyone's attention and the format is different, and once again gets everyone's attention," Cummings said.

"There are so many moving parts and the whole thing changes right up until the last minute. You can't blink because you might miss something.

"It's as fun as the horse lets it be but right now we've got a place and we'll be laughing all the way.”

It's Me 'Perfect'

Brett Cavanough isn't shy about displaying confidence when he believes he's got a horse that warrants it and the Scone trainer doesn't try to contain his enthusiasm about the work of favourite It's Me (Shamus Award) heading into the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick on Saturday.

Asked how the $3 shot with TAB fixed odds betting was tracking towards the 1200 metre race, the former sheep-shearing champion turned champion country trainer replied: "Perfect".

"She had a solid gallop last Saturday morning. If I hadn't recorded it on the GPS and told you how she worked, you would've tried to get me locked up in a unit somewhere I'd say.

"I mentioned to a couple of blokes on Saturday morning, we had her working a solid half-mile and it was just crazy, you know.

"She's nearly replicating what she's been doing on race days in her work now.

"Rowena (Dillon, It's Me's handler) rode her and she was on the bridle, but she had a good, solid gallop and a clean-out and Rowena came back saying she wouldn't blow a candle out. Pulled up fit, ran time, went home, licked out the feed bin."

Boss secures Farnan ride

Glen Boss will replace Hugh Bowman as the rider of Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) in the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

Boss partnered the G1 Golden Slipper winner in a barrier trial at Gosford on Wednesday morning and has been confirmed as his new jockey for the top colt's next assignment at Flemington on Derby Day.

"After consultation with the major shareholders, Kia Ora Stud, as well as part owners and Everest slot holders, Aquis Farm, it has been decided that Farnan will not take his place in the 2020 TAB Everest," a statement from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable said.

"The colt unfortunately missed a significant lead-up race to the even, and all parties feel it is in his best interest to instead target the G1 Coolmore Stud S."

Farnan won the 1000 metre trial at Gosford on Wednesday morning, cruising to the front and leading throughout to win in a time of 1:00.27, with his final 600 metres in 33.76s.

Matterhorn joins Lees

Promising 3-year-old Matterhorn (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will head across the Tasman later this month to join Kris Lees’ Newcastle barn.

The Gerry Harvey-owned gelding has had two starts in New Zealand for former trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott for a win and a second.

“He has done very well, but unfortunately with the way he was placed in New Zealand the boss (Harvey) wants to take him to Australia now,” said Russell Warwick, General Manager of Harvey’s Westbury Stud.

“Kris will just get a feel for him and work through the grades. We won’t be too ambitious, he is a 5-year-old at the moment.”

Entriviere a dominant Tauranga winner

Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) maintained her perfect record when successful at Tauranga on Wednesday.

The Jamie Richards-trained mare won on debut at Matamata and stepped up to win in Rating 65 grade by an easy 4l under in-form rider Danielle Johnson.

“It mapped well from the barrier (2) for her and she ended up getting a sweet trip, and it highlights the importance of good barriers,” trainer Jamie Richards said.

“Danielle is obviously riding in red-hot form and knows the mare well, having won her last start.

“I was critical of myself after her debut win at Matamata, because she had a good blow afterwards and I thought she won’t catch me out again being half-a-run short.

“So, it was good to see her do that and it’s never easy to win a maiden and BM65 in quick succession, but she really quickened well late, and she’s still got a fair bit of improvement to come.

“She showed signs of greenness still, getting on the wrong leg around the corner, but it’s all in front of her.

“There are plenty of options for a nice mare like her. She’s been given time to strengthen and she’s a very good-looking daughter of Tavistock, with plenty of quality about her.”

Two Illicit near peak

Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) will be near her potent best when she races at her pet distance in Saturday’s G1 Livamol Classic at Hastings, says co-trainer Robert Wellwood.

Wellwood, who trains in partnership with Roger James at Cambridge, was satisfied with the 4-year-old’s fourth-placing in this month’s G1 Windsor Park Plate considering how the race was run.

But there’s an expectation that with a more suitably run middle distance contest on Saturday, Two Illicit can prove even more competitive.

“We were happy with the way she ran. The race just didn’t pan out to be run the way that suited her,” Wellwood said.

“It was a torridly-fast pace and she’s really a 2000 metre horse so going that fast throughout a mile, she wasn’t ever in her comfort zone. It’s hard for any horse to sprint fast at the finish off a pace like that.

“She’s better suited up over 2000 metres now and with a more evenly-run race, we expect her to run well and be able to finish off that little bit stronger.

“But we were happy with her run there last time and it’s no shame to be beaten by horses the quality of the three that beat her home either.”

Earthlight retired to Kildangan

Godolphin’s dual Group 1-winning juvenile Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) has been retired from racing and will stand at Kildangan Stud in 2021.

Sam Bullard, Darley’s Director of Stallions, said, “We are delighted to be able to offer Earthlight to breeders in Ireland next year. During his unbeaten juvenile campaign, Earthlight’s victories in the G1 Darley Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park were truly outstanding and his champion status at the end of that year was very well deserved.

“The loss of Shamardal in April left a big hole in the roster, but we are confident that his sons, Earthlight and Blue Point, will continue his legacy admirably in Ireland."