Rae to train star’s brother
Young Cranbourne-based trainer Alex Rae has been trusted to prepare the Capitalist half-brother to the star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), who was sold for $200,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last week.
The colt (Lot 477) was passed in with a $400,000 reserve but a deal was secured by Paul Lofitis of Lofty Thoroughbreds.
“He has got a few little issues on x-rays, but we’re of the opinion it’s a moderate risk, high-reward play,” Rae told Racing.com.
Lot 477 - Capitalist x Berimbau (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We thought it was worth a roll of the dice. We thought it was worth getting in contact with the stud and finding out what his issues were.
“There was a bit of an alarm bell ringing at that price being the half-brother to probably the best sprinter in the world. We got all the information and had a think about it and a long discussion, and we were prepared to take a punt.”
Learning To Fly on track for Light Fingers
Annabel Neasham’s star filly Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}) spent most of 2023 on the sidelines after sustaining an injury in the G1 Golden Slipper. However, the daughter of Justify (USA) by all reports has recovered in superb fashion and will take another step towards her racetrack return on Tuesday at Warwick Farm in Heat 2 with her resumption point being the G2 Light Fingers S. at Randwick early in February.
Learning To Fly | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Arabian Summer to spell
Tony and Calvin McEvoy have elected to spell their star filly Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) after an unplaced, albeit gutsy, performance in last Saturday’s $3 million R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
“The colts were a bit too good for her but had that colt (Highness) who finished second not broken the rules and knocked Arabian Summer over - he gave her a hip and shoulder which put her on the wrong and she just didn’t get back in time; she should’ve run third, not fifth. It would have been an extra $200,000 for the owners, so that was frustrating,” co-trainer Tony McEvoy told Racing.com.
“She’s pulled up superb. Arabian Summer has come out of the race very well. She had a little bit of heat stress on the day because she gave it her all, but she’s eaten up and is bright, sound, happy and now in a beautiful grass paddock.”
Donovan awarded 2024 Sunline Trust Management Scholarship
Wentwood Grange employee Rebecca Donovan has been awarded the NZTBA 2024 Sunline International Trust Management Scholarship.
Donovan has spent four years working in various roles in the industry and is excited to receive the opportunity to gain further exposure overseas.
“I am extremely thankful for this career and life-changing opportunity,” Donovan said in a press release.
Rebecca Donovan | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“I am so excited to see what this trip brings and the knowledge and development I can bring back home (to New Zealand) with me.
“I see the scholarship as a platform from which I can gain as many skills as possible and that will help me grow into a leadership position. After all, it has such a wide range of alumni that have stepped out and achieved in the industry.”
Connections decline All-Star Mile invite
Robert Heathcote and connections of last Saturday’s $3 million R. Listed Magic Millions Gold Coast 3YO Guineas victress Abounding (Rich Enuff) have declined the invitation to contest The All-Star Mile in March in favour of the G1 Stradbroke H.
The 2024 edition of the Guineas saw the race offer a place in the Melbourne feature for the first time but Heathcote would prefer to chase local riches with $3 million on offer in Queensland’s premier race.
“I feel while it is a nice thing to have, there is a Stradbroke there in the winter,” Heathcote told Punters.
“The All-Star Mile is in March, what do I do with Abounding between now and then? If you go to Melbourne she could be cooked for the winter, I wouldn’t do that to her.
“I have a winter carnival on the doorstep with all these 3-year-old features at set weights where she is so well in. I don’t know the qualifications to get into the Stradbroke but she has plenty of money.”
Freedman sends ominous warning to rivals
Ballarat-based horseman Mitch Freedman has declared his G1 Toorak H. hero Attrition (Churchill {Ire}) is set for a big 2024 preparation.
“Attrition is terrific. He’s matured again. I think we’ll probably see the best of him in the spring this year,” Freedman told Racing.com.
“I can’t fault him at the moment. He had a little piece of work earlier this week and worked terrifically.
Attrition | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Attrition is set to have a jump-out in two-to-three weeks’ time, and then we’ll map out a path back to the races.”
Freedman also mentioned Attrition would be chasing dry tracks, which could rule out several races in New South Wales with the Harbour City likely to have rain-affected meetings during the autumn as had been experienced in past seasons.
Payne paints Cup path
Patrick Payne confirmed his G1 South Australian Derby victor Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) will be given a chance to earn his way into the 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup.
The progressive stayer is likely to contest the $500,000 Listed Roy Higgins at Flemington in late March. Success in the 2600-metre feature would not only give Dunkel a sizable carrot in terms of prizemoney but also an exemption from the great race in November.
Payne shared with Racing.com, “Just a slight change of plan with Dunkel as, on reflection, his run was good the other day at The Valley, and he’s definitely improved a bit.
“I just thought if we go to the Pakenham Cup and into the Roy Higgins, it will give him a chance to be qualified for the Melbourne Cup.
“It would be a beautiful race for him. If he’s ever going to have a chance at having a crack at a race like that, then it would be the time.”
Exciting juvenile heads Tassie Magic Millions
Flying 2-year-old Ms Tasmania (Magnus) dazzled in her second start at Launceston on January 12 for dual-license holder Siggy Carr. The success has given Carr the confidence to head to the $85,000 Magic Millions Tasmania 2YO Classic at Launceston in February.
“She actually surprised me; it was pretty impressive, and she’s still got a lot more to improve on,” Carr told RSN927.
Ms Tasmania as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I was actually a little shocked she won so well. Credit to my trackwork rider Jacob Duggan, Ms Tasmania has been hard, and he’s done all the work on her.”
Ms Tasmania was a $30,000 purchase by Siggy Carr Racing from the draft of Motree Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. The filly is from the Squamosa mare Breathtaking, who won five races.
Guineas goal for McShane 3-year-old
Brendan Mcshane-trained Thonatus (Trapeze Artist) will take aim at the Listed Launceston Guineas and then if all goes well the Listed Tasmanian Derby after breaking his maiden in emphatic fashion at Launceston last Friday night.
“Thonatus will head to the Launceston Guineas, then the $150,000 Tasmanian Derby if he can continue to take the steps in the right direction; the last 600 metres would be pretty impressive I think,” Mcshane told RSN927.
Thonatus was a $100,000 purchase by Broadmarsh Stud from the draft of Longwood Thoroughbreds Farm at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. The 3-year-old is from the Written Tycoon mare Hot Dipped, who was an eight-time winner and star in Tassie claiming the Listed Gold Sovereign S., the Listed Tasmanian Guineas and the Listed Strutt S.
Rogerson pleased with Sharp
Trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson were pleased with the run by their reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) on Sunday at Ellerslie in the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview.
The son of Redwood (GB) contracted a viral infection when subpar in the G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate in September of last year and failed to flatter when a distant last in his resuming trial at Tauranga earlier this month, but bounced back and silenced a few of his doubters with his performance over the weekend.
“Everyone had him written off after his barrier trial, but it was only 1100 metres and he never got warmed up,” co-trainer Graeme Rogerson told loveracing.nz.
Graeme Rogerson
“I am very happy with the way he went yesterday (Sunday) he is not a 1400-metre sprinter. He had a good hitout and is on the way up for sure. Sharp ‘N’ Smart is a big horse and a year older, he will certainly improve.”
Sharp ‘N’ Smart is expected to return to Ellerslie on Saturday-week for the inaugural running of the NZ$1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic, before attempting to defend his crown in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. and a potential tilt at Australia.
“He will go either for the G1 Queen Elizabeth and G1 Tancred in Sydney, or to Melbourne for the G1 Australian Cup.”
ITBF present exclusive film in Global Webinar
The International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation's (ITBF) annual Global Webinar on Thursday, January 18 will present an exclusive film on Kristen Rausing story, ‘An International Bloodstock Journey,’ which will offer a wonderful insight for thoroughbred breeding and racing enthusiasts.
The ITBF is free to attend, and had previously featured Juddmonte and the Aga Khan Studs, this year the webinar puts the significantly smaller-scaled operation of Lanwades and its hands-on owner and manager, Kristen Rausing, under the microscope.
Following the film, produced exclusively for the webinar, attendees will be given the unique opportunity to pose questions in a live Q&A with Rausing.
The veterinary section of the webinar shines a much-needed international light on Equine Grass Sickness. The devastating disease that tragically claimed the life of Dubawi’s (Ire) sire Dubai Millennium (GB), remains a mystery as to its causes. With an 80 per cent fatality rate, it can occur anywhere in temperate areas of the world where equids are grazed.
First foal for Life Is Good
WinStar Farm's Life Is Good (USA) was represented by his first foal when Graded-stakes-placed Shesa Mystery (USA) (Verrazano {USA}) produced a filly on Saturday night at Brookstone Farm in Paris, Kentucky. The filly, whose dam finished second in the 2021 G3 Iowa Oaks, was bred by Wimberley Bloodstock and BWW Bloodstock. Wimberley Bloodstock acquired Shesa Mystery in foal to Life Is Good for US$285,000 (AU$426,000) at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale.
“She's a great first foal with quality, bone, and strength,” said Archie St George of Brookstone Farm. “It's encouraging for both the sire and the dam.”
Life Is Good (USA) | Standing at WinStar Farm
Brendan Jacobson of Wimberley Bloodstock added of the filly, “She is a very good first foal with lots of quality and plenty of bone. She has a great personality, is super friendly, and has a lot of strength. We couldn't be happier with the result. Both mum and baby are happy, healthy and doing well.”
Life is Good, whose four Grade 1 victories include the 2021 G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and 2022 G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, bred 192 mares in his first season at stud in 2023. He stands at WinStar Farm for a fee of US$85,000 (AU$127,100).
