Fangirl injured, out until spring
Triple Group 1 winner Fangirl (Sebring) will miss the rest of the autumn after she cut herself in a stable accident on Friday morning. Trainer Chris Waller wrote in a press release that she had been transported to the vets for treatment.
Fangirl | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Fortunately, it is only a cut, not a fracture or a tendon or anything that will hold her back from racing in the Spring or beyond.”
Fangirl was second in the G1 Chipping Norton S. at her most recent start and has eight career wins including the 2022 G1 Vinery Stud S., 2023 G1 Winx S., and 2023 G1 King Charles III S. with earnings over $7.7 million. She is a homebred for Ingham Racing.
Private Eye rated higher than Imperatriz
The latest World Thoroughbred Rankings have been released and super sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) has been bested by Private Eye (Al Maher). Private Eye was given 120 for his second-placing behind Imperatriz in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. with Imperatriz rated 117 for the win, with the justification that Private Eye carried 2kg more with the gap between them only 0.2l.
Imperatriz was rated 119 for her G1 Newmarket H. win. The ratings put Private Eye on third-equal globally for this quarter.
Ayrton attempts to pay for trainer’s wedding in All-Star Mile
Trainer Michael Kent Jnr married Ali Berwick last weekend and his co-trainer Mick Price believes Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) can win enough prizemoney in Saturday’s The All-Star Mile to help pay for the wedding. “His mile run in the Blamey Stakes was superb and we are going in based on that and happy to be there,” Price told Racing.com.
Ayrton (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We all saw what happened in the Blamey Stakes and Jamie (Kah) got off and said he clearly should have won as he was held up. As we know that can happen from barrier one. If you were taking a Blamey Stakes winner against Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni you would be thinking you’d be running third. It is a horse race though we’re going there thinking optimistically he will run well as he loves Caulfield. He’s drawn a good gate and he should get a nice run in the race.”
Kent Jnr and Ali plan to have their honeymoon in June.
Lane to ride WA’s All-Star Mile hope
Jockey Damian Lane will ride West Australian hope Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) in Saturday’s The All-Star Mile. “It’s always great to get the call up for the Western Australian horses,” Lane said.
“They always compete at a very good level here and it does give you a bit of a sense of pride, I guess. I’ve been to connect with some of their horses and connections, it’d be great to get a result for them.”
Dom To Shoot was fourth in the G1 Futurity S. last start. “He ran a really creditable first up here in Melbourne, he’d only come off one trial, he chased a hot speed and I think that told on him the last little bit,” Lane said.
“Unfortunately, he’s drawn the widest on Saturday, so that’s going to probably mean that he has to to do some work at some stage in the race. It’s going to be hard to turn the tables on a couple of the better ones, but I expect him to be at his best and ready to fire.”
Kembla Grange Classic winner aimed at Vinery
Team Snowden will aim Friday’s G3 Kembla Grange Classic winner, 3-year-old filly Queen Of Dragons (Pierro), at the G1 Vinery Stud S. at Rosehill on March 30. “We got her out to 1800 metres last time at Flemington and she got beaten a short-half-head and we always thought that being Paris Dior's sister she might be better over 1200 metres early days but now we're looking over a mile-and-a-half,” Peter Snowden told RSN.com.au.
"It was a decisive win today and got going really late as well. The Vinery has been on the radar third-up and she'll definitely take her place there.”
Queen Of Dragons now has two wins from 11 starts with earnings over $240,000 and becomes the 36th stakes winner for Pierro. A graduate of Marquee Stud’s 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft, she was purchased by Trilogy Racing and CB Bloodstock for $330,000.
Queen expected to own the Natasha Stakes
Own The Queen (Awesome Rock) is favoured by punters to win the 2200-metre Listed Natasha S. on Saturday and jockey Troy Turner agrees that the 3-year-old filly has it in the bag. “Justine (Erkelens) and the team have done a good job to get her this far,” Turner said on Tabradio.
“I’m looking forward to seeing if she can run out the trip. To be honest she doesn’t know how much ability she’s got. She puts paid to them, but then gets a bit lost at the end of her races. Hopefully she settles alright and finishes off the race over the trip. It is a test, but she’s got all the writings on the board at the moment to suggest she will get the distance. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do tomorrow.”
Own The Queen has won three of her four starts, with all three wins in succession, including the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas last start. Purchased by John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA) and Erkelens Racing for $57,500 from the Western Breeders’ Alliance at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Own The Queen is the fifth stakes winner for Awesome Rock, a son of Fastnet Rock.
Prizemoney boost for South Australian Group 1s
Sportsbet, Racing SA and SAJC have announced a 7-year partnership that will see all four South Australian Group 1 races boosted to $1 million in prizemoney each. “We’re thrilled to partner with Racing SA and the SAJC in this way and the big prizemoney will really put South Australian racing back on the map,” Sportsbet CEO Barni Evans told Racingsa.com.au. “It’s another demonstration of Sportsbet’s unwavering and ongoing commitment to the racing industry and we’re confident this will grow engagement in South Australian racing and more importantly bring more and more people through the gates to the amazing racecourses across the state.”
The four races are G1 Robert Sangster S. on April 27, G1 Australasian Oaks on April 27, G1 SA Derby on May 4, and the G1 Goodwood H. on May 11. “Racing SA is delighted with today’s announcement which enhances our premium races. Stakeholder feedback during the consultation phase of the recently released Strategic Plan was consistent in highlighting the need to address the prizemoney levels of the four Group 1 races conducted in South Australia,” Racing SA Chair, Rob Rorrison, said.
“The increase to the Group 1 prizemoney comes off the back of a 15 per cent increase to prizemoney across the remainder of the racing program which commenced in July 2023 and two increases announced with Racing Rewards.”
Forsman trio for New Zealand Oaks
Trainer Andrew Forsman has three runners in this Saturday’s G1 New Zealand Oaks; Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), and Wren (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}).
Positivity won the G3 Sunline S. at her last start. “Going into the Sunline Vase, we were happy with her, but we didn’t know whether it may be the end of the road for her there,” Forsman told Loveracing.nz. “It was great to see how well she went through the line, and also how well she’s come through the run.”
Andrew Forsman | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Moonlight Magic is still a maiden after five starts but placed in the Listed Taranaki Oaks Prelude two starts ago. “I think from that draw (13) we’ll have to ride her patiently, but 2400 metres is a long way to go, and if Joe (Doyle, jockey) can be as patient as possible, she’ll be hitting the line well.”
Wren is a winner from four starts. “She’s a horse on the way up, she’s improving but it’ll be whether she’s up to this level just yet,” Forsman said. “I think she’ll be a filly that gets better with racing over time, but her run was encouraging (fifth) in the Lowland (Group 2, 2100 metres), and she’s drawn to get a soft run in the race. She’s a horse that has every chance of running out the 2400 metres.”
I Am Invincible filly ready for Wellington Guineas
Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have high hopes for their 3-year-old filly Irish Legacy (I Am Invincible) in the G2 Wellington Guineas, despite it being only her third start. “She’s obviously a beautifully bred filly and has made a really good impression in both of her races so far,” Wellwood said.
“She won very easily on debut, and then we threw her straight in at the deep end for a Group 3 race in her second start and she certainly didn’t disappoint. She had a bit of a luckless run, but the way she finished the race off was quite outstanding. She’s done everything really well since that race. She’s a very athletic filly and doesn’t take a lot of work, but she’s continuing to progress very well and we’re really happy with her.”
Irish Legacy is the first foal of dual Group 1 winner Shillelagh (Savabeel) who won the 2017 G1 Cantala S. and 2018 G1 Empire Rose S.
Champion 2-Year-Old heads to Guineas
New Zealand Champion 2-Year-Old Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) has mixed his form this season with a win and a placing from six starts, but Te Akau Stable are hoping that a return to his favoured distances will bring him back to winning form. “We had a crack at getting him to the Derby, but it just didn’t work out and the 2100 metres in the Avondale Guineas didn’t really suit him,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker.
Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kristin Ledington
“We freshened him up after that and he’s come back really well. We’re very happy with how he’s looking. This is more than likely going to be his final run for this preparation. If he brings his A-game, we have no doubt that he’d be right in it. But it’s just a matter of whether or not he can recapture the very best form that we know he’s capable of.”
Tokyo Tycoon was first past the post in all his five starts at two but was later disqualified from his final start of the season, the G1 Sistema S., after testing positive to meloxicam. CCTV footage from the stable proved that he was dosed accidentally by staff who were meant to give the anti-inflammatory to the horse in the neighbouring box.
Cheap online purchase ready for Country Mile Final
Trainer Craig Weeding’s 4-year-old gelding Fox Appeal (Foxwedge) is looking to out-do the expectations of his $14,000 purchase price in Saturday’s Country Mile Series Final at Caulfield. “Very excited… not so much about the barrier though,” Weeding told Racing.com.
“We almost didn’t run at Wangaratta, but it was a chance to qualify, so we dropped him out the back and gave him one crack at them, and we managed to pick up third. But we’ll have to ride for a bit more luck on Saturday… he’ll have to bounce him out and just try to slot him in, we’re hoping for a bit of luck.
Fox Appeal was purchased as a yearling at an Inglis Digital Sale in March 2021, and has won three of his 17 starts with earnings over $97,000.
“If we go back to last, we’ll just be running for top 10, and we really want to have a go and try and win. You don’t often get to run for this kind of money with Benchmark horses, so we’ll certainly be putting him in the race and giving him a chance.”
2023 Perth Cup winner Buster Bash dies from colic
Trainer David Harrison reported on Wednesday the sad news that his 2023 G2 Perth Cup winner Buster Bash (Trade Fair {GB}) died of colic. The 6-year-old gelding had spent most of the last year recovering from a tendon injury and was nearing his return to the stable when he got colic and unfortunately died during surgery.
Buster Bash, winner of the 2023 Perth Cup | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
The winner of 10 races and over $720,000 had been a stalwart for his connections, winning his first race as a late 3-year-old. The summer of 2022/23 was a highlight with wins in the G2 Perth Cup, Listed Luckygray S. and Listed GA Towton Cup. He came east for the spring of 2023, but injured a tendon during the Listed Heatherlie S. and was almost done with his rehabilitation.
A $10,000 purchase by Bridge Patrol Lodge at the 2019 Magic Millions Perth Winter Yearling Sale from Alywn Park, Buster Bash was out of an unraced Zeditave mare.
Queensland country $3 million infrastructure grants open now
Racing Queensland have announced that the Country Club Asset Funding (CCAF) will be worth $3million for this round and applications are now open. “The Country Club Asset Funding provides much-needed assistance for important upgrades and maintenance, and we are delighted to once again make this funding available,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said.
“Importantly, this funding will also continue to support hundreds of jobs across the state.”
The first round of CCAF saw a total of 51 projects across 39 clubs approved including new outside running rails for both the Goondiwindi Race Club and Calliope Jockey Club, as well as new tractors for the Gympie Turf Club and South Burnett Race Club. Applications close on April 15.
Racing Queensland have also launched the ‘pay it forward’ asset scheme where bigger clubs can donate equipment to smaller clubs. “Our smaller clubs could benefit greatly from the generosity of our bigger clubs - what may seem as just a few tables and stools for one club could be a complete windfall for another,” RQ Club Partnerships & Assets EGM Melinda Martin said.
“Things like unused aluminium or plastic rail, saddlecloths & bibs, barrier & fence padding, glassware, and tables & chairs could be donated. As long as the items are in good condition, with racing equipment meeting current Licensed Venue Standards, or be able to be refurbished, then they can still be put to great use. Equipment would be gratefully received by some of our once-a-year-meeting clubs and will promote sustainability and camaraderie between the 122 clubs across the state.”
Band aims for second Coonamble qualifier
Trainer Clint Lundholm’s 9-year-old gelding Listen To The Band (Tickets) hasn’t raced since he won the 2023 Coomable Country Championships qualifier but he’s back for another shot at the race in 2024 on Sunday. “It’s not just the 12 months since he raced last time. They (owners) put 12 months into him before then and backed me,” Lundholm told Racingnsw.com.au.
Listen To The Band | Image courtesy of Janian McMillan
“He hasn’t had the ideal preparation leading into this but that’s the cards we’ve been dealt. He's as good as I can have him, he’s a good horse and good horses can overcome bad luck sometimes. It’s just unfortunate he’s a 9-year-old with a lot of problems. I love him and he’ll try his guts out on Sunday.”
Listen To The Band has won five of his nine starts, including his last four in succession, but has been troubled by injuries through his career. He has earnings over $134,000.
Two million-dollar horses conclude Ocala Sale
The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds concluded with two more million-dollar sales, bringing the sale total to seven, the same as 2023. “Overall, it was a terrific sale and we are looking forward to April,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski.
Over the three days, the sale grossed US$66,437,600 (AU$101 million) for 446 horses sold. The average of US$148,963 (AU$226,000) was down five per cent from 2023 and the median of US$75,000 (AU$114,000) was down six per cent.
The two million-dollar lots were US$1.8 million (AUS$2.7 million) for a filly by first-season sire Win Win Win (USA) and a colt by first-season sire Authentic (USA) who made US$1 million (AU$1.5 million).
Group 1 winner Highfield Princess retired
Four-time Group 1 winner Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) has been retired after sustaining an injury at John and Sean Quinn's stable in Malton. “On Tuesday morning she got really badly cast," joint-trainer John Quinn told Racingpost.com. “There were knocks and bumps on her and she was lame behind. We were very concerned at the time but she's improved greatly. She needs two months' rest so the game is up, but she's been a great mare and will be fit to take up broodmare duties in the future.”
Highfield Princess (Fr) | Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com
Winner of 14 races and prizemoney of £1,852,945 (AU$3.6 million), Highfield Princess is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Cardsharp (Lonhro). “She's been a mare of a lifetime. She was unraced at two but showed some ability to suggest she'd win a race or two. She did well at three and then really blossomed at four, winning at Royal Ascot and running well in stakes races.
“What she did at five was unbelievable, winning three Group 1 races in 36 days and having to travel all over Europe was something else. She just kept improving. She wanted it, tried very hard and was remarkably sound. Horses like her just don't come along and I'm delighted that we had her.”
