Too Darn Hot to cover on Southern Hemisphere time
Just a couple of days after Darley announced that Too Darn Hot (GB) would not be shuttling to Australia, the operation revealed that he will be available to cover on southern hemisphere time at a fee of £50,000 (AU$94,850) from Dalham Hall Stud.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Dalham Hall Stud, UK
The son of Dubawi (Ire), who has already produced Group 1 scorer Broadsiding, will be joined by fellow Dalham Hall Stud residents Palace Pier (GB) and Cracksman (GB) to cover southern hemisphere time, at fees of £25,000 and £17,500, respectively. Three Irish-based stallions are also available; Night Of Thunder (Ire) (€60,000), Space Blues (Ire) (€15,000) and Naval Crown (GB) (€10,000).
Horse Of The Year award ceremony announced
The 2023/24 Australian Racehorse of the Year will be announced on Friday October 11 at the new Wolf Blass 'The Man' Event Centre at Morphettville Racecourse. “Racing South Australia is delighted to be hosting the Australian Racehorse of the Year ceremony where the industry has the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful performances of the stars of the sport from the 2023/24 racing season,” Racing SA CEO Vaughn Lynch said.
Wet track no concern for Know Thyself
Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich hold no fears about a wet track with their exciting 3-year-old gelding Know Thyself (The Autumn Sun) in the G3 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. “It was a very good win in the Highway last start,” Messara told racingqueensland.com.au.
“They rolled along in front at a pretty good clip and he had to be ridden hard early to hold his position, so it was a very good win. He’ll certainly get the 1600-metre trip on Saturday as he’s quite a push button horse and can settle anywhere.”
Leah Gavranich and Paul Messara | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Passed in at the sales despite being a foal share, Know Thyself has won three of his four starts. “We had a $300,000 reserve on him, but when he was passed in we bought the American group out of the partnership. It was a joint venture with the Americans owning the mare while we put up the service fee and took care of the foal and split the result from the ring.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t sell but I thought he was an outstanding type and would bring a lot more money. Ladbrokes Racing Club came in after the sale and now part own him with Arrowfield.”
Kembla Grange postponed
The races at Kembla Grange on Thursday were postponed after a Stewards inspection. “The track has been deemed unsuitable to race following a further 14mm of rain overnight,” reported Racingnsw.com.au.
First Jenni winner for new partnership
Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans have made the best possible start with their first 'Jenni' runner, as 2-year-old filly Jenni Multabella (NZ) (Ace High) won her debut impressively at Sale on Thursday. “It's a good relief, to be honest. Tony and Lynn have obviously given Lucy and I a couple of nice fillies to train,” Kennewell told racing.com.
“She's been a pleasure to have in the stable and she's shown us very good ability from day one. That was way below the distance she'll hopefully be winning at later on. That was more than likely a one-and-done run for the prep and we'll get ready for the spring, because she's a pretty high-quality filly.”
Juvenile winner for Heroic Valour
Trainer Sileas Green’s 2-year-old gelding Acedrod (Heroic Valour) took his record to two wins from four starts with a good win at Mackay on Thursday.
Treble for McNeil at Sale
Jockey Jye McNeil rode a treble at Sale on Thursday on Peter Gelagotis-trained Mark Of Zorro (Toronado {Ire}), Patrick Payne-trained The Devil In Her (Sebring), and Peter Gelagotis-trained Margie’s Boy (Hvasstan).
Treble for Satherley at Mackay
Jockey Warwick Satherley rode a treble at Mackay on Thursday aboard Glenda Bell-trained Gold Academy (Zoustar), Sir Grace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) who he also trains, and Glenda Bell-trained Growl (Written Tycoon).
Friday for Tribunal decision on Weir
Darren Weir will learn his fate on Friday morning in a Victorian Racing Tribunal decisions hearing regarding charges of animal cruelty relating to the use of a jigger. Racing Victoria has asked for an additional 10-year ban, while Weir claims to have been rehabilitated.
Darren Weir | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Kosciuszko for unbeaten Clear Thinking
The Kosciuszko is well and truly on co-trainer Paul Messara’s radar with exciting unbeaten mare Clear Thinking (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) if she passes her TAB Highway test at Randwick on Saturday. “If she wins on Saturday I’ll give her a little break and then aim toward the Kosciuszko. She’s the type of horse that people will be looking at,” said Messara who trains in partnership with Leah Gavranich.
“She’s a young horse and I think with a little rest and a prep under her belt she’ll come back a better horse. I do feel she’s a sprinter, I don’t think she’s a horse that’s going to get a mile, she’s a 1000-1200-metre horse.”
Clark excited about debutant Mayfair
Jockey Tim Clark is keen to be legged aboard debutant 2-year-old colt Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) on Saturday at Randwick. “He’s taken that little bit longer than a few of the others but they’ve given him the time, he’s had that education and a good fitness base and it wouldn’t surprise me if he came out and won well,” Clark told racingnsw.com.au.
Mayfair | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He’s a really nice colt to do anything with and has been very straightforward thus far. The track is an unknown so if he handles the track he will be hard to beat. If he doesn’t handle the track it’s going to be hard no matter how good he is but they all have to go through it.”
The colt was sold by Newgate Farm at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $625,000 to China Horse Club and Newgate Farm and Go Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing.
South Australians ready for Glasshouse
Group 1-winning jockey Lachlan Neindorf will make the trip north to partner classy South Australian mare En Francais (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) in Saturday’s Listed Glasshouse H. on the Sunshine Coast. “Hopefully they go ahead,” Neindorf told Racingsa.com.au referring to the weather forecast.
En Francais trialled at the Gold Coast on June 18. “She looked pretty good given it was her first time going the other way. It’s my first time riding that direction, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Stylish Lord ready for competitive Aquanita S.
Trainer Russell Stewart gives 3-year-old gelding Stylish Lord (Playing God) a big chance of winning the Listed Aquanita S. at Belmont on Saturday. “He’s going really good and I think he’s been looking for this,” Stewart said to the Races WA.
“I thought he had a bit of an ask to win last week from where he was but he finished good. There’s going to be genuine pace in this race and he’ll just tuck in. I’ll tell Steven (Parnham) to ride him like Alan did last Saturday. He had a good gallop on the grass Tuesday morning and worked nice. He’ll turn up fresh and bright on Saturday.”
Vale Tom Lowry
New Zealand is mourning breeder Tom Lowry who passed away on Monday aged 88. The third generation to operate Okawa Stud in the Hawke’s Bay, he stood Three Legs (GB) who became a three-time NZ Champion Sire and his progeny included G1 Japan Cup winner Horlicks (NZ).
Tom Lowry | Image courtesy of Race Images
Lowry was vice president of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association from 1983 to 1987 and was made a life member of the association. He was also a former president of the Hawke’s Bay Racing Club and a life member there.
Group 1 winners head to Indonesia
Larneuk Stud's Neville Murdoch purchased Boom Time and Palentino on behalf of an Indonesia-based client, who also stands Cluster. Moshe has been in Indonesia since 2019 as locals build up a breeding industry there. Murdoch told racing.com that there are a couple of other potential deals underway too.
Eluid ready for second Australian start
Trainer Tony Pike thinks 3-year-old Eliud (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) can finish a successful preparation on a high note on Saturday when he contests the Mahogany Challenge Final at Flemington. “He’s drawn a lot better on Saturday (five) which is helpful with the short run to the first corner,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.
Enuid (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“We’re staying with Steve Richards at Flemington and have stayed there a number of times before, Dean Williams is working with Steve at the moment and he was my racing manager for about five or six years, so it works in really well.” Eliud has won two of his six starts and finished fifth last start.
Pike’s Honey Badger to debut
Hastings will see the debut run for 2-year-old filly Honey Badger (NZ) (El Roca) for trainer Tony Pike. “She’s a nice, genuine filly, owned by Caspar and Ronan Fownes from Hong Kong. They bought her at the breeze-up sales and decided to race her down here in New Zealand,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.
Tony Pike | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“She’s trialled well and will improve with race day experience, but she seems to get through rain-affected ground quite well so I expect her to be a nice each-way chance on Saturday. We’ll look to give her a short break after that and come back for the spring, she’s a filly with a future.” Honey Badger is a full sister to stakes placed city winner Miss Cartier (NZ).
British jockey to ride in G1 Durban July
Zimbabwean-born British based jockey Danny Muscutt will ride Double Superlative (Saf) (Twice Over {GB}) for trainer Justin Snaith in Saturday’s G1 Durban July. “It's the pinnacle of the Durban season and a big part in the whole calendar of South Africa racing in general, so I'm looking forward to it,” Muscutt told Racingpost.com.
“It's a privilege to be asked to come over for Justin and [owner] Nick Jonsson. I've ridden a few times at Greyville in the past but never on their big day. I'm grateful to my sponsor Hollywoodbets as they sponsor Greyville and the race too, so it's an honour to represent them as well.
“It would be phenomenal to win. My family have a long association with South African racing and my dad was there when I won the Met. Although he had a string in Cape Town then, he trains and lives in Durban. It's always nice to go back to see lots of friends and people who've known my family for a long time.”
Cieren Fallon fracture puts him out for summer
Group 1-winning jockey Cieren Fallon will miss the height of summer racing after breaking his back in a fall at Windsor on Monday. “It's definitely come at the wrong time. There's never a good time to have an injury but especially in the middle of the season when you are knocking in the winners left, right and centre,” said Fallon.
The 25-year-old has ridden a septet of winners in the past two weeks. Already first past the post 26 times this season, Fallon was dislodged from Nanna Western (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) on his way back to the paddock after running 12th of 14 in the British EBF Restricted Mdn S. He will not require surgery.
Asian Racing Conference to be opened by Chairman
Asian Racing Federation (ARF) chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges will give the keynote speech during the opening session of the Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Sapporo, Japan from August 27 - September 1.
Also the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), Engelbrecht-Bresges will speak on key post-pandemic trends in racing and breeding, as well as exploring the most pressing issues facing the racing industry today.
