Dunn celebrates first win as a trainer
Former jockey-turned-trainer Dylan Dunn celebrated his first victory as a trainer on Saturday at Pakenham on the synthetic track.
The 5-year-old mare Sheeza Tilly (Moshe) was sent around at double figures with Liam Riordan in the saddle. She ran out a comfortable winner from Peri Peri Rich (Rich Enuff) and Royal Signal (Epaulette).
Sheeza Tilly hands Dylan Dunn hist first win as a trainer pictured with winning jockey Liam Riordan | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Dunn is the son of the multiple Group 1-winning jockey Dwayne Dunn. He had a promising career in the saddle before weight issues forced his premature retirement.
Hefel rides a double
Victoria’s leading apprentice Carleen Hefel enjoyed a double on Saturday at Caulfield. Hefel rode the Peter Moody-trained juvenile Mollynickers (Pierro) to an effortless victory in the VOBIS Gold Ingot, then partnered the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained progressive galloper St Lawrence (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) in the last race at Caulfield.
Lloyd lands a treble
Star apprentice Zac Lloyd landed a treble on Saturday at Rosehill. Lloyd rode the David Pieffer-trained Soami (So You Think {NZ}) in the opening event and then partnered with the Matthew Dunn-trained Eaglemont (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the third event. Lloyd rounded out the afternoon by winning the feature on interstate raider Barbie’s Fox (Foxwedge), trained by Ben and JD Hayes in the Listed Winter Challenge.
Zac Lloyd | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Lloyd is battling it out with fellow apprentice Dylan Gibbons in the Sydney premiership and has five wins to make up on with six Saturdays left in the season.
Gaudray and Coffey fall foul of stewards
On Saturday, apprentice jockey Celine Gaudray and senior jockey Harry Coffey fell afoul of Racing Victoria stewards at Caulfield.
Gaudray was handed a 14-meeting suspension for careless riding aboard the James Cummings-trained Kin (Impending) in Race 6.
Racing Victoria stewards stated that Gaudray failed to be clear of the Luke Oliver-trained Charmed Run (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and interfered with the horse’s course when Gaudray attempted to gain cover on Kin. The interference caused Charmed Run to be checked between Gaudray’s mount and Linda Meech aboard Cotel (Charge Forward). Gaudray pleaded guilty to her charge and will start her suspension on Saturday, July 29, after the conclusion of the Moonee Valley meeting. Gaudray will be on the sidelines until Sunday, August 13.
While Coffey was handed an eight-meeting ban for careless riding aboard the Gwenda Johnstone-trained Tapo (Frosted {USA}), who caused interference to Brereton (Zoustar), Coffey will serve his ban from Monday, July 2, until Wednesday, August 2.
Invader juvenile wins again
On Saturday, the Michael Nolan-trained Kitri (Invader) scored her second career victory from four starts at Doomben.
The 2-year-old filly was ridden by Cejay Graham and led home Bernice’s Spirit (Kiss And Make Up) and Surreal Ascot (Kobayashi).
Kitri is the second foal from the winning Wanted mare Tutu. Kitri was a $4000 purchase by Aaron Sothmann when offered by Canning Downs on the 2021 Inglis Digital December Sale.
Invader will stand the 2023 breeding season for $11,000 (inc GST) at Aquis, Queensland.
Pierro’s super Saturday
The Coolmore Stud-based Pierro had a Saturday to remember when the son of Lonhro sired five individual winners around Australia. The Peter Moody-trained Mollynickers took out the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Ingot at Caulfield, while the Stuart Kendrick-trained Bonaparte saluted at Doomben. Then at Fannie Bay, the Sheila Arnolad-trained Lake’s Folly won Race 6, followed by the Adrian Coome-trained Moenave at Mackay. Pierro’s outstanding day was rounded out by the Chris Waller-trained Kalino scoring impressively at Rosehill.
Pierro will be available to breeders for a fee of $82,500 (inc GST).
Pierro | Standing at Coolmore
New juvenile winner for Capitalist
The Nathan Doyle-trained Wooloowin (Capitalist) saluted at Gosford over 1100 metres.
The 2-year-old filly was ridden by Mitchell Bell and won by a dominant 2.31l from Catchy Tunes (The Brothers War {USA}), while Hongkong Harmony (USA) (Shamardal {USA}) finished third.
Wooloowin was the third foal from the God’s Own mare Brook Road. She was a six-time winner and claimed the G3 Nivison S. and G2 Sapphire S.
Capitalist | Standing at Newgate Farm
Furthermore, this is the family of the G1 VRC Oaks victress Tributes (Quest For Fame {GB}).
The filly was a $80,000 yearling purchase by Nathan Doyle Racing from the draft of Kingstar Farm at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Ancient Guidance wins again
The Ryan Hill-trained Ancient Guidance (God Has Spoken) is shaping up as a juvenile with an iron constitution. The 2-year-old gelding saluted for the second time at Belmont on Saturday from eight starts.
Ancient Guidance was ridden by Victoria Corver and won from Lord Vampi (Playing God) and Guarding Heaven (Safeguard).
God Has Spoken who stands at Rivercrest Park in Western Australia.
Racing NSW stewards send out Hendra Virus Infection warning
On Saturday, Racing NSW stewards advised that a recent death of a horse was due to Hendra Virus, the horse was unvaccinated and was located within close proximity to Newcastle Racecourse where thoroughbreds are stabled. Racing NSW stewards advised participants to be vigilant and ensure appropriate measures are put in place to minimise infection in both horses and humans from the disease carried by flying foxes.
Second stakes winner for Blue Point
The champion Godolphin sprinter Blue Point (Ire) and now Darley shuttle sire has continued to make a hot start with his first runners in the Northern Hemisphere and sired his second stakes winner when the Archie Watson-trained Action Point (Ire) saluted in the Listed Rose Bowl S. at Newbury.
Action Point may next try and emulate his sire in the G2 Gimcrack S. in August at York.
Blue Point will return to Darley, Northwood Park, this spring and will be available for a fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
Full brother to Cascadian breaks through
Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) overnight saluted the judge at Newbury. Isle Of Jura is a full brother to the imported Australian Godolphin galloper Cascadian (GB), who has won thrice at the elite level in his adopted land.
Godolphin sold the son of New Approach (Ire) at the 2023 Tattersalls Ireland Ascot March Sale, where JS Bloodstock and George Scott Racing purchased him for £150,000 (AU$300,800).
Romanet next for Stay Alert
Stay Alert (GB) (Fastnet Rock) who ran second in the G1 Pretty Polly S., will point to the G1 Prix Jean Romanet in France on August 20, trainer Hughie Morrison revealed on Friday.
Owned by Ben and Sir Martyn Arbib, the 4-year-old mare won the G3 Legacy Cup S. at Newbury last autumn prior to an unplaced run in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. at Ascot to end her year. She was fifth to Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Middleton Fillies' S. at York in May. Connections appealed her Pretty Polly placing, as she was hampered by the winner, Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock), but that appeal was denied.
Morrison said, “Ideally, I would go to France for the Romanet, over a mile and a quarter. The G1 Yorkshire Oaks is afterwards on August 24, and we can go there if we were not happy with something going to France. The Yorkshire Oaks is Plan B.”
Gold Cup hero Subjectivist retired, stud plans pending
Dual Group 1 winner Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) has retired from racing, his former trainer Mark Johnston revealed on Friday afternoon. Stud plans for the 2021 Gold Cup winner are pending.
The Dr Jim Walker-owned 6-year-old is now trained by Mark's son Charlie. In his first start back from sustaining an injury after his Gold Cup victory, the March foal was unplaced in the G3 Red Sea Turf H. in Saudi Arabia in February. He bounced back with two third-place efforts in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at the end of March and in the 2023 edition of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June, his final start.
Johnston, who is now assistant trainer to his son, said, “We have known this was coming, it's been difficult keeping him going. I had slightly mixed feelings about his run at Royal Ascot as while he ran a good race, I didn't think it was as good as his best of two years ago.
Subjectivist (GB) | Image courtesy of Racingfotos
“The objective was to get him to Ascot and then we hoped we might get him to Goodwood, but it has always been there, rumbling away.
“His Gold Cup win was the highlight, but he won three races on the bounce, two at Group 1 level and one at Group 2, with his win in Dubai being very impressive, you could say that was his purple patch, those seven or eight months.”
A winner of the Listed Glasgow S., G3 March S., and G1 Prix Royal-Oak from eight starts as a 3-year-old in 2020, Subjectivist added the 2021 G2 Dubai Gold Cup before his crowning achievement at Royal Ascot that June, where he ran out an imperious 5l winner. He retires with a mark of 20-6-4-4.
Johnston added, “We hope he will go to stud now. There were a couple of people interested after his Gold Cup win and one of those has kept in touch, so we will see what happens.”
