TAB Boss resigns
Tabcorp CEO Adam Rytenskild resigned on Thursday after a board meeting in which they determined his use of "inappropriate" and "offensive" language in the workplace was inconsistent with the values of the organisation.
“I don't recall making the alleged comment and it's not language I would usually use, but I have regrettably agreed to resign,” said Rytenskild in statement issued by Tabcorp on the Nasdaq news site.
“Tabcorp has been an enormous part of my life for many years and I believe in the journey the company is on.”
Tabcorp chair Bruce Akhurst told Racenet.com.au, “The Board regrets that Mr Rytenskild’s employment has ended in this way and acknowledges his commitment to Tabcorp’s growth over more than two decades, including the last two years as MD.”
Coolmore decide on jockeys for their Slipper rivals
It’s a good problem to have. Two stunning colts going into the G1 Golden Slipper, and now Coolmore have decided on who will ride each of them. International jockey Ryan Moore has been booked to ride Storm Boy (Justify {USA}), while James McDonald will ride Switzerland (Sniztel).
Ryan Moore and Chris Waller after Shinzo's victory in the 2023 G1 Golden Slipper S. | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Switzerland is trained by Chris Waller and is unbeaten in three starts, while the Waterhouse/Bott team train Storm Boy who is unbeaten in four starts. Coolmore won last year’s Slipper with their homebred Shinzo (Snitzel) who was ridden by Ryan Moore.
Queman ready to return to Group 1 racing
Last start G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Queman (Mint Lane {USA}) had a jump-out at Strathalbyn on Thursday morning and will head to the G1 William Reid S. on March 23. “His jump-out this morning and was good,” co-trainer Shane Oxlade told Racingsa.com.au.
“He did what he needed to do, it’s funny Lauren (Stojakovic) said he felt like he was going half-pace but he was solid in his gallop and is right for the William Reid. (He) can have a short rest after the William Reid but the Irwin looks the right race for them heading towards the Goodwood.”
Shane Oxlade | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The stable will also send Sghirripa (Lonhro) to the G1 Goodwood H.
“Sghirripa’s home and having a couple of weeks off before we look at the Irwin into the Goodwood.”
Moloney returns a winner after long injury layoff
Jockey Patrick Moloney rode a winner at Bendigo on Thursday at only his second ride back after a 144-day injury layoff. “Had a lot of confidence because I did a lot of work to get back, it’s been four-and-a-half months and a bit of a slog,” Moloney told Racing.com about the recovery process for his fractured hand.
“Things were worse than what we first thought and it’s been a bit of a process getting back but left no stone unturned in returning so I was confident when I returned to the saddle id be in A1 order and it’s good to get some validation on my hard work today. I'm really grateful to Robbie and Mat for giving me an opportunity, it’s not easy putting someone on whose been off the scene.”
He won aboard Robbie Griffiths and Mat de Kock-trained Mr Magnus (Magnus).
Lindsay Park elect to skip Slipper with Bastille
Co-trainers Ben, JD, and Will Hayes have chosen to miss the G1 Golden Slipper with 2-year-old filly Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau) who will run in Saturday’s Listed Redoute’s Choice S.
“She came through her race in great order and I think this is a nice step up,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told Racing.com.
“It's a good race for us to work out if we go to 1200 or keep her at 1000 metres. It's really nice to have her back on track and hopefully we can see her perform. There are races like the Percy Sykes S. over in Sydney, Group 2 fillies over 1200 metres, or a race like The Showdown worth $1 million here in Victoria.”
Bold Bastille | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Bold Bastille won the Listed Furphy Trophy at her last start, and now has two wins (both at Listed level) from three starts with earnings over $420,000. Lindsay Park Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock purchased her for $270,000 from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Maven Belle to sell on Gavelhouse
Te Akau's Group 1 winner Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy) will be offered for sale on Gavelhouse Plus. During her 12 starts, Maven Belle won six times and had a further two placings, with her top level win coming in the G1 Manawatu Sires' Produce S.
“From the day we first galloped Maven Belle, we knew she was a very good horse. Her win in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. delivered a first Group 1 for her trainer Mark Walker since his return from Singapore, so she was a very special horse for us at Te Akau and I’m sure she’ll make a lovely broodmare," said David Ellis.
Meanwhile, Te Akau Racing is also offering Maven Belle’s stakes-performed stablemate Rhetorical (NZ) (Snitzel), who is currently located at Cranbourne. Bidding on the two mares will end from 7pm (NZT) on Thursday 21st March.
Cotton and Johnstone combine for potential trio at Launceston
Trainer Sarah Cotton and her apprentice Taylor Johnstone have three hot chances for Friday’s meeting at Launceston. “I’ve had a double about three times but never a treble,” Cotton told Tasracing.com.au.
“I actually gave Taylor her first ever winner on Dark Wanderer and it was a bit of a happy moment for us when she outrode her claim on In The Ocean. She really suits the way my horses run, she’s got a lovely set of hands and obviously she’s riding in great form.”
The pair will combine with Milton (Highland Reel {Ire}), La Folie Douce (Sepoy), and Did You Decide (Decides).
Parnham tells punters to ignore Alaskan’s last start
Trainer Neville Parnham believes punters should ignore the last start failing by 3-year-old gelding Alaskan (Playing God) who ran 12th of 13. He had won his two starts prior to that, and Parnham expects a return to that winning form in Saturday’s Listed JC Roberts S.
“I wouldn’t read too much into his last run,” Parnham told The Races WA.
Neville Parnham | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“You just couldn’t run on from the back of the field. He’s going great. I think he is getting better. Earlier in his prep we couldn’t shift his winter coat, but now he’s glowing and dappled up. He certainly looks like he is still going very well and I’m expecting him to show up on Saturday. We’ll get a guide to see if he’s up to this sort of grade, but all indications are that he has.”
His sire Playing God is proving to be a bit special with 16 stakes winners from only 168 runners.
Juvenile winner for Wolf Cry
Wolf Cry, a son of Street Cry (Ire), had a 2-year-old winner at Murrimbidgee on Thursday when Just Google Me won on debut for trainer Scott Spackman. The gelding won by 0.5l in the 1000-metre 2-year-old maiden. A homebred, Just Google Me is out of Written Tycoon mare Adapt To Survive, who is an unraced daughter of a winning Fastnet Rock mare.
Harry Angel colt wins on debut at Wyong
3-year-old colt Cassiel (Harry Angel {Ire}) won on debut on Thursday at Wyong for Team Snowden and jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
Sold by Bell River Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $180,000, he was purchased by Snowden Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA). His dam is a winning daughter of G1 Oak Leaf S. winner Cry And Catch Me (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}).
Wong gets a double at Happy Valley
Jockey Ellis Wong, who rode 88 winners in South Australia before returning to Hong Kong to finish his apprenticeship, rode a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
“It feels amazing. Thanks to Danny and Manfred for their support,” Wong said. “I’m very happy.
“Moments In Time was really strong, we had a good pace and he followed really nicely and he won easily. It’s a great night.”
Ellis Wong | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
He won on Moments In Time (Chi) (Lookin at Lucky {USA}) and Happy Horse (Zoustar). Moments In Time was a Group 1 winner in Chile before arriving in Hong Kong in 2023 where he has seven starts for one win. Happy Horse has done all his racing in Hong Kong and now has two wins from 15 starts.
Hong Kong Derby selected runners list released
First contested in 1873, the BMW Hong Kong Derby is restricted to 4-year-old runners and this year’s version is headed by Helios Express (Toronado {Ire}) who has won both the first two legs of the three-race 4-Year-Old Classic Series and hopes to join Rapper Dragon (Street Boss {USA}) and Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) as winners of all three races in the series.
“The BMW Hong Kong Derby is one of the most prestigious races on the calendar – a race that every owner aspires to have a runner in, or better still, win,” Andrew Harding, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing, told Racingnews.hkjc.com.
Helios Express | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“The race’s honour roll speaks for itself as we have seen in recent years with the progression of Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble as winners of the BMW Hong Kong Derby to Group 1 champions, underlining the quality of the race known for once-in-a-lifetime glory.
“The 2024 edition is shaping as yet another remarkable edition with a host of incredible talents sourced from around the world to race for glory with owners and fans alike are looking forward to the contest with eager anticipation.”
There are 14 horses plus four emergencies for the 2024 field.
Two million-dollar colts on day-2 at Ocala
The second day of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training had two million-dollar colts with the average for the session up 6.2 per cent on the corresponding day for 2023 at US$177,000 (AU$267,400). “I thought it was a very good session,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski.
“It felt like there was activity all through the day at all levels. The numbers bear that out. It felt really good today.”
Hip 533 - Not His Time (USA) x Pammy Whammy (USA) (colt) | Image courtesy of OBS Sales
Over the first two days of the sale (with one day to come), the average is still lower than last year at US$153,629 (AU$232,000), down 2.2 per cent from the first two days in 2023 with the median down 11.8 per cent to US$75,000 (AU$113,300). The top lots for the day were a colt by Not This Time (USA) (Hip 533) who made US$1.5 million (AU$2,265,900) and a colt by Flatter (USA) (Hip 494) who sold for US$1.3 million (AU$1,963,900). So far, 23 horses have sold for US$500,000 (AU$755,300) or more, compared to 14 at the same point last year.
