Maven Belle almost makes the million
Broodmare prospect and G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. winner Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) has sold for NZ$902,500 to ‘Downtown’ on the Gavelhouse Plus platform on Wednesday. Winner of six of her 12 starts for Te Akau Racing, she also won the G3 Almanzor Trophy as a 3-year-old to go with her juvenile Group 1. One of three Group 1 winners for her sire, who is a son of Redoute’s Choice, Maven Belle is out of stakes-placed city winner Doyenne (NZ) (Kilimanjaro {GB}).
Also sold in the same auction was Rhetorical (NZ) (Snitzel) who made NZ$202,500 to the bid of ‘Highlands’. Rhetorical won two of her 12 starts and was stakes-placed at two. She is the first foal of Group 2 winner Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}). Bruce Slade announced the purchase online later in the day, saying “Nice addition to the Allam Racing classy broodmare band with flying pre-Xmas 2-year-old Rhetorical via Gavelhouse and Te Akau Racing.”
Unbeaten juvenile set for Percy Sykes
Trainer Chris Munce will set unbeaten 2-year-old filly Devine Force (Cosmic Force) for the G2 Percy Sykes S. in Sydney if she comes through her city outing on Saturday at Eagle Farm. “She’s coming along well and ran third in a barrier trial and has had a jump-out,” Munce told Racingqueensland.com.au.
“I want to see how she comes back before I make any firm decisions, but she’ll have to win or be very unlucky if she’s to go to Sydney for the Percy Sykes. It’s a very strong race she’s resuming in.”
Devine Force | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
She won both her starts back in October and November and was aiming for the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. “She had a bit of a setback before the Magic Millions and I just ran out of time getting her ready.”
A $100,000 purchase by Chris Munce and Arthur Hoyeau from Kingstar Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Devine Force is one of four winners for her first-season sire.
Think About It in doubt for Saturday’s Ryder
Trainer Joseph Pride’s dual Group 1 winner Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) is in doubt for Saturday’s G1 George Ryder S. after tests found a slightly elevated white blood cell count on Thursday morning. Racing NSW chief veterinary officer Dr Peter Curl will inspect Think About It again on Friday.
Think About It | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Winner of 11 races with three placings from 14 starts, Think It Over won The Everest in the spring, and has had one start this campaign for a second in the G1 Canterbury S. which took his earnings over $11 million. He was a $70,000 purchase from Newgate Farm by Joe Pride and Proven Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Vivy Air sticks to Melbourne for group opportunity
Trainer Archie Alexander will run 3-year-old filly Vivy Air (Hellbent) in the G3 Alexandra S at Moonee Valley, rather than take her to Adelaide for the Listed Clare Lindop S. “We're most likely going to stay here, that's the plan at this stage,” Alexander told Racing.com.
“We're aiming to take her to South Australia for the Oaks, so going this weekend is just another trip away, if we do decide to go down that route. Obviously she was unlucky last start, we're happy with her, it's only been two weeks between runs, so we're happy to stay here.”
Archie Alexander | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Vivy Air has won twice from eight starts, and placed in the G2 Sandown Guineas two starts ago. Not offered at auction, she is a half-sister to Group 2 winner New Predator (New Approach {Ire}).
Fearless delivers as favourite
In yesterday’s Daily Wrap we wrote about Fearless (Pierata) and he delivered on Thursday at Newcastle. He has now broken his maiden, having previously run fourth on debut in the G3 Breeders’ Plate, then second in the G3 Canonbury S. before sixth in the G1 Blue Diamond S.
He becomes the third winner for first-season sire Pierata, who has five runners with black-type to date. Fearless was a $220,000 purchase by the James Harron Bloodstock Colts Partnership from Highgrove Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Harley returns after minor neck injury
Jockey Martin Harley will ride at Eagle Farm on Saturday after a month off with a neck injury. “It was at Ipswich four weeks ago, one of (Chris) Muncey's horses went down in the barriers and slingshotted me forward, I cracked my neck a few times on the way down,” Harley told Racenet.com.au.
Martin Harley | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“This little barrier scare was something that we didn't need after a crazy year but the scans are good as gold and we will be cracking on from here.” Harley won the R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January on Abounding (Rich Enuff) after a year off the scene with a broken neck. The recent month-break was mostly precautionary to ensure the old injury wasn’t impacted.
Carr’s consistent Pennine ready for St Leger
Friday night’s Tasmanian St Leger will be a step up in class for consistent stayer Pennine (Alpine Eagle) but he comes into the race having won three of his last four starts.
“He’s been coming through his runs really nicely and the 2400 metres won’t be an issue as he goes to sleep in his races allowing him to conserve energy,” trainer/jockey Siggy Carr told Tasracing.com.au.
“While I’m disappointed Craig Newitt is suspended as he has a nice record on the horse, I’m quietly happy as I get to jump back aboard.”
Pennine has won three of his 13 starts, so he’s in form at the right time for this, and has earnings over $100,000.
Pearce Brothers keen to emulate father in Pinjarra Cup
Trainers Dan and Ben Pearce have two runners in Sunday’s Listed Pinjarra Cup, a race won by their father in 2006 with Professional Lady (Tip The Pro), and both Queen Alina (Mahuta) and Black Fantasy (Blackfriars) are in-form.
“She’s been really good and has had a good preparation,” Dan Pearce told Tabradio about Queen Alina who he rates as a slightly better chance of the two.
“I thought that last run was really good against the pattern of the day. She was still able to make solid ground down the outside and the extra distance should help as well.”
Ben and Dan Pearce | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Black Fantasy jumps from second-widest gate in barrier seven. “I think he probably finds the front, just because I don’t know who else finds the front. He’s not necessarily a lead at all cost type of horse, we wouldn’t mind getting a sit at some stage on him. But the way it sets up he probably just finds himself there I would have thought.”
Queen Alina has won five of her 21 starts with earnings over $410,000. She was passed in by Lynward Park Stud who race her, and she is the only stakes winner to date for her sire, Mahuta, who is a son of Flying Spur and Mahuta has only had 34 runners so far.
Black Fantasy was a Listed winner back in December and has won five of his 22 starts with earnings over $610,000. He was purchased by Pearce Racing from Scenic Lodge for $36,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Last chances for Country Championships slot
Friday's Northern Country Championship Wildcard at Scone is one of the last chances for horses to qualify for the Newhaven Park Country Championships Final. Trainer Scott Singleton has $11 chance 4-year-old mare Melody Again (Your Song).
“It's a capacity field and a tough race obviously, but home it's her track and she’s two from three there,” Singleton told Racingnsw.com.au.
"When this big mare draws inside, she always runs a race; I've made some gear changes and hoping for a strong tempo and she’ll be motoring late. We trialled her over 1000 metres at Muswellbrook last week with Mitch to keep her up to the mark - she’s where we want her.”
Melody Again has won three of her 11 starts with earnings over $140,000.
Moody unfazed by ordinary trial for I Wish I Win
Co-trainer Peter Moody wasn’t bothered by his star sprinter I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel)’s dull effort for third on Tuesday morning in a trial at Pakenham. “We were happy, he ran third beaten about three lengths over a 1000-metre trial,” Moody told Racing.com.
“We've got two weeks to have a couple of nice gallops to taper him into the T.J. Smith now. He's sound, he's happy and he's healthy - we're pleased with where we're at.”
I Wish I Win (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
A homebred for Waikato Stud, I Wish I Win hasn’t raced since he finished second in The Everest. He has won six of his 18 starts with a further 10 placings and earnings over $10 million.
Fab’s Cowboy lumped with huge weight
Fan favourite Fab’s Cowboy (Greenwood Lake {USA}) aims to go to 53 victories at Moranbah this Saturday, but he will have to carry 61kg, after being given 65kg, reduced by the 4kg claim of apprentice Mel Campbell.
A month ago, Fab’s Cowboy took his record to 52 wins, breaking the previous modern day record of 51 wins held by Walk Cool (King Of The Walk). Walk Cool won 51 of his 133 starts, placing on 46 occasions too. Fab’s Cowboy’s full record is 150 starts for 52 wins, 31 seconds, and 12 placings with earnings over $424,000. The 12-year-old gelding has won his last two starts, both at Mount Isa.
Victor The Winner team confident ahead of Japan Group 1
Jockey Derek Leung rode Victor The Winner (Toronado {Ire}) in a track gallop on Tuesday ahead of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen over 1200 metres at Chukyo Racecourse on Sunday.
“He arrived late on Monday after quarantine. There was a traffic jam, so he was spent a lot of time on the truck. At first, he was a little bit tired but after that, he was fine,” Leung told Racingnews.hkjc.com.
“The first time he galloped, he had a look around - same as at Sha Tin, he always looks around… In the gallop, when I asked him for a little effort, he did it for me.
“First time in Japan, but I have ridden in a lot of different countries - England, where the tracks are left-handed, right-handed, uphill, downhill - so it's no problem for me. There's no pressure for the horse. He can gallop left-handed and he seems to like it. … It's just that everything is new for him - left-handed, different ground - but I am sure he can handle it. On Sunday, the weather is forecast to be a little bit wet, so we will see.”
Last start winner in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup, Victor The Winner has won seven of his 14 starts and over HK$19 million (AU$3.67 million). He was purchased by Golden River Investments and Chu Yun Lau for $180,000 from Collingrove Stud at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Strong international team for Hong Kong Champions Day
Hong Kong’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on April 28 promises to be great meeting with a strong international contingent flying in. Group 1 winners Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire}) and Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) head 12 runners from Europe, while Japan plans to send 25 horses, Australia will send eight, while three horses from the UAE will all run against 41 locally-trained horses.
“We are excited by the spread and quality of international entries among the nominations for FWD Champions Day,” said Andrew Harding, executive director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Cub.
Andrew Harding | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“The potential return of Golden Sixty in the FWD Champions Mile after his stunning Longines Hong Kong Mile performance in December, along with Romantic Warrior in the FWD QEII Cup and Lucky Sweynesse in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, lays the foundation for another wonderful staging of our spring flagship meeting.
“We are delighted at the support we have received from overseas owners and trainers in Japan, England, France, Ireland, Australia and the United Arab Emirates, with the number of entries across our three Group 1 features rising from 71 last season to 89 this year.”
William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour, a dual Group 1 winner in Australia, will be returning for a third run in Hong Kong, after being fourth in the 2021 G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and third in the 2023 G1 FWD QEII Cup.
Mr Brightside leads Australian team for Hong Kong
Australia’s eight runners for the FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on April 28 are led by multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) who has been entered into both the G1 QEII Cup over 2000 metres and G1 Champions Mile over 1600 metres.
Trainer Chris Waller has nominated four horses; Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) for both the QEII Cup and Champions Mile, Lindermann (Lonhro) for the QEII Cup, and Shinzo (Snitzel) for the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize.
Globetrotter The Astrologist (Zoustar) will head to the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize for trainers Leon and Troy Corstens, while Gary Portelli has entered Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}) in both the QEII Cup and the Champions Mile. Bjorn Baker rounds out the Aussie team with Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the QEII Cup.
Bold plans for City of Troy’s Classic season
Trainer Aidan O’Brien will take his Champion 2-year-old colt City Of Troy (Justify {USA}) to America after he runs in the English classics. He will run in the G1 2000 Guineas, then the G1 Epsom Derby followed by the G1 Travers S.
“He has always been very special. He always looked a bit different – even from the time we worked him to when he ran in his maiden,” said O’Brien.
“All you can do is just keep turning up and running and see what is going to happen, but he does work very differently [to anything else]. Horses are working in very bad ground at the moment-it's deep. He shouldn't like that at all but he is just powering through it. We hope to get him to Naas on Sunday after racing. They'll all work together, they'll all go together over seven or seven-and-a-half furlongs. The plan is to go straight to the Guineas with City Of Troy.”
City Of Troy was unbeaten in three starts at two and rated the Champion 2YO Colt In Europe. He won the G1 Dewhurst S.
O’Brien outlines plans for other 3-year-olds
Speaking to TDN Europe, trainer Aidan O’Brien outlined some plans for his other big name 3-year-olds. “Unquestionable could go for the French Guineas,” O’Brien said about the son of Wootton Bassett (GB) who won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2023.
“He's done very well. He'll go to Naas on Sunday to work and he could go for a trial in France before going back for the Guineas. He could be a French Derby horse. He's not as quick as the others, so he could get a bit further.
River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) won the G2 Coventry S. and was twice Group 1-placed at two. “When we went to America with them last year, River Tiber was five lengths better than the winner. He's not rated that way, but if you put the two of them together, that is what will happen. … River Tiber always worked very well. He wasn't right in Deauville or in the Middle Park – he wasn't 100 per cent, so there's a good chance there's more to come from him. I think he's a miler, he's fast. I couldn't see him getting much further.”
Unbeaten in three starts at two, Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) won the G1 National S. “Henry Longfellow could stretch out but he looks like a miler the way he's going, so how much further he'd get, I'm not sure. He could be a French Derby horse, as could Diego Velazquez–he might be more that than a Guineas horse, but he'll go with them (to Naas) as well, so it will be interesting. If that went well, then he could go for the Derby, and if that went well, there's a chance he could go to Saratoga for the Travers Stakes. That's very possible if things go well and it will be interesting.”
Grosvenor Square (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won the G3 Eyrefield S at two. “Grosvenor Square could be a very interesting horse. I think he'd have no problem with better ground. He's not a heavy-framed horse, he's a good mover. He'll go for a Derby trial.”
Of the fillies, O’Brien was most excited about Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “I like her a lot. She did very well to do what she did because everything went wrong with her the third day – she was too keen. She had to come back to Newmarket and relax but then to go back and do what she did in the Fillies' Mile, you'd have to like her a lot. She could get a mile and a half as she's out of a Shamardal mare, so there's every chance she could, and the way she likes to be ridden will help her.”
Group 3 winner Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will also head to the Classics. “Content was impressive last year, she had a lovely run first time but then went to Ascot and lost her way, we had to slow her down and get her to relax. She won at the Curragh and came home very well (in fourth) in the Breeders' Cup. She could be a very nice filly, you just have to take your time with her, as she has plenty of speed.”
Mullins plans aims Vauban at the Cup again
Trainer Willie Mullins will aim Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) at the 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup with a different lead up to his failure in 2023. “Yes (he’s likely to have a Flat campaign), I think that’s more or less the plan,” Mullins told Irish Horse Racing.
“He might get a run in Punchestown if he’s ready but I think I’m going to concentrate on getting him back to Melbourne in ship-shape and have another crack at the Melbourne Cup in November.”
Vauban (Fr) | Image courtesy of Naas Racecourse
Vauban hasn’t raced since finishing 14th in the 2023 G1 Melbourne Cup when he ran as a drifting favourite. Winner of seven of his 15 starts, he came into last year’s Cup with two wins in succession including the G3 Ballyroan S. over 2400 metres. He has also won three races over hurdles.
