Snowdens seek Group 1 with King Of Sparta
Peter and Paul Snowden are confident King Of Sparta (I Am Invincible) has the ability to win at the highest level.
The sprinter has been tested in top company on two occasions; he was fourth in this year’s Oakleigh Plate, beaten just 1l, before placing sixth, 2.65l from the winner, in the William Reid S.
King Of Sparta | Image courtesy of Sportspix
Paul Snowden believes King Of Sparta can take advantage of his good draw (gate two) in Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
“We thought he ran well in the Oakleigh Plate, it was probably a touch too short for him (1100 metres), but he ran well regardless,” Snowden told News Corp.
“He got a pair further back the other day (in the G2 Victory S.), it was a different story if he had drawn a plum gate, that is vital to his chances here on Saturday.
“The horse has always had loads of talent but early on he was his own worst enemy because he was a very aggressive horse who needed speed on to produce his best.
“Now he has learnt to relax and he can adapt to a slow speed, he can be much handier from a good draw."
Another juvenile winner for Zoustar
The well-related Ozzmosis (Zoustar) justified his short quote on debut at Gosford, winning easily under James McDonald.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt, who was sent out at $1.40, scored by 2l.
Ozzmosis is from the Darci Brahma (NZ) mare No More Tears (NZ), a Group 3 and dual Listed winner who was twice Group-placed. His grandam, Ocean Of Tears (NZ) (Minardi {USA}), is a half-sister to the terrific producer Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), in turn the grandam of this season’s top juvenile filly Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}) and the dam of new Coolmore resident Acrobat and G1 Golden Slipper S. placegetter Lake Geneva (Fastnet Rock).
Bred by China Horse Club, the colt was consigned by Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was bought by Darby Racing for $250,000.
Hellbent 2-year-old breaks the ice
The Phillip Stokes-trained Devils Delight (Hellbent) broke through at the third time of asking, knocking off his maiden at Pakenham on Thursday evening.
Having failed to finish in the top three at his first two starts, Devils Delight made a mess of his rivals in the 1200-metre contest, leading from start to finish with Zac Spain in the saddle.
The gelding was bred by Dalanna Bloodstock and is from the Group 3 scorer Ammirata (Nadeem) and she herself is a half-sister to the stakes performer Island Missile (Smart Missile).
Consigned by Edinglassie Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he was knocked down to Dalziel Bloodstock/Phillip Stokes Racing for $140,000.
O’Shea eyes Strabroke golden ticket
Randwick-based trainer John O’Shea hopes to get Zou Tiger (Zoustar) into the G1 Stradbroke H. via a win in Saturday’s G3 Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm.
The colt is currently 44th in ballot order for the June 10 Stradbroke.
Zou Tiger | Image courtesy of Sportspix
“Historically, the good Group 2 3-year-olds in Sydney are competitive in a Stradbroke,” O'Shea told News Corp.
“He is multiple Group 1 placed, so he is a decent enough horse for the race should he get there.
“It would be good, the $3 million helps.”
Stakes test for Katsu
In-form trainer Grahame Begg believes Saturday’s Listed Bel Esprit S. at Sandown-Hillside offers a great opportunity for progressive sprinter Katsu to notch a stakes victory.
The Mikki Isle (Jpn) gelding has won four of his past five and both runs this prep.
“We are just trying to keep the same scenario for him, one turn and a good, long run in as he seems to handle that situation really well,” Begg told Racing.com.
“The horse is certainly a nice horse, it was good to see South Of Houston go on and win last week to frank the form.
“We’ve always had a big opinion of the horse, he has always shown us a lot of good things.
“He just has to get his head right, he is a work in progress and just wants to overdo things a bit.”
Listed race to decide Juan Diva’s future
Group 3-winning mare Juan Diva (Snitzel) could be headed to the breeding barn if she doesn’t perform on Saturday, according to co-trainer Will Freedman.
A winner of the G3 WJ Healy S. last year, the mare is winless at her past six attempts.
She will line up in the Listed Helen Coughlan S. at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
“We’re expecting some improvement and if that happens she’ll keep going, if it doesn't she’ll be a very valuable broodmare proposition for Trelawney Stud,” Freedman said.
Kennewell hopes for fitting farewell
Esta La Roca (NZ) (El Roca) has been a terrific money-spinner for connections, winning seven races and $453,260 in prizemoney.
And while she has run some excellent races at Group and Listed level, the 5-year-old is yet to chalk up a black-type victory, something her trainer Lloyd Kennewell wants to rectify in Saturday’s Listed Bel Esprit S. at Sandown-Hillside.
Esta La Roca (NZ)
“I don’t want to stuff around too much with her, she’s meant to be going to Extreme Choice so I want to try and get an early cover,” Kennewell told Racing.com.
“She’s obviously a valuable broodmare and we want to get her in foal as he’s one of the hottest stallions around.
“We are at the pointy end, there is no hiding for her, so she’ll be ready to go first-up.”
Lloyd’s claim the key to mare’s hopes, trainer says
The opportunity to use leading apprentice Zac Lloyd led to Clarry Conners opting to run ex-Kiwi mare Pin Me Up (NZ) (Pins) in Saturday’s Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation H. at Randwick.
Conners was planning to kick her off in an open 1300-metre Benchmark 78 race where Pine Me Up would have carried 58kg, before changing his mind.
Thanks to Lloyd’s claim, the 4-year-old will be asked to carry 58.5kg against fillies and mares.
“I had her in the 1300 metre (race) but I decided to go to the 1400 metre (race) because I could get young Zac who rode her in the trial,’’ Conners told Racing NSW.
“Her benchmark is high and she has to carry a bit of weight but that’s why I wanted someone to take a bit of weight off her.
“It’s not an easy race but she’s drawn a barrier and I think she will be very competitive.
“One of my owners raced the horse in New Zealand and he’s brought her over here for the better prizemoney and she will go to stud here.”
Dee joins illustrious group
Jockey Michael Dee described his triumphant start at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as a dream, as he joined a select band of riders to chalk up a win at their first attempt in Hong Kong.
In partnering the David Hayes-trained Starry Night (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) to victory in the Class 5 Cornflower H., the New Zealander emulated the feats of, among others, Karis Teetan, Luke Currie, Shane Dye and Grant van Niekerk.
“It’s been extremely good. I think that’s certainly the dream start – to ride a winner on my first horse but unfortunately, I couldn’t get a second winner,” Dee said.
“I couldn’t ask for a better start. That’s what dreams are made of and I was hoping I would come here tonight and for it to be a successful one. Thank you to David Hayes and his team for having me on these horses tonight.
“I’ve obviously watched a lot of races here at Happy Valley. I just think you’ve got to be on your game quite a lot but still ride your race within reason and in a way, still let things unfold.”
MRC’s grand plans raise questions
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has released images of what its new $200 million ‘Grand Pavilion’ will look like, but is still uncertain how it will fund the project, according to Racing.com.
MRC CEO Josh Blanksby rejected the suggestion the new grandstand was dependent on selling Sandown, despite the club still actively rezoning the site.
The club wants to start construction on the new Grand Pavilion next year in order for it to be completed by 2026.
A 'new mounting yard and subterranean day stalls’ would give members a 'world-class' facility, according to the club.
But actually paying for the major project hasn’t been finalised. New debt, selling businesses it owns and the future of Sandown and land owned at Caulfield will all be considered.
“The re-zoning of Sandown and the Western Precinct at Caulfield is expected to increase the value of the club’s assets, which give us greater flexibility for future decision-making on funding,” Blanksby said.
“The club is continuing to assess various funding options to ensure that we can continue to invest in its facilities and services to members, independent of the decision it takes with Sandown.”
Cole hoping to continue winning roll
Matamata-based trainer Cody Cole has already had a week to remember and it could get even better on Saturday.
Fresh from celebrating a major result at the Gold Coast on Tuesday, Cole will be represented by impressive debut winner Oneira (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) in the Listed Futurity S. at Pukekohe.
Cole’s well-related 5-year-old Aquaoir (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) made $470,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where she was offered by Arrowfield Stud and purchased by Yu Long Investments.
“Some black type on Saturday would top off one of the better weeks in the game,” Cole said.
“It was a brave effort first time to the races and every trial she had she improved and obviously improved again off that last trial to win first-up.
“I don’t think the track will be a concern, she’s not a real heavy-track horse but she’s got above-average ability and she can cop it.
“She’s not completely comfortable, but she can get through it.”
Abandoned Hawke’s Bay meeting rescheduled to Tuesday
Thursday’s race meeting at Hawke’s Bay was abandoned following just one race after a horse slipped.
“A rider reported that their mount had slipped rounding the first bend just passing the mile and then again entering the back straight,” Stipendiary Steward Brady Jones said.
“Obviously, the riders that were following that mount also reported that they had seen that runner slip and also that their horses hadn’t found it entirely comfortable with the footing.
“The Stewards convened a meeting the led to the track inspection where movement was identified on the track and subsequently to that we made the decision to abandon the meeting.”
Given there were 115 horses still to race on Thursday the abandoned race meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 30. The program remains the same, with new nominations required.
These nominations will close on Friday, May 26 at midday and withdrawals will be Saturday at 10am NZ time.
Judge dismisses Baffert’s lone remaining claim against CDI
A federal judge issued a summary judgment that dismissed trainer Bob Baffert’s lone remaining claim in his 15-month-old lawsuit against Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI). The order was handed down three months after the same judge tossed out five other counts in the case that alleged civil rights violations related to the gaming corporation’s two-year banishment of the Hall-of-Fame trainer.
