Enquare fetches half a million
Not 24 hours removed from being passed in, proven producer Enquare (Stratrum) has commanded a purchase price of $500,000, selling to Walnut Farm on Wednesday.
The mare comes with a cover from Capitalist, who will be a full sibling to G3 Ming Dynasty Quality winner Encap (Capitalist). Originally sent through a special online sale, via Inglis Digital, she failed to meet her initial $700,000 reserve, with a deal being struck a day later.
Enquare | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital
Her purchase price is the 15th time a horse has sold for $500,000 or more in the 2023 calendar year on the Inglis Digital platform, as the market runs hot for breeding and racing stock.
Lightning forces postponement at Wyong
Unfavourable weather saw the last two races at Wyong scrapped on Wednesday, with lightning in proximity to the racecourse necessitating the decision.
Six races were completed on the program, with Kerrin McEvoy recording a race-to-race double aboard Smiling Prophet (Divine Prophet) in Race 3 and Vomo Island (Dundeel {NZ}) in Race 4.
Elsewhere on the program, the highly touted Bojangles (Showtime) broke his maiden at start number three, having previously run into the likes of Encap in his winter campaign.
Wyong hosts their rich Magic Millions Raceday in two weeks time, which serves as a vital precursor to the 2024 Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday in January.
First Accused prevails in Newmarket
The Glenn Stevenson-trained First Accused (Turffontein) proved too good in Wednesday night’s $150,000 Listed Newmarket H. at Launceston.
First Accused was piloted to victory by apprentice Codi Jordan. Jaja Chaboogie (Your Song) was second, with Jaguar Stone (Spieth {NZ}) third.
The 6-year-old First Accused made $16,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. Andrew Scanlon bought him from the Motree Thoroughbreds Waterhouse draft.
Baldwin’s last dance
Veteran trainer Barry Baldwin was narrowly denied a victorious departure from the Queensland training ranks, with his final runner Shadow Cruiser (Jungle Cat {Ire}) running 0.6l off the winner Akemi (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the opening race at Ipswich.
Partnered by Group 1-winning rider Robbie Dolan, the 3-year-old had settled last in the run, before making a run up the inside running rail to be in a busy finish.
Baldwin, who boasts a G1 Stradbroke H. and two Ipswich Turf Club trainers premierships across an illustrious career, had to settle for fourth for his final career starter.
Douglas eyes return of stable star
Group 1-winning sprinter Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) will make his return to work shortly, in readiness for a lucrative autumn campaign.
Last seen finishing third in the G2 McEwan S. over 1000 metres in September, the striking chestnut will return to training on Monday, trainer Clayton Douglas called Newscorp on Monday.
“He's (Giga Kick) had a serious vet check this week but everything looks good with him. In all likelihood he'll start work next Monday.
Giga Kick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He had to go back for a follow-up check-up eight or nine weeks after the injury but we're really happy with him.
“It wasn't that bad of an injury anyway, it was just to confirm why he was sore after that race.”
Douglas indicated the G1 TJ Smith S. in April as the likely grand final for the autumn campaign.
Daqiansweet Junior to make third Cup lucky?
Consistent stayer Daqiansweet Junior (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) has a long-term roadmap laid out for him by trainer Phillip Stokes, culminating in a third tilt at the G1 Melbourne Cup in November 2024.
The 6-year-old gelding has firmly entrenched himself in Australia’s staying ranks, becoming somewhat of a 3200-metre specialist over the last 18 months. He won the G2 Adelaide Cup in March 2022, before stomping through the Heavy 10 conditions to run third in the G1 Sydney Cup a month later. Both Melbourne Cup performances to date have been solid, a sixth in 2022 and a fifth in 2023.
Speaking to Racing.com, Stokes said of the planned year ahead, “We'll organise a preparation towards the Sydney Cup with three runs beforehand: we're still mapping out a program.
“Then why not have another crack at a Melbourne Cup? He's lightly raced and compared to Amade, who is a 10-year-old, he's (Daqiansweet Junior) only six.”
Will connections strike a Lofty stud deal?
Racegoers may have seen talented sprinter Lofty Strike (Snitzel) for the last time, with an autumn campaign ruled out and a potential stallion deal on the horizon.
Lofty Strike | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Owner of The Lofty Group, Paul Lofitis, told Racing.com on Wednesday, “Due to his most recent scintigraphy and MRI report that has ruled him out for most of the coming autumn carnival (in) 2024.”
The talented sprinter, who has won three races and placed at Group 1-level, endured a challenging spring, blowing the start when resuming in the G3 Caulfield Sprint, before never factoring in the G1 Champions Sprint on November 11.
Rawiller eyes up a second Winterbottom
Veteran jockey Brad Rawiller has answered an SOS call from Michael Lane and will head to Ascot this week to partner Resortman (Helmet) in Saturday’s G1 Winterbottom S. at Ascot.
Rawiller won the race in 2020 aboard Elite Street (Street Boss {USA}).
“It’s nice to pick up a ride in a Group 1, absolutely,” Rawiller told The Races WA.
“I got the call-up a couple of days ago with Chris Parnham riding Snowdome.”
The Lane-trained Resortman - a 10-time winner - is first-up in the $1.5 million sprint.
“He (Resortman) has always done pretty well for myself, we’ve had some joy,” Rawiller said.
“In a race like this you never know, he’s a good horse.
“His run in The Quokka, even though he had every chance, was terrific, he wasn't beaten far.”
Super booking for Gold Rush
One-time G1 Northerly S. fancy Super Smink (Super One) has received a big boost to her chances in the G3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush on December 16, with champion jockey Craig Williams flying in to take the ride.
The talented filly, who won the G2 Karrakatta Plate as a 2-year-old, is the beneficiary of the weight for age conditions of the race, carrying just 52kg. With a limited number of Western Australia’s top jockeys available, and even less at the allotted weight, trainer Daniel Morton looked east, sourcing noted lightweight rider Williams.
Super Smink | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Super Smink is the only 3-year-old that looks likely to line up in the race at this stage, with Saturday’s G1 Winterbottom S. the likely grand final for both Ripcord (Written By) and Oscar’s Fortune (Rich Enuff).
The Gong winner to The Ingham
Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry (Ire}), who on Saturday took out the $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange, will stay in Sydney to contest The Ingham on Saturday week.
Connections have opted to run the 5-year-old in the $2 million race at Randwick instead of the Listed Ballarat Cup on the same day.
“The decision for his next run, whether to go to Ballarat for the Cup for half a million (dollars), or go to The Ingham for $2 million, it's just a no contest,” Darren Dance of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock told RadioTAB Australia.
“New South Wales prizemoney is unbelievable, that’s why he's up there.”
Littlefield bullish ahead of Sandown Guineas
Pakenham-based trainer Charlotte Littlefield is confident her promising 3-year-old Modown (Toronado {Ire}) will relish the step up to the mile (1600 metres) in Saturday’s G2 Sandown Guineas.
Modown was last seen finishing second beyond the talented Schwarz (Zoustar) in the Listed The Amanda Elliott at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
“(Jockey) Craig (Williams) thinks every time that he has ridden him that he has got better and better, so obviously we go into Saturday with plenty of confidence,” Littlefield told Racing And Sports.
Charlotte Littlefield | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I think the lead up has been perfect, so the three weeks between runs from the Amanda Elliott to this has been spot on for the horse.
“Ultimately, we just want him to jump and be there and be a bit closer. That’s the thing that gives him away a bit at the moment, he can be half-a-stride slow away, but I think the horse’s maturity has brought him on each race and over the mile, it should be perfect, it will give him a bit more time to warm into it.”
Benner and Wynyard to Up The Anti on home deck
Training partnership Johno Benner and Holly Wynyard have high hopes for promising 3-year-old Up The Anti (Divine Prophet), who will contest the G3 Elsdon Park Wellington S. on his home track of Otaki on Thursday.
Speaking to Loveracing.nz, Benner said, “He hasn’t done a lot wrong and is a no-nonsense horse who puts himself on the pace and he has a little Derby (Group 1, 2400m) feel about him.
“It’s probably his grand final for this preparation and he can have a couple of weeks on the grass and then hopefully set him for the Derby.
“He’s probably the pace in the race and he gives 100 per cent and should give the race a good shake.”
Victorious in two of his four career race starts, he was successful when last sighted at the races, winning by 1.3l at Trentham over 1400 metres. Jockey Matthew Cameron, who had his first sit on the horse in his last start, retains the ride for the gelding’s biggest test to date.
Dark Destroyer’s brother wins on debut
We Can Party (NZ) (Proisir) - a brother to last year’s G1 Tarzino Trophy hero Dark Destroyer (NZ) - made the perfect start to his career, winning a 1200-metre maiden at Te Aroha.
Now four, the entire was purchased for NZ$180,000 by his trainer Alex Oliveira’s Kaipira Lodge at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) Karaka Yearling Sale. He was offered by Highline Thoroughbreds.
The entire’s second dam, Zeparty (Zeditave), is a half-sister to the star producer La Bamba (Last Tycoon {Ire}), whose four stakes winners are spearheaded by the G1 Hong Kong Sprint winner Inspiration (Flying Spur) and Larneuk Stud resident Wandjina, also an elite-level scorer.
Scott has faith in Geriatrix
Co-trainer Andrew Scott has plenty of belief in his classy colt Geriatrix (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) to strike a big blow in the G3 Eldson Park Wellington S. on Thursday.
Having closed off strongly from the back of the field at Pukekohe last start, there is stable confidence he can go one better this time around, with Scott telling Loveracing.nz, “We went to Pukekohe and he still raced with inexperience, but his final 600 metres was very pleasing in the way he quickened home and hit the line.”
Geriatrix (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North
“It gave us some confidence that he’s looking for further now. While tomorrow’s another step up for him, we’ve got good confidence that he can continue going the right way.
“We’re hoping he can settle well. He’s got to learn to travel and come on from there.”
Talking about longer-term plans, Scott said, “Being a colt, a Group 1 mile (1600 metres) is certainly something we’d like to target with him and we’d look to get him through tomorrow before hatching a plan towards the (G1) Levin Classic.”
Blue Point hits 50 winners
Sire sensation Blue Point (Ire) hit a remarkable new high on Tuesday when his daughter Word's Out (Ire) became his 50th individual winner at Deauville. Sixth on debut at Chantilly last month, the Andre Fabre-trained Godolphin homebred raced towards the rear early. Delivered with perfect timing by Mickael Barzalona to overhaul Tazara (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the final strides, the 7-1 shot had a neck to spare at the line for the landmark win.
Zarak share sells for €420k
The Aga Khan Studs' Zarak (Fr) took pride of place in Tuesday's Arqana November Online Sale, with a share in the Group 1 sire topping the sale at €420,000 ($696,240). Sold as lot 1 to 53 Racing, the share was one of 15 lots offered on the day. Sire-of-the-moment Havana Grey (GB), who topped the first day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale on Tuesday, also attracted plenty of attention, with a breeding right (lot 14) selling for €310,000 ($513,892) to Richmond Bloodstock.
Overall, eight out of the 15 lots sold for a gross of €946,000 ($1,568,199).
Tricky start at Tattersalls
The Havana Grey (GB) train is showing no signs of stopping as foals by the sire sensation proved all the rage on the opening day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale on Tuesday where some of the key figures took a hit compared to 12 months ago.
Adrian O'Brien confirmed himself a huge fan of the stallion–who supplied four of the top six foals on the day–after signing for lot 450 at 65,000gns ($130,777).
Despite a smaller offering [15%] compared to this day 12 months ago, just 135 of the 227 lots offered were sold, equating to a clearance rate of 59%–down 11% on last year's clearance rate of 70%. The aggregate was down 51%, the average fell 32% and the median dropped 38%.
Titleholder to Arima Kinen
Star galloper Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) will progress onto the G1 Arima Kinen in Japan, after coming through his fifth-placed finish in the G1 Japan Cup on Sunday in good order.
The world-renowned race, set to be run this year on December 24, has been twice-attempted by Titleholder, his best result being a fifth place finish in 2021. The 5-year-old is a three time Group 1 winner, although his last victory came back in March.
No confirmation of the future plans of Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) has been received, who may still defend his Arima Kinen title after a dominant victory last year.
