Racing NSW draft Strategic Plan open for feedback
Racing New South Wales announced on Monday that their draft Strategic Plan was open for feedback.
The plan includes an outline of plans to develop a major training centre close to Sydney that will be similar to England's famous Newmarket training and racing complex. “Racing NSW has been working with trainers, owners, race clubs and suppliers to firstly identify the cost base of ownership and what elements of these costs can be addressed,” the document reads.
“This review of costs will incorporate areas such as staffing, veterinary fees, feed supplies and transport to identify opportunities for the industry to reduce costs such as by maximising economies of scale or eliminating monopolistic behaviour.”
Submissions must be made by September 13.
G1 Memsie nomination deadline extended
The nomination deadline for the G1 Memsie S. has been extended until Tuesday morning with only 11 horses entered so far.
Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai)’s regular rider Declan Bates told racenet.com.au, “She's ticking all the boxes now. You don't want to get ahead of yourself until you get to the rac but her preparation so far has been very smooth.
Declan Bates aboard Pride Of Jenni | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She's come to hand very quick and after her jumpouts I couldn't be happier. She's fit now, she's in a good frame of mind. I feel she's really matured mentally and physically, all the signs are there that she's going to be as good as ever but we'll find out when we get to the racetrack.”
Horner remains in induced coma
Jumps jockey Lee Horner remains in an induced coma at the Royal Melbourne Hospital as he recovers from a head injury suffered in a fall in Sunday's Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat.
Victorian Jockeys' Association Chief Executive Matt Hyland told racenet.com.au the latest report from doctors was that Horner was in a stable condition.
Pierata colt Cambar wins on debut at Murrumbidgee
Trainer Gary Colvin’s 3-year-old colt Cambar (Pierata) became his sire’s 12th winner when he won on debut at Wagga races on Monday. Ridden by apprentice Holly Durnan, Cambar won by 1.5l.
Cambar was purchased by his trainer from Segenhoe Stud for $50,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. He is the second foal and second winner for Miss Quaintly (More Than Ready {USA}) who won twice at two.
Astrogazer wins at Murrumbidgee
Trainer Anthony Warren enjoyed the quinella in the first at Wagga on Monday with 3-year-old colt Astrogazer (Divine Prophet) and $1 million yearling Menuhin (Not A Single Doubt). Astrogazer was having his second start and is the first named foal for city winner Sonic Rocket (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
First Return wins at Horsham
Trainer Wayne Walters took 3-year-old gelding First Return (Foxwedge) to Horsham for his first run this season, having run twice at two, and he delivered with a 0.46l win for jockey Kate Walters. He is the first foal of winning mare Taken Everything (Snitzel).
Athanatos heads to Sandown on Wednesday
A week after having to be scratched behind the barriers, lightly raced Athanatos (I Am Immortal) will head back to Sandown on Wednesday aiming to break his maiden. “He’s ready to race,” trainer Phillip Stokes told racing.com.
Phillip Stokes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He’s very full of himself, obviously missing that run last week. He galloped well on Saturday so we’re happy with him going into the race.” He has placed three times in four starts.
Vandeek to Cheveley Park
Vandeek (GB), the brilliant dual Group 1-winning juvenile, has been retired and will stand at Cheveley Park Stud.
The highest-rated son of Havana Grey (GB), Vandeek landed the Prix Morny and the Middle Park S. in what was a spellbinding 2-year-old campaign in 2023.
Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson said, “Patricia Thompson (stud owner) is delighted to have been able to secure Vandeek, in partnership with Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to stand at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, making this very exciting son of Havana Grey available to British and international breeders and thus further enhancing the long established history of Cheveley Park Stud standing world-class stallions.”
Headwater filly looks poised for debut win
Australian Bloodstock runner Saraya (Headwater) is out to follow-up some strong trial form when she debuts over 1000 metres at Tamworth on Tuesday. “I wasn’t on her in her first trial, but she ran well enough when fourth behind a handy sprinter in Spywire,” jockey Andrew Gibbons told racingnsw.com.au.
“In her second trial I got on her, and it was a strong performance when finishing second behind Mogul Monarch at Wyong. She was beaten less than two lengths and gave me a good feel. Then trainer Kim Waugh took her horse Mogul Monarch to Hawkesbury to race, and it bolted in there, so the form looks pretty strong. The 1000 metres at Tamworth should suit her and she’s drawn soft in barrier two which should also assist her chances.”
Outsider Shandy leaves punters punch-drunk
Trainer Fozzy Stack's 2-year-old filly Shandy (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) showed initiative in the G3 Ballyogan S. on Sunday and was rewarded with a 50/1 victory. “She ran well in the Listed race here the last day (in sixth) and won the race on her side,” Stack told irishracing.com.
“We were drawn 11 and 12 and the middle is the worse place to be, so we took a chance, and it worked out. The ease in the ground helped as she needs an ease in the ground. We tried different things with hoods as she over-raced once or twice and it all came together today.” Shandy now has two wins from seven starts and is part-owned by TV Magnier and Mrs MV Magnier. MV Magnier and De Burgh Equine bought her for 70,000 guineas (AU$144,000) at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 2).
Burke’s Spycatcher wins in France
Trainer Karl Burke’s Spycatcher (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}) continued his love affair with Deauville when winning the G3 Prix de Meautry on Sunday, earning a 12-1 quote from Coral for the Qipco British Champions Sprint. He took his record to six wins from 29 starts.
“I’m delighted with Spycatcher. He looked like his old self today and was given a great ride by Clifford Lee,” Burke told racingpost.com. “He loves that soft ground, that’s key to him, he looked in great shape and travelled over well. We’ll aim for Champions Day again but he’ll have entries in a few races and if the ground comes up heavy between then and now, he’ll probably turn up.”
G2 Grand Prix Deauville winner makes history
The German 4-year-old mare Quantanamera (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was a surprise winner of the G2 Lucien Barrière – Grand Prix de Deauville. French Galop reported that this is the first time since 2016 that a German-trained horse has won this particular group race at the track which nestles on the Normandy coast. Furthermore, no filly or mare had triumphed in this race since 2015! It also marked a first victory in the feature for the Cologne-based trainer Andreas Suborics, and owner Jürgen Sartori, who acquired the filly for €200,000 (AU$330,000) at the BBAG yearling sales at Baden-Baden.
She will head to the British Champions Fillies & Mares S at Ascot next.
Lord Kanaloa’s Satono Reve makes it a double
Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) made it two Group 3 races in succession when winning Sunday’s G3 Sapporo Keeneland Cup over 1200 metres. The 5-year-old entire now has seven wins from nine starts and has won three black type races in succession this season.
Breeders’ Cup entry for Pat O’Brien S. winner
Saturday's G2 Pat O'Brien S at Del Mar was billed as a showdown between the top sprinter in the West, two-time G1 Bing Crosby S. winner The Chosen Vron (USA) (Vronsky {USA}), and Senor Buscador (USA) (Mineshaft {USA}), winner of the world's richest race, the $20 million G1 Saudi Cup. The Chosen Vron toted a gaudy six-race win steak, while Senor Buscador was returning from a break after finishing third in the G1 Dubai World Cup. Despite the headlines, apparently Mark Davis and Great Friends Stable's 3-year-old colt Raging Torrent (USA) (Maximus Mischief {USA}), the only 3-year-old in the field, missed the memo, not only intruding on the prize fight by engaging in his own slugfest with The Chosen Vron, but also capturing the first Graded win of his career and earning a fees-paid 'Win and You're In' berth to the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, which will be held over the same surface the first weekend in November.
Malaysia’s Charity Cup won by Trigger Pegasus
The strong influence of New Zealand thoroughbreds and Karaka graduates in Malaysian racing was once again on display in Perak Turf Club’s Charity Cup on Sunday, won in blistering come-from-behind style by Trigger Pegasus (NZ) (Deep Field).
Trigger Pegasus (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Offered by Blandford Lodge in Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale of 2020, he was a NZ$70,000 purchase by David Ellis and Fortuna Racing. From a 22-start career, Trigger Pegasus has now had five wins and six placings and banked the equivalent of more than NZ$250,000.
