Vale Vegas Showgirl
Peter O’Brien, general manager of Segenhoe Stud shared on Sunday the tragic news that Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar) passed away peacefully on Sunday morning. O’Brien described the dam of the Champion mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) as, “The most beautiful of mares.”
Vegas Showgirl is owned by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds and was served by Snitzel last season, with her last named-foal being a filly by Pride Of Dubai, Taleitaki.
“Our hearts are broken, as are the hearts of the Camilleri family, who loved Vegas Showgirl dearly. The kind, soft mare rests easily now.”
In addition to the outstanding Winx, Vegas Showgirl also produced the late Group 3 winner El Divino (Snitzel) and the promising City Of Lights (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Cox Plate for Militarize
After being unplaced in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Guineas, Chris Waller’s star colt Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) has eyes firmly set on the G1 Cox Plate.
Henry Field, whose Newgate Farm co-owns Militarize, confirmed the plan on Sunday.
“If Militarize is healthy and well Chris is happy with him over the next seven days, it is highly likely we’ll still go to the Cox Plate,” Field told Racing.com.
“We’ll always put the horse’s welfare first, especially with a special colt like him.”
Coolmore calling for Veight and Steparty
Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas runners Veight (Grunt {NZ}) (second) and Steparty (Artie Schiller {USA}) (third) will likely chase further big prizes.
Steparty could potentially head towards the G1 Champions Mile, while Veight will go towards the G1 Coolmore Stud S.
Paul Preusker told Racing.com on Sunday, “Steparty is nice and bright this morning, but he’s on his first racing program so I’ll wait a week and see how he is and go from there.”
While Tony McEvoy, co-trainer of Veight, confirmed on Racing.com coverage of Racing at Bendigo, the exciting colt would drop back for the Coolmore.
Gai gears up for Cups
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will likely have two starters in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup but potentially as many as six in the Melbourne Cup. One of the horses who will take no further part in the spring is the G1 AJC Derby winner Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel), while the G1 Metropolitan victor Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has pulled up ‘just fine’ after running last in the G1 Might And Power S.
“Just Fine is happy. He’s trotted up well. We will wait and see, let the dust settle over the next 48 hours, but he may not run again and go straight to the Melbourne Cup.
“He’s a long, leggy European stayer and he doesn’t carry a huge amount of condition. He wasn’t suited on Saturday.”
Lofty’s open book
Julius Sandhu is keeping an open book over Lofty Strike’s (Snitzel) preparation, with a jump-out on Monday at Cranbourne to determine the kick-off point.
The exciting sprinter is nominated for Saturday’s G2 Caulfield Sprint as a lead-up to the G1 Champions Sprint.
“We’ve kept every option ahead of this spring,” Sandhu told RSN.
“We didn’t want to lock in any one specific lead up race in particular because we always knew the end target was to get him to Flemington for the Champions Sprint.
“There was a very strong lean to him starting at Caulfield.”
Pinn and Melham cop bans
Saturday was slightly sourced for Ben Melham despite winning the G1 Caulfield Guineas aboard Griff (Trapeze Artist) when Racing Victoria stewards found him guilty of careless riding and causing interference in the final 100 metres of the Caulfield Guineas, resulting in a 10-meeting ban commencing on Saturday, October 22 and ending on Monday, October 30.
Wiremu Pinn also found himself on the bad side of stewards when riding Amenable (Lonhro) in the G1 Toorak H., stewards found Pinn guilty of allowing his mount to shift when not sufficiently clear of Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) who was checked as a result. Pinn was suspended for 10 meetings commencing on Thursday, October 19 and ending on Friday, October 27.
Racing NSW stewards send warning over salutes
Racing NSW stewards sent a message to jockeys that celebratory salutes will be penalised after they issued two fines and warnings to James McDonald and Tyler Schiller.
McDonald, who won the G1 King Charles III S. on Fangirl (Sebring), was fined $2000, while Schiller was handed a $1000 fine for his actions aboard Front Page (Magnus) in the $1 million The Kosciuszko.
Stewards explained it was an enforcement of the Australian Rule of Racing - AR131 (c) which states: “A rider must not, in the opinion of the stewards, make any celebratory gesture prior to his or her horse passing the winning post.”
McDonald also picked up a six-day suspension for careless riding aboard Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible) in The Everest, while Hugh Bowman, Chad Schofield and Michael McNab were also suspended for careless riding at Randwick on Saturday.
No plan locked in for Wish
Peter Moody is waiting to see how I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) returns to his Pakenham stables in Victoria before locking in The Everest runner-up’s next moves.
“I’ll let the I Wish I Win steer me along. I’m not locking anything in until I get him home and have a look at him. I’d just be guessing,” Moody told Racing.com.
“Does he run on Champions Day at Flemington in the mile, or in the sprint, or does he go to the paddock? He’s on his way home, so we’ll get him back and have a look at him.”
Miller to monitor Jewel
Simon Miller is concerned something is more at play than an uncharacteristic ‘off-day’ for his star mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}).
Amelia’s Jewel was sent out favourite in the G1 Toorak H. but finished unplaced behind Attrition (Churchill {Ire}).
“Amelia’s Jewel left a bit of feed, which is unusual for her,” Miller told Racing.com.
“Her mannerisms on Saturday were a bit off, she didn’t eat up as she would, so I am going to pull a blood tomorrow (Monday) and just see if something pops up there.
“She trotted up sound this morning, which was good. I’ll just watch her and see what happens. Amelia’s Jewel has never been passed in her life. She’s always done all the passing, so something’s clearly not right.”
High-priced colt to continue career in Hong Kong
A $1.15 million yearling purchase from the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Custodian (Shalaa {Ire}) has been sold to Hong Kong connections and will continue his career with Pierre Ng.
Originally trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman in Victoria, Custodian won his maiden at Sale and was placed at the Listed level. He was then moved to join Peter and Paul Snowden in Sydney where he won his last start at Randwick-Kensington.
Custodian is the second foal from the Group 3-winning Redoute’s Choice mare Honesty Prevails. She is the dam of the G1 Spring Champion S. hero Profondo.
Princess exceeds Waller’s expectations
Saturday’s $1 million Silver Eagle victress Vienna Princess (Snitzel) has surprised even her Champion Trainer Chris Waller with her improvement in this preparation.
“Vienna Princess has come good,” Waller told RSN.
“She’s shown us ability in previous preparations, but hasn’t really done it back-to-back, so after a good first-up win I just wanted to see her run similar to that.
“She has probably exceeded my expectations.”
Vienna Princess will now head towards the $10 million Golden Eagle.
McDonald takes Warrior for Valley spin
On Sunday morning James McDonald travelled to Melbourne Saturday evening to partner the Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) as he had his first look around Moonee Valley.
Despite being beaten in the G1 Turnbull S., the Danny Shum-trained star is on track to contest the G1 Cox Plate.
“Romantic Warrior was a bit more relaxed and got into a beautiful rhythm,” McDonald told RSN.
“Most importantly, he took to The Valley like a duck to water. He was fantastic when he cornered well, accelerated around the bend and zipped home really well.
“He’s come on and we saw glimpses of that this morning.”
Fiske: Echo Zulu surgery `Went as well as could be expected'
Echo Zulu (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) had successful surgery on Sunday to repair her two broken sesamoids in her left front leg and the surgery “went as well as could be expected” said David Fiske, racing manager to co-owner Ron Winchell.
The surgery was performed at the Southern California Equine Foundation's hospital on the grounds of Santa Anita Park.
The 4-year-old filly sustained an injury Friday morning at Santa Anita, working in company with stablemate Gunite (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) in preparation for the Breeders' Cup.
“She's out of surgery,” said Fiske. “Out of recovery. (It) went as well as could be expected. Prognosis guarded. A lot depends on sufficient blood supply to the surgery site and how well she can take care of herself.”
The surgery was performed by veterinarian Ryan Carpenter. “The surgery went very good,” said Carpenter. “She's up and headed back to the barn. From this point on, we take it day by day. These cases are not out of the woods for the next four to six weeks but every good day is a day closer to a successful outcome.”
