Daily News Wrap

I Wish I Win takes one in Everest barrier draw

The $4 favourite I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) will not only be number one as he bids for glory in this weekend’s $20 million The Everest at Randwick, but has drawn barrier one too. He will face six rival older males, including last year’s runner-up Private Eye (Al Maher) (barrier nine), three mares and two 3-year-old colts - Shinzo (Snitzel) (barrier six) and Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) (barrier four), representing the powerhouse operations of Coolmore and Godolphin respectively.

Trainer Bjorn Baker has already expressed his desire to see Overpass (Vancouver) (barrier two) lead the field in a race devoid of any other obvious front runner.

“He's got a high cruising speed, that's how we've won our races and how he's run his best races, he's been out there doing the work so we're comfortable in that position,” he said.

Table: The final field and emergencies for The Everest in 2023

Dubawi filly leads Day 1 of Book 2 at Tattersalls as Too Darn Hot and Pinatubo shine

Forced out of Book 1 due to a nasty cut, Lodge Park Stud’s Dubawi (Ire) filly provided a whirlwind turnaround for connections when topping Monday’s Book 2 session at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, selling to Godolphin for 725,000gns (AU$1.45 million).

The filly, from the Galileo (Ire) mare Park Bloom (Ire), proved a model patient and made a swift enough recovery, much to the delight of breeder Damien Burns.

Patchiness of the middle market in Book 1 led to some caution ahead of Book 2, but an aggregate of 18,530,500gns (AU$37.15 million), average of 88,240gns (AU$176,900) and median of 69,000gns (AU$138,300) bodes well for the rest of the week. A clearance rate of 84 per cent compares well to 86 per cent on day one last year.

Anthony Oppenheimer carried on the momentum of a strong Book 1 sale for his Hascombe and Valiant Stud operation by accounting for the second-highest lot of the day, a Too Darn Hot (GB) colt, who sold to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock 350,000gns (AU$701,600).

Pinatubo (Ire) continued to impress buyers, with Justin Casse, Najd Stud, Ed Sackville, Robson Aguiar and Ben McElroy some of the notable names on the list of buyers of the stallion's progeny. All told, Pinatubo averaged 186,333gns (AU$373,600) for six yearlings sold on Monday.

Strong nominations for Guineas

Despite the G1 Thousand Guineas moving to a November timeslot, the time-honoured race for fillies lacked no shortage of class when nominations were released on Tuesday.

One hundred and fifteen fillies have been nominated for the $1.5 million Group 1 November 18 race, although the numbers are down on the 2022 nominations.

Among the girls nominated are Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s G1 Flight S. heirone Tropical Squall (Prized Icon), the outstanding Tiz Invincible (I Am Invincible) from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable and the classy Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}), trained by Gary Portelli.

Militarize pleases Waller as Guineas draw revealed

Star colt Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) ticked off the final box in his preparation for Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Guineas when he flew around Caulfield on Tuesday morning, and drew barrier 12 for the race later that day.

Champion Trainer Chris Waller journeyed to Melbourne to watch the triple Group 1 winner have his first look at the venue alongside his Group 1-winning stablemate Lindermann (Lonhro), who will run in the G1 Might And Power S.

“It was a nice straightforward workout,” Waller told NewsCorp.

“We didn’t ask Militarize to do too much behind his stablemate Lindermann, who is a quality performer himself. He just had a look around and making sure he got on the right leg, which is always important when running in Melbourne.”

Second to Militarize in the betting, the unbeaten Steparty (Artie Schiller {USA}) has drawn barrier seven. Meanwhile, Veight (Grunt {NZ}) has drawn one and King Colorado (Kingman {GB}) has drawn eight.

Catchy’s girl is a winner

A homebred for Robert Crabtree’s Dorrington Farm, Floozie (Zoustar) broke her maiden in impressive style at start three at Mornington on Tuesday.

The 3-year-old filly is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and was ridden by Damian Lane to defeat Mauricio (Maurice {Jpn}) by 3.25l.

Floozie is the second foal from Crabtree’s G1 Blue Diamond victress Catchy (Fastnet Rock).

V’Landys/MRC cooperation pays off

Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V’Landys has praised the cooperation of his counterpart at the Melbourne Racing Club, Josh Blanksby, in reaching a deal which will see Channel 7 cover both The Everest and Caulfield Guineas meetings side-by-side this weekend.

“It is a pleasure working with a club that's innovative and looks at the big picture,” V'landys told Racenet.

Well-spaced race times are undoubtedly a bonus for viewers, and something which won’t be repeated during Melbourne Cup week. However, V’Landys' further comments reflect a less productive relationship with other Victorian stakeholders.

“Rather than throwing the toys out of the cot, they have treated it as an opportunity rather than a threat,” he continued.

“Rather than trying to tear us down with dinosaur and self-entitled thinking, they have identified the benefits we are bringing for all of racing.”

Blanksby commented: “The parties have got to work together. The counter to that is Derby Day and Golden Eagle – when they are on two different television stations – so there is no cross promotion and they don't talk about the timings (of races).”

Grand Larceny shows talent

It was a successful Tuesday for the progeny of Widden Stud’s Zoustar. His blueblood daughter Floozie scored her maiden at Mornington and was quickly followed by his royally bred son Grand Larceny at Newcastle's opener.

Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Grand Larceny is a 3-year-old colt and a half-brother to the 2019 The Everest winner - Yes Yes Yes. Young gun Zac Lloyd partnered him to a 1.60l victory over Close Encounter (Nicconi) in the 900-metre event.

Grand Larceny was an $800,000 purchase by PR Funds from the draft of Kitchwin Hills at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Waller camp has faith in Shinzo

Star colt Shinzo (Snitzel) will be the first Golden Slipper-winning colt to run in the $20 million The Everest on Saturday, representing Coolmore. In the care of Champion Trainer Chris Waller, he and assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth are confident he’s ready to run a bold race.

“I can’t believe how many people have lost faith in Shinzo,” Duckworth told Punters.

“The plan was always the Golden Rose into The Everest, so he is primed and ready.

“He got beaten 2.6l first-up over 1400 metres in one of the best colts' races all season. Hopefully, he draws a better gate in The Everest than he did in the Golden Rose.”

Eagle or Plate debacle for Miller

Trainer Simon Miller is split between the $10 million Golden Eagle or the prestigious G1 Cox Plate as he weighs up options for star Western Australia mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Ire}), who will first tackle this weekend's G1 Toorak H.

“My head says Golden Eagle, my heart is Cox Plate,” Miller told NewsCorp.

“The Golden Eagle, it’s her age group (4-year-olds), it’s $10 million, it’s set weights and, in your wheelhouse, the distance.

“We just got to go an extra 200 metres for a Cox Plate; we’ll see, Damian Lane can help us. We’ll look at what the Eagle runners and the Cox Plate runners do.

“We’ll get through Saturday and come up with a plan.”

Jewel doesn’t scare Jolly’s Heaven

David and Chantelle Jolly’s stable star See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet) has been dual nominated for the G1 Toorak H. and the G3 Ladies Day Vase. However, David Jolly shared that the daughter of Divine Prophet will likely tackle the Toorak despite the ominous presence of Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Ire}).

“At this stage, we’re still going to the Toorak,” Jolly told RSN.

“She gets a penalty in the mares' race and doesn’t get in there too well.

“If she could come out and run a place, it would add value. You should never not go to a race because you’re worried about one horse; I’ve learnt that over the years.

“We’d be ecstatic if See You In Heaven ran a place. You won’t do that if you don’t try.”

Rising stars to climb the summit

Champion apprentice Zac Lloyd, also a recipient of the Bart Cummings medal, will combine with one of the best colts of his generation, Cylinder (Exceed And Excel), in Saturday’s $20 million The Everest.

Lloyd, an apprentice to James Cummings, who trains Cylinder, will represent James Harron Bloodstock in the blockbuster.

“When I first came to Godolphin, Cylinder was just making his way into the stables as a yearling, and I used to ride him a bit,” Lloyd told RSN.

“I’d work with him a lot, too; David McCabe used to ride him. I’ve trialled him twice, I know the horse, and he’s a really good horse.

“The stable boys thought he was really good and in every gallop, he was impressive, he was always one that stood out.”

Caulfield Cup field down to 31, Cox Plate to 30

The third stage of declarations on Tuesday reduced the potential G1 Caulfield Cup runners down to 30, before the final field must pay $37,500 each next Wednesday. Joseph O’Brien’s two charges are now close to making the field, with Valiant King (GB) (Roaring Lion {USA}) moving up the order to 19th and Okita Soushi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to 20th, as the trainer hopes to win the race for a first time.

This Saturday, the winners of both the G1 Might And Power S. and G2 Herbert Power S. will be afforded a ballot-free entry into the Cup, as will the winner of next Wednesday’s Coongy H.

Meanwhile, the G1 Cox Plate field was down to 30, as it was made clear that the Simon and Ed Crisford import West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) will head to the Caulfield Cup alongside Francesco Guardi (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Cummings keeping an open mind with Duais

Edward Cummings is keeping the book open with his star mare Duais (Shamus Award) and won’t decide whether she heads to the G1 Cox Plate or G1 Caulfield Cup until after Saturday’s G1 Might And Power S. at Caulfield.

“The gut feel is she’s going to be really good at 2000 metres, we know that’s her favourite distance, it’s her best winning distance,” Cummings told RSN.

“The nature of a Cox Plate, high-pressure, 2000, it’s similar to the day she won an Australian Cup in a high-pressure race, and she really came into her own.

“It occurs to me that’s probably the right way forward, but if we get any feeling or feedback that going up to a mile-and-a-half is a better option, we will entertain that too.

“As with everything, mares, racehorses this time of year there are so many options.”

Betfair Australia announce Data Modelling Skills Competition

On Tuesday, Betfair Australia announced they would be holding a competition for data enthusiasts to test their data modelling skills during the Spring Racing Carnival, attached is a prize of $50,000.

Entrants will be provided with a set of historic thoroughbred data, provided by Punting Form that they then use to build their own model and predict the winning probability of each selection. The competition will begin on Cox Plate Day, October 28 and conclude on Thousand Guineas Day, November 18.

Registrations close at 4.59pm AEDT, Monday, October 23, 2023.

Group 1 winner Via Sistina added to Tattersalls December Mare Sale

Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) is the latest high-class runner to be added to the Tattersalls December Mare Sale.

Trained by George Boughey, the 5-year-old landed the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh in the colours of Becky Hillen and is sure to add plenty of intrigue to the second edition of the Sceptre Sessions.

Boughey commented, “Via Sistina has been a star for us, very easy to train and an ultra consistent mare who has shown to be very versatile. She won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on good ground and was outstanding prior to that in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes.”

Place Du Carrousel to sell at Arqana's Vente d'Élevage

G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) will go under the hammer at Arqana's Vente d'Elevage sale in December.

She will be offered by Haras de Bouquetot and boasts a fantastic race record that features G2 Prix Foy success and a pair of Group 3 wins.

Place Du Carrousel accounted for Group 1 winners Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Above The Curve (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}) when landing the Prix de l'Opera.

Six supplemented to Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued six initial supplemental entries to its 2023 The November Sale, the auction company announced on Monday.

The late entries, catalogued as Hips 247-252, include G3 Pocohontas S. winner Fun And Fiesty (USA) (Midshipman {USA}); the unraced Al Ula Princess (USA) (Tapwrit {USA}), a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Princess Noor (USA) (Not This Time {USA}) in foal to Epicenter (USA); Susie's Baby (USA) (Giant's Causeway {USA}), a half-sister to Group 1 winner and standout sire Caravaggio (USA); 2016 GI Frizette S. winner Nickname (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) in foal to Uncle Mo (USA); recent Iowa Sorority S. winner Won Happy Mama (USA) (Runhappy {USA}) offered as a racing or broodmare prospect; and Defining Hope (USA) (Strong Hope {USA}) carrying a full sibling to G1 Ashland S. winner Defining Purpose (USA) (Cross Traffic {USA}).

Breeders' Cup option for Lemon Pop following comeback win

The G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile is one of three options for Godolphin's Lemon Pop (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}) following a barnstorming gate-to-wire victory in Monday's Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai at Morioka Racecourse on the National Association of Racing circuit in Japan.

Having already secured a Breeders' Cup berth courtesy of his biggest win to date in the G1 February S. at Tokyo this past February, the 5-year-old was having his first run since finishing an outpaced 10th, beaten 6l, in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over six furlongs in late March.