Karaka all systems go
New Zealand Bloodstock’s (NZB) National Yearling Sale in March is set to go ahead, even if the country enters red-alert restrictions.
On Thursday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the entire country would enter the red traffic light alert level once the Omicron strain of COVID-19 entered the community, however, NZB was quick to quell fears that this would put their National Yearling Sale in jeopardy.
New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka auditorium
“The one positive that came out of today is that there is not going to be any internal border closures, which guarantees both horses and buyers will be able to get to Karaka for the sales,” NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said.
“We are able to conduct a Sale here at Karaka under the red zone of the traffic light system. We will definitely have the sale here at Karaka. I think the worst-case scenario is that the general public wouldn’t be able to attend the event and it would almost be like an invitation-only event.”
Emperor to rise to Randwick challenge
Matthew Dunn expects Emperor (I Am Invincible) to rise to the occasion and prove himself as a top-tier talent when he resumes in a 2-year-old handicap at Randwick on Saturday.
The $460,000 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Dunn and Neil Jenkinson from the draft of Segenhoe Stud has impressed the Warwick Farm-based trainer in two trials since finishing third behind subsequent Golden Gift winner Sejardan (Sebring) on debut in last October's G3 Breeders’ Plate.
Emperor | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He was probably the victim of a bad gate at his first start. That horse (Sejardan) is one of the benchmarks at the moment, so I think he’s got the right form. He’s improved a bit on what he was doing last prep,” Dunn told Racing NSW.
“He’s going to be a decent horse I think, he’s doing all the right things at the moment. He galloped with Subterranean and worked as good as him, and he’s a good one.”
Unflinching out to maintain unbeaten streak
Promising 3-year-old Unflinching (I Am Invincible) will return to the scene of his last-start victory when he attempts to maintain his unbeaten run at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained gelding, who is yet to taste defeat in two career starts, will take on just six rivals in a BM70 H. after returning from a spell in ‘superb’ order.
Unflinching
"He's in good order, he's got a good record at The Valley, enjoys the tight tracks and makes his own luck up on the speed,” Sam Freedman told Racing.com.
"If he can go three from three, we'll start to build a good record with him and see what level he can get to this time in."
O’Shea plots Everest audition for Quantico
John O’Shea believes emerging sprinter Quantico (I Am Invincible) has what it takes to join star stablemate Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) on a path towards October’s The Everest.
The last start Listed MSS Security Sprint winner, who kicked off in a star-studded trial at Warwick Farm on Thursday will resume in the G3 Southern Cross S. on February 12 before plotting a path towards the G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington.
Quantico, winner of the 2021 Listed MSS Security Sprint
“Quantico has a really good record anyway and we think he is on track to make it into The Everest field at some stage this year. We’re going to work towards gaining him a start,” O’Shea told Sky Sports Radio.
“He’s a horse we brought along steadily, and we have the feeling he has made the transition to the next level on the strength of a breakout preparation last time.”
Tuvalu towers over rivals
The Lindsey Smith-trained Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}) returned style, taking out the Port Fairy Cup at Warrnambool by 3.5l.
The lightly raced 4-year-old, who finished second to subsequent Golden Eagle winner I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) at Moonee Valley in July last year is destined to make his presence felt at stakes level in the coming months.
Nickajack on the verge of return
Peter Moody has his sights set on the G1 Sydney Cup with Nickajack Cave (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}) after the imported stayer ‘turned a corner’ by impressing in a jump-out at Pakenham this week.
The import was barred by Racing Victoria vets over lameness issues last autumn and was sent to Sydney for his Australian debut in the G1 Tancred S. where he finished a distant 10th.
"Really pleased with the way he's built up, so he's only a couple of weeks off resuming," Moody told Racing.com.
"It's just a matter of getting a clearance to run here in Victoria or we'll go to NSW. We'll aim towards the Sydney Cup and I'd like to think he would (get a clearance) as he's in good order."
Yendall in no rush to return
Victorian-based hoop Dean Yendall says he is in no rush to return to the saddle as he continues to recover from neck fractures sustained in a fall at Terang last month.
"I'm not too bad. The pain threshold is pretty good, it’s been four weeks but it's going to be a long process for the healing,” Yendall told Racing.com.
Dean Yendall
"The doctor said the fracture is the least of my worries, it's just the ligament damage. It's serious whiplash through the neck.
"It's a waiting game. I'm in no rush to get back. I want to get my health back and my body back to 100 per cent before I decide to do anything.”
Guineas contender not for sale
Southern Guineas Series-bound galloper Ruby’s Lad (NZ) (Ghibellines) is not for sale despite significant interest in the exciting 3-year-old following three wins and a second placing from four raceday appearances.
The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained gelding will kick things up a notch on Saturday when he contests the Listed Gore Guineas alongside well-performed stablemate Burgie (NZ) (Ghibellines).
Ruby's Lad (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“There has been a lot of interest in him, but he is not for sale. The two fellas who are in with Lorraine (Brian's wife) and I have been looking for a horse like him all of their lives. They want to keep going,” Brian Anderton said.
“It will be a test for him, especially it being a tighter track to what he has been racing on. I can’t see why he won’t give a good account of himself."
O'Sullivan and Teetan reach a significant milestone
Trainer Paul O’Sullivan and jockey Karis Teetan simultaneously reached the Hong Kong 500-win milestone when combining with Shadow Runner (NZ) (Bullbars) in a Class 4 H. at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
New Zealander, O’Sullivan, who moved to Hong Kong in 2004, was understated on reaching the landmark, marvelling at the unlikely probability of sharing the achievement with Teetan.
“It’s a great milestone for both of us, so it’s a great thrill. Hong Kong is a tough place to win a race, so it means a lot,” O’Sullivan said.
“Onwards and upwards and try and keep adding to it. It really is a milestone.”
First foal for Earthlight
Darley stallion Earthlight (Ire), who shuttled to Northwood Park in 2021, sired his first Northern Hemisphere foal, a filly out of the Group-placed Achnaha (Ire) (Haatef {USA}) earlier this week.
Born on January 16 at Plantation Stud, Earthlight’s first foal is from the family of stakes-winning 2-year-old Dusky Queen (Ire) (Sharmadal {USA}) and G2 Sweet Solera S. winner Albabilia (Ire) (King's Best {USA}).
Earthlight (Ire) x Achnaha (Ire) (filly) | Image courtesy of Darley Europe
“She is an attractive, correct bay filly with loads of substance. We are very happy with her,” Plantation Stud’s James Berney said.
“We used Earthlight as he was a very high-class racehorse, being Champion 2-Year-Old in France and a son of Shamardal out of a talented race mare. He looks to have all the credentials to be a top-class sire and we will be supporting him again this year.”
Time Test breeding right sells
A breeding right in The National Stud stallion Time Test (GB) was purchased for 115,000 gns (AU$228,220) by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock on the Tattersalls Online platform on Wednesday.
The breeding right entitles the buyer, an unnamed client of the Doyles’, to breed one mare to Time Test each season that he stands at The National Stud.
Time Test (GB) | Standing at the Irish National Stud
Time Test, who sired four stakes winners in his first season last year currently stands for €15,000 (AU$23,500) after covering his first four books at €8500 (AU$13,330). He also shuttled to Little Avondale Stud.
“He’s a young sire going places, by a top sire in Dubawi out of a well-bred Dansili mare, which we love. It sounds like he’s got a serious book of mares lined up for this season on the back of his stats and the physicals of his foals and yearlings on show at the recent sales,” Ross Doyle said.
“The team at the National Stud continues to do a great job with him. We have bought it for a client who will support him with a very nice mare.”
