Popular result in Golden Topaz
Swan Hill-based trainer Nathan Hobson provided a popular result on Friday when his tough 7-year-old Yulong Storm (Scat Daddy {USA}) won the $150,000 Golden Topaz, the feature race on the first day of the Swan Hill carnival.
It was a memorable day for Madison Lloyd, who rode two winners and partnered with Yulong Storm. Lloyd was indentured to Hobson, and Yulong Storm was her first ride and winner at Flemington.
“It's very, very special,” Lloyd said.
“This horse is already special to me. The Topaz is one of those races that I've always dreamed of winning. Now I’ve done it for my old boss.”
Hefel and Gaudray tied in Premiership
Star apprentices Carleen Hefel and Celine Gaudray are tied on 23 winners apiece in their battle to win the Melbourne Apprentices’ Premiership.
If either Hefel or Gaudray wins the title, they will become the second woman to achieve the feat after Katelyn Mallyon was victorious in the 2011/12 season and again two years later.
“We’re good friends, and it’s a nice little rivalry. We need to improve in one area: to stay clear of the Racing Victoria stewards.”
Racing Victoria stewards have suspended the two apprentices at the same meeting twice in the past six weeks for whip breaches and careless riding.
Mosheen’s son to debut in Japan
Star Australian jockey Damian Lane will partner with the Noriyuki Hori-trained Danon Ayers Rock (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and will look to debut in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday over 1800 metres.
The 2-year-old colt was sold for $5.2 million at the 2022 JRHA Select Sale in Japan and is the seventh foal from the outstanding Mosheen (Fastnet Rock).
Mosheen was a four-time Group 1 victress and placed in the G1 Golden Slipper.
Kermadec juvenile breaks through at Dubbo
The Clint Lundholm-trained Plenitude (Kermadec {NZ}) broke through at Dubbo on Friday to score a maiden victory.
Partnered by Grant Buckley, Plentitude won the juvenile handicap by 0.53l from Hellfire Express (Hellbent) and Duren (Duporth) further away in third.
Plenitude is the only foal from the Magic Albert mare Top Magic. She was the winner of five races.
Kibou is back in action on Saturday
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Kibou (Maurice {Jpn}) will resume on Saturday at Randwick over 1200 metres.
Kibou was last seen winning the G3 Up And Coming S. in August before an injury forced the son of Maurice (Jpn) to miss the remainder of the spring and autumn.
“We want to get rid of some of the ring rust and get him ready for the spring; there are some nice targets there for him,” co-trainer Waterhouse said.
“We may head towards the Golden Eagle, but that remains to be seen. He did show he was up to the better 3-year-olds in the spring.”
Rogerson is confident in Solidify
Co-trainer Graeme Rogerson is confident of a bold showing from Solidify (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) when the 2-year-old contests the G1 JJ Atkin S. at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Tuhikaramea conditioner co-trains the son of Redwood (GB) with his wife Debbie, and also shares in the ownership group of the promising galloper.
The 2-year-old was unplaced in the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce S. after a buffeting in the straight, and Rogerson believes a change of luck can see the colt give his Australian counterparts a run for their money in the hands of Ryan Elliot.
“I can’t believe he has drifted in the market ($18). I thought his first run was enormous,” he said.
“He had no luck and got flattened, but he picked himself up again to get to the line. Ryan thought he was going well turning for home and said if he got the run, he would have been right in it.
“He’s been eating everything since and galloped well on Tuesday morning. He’s doing a treat.
“This trip will make the horse, and it will be interesting on Saturday. I think he is something really special.”
Line ‘Em Up Loui wins Elvstroem Classic
On Friday, the Peter Moody-trained and co-owned Line ‘Em Up Loui (Dissident) performed tenaciously to win the $125,000 Elvstroem Classic at Swan Hill.
He is the second foal from the Swiss Ace mare Miss Delima. She was a nine-time winner and is a daughter of Magically (Danehill {USA}), who won the G2 Yallambee Classic.
Victorian jockeys call for earlier finishes
With the announcement that Racing Victoria will introduce a trial period for a 10th race in Melbourne on Saturdays, the Victorian Jockeys’ Association has requested a 12-month trial of earlier finishes to most night meetings.
Victorian Jockeys’ Association Chief Executive Matt Hyland said on Friday, “There’s no doubt there are potential positives by putting an extra race on Saturdays where it will generate the most wagering revenue but, from our point view, we need to look at the finishing times for night meetings and help release some of the work pressures facing riders at the back end of each week.
“Now is the time; if we are going to make these changes, let’s tip it on its head and finish at 8.30pm AEST for 75 per cent of our night meetings.”
VJA provide Bowditch update
Popular Victorian-based hoop Joe Bowditch has avoided serious injury following a fall when riding the Julien Welsh-trained Gracie Turf (Turffontein) in Race 7 at Werribee on Thursday.
Joe Bowditch | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The Victorian Jockeys’ Association revealed Bowditch’s scans had failed to find any fractures.
“Joe (Bowditch) has a mild concussion, a broken nose, teeth and lacerations to his mouth and lip,” Victorian Jockeys’ Association Chief Executive Matt Hyland shared.
Without A Fight leaves an impression on Zahra
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) has left a favourable impression on Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra.
Zahra will partner with the import in Saturday’s G2 The Q22 at Eagle Farm, but Zahra feels Without A Fight is a leading contender in the spring’s majors.
“Without A Fight was very impressive the other day. I’d never been on him before. We drew a wide gate. Everyone was happy to ride him back,” Zahra told Racing.com.
“I thought we’d run a nice third, and then I went to the line to win by 2l untouched. It was very impressive.”
French Classic winner Ace Impact joins top five on Longines WBRR
Sunday's G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) is now in the top five on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings at a joint 123 after the latest results were released on Thursday.
Well ahead of his rivals is Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) on 129, and fellow Japanese runner Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) is fourth on 124. Hong Kong's crack sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) has improved one pound to 125 after a win in the G3 Sha Tin Vase and is tied with Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) in second.
Luxembourg (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (123) is also in the top five after taking the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup over Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) (122), with Hong Kong galloper Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) also weighing in at 123.
Other newcomers to the rankings include G1 Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) on 122 and Derby runner-up King Of Steel (USA) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on 120. Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (121) defeated Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (120) in the G1 Coronation Cup the day before the Derby. Juddmonte's colt shares a 120-pound mark with G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}).
For the entire rankings, please visit the IFHA website.
