O’Shea adds Charlton to training partnership
John O’Shea will enter into a partnership with assistant trainer Tom Charlton, starting from Monday. “Tom has been a valued member of our team for the past five years and I believe the time is right for him to be officially recognised for his efforts,” O’Shea wrote in a letter to clients.
“Tom brings a wealth of experience, energy and racing knowledge which I hope will only enhance the ownership experience at our organisation. Please join me in welcoming Tom into his new role on his return from his honeymoon in the coming weeks.”
National Jockeys Luncheon
The National Jockeys Trust (NJT) will hold their annual fundraising Race Day Luncheon at Australian Turf Club’s (ATC) Royal Randwick racecourse, on August 24 with tickets available from the NJT now.
“As one of the NJT’s main fundraising events, the Luncheon aims to raise vital funds for our ongoing initiatives to support the country’s jockeys,” said NJT CEO, Paul Innes OAM.
The Nation Jockeys Trust Luncheon is an annual fundraising event | Image courtesy of the National Jockeys Trust
In operation since 2004, the NJT’s goal is to relieve financial hardship and provide jockeys and their families with support in times of need. Dedication and bravery are prerequisites of almost every sport, and these qualities are found in abundance in racing. Australian jockeys are elite athletes who, quite literally, place their lives on the line every time they compete in a race, but sadly, serious injuries are a frequent occurrence.
Ten race cards to return in Victoria
Racing Victoria has confirmed 10-race cards will return on a reduced basis next season. The 10-race meetings will return for the first time in 2024/25 for G1 Memsie S. Day on August 31 at Caulfield and run until April 26, 2025. “Based on the feedback received and our analysis of the performance of the 10th race, we have landed on a model that will see 10-race cards programmed eight months of the year, during periods where days are longer,” RV’s GM - Racing Matt Welsh told Racing.com.
“We believe this is a balanced outcome that maximises returns to the industry, whilst managing workloads on tracks and remaining forever conscious of participant welfare. Saturday metropolitan meetings represent 10 per cent of our product but deliver 40 per cent of our wagering turnover. It is the peak timeslot for punters to engage and WSPs have reinforced that post trial.”
Asfoora to stick to the plan first
Trainer Henry Dwyer will stick to the plan with Asfoora (Flying Artie) before contemplating broader targets overseas. She will run in the G2 King George S. on August 2 at Goodwood and then on August 24 York's G1 Nunthorpe S. “York was always her main target for the whole preparation,” Dwyer told Racing.com.
“York is, I suppose, you'd say it's like Flemington, it's a beautiful, big, flat track. And that was always going to be our chance of winning a Group 1 race over there. I didn't think she'd win an Ascot, but here we are. And I just thought coming out of that race, if they didn't beat her there, what hope have they got at York, because that's so much more to her liking.
Henry Dwyer | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“And Goodwood as well, it's almost like a five-furlong downhill, so they're good races for her. If she could notch up another win or two, that'd be amazing.”
Her win at Royal Ascot qualified her for the Breeders' Cup Turf in November at Del Mar. “It's actually 45 minutes from Disneyland Bec tells me, so we'll probably take the kids over to that one. But if we could get there, that'd be great, but if the horse is plum tuckered after York, then obviously we'll come home. It's actually eight weeks between York and the race at Del Mar, so there's an option to go to France for the Prix de l'Abbaye, which is on Arc Day and that's four weeks between both.”
Dylan Gibbs completes apprenticeship
Racing NSW announced on Monday that jockey Dylan Gibbs has completed his apprenticeship. “(He) will now ride as a fully fledged Jockey.”
Juvenile winner for Ilovethiscity
Trainer Reece Goodwin looks to have a promising 2-year-old on his hands with Lovelycut (Ilovethiscity)’s win at Pakenham on Monday. “Considering she's only had the one jumpout and she toughed it out late that was a good win,” Goodwin told Racing.com.
“She's certainly going to be a little bit better over 1300-1400 metres at some stage, whether we pop her away and look to next season and aim a little bit higher, we'll just see how she comes through it.” Lovelycut is a winner from two starts and is a full sister to Listed winner King Of Hastings.
Neasham and Collett team up at Scone
Tuesday’s meeting at Scone will see trainer Annabel Neasham team up with jockey Alysha Collett for several runners, led by 2-year-old filly Bella Corazon (I Am Invincible) who ran mid-field in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) on debut before a couple of placings lately.
Alysha Collett | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
They also combine with 3-year-old filly Vivezza (American Pharoah {USA}), Fernao (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and 3-year-old gelding Machaon (Capitalist).
Romantic Warrior half a chance for Cox Plate
Racing Victoria are hoping to see Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) back for a repeat at the G1 WS Cox Plate. “We got told that we'd have an answer about what their plans are for later in the year are after the Yasuda Kinen,” Paul Bloodworth told Racing.com.
“I've had a few chats with Danny (Shum) since then and I think we're still in the ball game but we're waiting for official confirmation. They haven't said no to us, although the vibe all along is that he might not come back.
Romantic Warrior (Ire) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“There is a race in Japan over 2000 metres called the Tenno Sho, which is basically on the same weekend as the Cox Plate, but it sounds like he's not going to that so we're a chance.”
Thorough Care Month in South Australia
Racing SA has christened the month of July Thorough Care Month to celebrate and highlight the wonderful work being done in the welfare space. “We are so proud of the programs and initiatives we have been able to implement her in South Australia, particularly with a budget that is much smaller than some of the other welfare departments interstate,” said Racing SA Equine Welfare Officer Keely Rayson.
“Thorough Care SA initiatives are funded by 1 per cent of all prizemoney and that money goes towards the improvement of facilities, the state-of-the-art horse ambulance required for race days and trials, Assistance Packs for new owners who take on recently retired racehorses, free clinics and education opportunities, sponsorship for events to drive demand for thoroughbreds, and emergency funding for thoroughbreds found in welfare situations.
“We are passionate about our industry and continue to grow and improve our Thorough Care initiatives year in year out and I hope the wider community can see how much our participants love and care for their horses too.”
First winner for Kennedy
Barbara Kennedy smiled after 3-year-old filly Subtle Power (NZ) (Savabeel) crossed the line at Ruakaka on Saturday, delivering her first success as a trainer in New Zealand. “I was really ecstatic on the day and a bit relieved at the same time to get the first win out of the way,” Barbara Kennedy told Loveracing.nz on Monday.
Barbara Kennedy | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“We were really happy, and it was great to have Warren ride my first winner in New Zealand too. She’s a filly who the penny hasn’t quite dropped yet, she was still very green after hitting the front quite early, and she got a bit lost. She was one with Peter and Dawn, so Warren had done a lot of trackwork on her while she was with them and had ridden her at the trials as well. He was very happy with her. She’s a decent type and has shown us tonnes of ability, so she’ll probably head out for a spell now and come back in the spring.”
Gerard to conclude season on a high
Pam Gerard is hoping to finish her final term in partnership with Michael Moroney on a high over the coming month, kicking off with a small team at Rotorua on Wednesday. “The business changeover starts today, but Mike is on board until the end of the season. I’ve got some big shoes to fill, and it is a bit daunting, but it’s pretty exciting and fingers crossed we can get a good start to the season,” Gerard told Loveracing.nz.
Pam Gerard | Image courtesy of Ballymore Stables
“We’ve got a lot of nice young horses, so we’ll be trying our best to keep the Ballymore name up to the mark.”
Mildon returns to New Zealand
Track manager Bryce Mildon has returned to New Zealand to take up the position of General Manager of Track Development and Operations with Hawke’s Bay Racing at Hastings Racecourse. “I went from Matamata to a small track in Victoria called Stawell. I was there for 12 months and then I spent three years at Sale and then I moved to Pakenham where I was track manager,” Mildon told Loveracing.nz.
Bryce Mildon | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“Pakenham is quite unique because it has synthetic racing as well as turf racing. The turf track was also a sand profile track that was fibre-reinforced. There were a lot of things I had to learn to be able to look after those particular profiles and grass types. That really broadened my knowledge. To come to Hastings and continue that on will be really good.”
