Gold Standard joins Widden Victoria
Widden Stud have announced that Gold Standard will join fellow Spendthrift Farm barnmates Dirty Work and Overshare at its Victorian base after purchasing the son of Sebring in partnership with Hesket Thoroughbreds.
“Although there was a high level of interest in Gold Standard from a number of major farms, we view the partnership in this lightly raced but highly talented horse as an exciting opportunity to strengthen our association with Widden Victoria,” said Hesket’s David Moodie.
Gold Standard joins Widden Victoria | Image courtesy of Widden Stud
A winner of the G2 Stan Fox S., Gold Standard stood for $5500 in his first season and has already produced two winners and two placegetters from just five starters, highlighted by the stakes-winning Sheeza Belter and the stakes-placed Golden Queen.
“He is a replica of Sebring, so we’ve always had an interest in him and with two legitimate stakes horses from just five runners he has made an incredible start to his stud career,” Widden Stud Principal Antony Thompson said.
Gold Standard will stand the upcoming breeding season at $8800 (inc GST).
Tofane to race on
Mike Moroney has confirmed that Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), who was purchased by Yulong for $3.1 million at the recently completed Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, will return to his stable within the next fortnight and be prepared for August’s G1 Memsie S. at Caulfield.
Tofane (NZ) went through the ring at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale during the week, fetching $3.1 million | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I was pretty lucky afterwards as I was approached by Yulong and they wanted to put her back in work and asked if I would take her back for a crack at the Memsie,” Moroney told RSN.
“So, it will be nice to see her back only be a brief campaign as they’ll be trying to get her into foal.”
Lighthouse to visit Farnan
Kia Ora Stud are leaving no stone unturned to ensure G1 Golden Slipper S. hero Farnan has the best chance of success at stud, and in doing so will send G1 Coolmore Classic winner Lighthouse (USA) his way.
Farnan is being given every chance of success | Standing at Kia Ora Stud
The LNJ Foxwoods-owned mare was knocked down to Dermot Farrington Bloodstock on behalf of a Tony Fung Investments and Kia Ora Stud partnership for $1.7 million at the recently completed Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Inner track confirmed for Caulfield
The Melbourne Racing Club will build an inside track at Caulfield after the MRC Board unanimously voted on Thursday night to proceed with the new track despite industry-wide opposition from trainers, jockeys and some of its own members.
"The Club is pleased to announce the Executive Committee is unanimous in its decision to proceed with the delivery of a second track inside the course proper, with the second track to be known as 'Caulfield Heath'," an email to members said.
"Caulfield Heath will allow MRC to operate up to 45 total meetings a year at Caulfield across both tracks, with additional grass track for use by the industry where members, owners and punters enjoy attending."
Griante’s daughter on the board
G1 The Galaxy H. heroine Griante (Good Journey) has now produced two winners from as many runners with her second foal Emilia Romagna (Pierro) breaking through on resumption at Goulburn on Friday.
Emilia Romagna, a $550,000 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Spendthrift Australia, beat home stablemate Wingardium (Vancouver) and Esprit Lucand (Bel Esprit) in the 1000-metre maiden.
Emilia Romagna sold for $550,000 as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Griante’s yearling colt by Dundeel (NZ) was passed in at this year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale after failing to meet a reserve of $80,000. She also has a weanling colt by The Autumn Sun on the ground.
Another winner for American Pharoah
Coolmore shuttle stallion American Pharoah (USA) brought up his 25th winner of the season by the way of Auspicious Cloud’s maiden victory at Goulburn on Friday.
The John Thompson-trained filly, who was having her third career start, defied market expectations to beat Street Candi (Pride Of Dubai) and Sneaky Island (Pierro) in the 1500-metre event.
American Pharoah sits in 11th position by earnings on an ultra competitive second-season sires’ standings.
Tequila Dancer does it again
Heroic Valour filly Tequila Dancer added a third victory to her resume when victorious at Rockhampton on Friday.
The William Kropp-trained juvenile went home the better of Bright And Ready (Better Than Ready) and Betterdeel (Dundeel {NZ}) in the 1200-metre contest.
Heroic Valour, a son of Fastnet Rock who stands at Raheen Stud, is currently third on the first-season sires’ standings by winners, with eight from 20 runners.
Flying Artie filly salutes
Carartie’s breakthrough maiden victory at Goulburn on Friday marked Newgate Farm stallion Flying Artie’s 33rd winner for the season.
The John O’Shea-trained 3-year-old, who was having her 10th career start on resumption, defeated the well-credentialled Capital Elle (Capitalist) and Latin Lyric (Wandjina) in the 1300-metre race.
Flying Artie is now equal fourth alongside Maurice (Jpn) on the second-season sires’ standings by winners.
Gollan buoyed by dry deck
Tony Gollan is buoyed by the prospect of the Eagle Farm track being rated a Good 4 on Saturday.
The leading Queensland-based trainer will saddle up Isotope (Deep Field) and Capital Tower (Capitalist) in the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup and G2 BRC Sires’ Produce S. respectively.
The talented duo were both unplaced in their most recent outings and will be improved by getting ‘back on top of the ground’, according to Gollan.
Sargent hoping to toast with Gin Martini
John Sargent is hoping he will be toasting to a Gin Martini (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday when she contests the G2 The Roses.
The talented filly, who finished third in last month’s G1 Australian Oaks before finishing fourth in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet, has pleased Sargent in the build up to Saturday’s race.
John Sargent is hoping for a big run from Gin Martini (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ash Brennan
"She was a bit fresh that day (in the Bracelet) as she had a week off after the Oaks and I think she will improve with that run,” Sargent told RacingHQ.
"She is spot on for Saturday; it is probably her go I think because if she is not going to win that then she is going to get a better field in the (Queensland) Oaks (Gr.1, 2000 metres).”
Pike after Derby spoils
Tony Pike is hoping the turnaround in weather can play into the hands of his G1 Queensland Derby contender Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Tutukaka (NZ) heads to the G1 Queensland Derby | Image courtesy of Grant Peters
Originally set for the G1 New Zealand Derby, Melody Belle’s (NZ) (Commands) half-brother, was scratched on race morning before finishing seventh in the G3 Rough Habit Plate behind compatriot and Queensland Derby rival Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir).
“I am really happy with the way he is going. He is going to be third-up into it. I will be very disappointed if he is not somewhere around the finish,” Pike said.
O’Briens and Coolmore sue over contaminated feed debacle
Aidan O'Brien and his son Donnacha are among a group of plaintiffs associated with Ballydoyle and Coolmore who issued legal proceedings against animal feed supplier Glanbia over the contaminated feed debacle on G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend in 2020.
The multi-million euro lawsuit was initiated this week and comes after O'Brien's runners could not take part at the Arc meeting due to positive test results from a French laboratory for the prohibited performance enhancing substance Zilpaterol.
None of the five horses who tested positive were trained by O'Brien but Gain Equine Nutrition, which is owned by Glanbia, issued a statement to trainers on the eve of the Arc on Friday, October 2, 2020 advising them not to feed the products to horses.
Traces of the substance were linked to a contaminated batch of the Gain Equine Feed product and the announcement left the O'Brien family with no choice but to withdraw their 11 intended runners from Paris Longchamp, including four Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runners.
