Crocetti to target Almanzor Trophy
Boom 3-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) will chase success in the new year in the G3 Almanzor Trophy.
RadioTAB reports that Crocetti, who has an unblemished six-start record, including the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, has the race lined up as a key target.
The Almanzor Trophy is restricted to 3-year-olds and was won last year by the impressive Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}).
Stroke Of Luck makes his own in The Beauford
After a close second at his last start, John O’Shea-trained Stroke Of Luck (Fastnet Rock) went one better in The Beauford.
With $300,000 in prizemoney available, apprentice Zac Lloyd found a midfield position from barrier 13, and was able to resist a late charge from 7-year-old entire Torrens (Adelaide {Ire}) to claim his fourth win from 14 starts.
Race favourite Sky Lab (Real Impact {Jpn}) claimed third, beaten 1.3l, while the highly-regarded import Canberra Legend (Ire) (Australia {GB}) was a well-beaten 10th.
Mojo finds his rhythm in the RJ Peters
Consistent gelding Mojo Rhythm (Playing God) has trainer Mitchell Pateman G1 Railway S. dreaming, after a slashing win in the G3 RJ Peters S. earned his horse automatic entry.
Ridden by Pateman’s partner Holly Watson, the 5-year-old swept around runners, putting race favourite Alsephina (Star Turn) into a pocket at a vital stage. Jockey William Pike found clear air on the public elect, but it was too late, with Mojo Rhythm off with the prize.
The win comes at a welcome time for Pateman, who was forced to scratch stable star Almighty Class (Playing God) from the Listed Placid Ark S.
Champion Filly goes boom at Ascot
Unbeaten in every start to date, there was a mountain of expectation confronting Keshi Boom (Spirit Of Boom) as she lined up to contest the G3 Champion Fillies S. at Ascot.
Every part of the hype was justified, with the exciting prospect settling off a blistering tempo to round up her rivals and record successive black-type victories.
Keshi Boom races away to victory in the G3 Champion Fillies S. at Ascot | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Miss Rockjoy (Awesome Rock) was a gallant second for Peter Knucky and trainer/breeder Sue Olive, while Generosity (Divine Prophet) was able to retain third.
Options in the immediate future for Keshi Boom include the G2 WA Guineas on November 25 and the G1 Northerly S. at weight-for-age on December 9.
Amber Glide too strong in the Jungle Mist
Bunbury-based horseman Ross Price returns to the black-type boards with his talented mare Amber Glide (Nicconi) who outmuscled a game Valency (Gingerbread Man) in the concluding stages of the Listed Jungle Mist Classic.
The first leg of the fillies and mares series run into the summer months at Ascot was run at a frenetic early speed, which suited Amber Glide perfectly. She got the better of Valency in the final 100 metres, with Duchess Of Gossip (All American) storming along the inside rail late to grab third.
With four consecutive victories to her name, she will now progress onto the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic over 1400 metres, the distance of her prior three successes.
Maher fined for improper language
Ciaron Maher has been fined $4000 by Racing Victoria stewards after he was found guilty of using improper language towards Racing Victoria Executive General Manager - Integrity, Jamie Stier.
Maher breached provisions of AR228 (c) when during two phone conversations with Stier after Flemington’s Champions S. meeting on Saturday, November 11, he used improper and insulting language.
Ascot postponed
The final race at Ascot, in Western Australia was postponed due to the rail configuration causing a number of horses in Race 8 being placed in restricted room.
A new date for the event has yet to be announced.
Zahra suspended
Mark Zahra has fell foul of Racing Victoria stewards when the Melbourne and Caulfield Cup-winning hoop was found guilty of interference when riding the Edward Cummings-trained Strait Acer (Headwater) in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. near the 100-metre mark.
Mark Zahra | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Zahra pleaded guilty of the charge and was suspended for 10 meetings. The ban will start on Sunday, November 19. While Jake Noonan was also found guilty of careless riding in the G1 Thousand Guineas aboard Enna’s Dream (Winning Rupert). Noonan will serve seven meetings on the sidelines, with the ban to begin on Sunday, November 26.
Double for Lean Mean Machine
The Aquis-based second-season sire Lean Mean Machine recorded his ninth winner courtesy of the Bryce Heys-trained Against The Law at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
The 3-year-old colt was fifth on debut at Randwick as a 2-year-old, and improved on resumption, ridden by Brandon Lerena, to score from Invade And Conquer (Invader).
Against The Law is the seventh foal from the high-class Exceed And Excel mare Kulgrinda, a victress of nine races including the G3 RN Irwin S. she also was fourth in the G1 Robert Sangster S.
Lean Mean Machine | Standing at Aquis Farm
The colt was purchased by O’Gorman Racing for $110,000 from the draft of Glastonbury Farms at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. Sledmere Stud reoffered Against The Law at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where Ellerslie Lodge and Bryce Heys paid $380,000 to secure the colt.
While at the Gold Coast on the Poly track the Toby and Trent Edmonds brought the son of Zoustar's tally to 10 when Greyzous broke her maiden on debut over 1050 metres.
Dundeel quinellas Caulfield opener
The Danny O’Brien-trained Let’srollthedice (Dundeel {NZ}) has not graced the winner’s circle since claiming the G2 Sires’ Produce as a 2-year-old, but on Saturday, ridden by Michael Dee, the now 4-year-old entire was able defeat the G1 South Australian Derby victor and paternal brother Dunkel (NZ), in the Sharp EIT H. over 1800 metres.
Let’srollthedice was a $240,000 purchase by John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Stonehouse Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Kementari retains unblemished stallion record
With an infamously aborted stallion career, Kementari only managed to sire two horses who have made it to the racetrack, but his record will forever be perfect, with La Seule winning at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained filly had only beaten two runners home in totality prior to her running in the third race of the program, but in a stunning turn of form, was able to claim victory under jockey Grant Buckley.
His lone son, Manwe, won over 1200 metres on debut at Canterbury Park in August. After his stud career was scrapped, Kementari returned to the racetrack, winning four races, including the G2 Gilgai S. at Flemington. He was retired from racing in May this year.
Thrilling Mooloolaba Cup goes the way of Dune Forty Five
Trainer Robert Heathcote struck a running double with victory in the eighth race at the Sunshine Coast, with Dune Forty Five (Americain {USA}) denying the game Jetty (Jet Spur) in the Mooloolaba Cup over 1600 metres.
Perfectly rated by Boris Thornton, the 6-year-old needed close to the length of the straight to put his nose in front, with Jetty providing spirited resistance hard against the inside rail.
Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) forfeited his perfect record on his home track, running fourth for Jaden Lloyd.
French stakes winner for Zoustar
Widden Stud’s Zoustar has enjoyed a fine season siring the likes of the G1 Coolmore Stud S. victor Ozzmosis and in France over the weekend Zoum Zoum (GB) provided the sire his 46th stakes winner.
The Ralph Beckett-trained gelding saluted in the Listed Prix Herod, keeping his record a perfect three for three. Zoum Zoum is from the Listed-winning Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) mare Richenza (Ire), who is closely related to the five-time Group 1 winner Dream Ahead (USA).
Spirit Dancer victorious in Bahrain
The Sir Alex Ferguson-bred Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) upstaged his rivals in the G2 Bahrain International Trophy, accelerating away to win by 2.3l.
Trained by Richard Fahey, the gelding notched up his seventh career victory on the big stage for jockey Oisin Orr, defeating a host of well-credentialled horses.
Ferguson, who has been in Bahrain making media appearances in the days prior to the race, said post-race, “I said to the jockey before the race, 'Remember, he's a Frankel'.
“It was a new adventure for me to get into breeding to be honest. I bought a mare from Andreas Wohler in Germany, she's at Hemel Hempstead, it's a good family.
“The first foal was a Frankel and that's why we're down here today. We've had other horses who have done well but the Frankel has been fantastic.”
Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) placed second, with Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in third.
