Costa to head to Dubai
Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa has signed on for a lucrative deal to be the private trainer in Dubai for Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of Champion British galloper and two-time Queen Elizabeth S. winner Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}).
Costa was contacted in January by a representative of the Sheikh, News Corp reported.
Michael Costa | Image courtesy of Inglis
“It was a representative of the Sheikh and they said they had been looking around the world for a trainer and come across me and done their due diligence,’’ Costa said.
He has since travelled to Dubai to inspect the training facilities and has struck a deal, with plans to move there in around three months as he negotiates a takeover of his stable with the hope of his staff retaining their jobs.
Two spots to fill for All-Star Mile
Two spots remain for Saturday’s The All-Star Mile, with Lighthouse (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}) out after her G1 Coolmore Classic S. win and officials expecting a flood of final acceptances on Tuesday morning.
Captivant (Capitalist) is expected to take one of those spots as the fifth-ranked in the prizemoney order that dictates the next eligible horse to run.
The four horses above him: Converge (Frankel {GB}), Colette (Hallowed Crown), Vangelic (Vancouver) and Australian Cup winner Duais (Shamus Award) are not expected to be among the final acceptors.
Last year's Australian Guineas winner Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) followed by Streets Of Avalon (Magnus), Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}), Hinged (Worthy Cause), Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel), Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock), Fangirl (Sebring), Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Barb Raider (Rebel Raider) and Just Folk (Magnus).
The All-Star Mile field could still undergo a late change before Tuesday's final acceptances as connections of Australian Guineas winner Hitotsu (Maurice {Jpn}) finalise their plans, with the possibility he could target the G1 Rosehill Guineas.
Hussill on for Country Championship Final
The race is on for the final two golden tickets into the $500,000 Country Championships Final at Randwick on April 2, with first and second home in next Sunday’s Newhaven Park Country Championships Wildcard at Scone earning entry into the pinnacle event for NSW country racing.
Scone trainer Cameron Crockett, who already has a qualifier for the Final with Commando Hunt (Time For War), will be hoping he can double his chances by qualifying the talented Mr Hussill (Husson {Arg}).
Mr Hussill (blue silks) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The 6-year-old is only lightly raced with eight starts for three wins and three placings, having been dogged by injury and bad luck, Crockett said. “He’s a horse that has constantly had to overcome problems but in saying that, now is the best I’ve ever had him,” Crockett declared.
If Mr Hussill makes the Final, the Crockett pair will come up against favourite Far Too Easy (All Too Hard), ahead of Another One (Super One), Anethole (Exceed And Excell), It’s Me (Shamus Award), Tap ‘N' Run (Reward For Effort), and Testator Silens (Star Witness).
Sunshine Coast treble for Tegan Harrison
Tegan Harrison had a good day out on the Sunshine Coast, riding a treble.
Opening her account in the first aboard Your Song mare Dream Song, she was next in the winner’s circle in the 2-year-olds' Race 3 when guiding Smart Missile colt Yiska to victory keeping his record two from two. It was to the next race for Harrison to bring up her third for the day, with a win on the Belistic Man (Bel Esprit).
Capitalist gets a Sunday sire double
Striking a Sunday double for second-season sire Capitalist when the Kristen Buchanan-trained Oakfield Storm, a 3-year-old gelding, at Coonamble and Lafargue, also a 3-year-old gelding, trained by Danny O’Brien, at Echuca under the riding of Damian Lane.
