Waller ready to equal Doncaster record
The G1 Doncaster Handicap has been won seven times by both TJ Smith and Gai Waterhouse, with Chris Waller sitting on six wins; 2016 Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), 2015 Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}), 2014 and 2013 Sacred Falls (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), 2010 Rangirandoo (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and 2008 Triple Honour (Honours List {Ire}).
With five runners in Saturday’s Doncaster, Waller has announced the jockeys for his horses: Zac Purton on Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) Craig Williams on Zougotcha (Zoustar), Tommy Berry on Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), and lightweight jockeys Jay Ford on Democracy Manifest (Flying Artie) and Zac Lloyd on Lindermann (Lonhro).
“You don't want to them to be over the top going into the Doncaster,” Waller told Racenet.com.au. “They still have to be sharp and fit enough for the race and they have to be a decent horse, too. You don't fluke winning Doncasters.”
Imperatriz basically unbeatable?
Former top jockey Michael Walker says ten-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) is unbeatable. “If she wins the TJ up there, there's no horse that's going to beat her ever,” Walker told Racing.com.
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Even Giga Kick, she's 1-0 against him, if he comes back who knows, but right now she's the one. She's definitely up there as one of the best Kiwis in modern times at least too.”
As for the TJ, Walker said, “There will be more pressure early, but then they sit up and then sprint home, which is going to really suit her because her best is when she's ridden quiet. It's definitely a lot harder that way around, she's probably better the Melbourne way, but she's good enough for sure.”
* An earlier version of this story attributed the quotes to Mark Walker. We regret the error.
Orchestral team selects Oaks over Derby
G1 Vinery Stud S winner Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) will head to the G1 ATC Oaks in two weeks, not the G1 Australian Derby on Saturday. “The extra week will help her,” co-trainer Robert Wellwood told RSN927.
“With the forecast this week, hopefully the conditions won't be as rain affected next week.” Up to 70 millimetres of rain is forecast for Sydney from Wednesday through to Saturday. Orchestral has now won six of her nine starts including the G1 New Zealand Derby and has earnings over $1.9million. Her trainers purchased her for $625,000 from Haunui Farm at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Oakbank winner heads towards SA Derby
Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray will set Easter Monday’s Oakbank winning 3-year-old gelding On The Scent (Foxwedge) for the G1 South Australian Derby. He won over 1900 metres by 2.75l for jockey Lachlan Neindorf.
“He travelled well in the run and when Lachy (Neindorf) asked him to go he picked them up pretty quick. He was left in front a long way (from home) floating around by himself so I think there is more in him when he goes to a better race, something will lead him into the race and he'll be better for it,” Clarken told Racenet.com.au.
“He is three, and Oopy and I own majority share in him, so I dare say he'll be going to the SA Derby.” On The Scent has won two races, both his last two starts, with three placings from eight starts and earnings over $57,000. He was purchased by Angas River Contractors from Collingrove Stud for $32,500 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Feel good win for Andrew’s Memory at Oakbank
An emotional win by 4-year-old gelding Andrew’s Memory (Belardo {Ire}) at Oakbank on Easter Monday in the Community Cup was particularly special for trainer Dan Shepherd. “My grandfather's ashes are spread here (at Oakbank), and his plaque is on the tree out the back of the members so I always go and give him a little shout to give me a bit of luck here and he always does,” Shepherd told Racenet.com.au.
“We named him (Andrew's Memory) after Andrew Dillon who died of leukaemia, we've always had an opinion of the horse and today with the blinkers it switched him on – hopefully he can go on with it.” Andrew’s Memory has won two of his fourteen starts.
Oxlade confirms G1 Goodwood for his sprinters
Trainer Shane Oxlade has confirmed his two sprinters will continue with their planned run in the G1 Goodwood H. “He has taken another step forward. He will go around in the Irwin and then go to the Goodwood. He ran out the 1200 metres in the William Reid okay, so we are hoping to go to the Goodwood,” Oxlade told Racing.com with regards to Queman (Mint Lane {USA}).
Winner of nine of his 22 starts including the G1 Oakleigh Plate, Queman ran 7th in the G1 William Reid S. at his most recent start.
As for Sghirripa (Lonhro), Oxlade said, “Whether I go straight into it with him or give him a run in the DC McKay, but they will both be there Goodwood day.” Sghirripa has won seven of his 16 starts and was 7th last start in the G1 Newmarket H.
Missing the Vinery won’t bother Autumn Angel
3-year-old filly Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) was scratched on vet’s advice prior to the G1 Vinery Stud S. last weekend, and will run in Saturday’s G3 Adrian Knox S. “She knocked herself on the way up in the float and she had a bit of a scratch, but she trotted up okay and they (stable) were happy with her,” syndicator Wylie Dalziel told Racing.com.
“When you arrive on course you’ve got to make the vets aware of it, so Katherine did that and they weren’t entirely happy when they trotted her up. It’s disappointing but you’re not going to overrule the on-course vets and stewards, so we accept the decision and move on.”
Trainers Peter Moody and Katherin Coleman will make a decision after the Adrian Knox about whether she tackles the G1 ATC Oaks seven days later or the G1 Australasian Oaks in Adelaide on the last Saturday in April.
Learning To Fly options
After nearly a year in rehabilitation recovering from an injury sustained in the 2023 G1 Golden Slipper, 3-year-old filly Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}) has had a short break before a renewed campaign. “She probably goes to either the P J Bell or the Arrowfield, and then to Adelaide for the (Robert) Sangster,” trainer Annabel Neasham told Racingandsports.com.au.
Learning To Fly | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Learning to Fly returned to the races in February, finishing a close second to Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}) in the G2 Light Fingers S. before a solid fourth behind Tropical Squall (Prized Icon) in the G1 Surround S. two weeks later. With a bit of a freshen up, Neasham gave her an exhibition gallop last Saturday at the races.
Learning To Fly won her first three starts, and now has a record of three wins from six starts with earnings over $1.5million. She was sold by Coolmore Stud at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale to Kia Ora Stud for $900,000.
Steparty aimed at Stradbroke
Trainer Paul Preusker’s 3-year-old gelding Steparty (Artie Schiller {USA}) is back in work and will be aimed at the G1 Stradbroke H. on June 15. “He's not far off stepping up to a bit of faster work and it's all going smooth,” Preusker told Racing.com.
“By the time I get the foundations on him, the tracks will have softened up and he'll be right. He's ok on dry ground, but the firm Good 3s are just not him … he feels his feet.”
Steparty won his first five starts in a row, including the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude, before running third in the G1 Caulfield Guineas in October. He had a short break before running third in the G3 Manfred S. in January before spelling. He has earnings over $820,000 and wasn’t offered at auction as a young horse.
Dunkel unlikely to race again
Scans on Monday confirmed that Group 1 winner Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) has a fractured hind cannon bone in Saturday’s Listed Roy Higgins H. at Flemington. “He is having surgery to stablise the injury but he is unlikely to race again,” trainer Patrick Payne said.
Dunkel (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“We’ll give him a good life at our farm.” Dunkel won eight of his thirteen starts including the 2023 G1 South Australian Derby, which was Payne’s first Group 1 win, with earnings over $858,000. Initially sold as a yearling by Pencarrow Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$40,000 to SC Ramsay, Dunkel was pinhooked at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale via the Ohukia Lodge draft bought by KT Myers for $100,000. Dundeel has sired eight Group 1 winners.
Yendall wins another country cup
Jockey Dean Yendall has added another country cup to his record with Symon Wilde-trained Thunder Point (Host {Chi}) winning this year’s Warracknabeal Cup on Sunday.
The victory also awarded the gelding five points towards the $500,000 2024 Victorian Country Cups Series leaderboard.
It was Yendall’s third country cup victory for the season after also taking out the Donald and Camperdown Cups for Wilde aboard Mister Me (Zoustar).
Amended dates for J-Mac suspension
Racing NSW have amended the dates for jockey James McDonald’s suspension incurred for careless riding in the G3 Star Kingdom S.
James McDonald
“The suspension, which still involves a two meeting penalty, will now commence on Tuesday 2 April 2024 and expire on Friday 5 April 2024, on which day he can resume riding,” Racing NSW stewards reported.
Drugs seized in police raid
A high-profile Queensland racing stable, on the Gold Coast was raided by police on Sunday, with drugs and other items seized. A Queensland Police Service spokesman told the Gold Coast Bulletin officers were at the property conducting inquiries.
“Officers located and seized a small quantity of drugs, drug paraphernalia and items of interest,” the spokesman said. “Investigations are continuing.” No charges have been laid.
The property is listed as jointly owned by Mel Eggleston and Mandy Jupp, who are employed as the head of the Gold Coast stables for Lees Racing.
The Gold Coast Bulletin stated "there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Eggleston, Ms Jupp, Lees Racing or any of its Gold Coast employees or that they knew of the items seized by police."
150 years for Hillston Jockey Club
The Hillston Jockey Club will celebrate 150 years on Saturday April 6 with a special cup. “We have a very strong, hard-working committee who are essentially the backbone of our success,” President Matt Storrier told Racingnsw.com.au.
“It's quite a big committee for a small town and I think that's a reflection of how important this event is to us. Everyone gets right behind the occasion, with plenty of people there to help.”
Hillston Jockey Club will also unveil upgrades to its truck and other amenities.
California Spangle trainer prefers Japan to Ascot
Trainer Tony Cruz prefers to take his G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) to Japan next. “I had [Royal Ascot] in mind but I’d say it’s doubtful to be honest,” Cruz told scmp.com.
“I’ll talk to the owners, but the Sprinters S. in Japan is really tempting. In England there isn’t too much prize money, but in Japan there is good money and it’s almost a package deal – I like that. It was my 12th attempt in Dubai so it was about time I pulled something off. He’s an out-and-out sprinter now. He likes fast tracks and if you let him run, he can make these record times.”
Cruz won the G1 Sprinters S. in Japan with Silent Witness (El Moxie {USA}) in 2005.
Hong Kong Trainers Championship battle
With Pierre Ng on 53 wins for the season at the start of Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting, Francis Lui scored a double to bring him to 45 wins, but Ng struck back late on the card with his 54th winner.
Lui won with Lucky Gold (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Superb Kid (Sebring), while Ng won with Frantanck (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
Pierre Ng | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
John Size is currently third on the table with 39 wins, but his stable has earned much more than any other trainer with HK$96.7million for the season compared to Ng’s HK$84.2million and Lui’s HK$86.5million.
Breeder and owner Frieda Stronach dies
Frieda Stronach, wife of Frank Stronach and co-founder of Stronach Stables and Adena Springs Farm, died on March 25 in Canada, according to a report from Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung. She was 80.
Among the top Stronach Stables homebreds are Hall of Famer Ghostzapper (USA) (Awesome Again {Can}), 1998 G1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again (Can) (Deputy Minister {Can}), and multiple Grade 1 winner Shaman Ghost (Can) (Ghostzapper {USA}).
Frieda and her husband had two children together: Belinda, chairwoman and CEO of 1/ST, and Andrew, as well as three grandchildren.
According to the Daily Racing Form, the Stronach family will hold a private service and have requested “in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake Regional Health Centre is preferred.”
Prizemoney lures champion jockeys away from premiership
With three-time British Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy (2019, 2020, 2021) saying he will not forego a big international ride for the sake of being champion once again, the focus for jockeys on winning the Premiership is changing.
TDN Europe’s Paul Hayward asked where the Jockey’s Championship matters. “Behind the UK Flat Jockeys' Championship's struggle for relevance sits a reality we sometimes take for granted: the extraordinary globalisation of the Flat race pilot's trade.”
William Buick, who won the G1 Sheema Classic on Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) on Saturday, has been No 1 for the last two seasons and is 8/13 to complete his hat-trick.
Gulfstream meeting champions same as last year
The Gulfstream Park Championship Meet ended Sunday with jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr and trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr defending their respective titles. Ortiz rode 119 winners at the meeting, while Joseph trained 66 winners through the meet, good enough to lead Todd Pletcher in the standings and pick up his third-straight training title.
“We're thankful for the opportunities from the owners, the team we have–how hard they work and all the effort they put in–and most importantly to have the horses we have,” Joseph told TDN. “The horses are the biggest piece of the puzzle. The horses make everyone look good.”
