Daily News Wrap

Who wants to host the 2026 G1 WS Cox Plate?

With the Moonee Valley Race Club (MVRC) set to close their track for renovations after the running of the 2025 G1 WS Cox Plate, and not expected to reopen until before the 2027 race, the club are opening up a tender process for the right to host the 2026 G1 WS Cox Plate.

“We will go through an expression of interest process over the next month or two to work out where our race meetings will be run through that closure period and most importantly, the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate,” MVRC CEO Michael Browell told Racing.com.

“Whoever puts the best bid forward will be best placed to be hosting it. We've had great dialogue with all clubs that are in the mix. We are just getting through the Autumn Carnival and then we'll start that in earnest. We'll open it up to others - you'd have to think the metropolitan clubs are favourite to host it.”

One of the key issues will be that the date can’t change.

“We want to retain the date, that's a key consideration for us, so it will either be at Caulfield, potentially just after the Caulfield Cup Carnival. At the end of a busy Caulfield Cup Carnival? What's the appetite to take on another feature meeting?

“Or Flemington, the hallowed turf of Flemington, opening it up to The Valley to run 10 races there a week out from Derby Day. So, it will be an interesting discussion around the table with RV (Racing Victoria). The race dates for next season are set to be released shortly so we'd like to think May or June this year, so there is a good lead time there to be able to transfer that meeting across and maximise the opportunities for the 2026 carnival.”

Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip injures tendon

Trainer Ciaron Maher announced on his social media on Wednesday afternoon that his 2022 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) has injured a tendon. “It is with sadness we announce that Gold Trip has sustained a tendon injury, ruling him out of the autumn,” the statement said.

“It is on the less serious side, as far as tendon injuries go, and we will rehabilitate him regardless of whether he races on or not. A decision will be made on his immediate future in the coming days. His Australian racing career delivered arguably the stable's crowning achievement to date with his dominant performance in the 2022 Melbourne Cup.

“His win in the 2023 Turnbull Stakes was just as impressive, and he showed us how talented and resilient he is, competing in the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in back-to-back years. He is an entire, and a horse of obvious ability, with his fourth place in the (Prix de) l'Arc de Triomphe sitting alongside a Melbourne Cup win.”

Gold Trip has won three of his 26 starts with two of those wins in Group 1 company, while he has been Group 1-placed on a further five occasions.

Stefano Cherchi injured following fall

Jockey Stefano Cherchi was taken to hospital following a head injury after an incident at Canberra.

Cherchi, Shaun Guymer and Jeff Penza were all dislodged from their mounts during the running of Race 3. Penza and Guymer walked back to the jockeys' room.

Cherchi arrived in Australia, based at Warwick Farm, earlier this year after being apprenticed in the UK to leading trainer Marco Botti. He rode more than 100 winners during his time in England.

Snowden pair to bounce from Newcastle into Sires’

Co-trainer Peter Snowden thinks the short favourite tag for 2-year-old colt Fearless (Pierata) is suited for Thursday’s race at Newcastle given that he’s dropping down in class.

“We identified the Newcastle race for him two weeks ago and it is the perfect race for Fearless, with the set-weight conditions,” Peter Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son, Paul, told Racingnsw.com.au

“He had no luck in the Blue Diamond when shunted off the track, but he was strong late. Fearless has been set for the Sires' and from the good barrier with Tommy Berry aboard on Thursday he will be hard to beat.”

Fearless has had three starts, fourth on debut in the G3 Breeders’ Plate, then second in the G3 Canonbury S. before sixth in the G1 Blue Diamond S.

“Paul and I also have Media World in the Newcastle race and we are hoping he gains a start in the Sires'. His run in the Merson Cooper at Caulfield in December was good, and he won a recent Randwick trial.” Media World (Written Tycoon) has had only one start when fifth on debut in the Listed Merson Cooper S.

Waller mimics Haggas preparation with Via Sistina

Trainer Chris Waller will run Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) in the G1 Ranvet S. on Saturday straight out of quarantine and has used trainer William Haggas as inspiration for the 6-year-old mare. “We prepared her in Newmarket, I kept a close eye on what Mr Haggas has done with a few of his horses which have beaten Verry Elleegant a number of times,” Waller told Racingnsw.com.au.

“He just gets it right every year. Firstly he brings the right horse. Secondly he prepares them well and thirdly they cope with the trip. So she looks like she’s that type of horse. She’s thrived the last two weeks. She’s just going on the right path forward and I’ve been impressed with her.”

Winner of five races in England, Via Sistina won the 2023 G1 Pretty Polly S over 2000 metres and was second in the 2023 G1 Ascot Champion S. over the same distance at her last start back in October.

She was knocked down to Evergreen Equine for 2,700,000gns ($5,519,728) at Tattersalls December last year and will race for Yulong.

Zougotcha penalised 2kg for Doncaster

As a result of winning the G1 Coolmore Classic, Zougotcha (Zoustar) has been penalised 2kg for the G1 Doncaster H. Announced by Racing NSW Stewards, the penalty takes her to 53.5kg for the $4 million G1 The Star Doncaster Mile over 1600 metres run at Royal Randwick on Saturday, April 6.

Winner of seven of her 14 starts with earnings over $1.7 million, Zougotcha has won the G2 Millie Fox S. and the G1 Coolmore Classic from two starts this autumn.

She was purchased by Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster Bloodstock from Widden Stud for $500,000 at the 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. She is a sister to Listed winner Persuader, and a half-sister to Listed winner The Actuary (Sebring).

Group winners show off at Cranbourne jump outs

Trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans were pleased with their 3-year-old colt I Am Unstoppable (I Am Invincible) when he ran second in his heat at Cranbourne on Monday. “The goal is now he needs to win a race as a three-year-old,” Yeomans told Racing.com.

“Although he's run second in Group 1s, he hasn't actually won as a three-year-old yet, so the goal is to hopefully try and win a race Saturday week and then we can set the bar a bit higher and try and find another Group 1 for him.”

5-year-old gelding Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) won his heat nicely for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. "I haven't got a specific target for him, I just want to be careful with him," Price said. Globe hasn’t raced since having cardiac arrhythmia in the G2 John F Feehan S. back in September. Both horses were ridden by jockey Mark Zahra.

Pike almost ready for race day return

WA jockey William Pike has begun light duties as his return to race day riding nears. He hasn’t ridden since breaking his heel in January. “The doctor gave me permission to resume light duties,” Pike told The Races WA.

“He’s very happy with how the heel has mended. If I can survive the track work I’m away. I’ll start off slowly and won’t be rushing anything. I’ll be overly cautious early and won’t look at coming back until I am 100 per cent confident in my foot. But if all goes well I could be back at trials on Monday and look to take rides for Saturday week.”

With 66 metropolitan winners in Perth this season, Pike is still seven clear of his next rival, Chris Parnham, despite having two months away from riding. In the Australian premiership Pike has slipped to third with 105 overall wins, behind James Orman (119 ½ ) and Damian Lane (110).

Group target for consistent mare

Trainer John Blackadder has freshened 5-year-old mare Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) ahead of the G3 South Island Breeders S. at Riccarton on Saturday. “Her run in the White Robe was good. She just came to the end of it, she wasn’t far away. It was a nice run,” Blackadder told Loveracing.nz.

“She had a good week-and-a-half off. She is fresh and nice and fit. She had a gallop on Saturday and went down to the beach again today (Wednesday) and did some nice pace work. I am very happy with her. All she needs is a bit of luck and she will be right in it.”

After the Breeders S, Ears Back will be hunting for big prizemoney in next month’s inaugural $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton. “She will go to the $350,000 race in a couple of weeks.”

Ears Back has won six of her 21 starts for earnings over NZ$144,000.

Typhoon leads to surprise return from injury

Trainer Alex Malliff retired Queensland’s country hero Paniagua (Tycoon Ruler) back in July 2022 when he reinjured a tendon in the Mackay Cup, but when a cyclone threatened his retirement paddock, Malliff brought him back into the stables to keep him safe. “He was in the paddock when that big cyclone hit Townsville so I decided to move him back in the stable for safety,” Malliff told Racingqueensland.com.au.

“He loved being back in the stables and he caught the attention of my vet. I thought about putting him back into work and the vet said there was no reasons he couldn’t race again.”

In 2020, Paniagua captured racing fans attention when he won eight straight races including the Cairns Cup and Country Cups Challenge Final in Brisbane. All up he has nine wins from 23 starts. He will run first up at Townsville on Friday. “You can’t be confident first-up after 18 months or so,” Malliff said. “But he’s a very good horse and is always very competitive. He’s still only a seven-year-old and he’s been in work since December and he’s had a jump out at Mareeba on Saturday. There’s no pressure on him.”

Weir trial hears closing statements

At the end of the third day of the Racing Victoria tribunal hearing where banned trainer Darren Weir has pleaded not guilty to corrupting the outcome of a race, Barrister Albert Dinelli KC, acting for Racing Victoria Stewards, said that all 10 charges against Weir had been proven.

“There's no question that Mr Weir applied a jigger to three racehorses shocking them and we say it was for only one purpose, that is improving their performance in future races,” Dinelli told the hearing.

“The tribunal ought to be comfortably satisfied that he did it for the very prescribed intended purpose. If Mr Weir could've said anything favourable to his case about his intention, he would've given evidence and he hasn't.”

Weir's barrister Ian Hill KC said in his closing statement, “Mr Weir's intent was for his horses to race to their potential but no more, he did not dishonestly or corruptly intend to gain an unfair advantage in any race.

“Viewing with a critical eye shows nothing untoward in the way in which they performed or were raced. The critical aspect of the rule is that horses compete on a level playing field, for his conduct to be contrary to the standards of integrity … he must've had an intent to disturb the horses racing on a level playing field.”

Weir and former stable employees Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond have all previously pleaded guilty to cruelty charges. The three-person VRT panel of Judge John Bowman, Judge Kathryn Kings and Des Gleeson is expected to hand down its verdicts early next week.

Rider for Cylinder announced

Group 1 winning colt Cylinder (Exceed and Excel) will be ridden by Beau Mertens in Saturday’s G1 William Reid S. Mertens has been out with injury for six weeks and made a gentle comeback last Saturday with two rides.

The 26-year-old sustained cracked ribs and a hematoma to his kidney in a nasty fall at Stony Creek in February. He rode his first winner back at Kyneton on Tuesday aboard Gavin Bedggood-trained 3-year-old filly Furosshi (Street Boss {USA}).

Cylinder is a $5 chance to make it consecutive Group 1 wins on Saturday, while Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) is the $1.65 favourite.

Juvenile stars get winning pedigree updates

Trainer Kelly Schweida’s 3-year-old gelding Metalart (Better Than Ready) remained unbeaten with his second win from as many starts at Doomben on Wednesday. Withdrawn from the sales as a yearling, Metalart is the fifth winner for a city winning Redoute’s Choice daughter of G1 Sires’ Produce and G1 Champagne S. winner Victory Vein (Mr Henrysee {USA}).

Meanwhile at Murray Bridge, 3-year-old filly Toi Et Moi (Zoustar) broke her maiden status with her first win in five starts. She is a half-sister to G1 Golden Slipper hopeful Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau).

Nashwa to begin season in Dubai Turf

Multiple Group 1 winning 5-year-old mare Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will kick off her 2024 season in the G1 Dubai Turf on March 30. “It was a difficult decision, but I think that a filly of that calibre is entitled to have another chance as a five-year-old,” owner Imad Al Sagar told TDN Europe about whether to keep the star mare in work or send her to stud.

“She had some very tough races at the end of the season, especially the Juddmonte and the Irish Champion and the Queen Elizabeth II, so she was entitled to have a break. Now, we are very happy about her physical condition and fitness.”

Nashwa has won five of her 15 starts and over £1.7 million, led by the 2022 G1 Chantilly Prix de Diane, 2022 G1 Goodwood Nassau S., and the 2023 Newmarket Falmouth S. Her dam is back in foal to Frankel, while she has a 2-year-old colt in training with John and Thady Gosden.

“The Dubawi two-year-old half-brother is cantering and we're very excited to see his progress. He's a very correct horse and gorgeous. John knows the family and he has done very well with Nashwa so we don't need to fix something that is working.”

Justify’s Opera Singer to miss the Guineas

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has reported that 3-year-old filly Opera Singer (USA) (Justify {USA}) will miss the G1 English One Thousand Guineas. After being crowned Champion 2-year-old Filly last year, she was the 4-1 favourite for the classic. “Opera Singer is a little bit behind and might not make the English Guineas,” O’Brien told Racing TV.

“She had had a little setback and had to have two weeks easy. When you have that, it's difficult enough to get to the English Guineas. It's possible, but I'd say it's more unlikely than likely and she could end up starting at the Curragh rather than in England. We won't force her. She's a beautiful, big filly and I'm very happy with her. She's had a couple of easy weeks, so we just need to be aware of that.”

Bred by Mrs. E. Stockwell in Kentucky, she is raced by Coolmore and she won three of her five starts at two last year, including the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, earning her the Champion 2YO Filly in Europe title.

Young stallions on the move in Ireland

Space Traveller (GB) and Sands Of Mali (Fr) have been transferred from Ballyhane Stud to Micheal Orlandi's Starfield Stud for the remainder of the 2024 breeding season. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Space Traveller and Sands Of Mali, formerly at Ballyhane Stud, have been relocated to stand the remainder of the 2024 season at Micheal Orlandi's Starfield Stud in Mullingar [County Westmeath],” a statement read.

“Space Traveller is in his second season covering and reports of his first foals are exceptional. His fee remains at €6,500. Sands Of Mali has his first crop of runners this year and his fee remains at €5,000.”

Space Traveller is a son of Bated Breath (GB) who won the G3 Jersey S at Royal Ascot as a 3-year-old and was three times Group 1 placed in the USA as an older horse, while Sands of Mali is a son of Panis (USA) who won the G2 Gimcrack S at two, the G2 Sandy Lane S at three and the G1 Ascot British Champions Sprint S. at four.

Edge Thoroughbreds launch syndication business

Edge Thoroughbreds have launched a syndication business with the private purchase of Listed winning 3-year-old Godfather (I Am Invincible).

“Godfather is an exceptional horse with wonderful pedigree,” says Edge co-founder Brendan Nelson. “We saw great things from him early on in his career, and with a new environment, trainer and ownership group, we are looking to bring out the very best in him again.”

To be trained by Matt Dunn, Godfather comes well-credentialled as a Listed winner on debut as a December 2-year-old last season in the Listed Phelan Ready S. He then ran fourth in the city, before failing in the RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic. After almost a year away from the track, he has had two starts this time in, running second at his most recent start.

A $1.1 million yearling purchase by the James Harron Colt Partnership from Yarraman Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Godfather is a full brother to Group 3 winner and young sire I Am Immortal and their dam is a Group 2 winner.