Golden Mile drawn five in the Guineas
Godolphin’s Golden Mile (Astern) has been drawn in barrier five for the G1 Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.
Having taken out the G3 Ming Dynasty H. earlier this preparation, the 3-year-old colt was last seen running a sound fourth in the G1 Golden Rose S.
Golden Mile | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Meanwhile, last-start G3 Bill Stutt S. winner Tijuana (American Pharoah {USA}) will jump from barrier 10, while Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}), winner of the Listed Exford Plate, will start from barrier seven with Craig Williams set to take the ride.
All systems go for Zaaki in Might And Power Stakes
Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) will attempt to make amends for his third-place finish in last year’s G1 Might And Power S. when he tackles the race again this year.
The Annabel Neasham-trained 7-year-old, opened his account this preparation with a victory in the G2 Tramway S., but was last seen failing to defend his crown in the G1 Underwood S. at Caulfield on September 25.
"It was pleasing to see Zaaki gallop well here," Neasham said.
"I thought 12 months ago, I wasn't here because of COVID but certainly from the footage, he didn't work well and then didn't race as well as we'd hoped here, so I was always thinking I would avoid Caulfield with him, but I think off today's work, Jamie (Kah) felt he'd come on from the Underwood.
"I'm pretty sure he'll be lining up on Saturday."
Richards set for first Hong Kong runners
Expat New Zealand trainer Jamie Richards is set to have his first runners in Hong Kong at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
Jamie Richards
Flying On The Turf (Reward For Effort) will be Richards’ first runner in Hong Kong when he contests the second section of the Class 5 Island H. Fortune Master (Brazen Beau) and Rattan Kingdom (Per Incanto {USA}) also step out later on the card for the New Zealander.
“I’m looking forward to it – hopefully the horses can come out and run well, no doubt they’ll improve with the run a bit but they should run well,” Richards said.
Odeum retired
The 2020 G1 Thousand Guineas winner Odeum (Written Tycoon) has been retired from racing, following her unplaced effort in the G2 Rose Of Kingston S. last Saturday.
The daughter of Written Tycoon won three of her 12 career starts, which saw her pocket $980,350 in career prizemoney.
Odeum is a half-sister to Listed winner Goodfella (Snitzel) and was purchased by her managing owner Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) for $420,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Chinny Boom remains unbeaten
The Clinton Taylor-trained Chinny Boom (Spirit Of Boom) preserved her unbeaten record when she ran out a dominant winner at Rockhampton on Tuesday.
The 3-year-old daughter of Spirit Of Boom was bringing up her fourth career start when she defeated Mr Encore (Sidestep) by an emphatic 8.3l, while She's Winning (Winning Rupert) was another 0.7l away in third.
Godolphin in no hurry to announce The Everest runner
Godolphin have said they have plenty of options in terms of who will fill their slot for this year’s edition of The Everest.
Godolphin Australia's Managing Director Vin Cox told Racing.com that Zapateo (Brazen Beau), who runs in the G3 Northwood Plume S. this weekend, is an option to take up their slot in the race, as is Kementari (Lonhro), who finished fourth, 0.6l adrift of the winner, Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), in last Saturday’s Premiere S. at Randwick.
Vin Cox | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Paulele (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) will both tackle the G2 Schillaci S. this weekend, but Cox said that, given the fact they are both colts and need to build a profile as future stallions, they would be better placed to run in stakes company.
Caulfield Cup sees 32 remain
The picture for next week’s G1 Caulfield Cup became clearer on Tuesday with the release of third acceptances.
A total of 32 horses remain in contention for the Caulfield Cup, reduced by 16 from the second acceptance stage. Seven Caulfield Cup aspirants hold nominations for Saturday’s G2 Herbert Power S. - Persan (Pierro), Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Grand Promenade (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), Emissary (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Point Nepean (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Makram (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and The Good Fight (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Should any of those seven horses win the Herbert Power, they will be awarded with ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup.
Last Saturday's G1 Turnbull S. winner Smokin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) and this year's Listed Mornington Cup winner Crystal Pegasus (GB) (Australia {GB}) are the only two horses exempt from the Caulfield Cup ballot.
Soumillon sacked as retained rider for the Aga Khan
Christophe Soumillon, who was banned from race-riding for two months for causing Rossa Ryan to be unseated from his mount mid-race at Saint-Cloud, will no longer be the retained jockey for the Aga Khan Studs.
An announcement released by the operation on Tuesday morning read, “Following last Friday's incident at Saint-Cloud, which resulted in the fall of Rossa Ryan, the Aga Khan Studs have taken the decision to cease their retainer with jockey Christophe Soumillon with immediate effect.
“From this week onwards, Soumillon may still ride in the Aga Khan silks on occasion at the discretion of the French trainers and the Aga Khan Studs' team. At this stage, there is no intention to retain a jockey in France for the foreseeable future.”
Pyledriver to miss Breeders' Cup
Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), not seen at the races since defeating Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the G1 King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. at Ascot on July 23, will not be ready for a tilt at the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf on November 5, co-trainer William Muir told At The Races Monday.
“I think it will come too soon and there's no way I'm putting pressure on him at any stage,” the conditioner told At The Races' Luke Harvey.
Pyledriver (GB) | Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com
“He's swimming every day and doing loads of it and he's in the swimming pool with a high current and he goes through it like he's a jet plane. But I don't want to come back and go straight into having to gallop, gallop, and if I'm going to America for the Breeders' Cup, I need to be 100 per cent fit. It's coming quickly.
“Our options have always been the Breeders' Cup, Japan Cup or Hong Kong,” Muir said. “The Japan Cup may well come right, and if so, we'll nominate him for the Japan Cup, and if we get there we will get there. If not, we've got Hong Kong, if not, we have to wait for the Sheema Classic.”
