Caviar returns a winner
The fifth foal from the legendary Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), 4-year-old mare Invincible Caviar (I Am Invincible), added to her lightly raced but smart record on Wednesday with a 0.75l win in a BM70 at Sale. She defeated Blistering (Ready For Victory) and Merlin’s Charm (Toronado {Ire}) over 1208 metres in 1:11.10.
Trained by Peter Moody, Invincible Caviar has now run three times for two wins and a third. She was placed on debut behind Argentia (Frankel {GB}) last year on June 5, then broke her maiden at Sale on August 21, 2021.
That debut win proved her last for some 400 days after she underwent bone-chip surgery and recovered from a ligament strain in her off-hind.
"We can push on and start lifting the bar slowly, slowly," Moody told Racing.com on Wednesday. "She's not her mother and we respect that."
Invincible Caviar is raced by a Neil Werrett syndicate and she is the third winner from five to race for her record-setting, undefeated dam. Black Caviar’s latest foal is a Written Tycoon filly, born in 2021, with the famous mare not expecting this spring.
Golden Eagle Day soars for Camp Quality
Rosehill Gardens played host to a special group of children on Tuesday when Camp Quality, a charity supporting kids with cancer, brought a number of its children to walk the track at Rosehill Gardens. Joining them were Hugh Bowman and Chris Waller, among others.
The occasion raised awareness of the charitable arm of the rich, $10 million Golden Eagle on October 29, of which 10 per cent will be donated to a charity nominated by the winning horse's connections.
Last year, Bowman rode I'm Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) to victory, with Camp Quality receiving $410,000 of the winner's $4.1 million purse. This year, with the Golden Eagle climbing from $7.5 million to $10 million, there will be $1 million heading to charity.
"What the Golden Eagle is is $10 million, and $1 million gets given away to charity," said Waller. "I think the charities are the winner and it's a great feel-good story for racing to pass on."
First metro win for Molly Bourke
Wagga apprentice Molly Bourke had a day to remember on Wednesday when she landed her first metro winner at Sydney's midweek Canterbury meeting. The 19-year-old rode Zakeriz (Zariz) to victory in Race 5 by a resounding 6.31l for Wagga trainer Chris Hardy.
"That was a great thrill and I'm so thankful for the opportunity," Bourke told Sky Racing. "He's a tough old horse and he's definitely fit as a rock, and I knew that would help him today. As soon as I asked, he had plenty to give."
Molly Bourke | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Zakeriz is now a seven-time winner from 22 starts, and something of a Country Cups specialist. He won the Queanbeyan Cup and Cootamundra Cup last spring, and Wednesday's win was his second in town.
Kia Ora takes over The Galaxy
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) announced a new partnership on Wednesday with one of the Hunter Valley's most respected and longtime breeding outfits, Kia Ora Stud. From 2023, the Group 1 sprint The Galaxy, won this year by folk hero Shelby Sixtysix (Toronado {Ire}), will be known as the G1 Kia Ora The Galaxy.
The 2023 race is scheduled next autumn for March 18, one of the five Group 1 races that makes up Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens.
“Kia Ora is one of the nation’s foundation breeding operations and carries a long history in breeding winners,” said ATC Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering, James Ross. “We are delighted to welcome Kia Ora to the ATC, including joining with one of the Sydney autumn’s most sought-after Group 1 races.’’
Kia Ora's partnership with the ATC kicks off this Saturday as part of the 10-race Silver Eagle Raceday at Royal Randwick.
Toe grab controversy for Hot Rod Charlie
The G2 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs last weekend had plenty of steward-room action in its wake, with jockey Sonny Leon aboard the Kentucky Derby-winning Rich Strike (USA) (Keen Ice {USA}) questioned over interference to the race's eventual winner, Hot Rod Charlie (USA) (Oxbow {USA}).
On Tuesday, however, things took on a new life when race-finish photographs emerged showing what appeared to be toe grabs on Hot Rod Charlie's front shoes.
Toe grabs are prohibited by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which states that traction devices are prohibited, largely due to their increasing the possibility of catastrophic injury, something that is endorsed by the American Jockey Club. Kentucky was one of the first states to ban toe grabs in the United States.
Eric Reed, the trainer of runner-up Rich Strike, lodged a written appeal to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) on Tuesday afternoon, claiming; "This horse should be disqualified, shouldn't he? Every horse in that race was at an unfair disadvantage."
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Doug O'Neill, the trainer of Hot Rod Charlie, denied the accusation, claiming the photographs were either doctored or showed a strange reflection.
"I swear on a stack of bibles that none of the horses in our stable wear toe grabs, and have not for years," he said.
Torquator Tasso retired
After a career that earned more than €4.2 million (AU$6.5 million) in prizemoney, the 2021 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) was retired this week to stallion duties at Gestüt Auenquelle, bypassing a berth in the G1 Japan Cup.
“He is the horse of a lifetime and deserves a long and happy career at stud,” said his trainer, Marcel Weiss. “We are grateful that he enjoyed such an outstanding career and that he has come back (from last weekend's Arc) safe and sound. We always said he would retire if he ran well.”
Torquator Tasso was third in last Sunday's Arc, following home Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}). It wrapped up a career that claimed the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and G2 Hansa Preis, plus placings in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden, G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S.
He retires as the greatest prizemoney-earner in German racing history after costing just €24,000 (AU$37,000) as a yearling at the 2018 BBAG October Mixed Sale.
Imperatriz’s half-sister gets off the mark
Beautifully bred filly Cabaca, a Fastnet Rock half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), is no longer a maiden after the Chris Waller-trained filly took out Race 1 at Canterbury Park on Wednesday.
Bred by Raffle Dancers, the filly was consigned to the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where she was knocked down to Magic Bloodstock & Associates for $300,000.
Cabaca winning at Canterbury | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Cabaca’s second dam, Percussive (Encosta De Lago), has thrown Listed winner Vinco (I Am Invincible), while the filly’s third dam, So Striking (Pre Emptive Strike {Can}), has produced Group 2 victor Royal Courtship (Royal Academy {USA}).
Seven rivals for Anamoe
The G1 Might And Power S. at Caulfield has attracted a star-studded field of eight runners, headlined by multiple Group 1-winning star Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}). The James Cummings-trained Anamoe will jump from barrier three under James McDonald.
Annabel Neasham has two runners engaged in Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) and Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel). Jamie Kah sticks with Zaaki, while Damien Oliver takes over aboard Mo’unga.
Last-start G1 Underwood S. hero Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) faces his first test at 2000 metres, while the Cox Plate fancy, I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), is searching for his first win at the trip.
Favourite draws wide in Silver Eagle
Fancied runner Mr Mozart (Snitzel) will start from an outside gate in Saturday’s $1 million Silver Eagle at Randwick. The Team Hawkes-trained entire, who resumed with a second-place behind Kiku (Zoustar) in the G2 Theo Marks S., has drawn 18, but will come into 14 if the four emergencies fail to gain a start.
Mr Mozart | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The Chris Waller-trained import Waterford (Ire) (Atwaad {Ire}), who is unbeaten in three runs in Australia, drew 13, but will jump from 10 if the emergencies come out. Waller also has Ranch Hand (Fastnet Rock), Minsk Moment (I Am Invincible) and Espiona (Extreme Choice) in the field.
Small field for Debutant Stakes
Seven juveniles are due to contest Saturday’s Listed Debutant S. (1000 metres) at Caulfield.
Australia’s reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible has one runner in the race, that being the Team Snowden-trained colt King’s Gambit, who won a trial at Warwick Farm on September 23. He is from the dual Group 3 winner Sultry Feeling (Encosta De Lago) and is raced by his breeder, Gooree Park Stud, plus partners.
The 2-year-old that fetched the most as a yearling is Pure Paradise, a Capitalist filly who made $260,000 from the draft of Newgate Farm at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Trained by Lloyd Kennewell, she is out of the stakes-winning mare Impetuous (Fastnet Rock) and a relation to Group 1 winner Demerger (Saithor {USA}).
Pride Of Dubai, Street Boss (USA), Shalaa (Ire), Vancouver and Toronado (Ire) are the other sires represented in the $175,000 contest.
Shinn rapt to jag Vow And Declare ride
Blake Shinn believes Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) is a top hope to take out Saturday week’s G1 Caulfield Cup. Shinn, who isn’t long back from a three-year stint in Hong Kong, takes over from Damian Lane, who has ridden the 2019 Melbourne Cup hero at his past three starts.
“His two runs this prep have been super. He was luckless last week and he’s in-form at the right time and looks well-placed in a race like the Caulfield Cup,” Shinn told RSN927.
Shinn said he hasn’t been booked to ride the stayer in the Melbourne Cup, should he make it. Vow And Declare is currently unqualified for a start in the $8 million feature.
Berkeley Square has O’Sullivan brimming with confidence
Ballarat-based trainer Dan O’Sullivan is adamant Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) has the right credentials to take out Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Guineas. The 3-year-old has won three of his four starts, with his only blemish being a second behind high-class filly Boogie Dancer (Sooboog).
Berkeley Square has beaten a number of his Guineas rivals, including Tijuana (American Pharoah {USA}), Elliptical (Dundeel {NZ}) and Foujita San (Maurice {Jpn}).
Berkeley Square | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“The form around him all the way through has been fantastic. It’s so nice to see that holding up,” O’Sullivan said on RSN927, adding that the gelding is in great order ahead of the $3 million feature.
“I’m very pleased with how he’s come along,” he added. “He’s done everything I’ve wanted him to do.”
Three-year-old to tackle older rivals in Group 2 sprint
The last-start G3 Scarborough S. winner, 3-year-old Queen Of The Ball (I Am Invincible), will meet a field of quality, seasoned sprinters in Saturday’s G2 Schillaci S. at Caulfield.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly takes on the likes of Paulele (Dawn Approach {Ire}), Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) and Zoustyle (Zoustar) in the 1100-metre race that carries a purse of $300,000.
Star Turn won the race as a 3-year-old in 2016 and Rubick was victorious in 2013, while the most recent 3-year-old filly to achieve the feat was Halibery (Red Ransom {USA}), who triumphed in 2003.
Jamie Kah will ride Queen Of The Ball, who will carry 51kg.
Imperatriz out to bounce back
Star Kiwi mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) gets the chance to return to the winner’s list in Saturday’s G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate at Matamata. The Mark Walker-trained Imperatriz was the short-priced favourite for the G1 Tarzino Trophy at Hawke’s Bay on September 10, but could manage only fourth.
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
She will face 11 rivals on Saturday, including her stablemate, the Group 2 winner Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel), as well as Group 2 victress La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}).
Verry Elleegant Ascot-bound
Embattled champion Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will contest the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares S. next week as part of British Champions Day at Ascot. The decision was made in the wake of the mare’s failed bid for a berth in last weekend’s Arc, which instead found her unplaced (seventh) in the G1 Prix de Royallieu on Saturday.
Francis-Henri Graffard, Verry Elleegant’s French trainer, expressed regret at the way the Melbourne Cup winner's European campaign had played out.
“It’s hard to see such a fantastic mare beaten like that and it’s upsetting too, but I felt that the race (the Prix de Royallieu) was over for her at the first bend when I saw where we were,” said Graffard. “Everything went against her and it’s best forgotten, but she’s come out of it well. She’s happy and she tries, and hopefully things will go her way on British Champions Day.”
The G1 Fillies and Mares S. will be run at Ascot on October 15 over 2400 metres, and the race is likely to feature the William Haggas-trained Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the 4-year-old mare that beat Verry Elleegant last weekend.
Keeneland releases November Sale catalogue
Keeneland has catalogued 3691 horses for its 79th November Breeding Stock Sale, which begins on November 7 and runs until November 16.
The catalogue includes more than 1800 broodmares and broodmare prospects and 1523 weanlings.
A total of 170 stallions have weanlings in the catalogue, including Horse of the Year Authentic (USA) with 16 members of his first crop. Other sires represented by their first weanlings include Improbable (USA) and Maximum Security (USA).
There are several weanlings with noteworthy pedigrees, such as Hip 26, a Justify (USA) half-brother to Grade 1 winners Danza (USA) and Majestic Harbor (USA).
Broodmares in the catalogue are in foal to 168 stallions, among them American Pharoah (USA), Curlin (USA), Gun Runner (USA), Uncle Mo (USA) and Wottoon Bassett (GB).
NSW meetings shuffled after rainfall
Following the latest deluge over much of eastern and central Australia, Racing NSW advised on Wednesday that the upcoming picnic meeting at Young, scheduled for this Saturday, October 8, had been abandoned. Significant rainfall has deemed the track unsuitable for racing.
In its place, Racing NSW has scheduled a picnic meeting at Leeton on Saturday, November 5, with the program to be advised shortly.
The scheduled meetings at Forbes, Albury and Coonamble this Saturday and Sunday will go ahead according to Racing NSW, pending inspections, while Armidale's scheduled meeting for Thursday, October 6, had been transferred to Tamworth.
