Victoria Racing Club CEO resigns
The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) has announced on Thursday that VRC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Rosich has provided notice to the VRC Board of his resignation.
“On behalf of the VRC Board of Directors and the VRC team, I would like to thank Steve for his significant contribution to the VRC,” VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said in the statement.
“During his tenure, we have seen the VRC emerge from the COVID-19 period well placed, with the business achieving significant milestones, including record membership and corporate revenues, growth in Cup Week crowds, the new media and wagering partnership with TAB and Nine Entertainment and record economic contribution from the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival to the state of Victoria.
“Steve will be continuing in the role as CEO during the recruitment process for the new CEO.”
Ozzmosis does barrier work before Arrowfield Sprint
After missing the start in the G1 Galaxy and almost losing his rider, Ozzmosis (Zoustar) has been doing barrier practice ahead of the G2 Arrowfield Sprint.
“We’ve opted for the barrier blanket and we’ve taken him back to the gates at Warwick Farm a couple of times as well,” trainer Bjorn Baker told Racingnsw.com.au.
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He’s very fast, physiologically he’s always had an amazing recovery and can do things that would take a lot out of most horses. He’s set up to run a great race from a good gate. I think he can definitely bounce back.”
Ozzmosis has won four of his six starts including the G1 Coolmore Stud S.
Queen Elizabeth farewell for Cascadian
Group 1 winner Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) will attempt to go out on a high in Saturday’s G1 Queen Elizabeth S.
“He’s in his last racing campaign for us,” trainer James Cummings told Racingnsw.com.au.
“He’s right up there with one of the best imports we’ve had in Australia and the only Northern Hemisphere horse we still have in training. He’s just about become the most popular horse we have in training in Australia.
“It would be a moment hard to describe for us if he were able to get it done.” Cascadian has won 12 of his 53 starts and over $10.6 million including the G1 Australian Cup at his last start, a race he also won in 2023 as well.
Bates ready for Pride Of Jenni challenges
Jockey Declan Bates knows the key to success on front-running Group 1 winner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai).
“I try to keep it simpler than it sounds,” Bates told Racingnsw.com.au.
“She has a high cruising speed and she likes to bowl along so it’s a matter of letting her use it. Her job is to stretch the field and use that high cruising speed and my job is to not let her do it too much. It’s a bit of a negotiation between the two of us.”
Declan Bates | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Pride of Jenni has won three of her last five starts, all in Group 1 races, and was second in both the others. Her career record is six wins and 10 placings from 28 starts with earnings over $5.5 million. She was purchased by Cape Schnack Stud from Segenhoe Stud at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $100,000.
Te Akau train continues with two Group 1 runners
Despite retiring their super star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) on Thursday, Te Akau Racing continues on with two Group 1 runners on Saturday. 3-year-old filly Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) will run in the G1 Australian Oaks while Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) runs in the G1 Queen Of The Turf.
Mark Walker | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“Orchestral and Zardozi are class fillies but we have got a nice draw (2) and she will be thereabouts,” trainer Mark Walker told Loveracing.nz about Quintessa who has won four of her nine starts and was second in the G2 Alister Clark S. last start.
Dual Cup winner heads to Sydney Cup
Co-trainer Shaune Ritchie thinks Mahrajaan (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}) can step up to the G1 Sydney Cup on Saturday at Randwick. He’s proven at the trip having won two 3200-metre Cups in New Zealand.
“We bought him initially to try and win a New Zealand Cup with him and once we got over that goal we took the next step, which was the Auckland Cup,” Ritchie told Trackside NZ.
Mahrajaan (USA) | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“It is no mean feat to try and win three two-mile races in one season, it probably wouldn’t be done very often, and obviously this is a step-up in class. I think we have got a pretty even field this year, it has certainly softened up late, we just hope the track isn’t too soft for him.”
Ritchie purchased him at the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket, England, for 75,000 gns (AU$151,300).
Boutique Thoroughbreds Standalone Sale
A carefully curated group of broodmares will be offered in a standalone Inglis Digital auction next week as part of a Boutique Thoroughbreds dispersal.
The ‘Boutique Thoroughbreds Standalone Sale’ will feature Group winner Shoko (Sebring) in foal to Home Affairs, proven producer Urban Rocket (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), the well-related Oh My Mimi (Snitzel) in foal to Capitalist, Face Forward (Charge Forward) in foal to Spirit Of Boom and multiple Group winner and Group 1-placed mare Avenue (Anabaa {USA}) who is a full sister to Group 1 winner Virage De Fortune.
The catalogue will be live from 3pm AEST on Friday with bidding closing on Tuesday, April 16.
Positivity arrives with Oaks claims
Trainer Andrew Forsman will aim 3-year-old filly Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) at the G1 Australasian Oaks.
“She will run in the Australasian Oaks on April 27 at Morphettville,” Forsman told Loveracing.nz.
Positivity (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Positivity who won the G3 Sunline S. two starts ago and was second in the G1 New Zealand Oaks. She arrived in Melbourne from New Zealand on Wednesday with stablemate Good Oil (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) who will head to the Listed Mornington Cup.
Juvenile winner for Star Turn
Victorian trainer Dominic Sutton’s 2-year-old filly Khadime (Star Turn) won on debut at Sandown on Wednesday.
“She has come over to us from New Zealand well-handled from the farm that prepped her up (for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale) and she has been a lovely filly to deal with. She’s very straight forward and she has got a good bit of ability to go with it,” Sutton told Loveracing.nz.
Khadime was initially sold at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale by HP Thoroughbreds for $75,000 to Kilgravin Lodge and McKeever Bloodstock, and Kilgravin Lodge pinhooked her at the NZB Ready To Run Sale for NZ$200,000 to McKeever Bloodstock and Sutton Racing.
Black Caviar grandson wins at Wyong
Keysborough (I Am Invincible) broke his maiden at his eighth start on Thursday at Wyong. The 4-year-old gelding is the first foal of Oscietra (Exceed and Excel) who is the first foal of unbeaten Champion racemare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
Trained by Team Hawkes and ridden by Tyler Schiller, Keysborough was not offered at auction. Oscietra has an unraced 3-year-old named Pietro Road (I Am Invincible) and an unraced 2-year-old named Kings Commission (Churchill {Ire}).
Miss Joelene on target for Queensland Oaks
Trainer Kelly Schweida has G1 Queensland Oaks aims for his 3-year-old filly Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution) and will run her at Doomben on Saturday. Her first aim will be the Listed Princess S. at Eagle Farm on April 27 on the way to the Oaks.
“It all depends on how she goes in the Princess Stakes as to how far we push on,” Schweida told Racingqueensland.com.au. “We’re trying to get her into the right rhythm for the winter races, that’s why she’s having a quick back-up.”
Last start winner Miss Joelene has won three of her 10 starts and is out of Listed winner Cellargirl (More Than Ready {USA}) who placed in the G1 Flight S.
Apprentice jockey Jackson Radley rides double
Apprentice jockey Jackson Radley rode a double at Launceston on Wednesday night. He won on 3-year-old gelding Lontano (Needs Further) who broke his maiden at this third start, and on Mightymaxi (Preferment).
“I’ve had a few rides on this horse now, and you just need to keep building momentum on him, and when Liam (Riordan) put his foot down at the 1000-metre, I was pretty confident that I could get there,” Radley told Tasracing.com.au.
Godolphin are back in Adelaide
Godolphin will launch their Adelaide Racing Carnival assault in Saturday’s G3 RN Irwin S. at Morphettville. Last year’s winner Kallos (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) will be joined by stablemate Athelric (Exceed And Excel).
Kallos | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He’s taking genuine Group 1 Sydney form to the race, he’s done it before, it would be nice to kick off out South Australian assault with some good competitive chances,” trainer James Cummings told Racingsa.com.au of Kallos.
Kota Fujioka dies after fall
Jockey Kota Fujioka, aged 35, died on Thursday morning. He was in intensive care after a fall on Saturday at Hanshin racecourse.
“Jockey Kota Fujioka debuted in 2007. He has a total of 803 wins in the JRA. He has won 22 JRA Graded stakes, including two JRA Group 1 wins: the 2009 NHK Mile Cup (winner: Jo Cappuccino) and the 2023 Mile Championship (winner: Namur),” said the Japan Racing Association in a translated statement.
He won the inaugural Asian Young Guns Challenge at Flemington in 2009, beating out Nick Hall, Matt Chadwick, Derek Leung, and Dean Holland among others.
Michael Moroney hospitalised
In a statement from Ballymore Stables on Thursday, it was announced that trainer Michael Moroney was hospitalised over the weekend. He will be away from work for a few weeks, with Racing Manager Anthony Feroce and assistant trainer Glen Thompson running the Flemington stable.
Michael Moroney | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Pam Gerard will continue to manage the New Zealand stable.
Online bookmakers BlueBet and Betr to merge
Online bookmarkers BlueBet and betr will merge to create a wagering provider capable of competing with leviathan operators Sportsbet, Ladbrokes and Tabcorp.
"This is a transformational moment for BlueBet, bringing together our best-in-class technology platform with betr's large and high-quality customer base to create a national challenger in the online wagering market," Bluebet's Executive Director Michael Sullivan told Racing.com.
"The betr team is fully aligned with this vision and we are excited by the growth opportunities and synergies that will be unlocked through the proposed merger of our two businesses."
George Hanlon Collection to go under the hammer
Victorian auctioneers Burns & Co are honoured to offer the George Hanlon Collection of Horse Racing Trophies and Memorabilia on April 24, commencing at 6.30pm AEST at 4 Market Drive Bayswater, VIC.
Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee George Hanlon won three Melbourne Cups and was one of Australia’s greatest trainers of staying horses. The George Hanlon Collection includes, but is not limited to: Original and Rare Horse Racing Memorabilia, Coins, Medals, Trainer Trophies & Plates – Melbourne Cup, Adelaide Cup, Sydney Cup, Caufield Cup, Geelong Cup, Werribee Cup and many more, Watches, Binoculars, Glassware, Plaques, Books, Photos, Posters, Magazines, Horse Silks and much more. A catalogue will be available on the Burns & Co website soon.
Hong Kong Jockey Club lowers cost of ownership
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will invest HK$140 million (AU$27.4 million) in 2024/25 in lowering the cost of ownership.
“Recognising the current difficult general economic conditions which face Owners, the Club has decided to absorb a substantial portion of these costs on behalf of Owners,” said a HKJC statement.
Starting at the 2024/25 season, the basic monthly livery fee for horses in training will reduce from HK$38,200 (AU$7400) to HK$30,000 (AU$5800) per month, and during the first four months after the arrival of a new horse import, the basic monthly livery fee will be further reduced to HK$25,000 (AU$4800). The club will put HK$50,000 (AU$9700) towards the cost of exporting their horse from Hong Kong on retirement.
Andrew Harding | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“These measures complement the action taken by the Club over the past decade to invest in prizemoney to reward Owners’ investment. Over the past decade, prize money has been increased nearly 100 per cent with prizemoney and incentives schemes totalling an estimated HK$1.73 billion (AU$338.5 million) on offer for the 2023/24 racing season,” said Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing.
Purton passes 1700 wins in Hong Kong with treble
Jockey Zac Purton rode a treble on Wednesday night at Happy Valley to take his career tally beyond 1700 Hong Kong wins.
“It’s nice to get 1700 wins – it’s a big number,” Purton told scmp.com.
Zac Purton | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“(Whyte’s record) is still a way off. There’s still a bit of water to go under the bridge yet.” Douglas Whyte’s all-time record is 1813 Hong Kong wins. Purton won on Moments In Time (Chi) (Lookin at Lucky {USA}), Copartner Prance (Epaulette) and Sports Legend (Deep Field).
Record internationals for Hong Kong Champions Day
A record 11 overseas-based gallopers, including Group 1 winners Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai) from Great Britain and Japan's Mad Cool (Jpn) (Dark Angel {Ire}), are among the 35 total horses invited to participate in the trio of races which comprise FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin Racecourse on April 28.
“FWD Champions Day is one of the most prestigious meetings on the international racing stage and we are delighted to have such a strong group of world-class horses heading to Sha Tin for our spring flagship meeting,” said Andrew Harding, executive director, racing, for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“With eight visitors from Japan and three from Great Britain, the might of Hong Kong's team will be tested in all three feature races.”
UK Racing Welfare announce new chairman
Nick Bannister will become the next chairman of Racing Welfare on June 12, the organisation announced on Wednesday.
Currently chairman of Haydock Park Racecourse since 2020, Bannister will succeed William Barlow, who will be completing his five-year term.
Tatts online sale gets record clearance rate
Winning mare Julia Augusta (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) (Lot 15) topped the Tattersalls Online April Sale when selling to Jimmy Chua for 72,000gns (AU$154,000) on Wednesday during a sale noted for its record clearance of 76 per cent. She was fourth in the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' S. at Kempton last Saturday.
Of the 62 horses offered, 47 were marked as sold for a gross of 427,100gns (AU$846,000). The median was 4,200gns (AU$9600) and the average was 9,087gns (AUS$19,300).
