Schedule for day three of the Rosehill hearing released
The NSW government has released the schedule for the third day of the Rosehill Racecourse development hearing which will be held on Thursday September 12. Opening the day is Premier’s Department Secretary Mr Simon Draper, followed by Deputy Secretary, Strategic Projects Mr Will Murphy. Ms Kate Boyd from the Cabinet Office and Mr Peter Rogan, CEO Sydney Metro, will round out the opening session.
Two speakers representing the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade are Mr Rowan Fisher and Ms Katie Knight, followed by Sydney Olympic Park CEO Mrs Carla Armanet and CEO of Office Of Sport (Sydney International Equestrian Centre) Ms Karen Jones.
Veterinarian Dr Peter Kerkenezov will follow, and then Ms Carolyn McDonald, a former stablehand will speak, as will trainer Mrs Deborah Prest. The final speaker will be Racing NSW Chair Dr Saranne Cooke.
Make the horse the hero, says Price
Racing authorities must continue to promote the horse as the hero of the sport, leading trainer Mick Price believes. “It (racing) faces a few problems at the moment,” Price told racing.com.
“The ones (issues) I see are probably (the sport) losing its relevance in society and the shrinking wagering. I'd love to get people to appreciate racing more for what it is. It's a fantastic industry and it's full of great people that love their horses and I think we need to keep trying to get that message across.
Mick Price | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The horses are the stars of the show. I go to races all around the world and I don't want to go to committee rooms, I want to hang around the horses, see what type they are, I want to have a look at a market, look at their pedigrees. It's all about the horses for me and if you can make them the absolute stars of the show and get people connected with them, that's our game.”
Waller and Maher dominate Epsom nominations
Nominations for the coveted G1 Epsom Handicap were released on Tuesday with Chris Waller stable enlisting an 18-strong team out of the 102 entries. Among them is multiple Group 1 winner Zougotcha (Zoustar) as well as last year's winner Rediener (Redoute’s Choice). Ciaron Maher is chasing a maiden Epsom Handicap victory and has nominated 15 contenders.
The G1 Metropolitan Handicap has 76 nominations.
Clarken chasing three-peat of Balaklava Cup
Will Clarken is targeting a three-peat on Wednesday in the Listed Balaklava Cup with a trio of runners. “She's become really bulletproof as far as we get her in the system and she sort of does the same thing, she hasn't turned a hair,” Clarken, who trains in partnership with Niki O'Shea, told racenet.com.au about second favourite Second To Nun (Akeed Mofeed {GB}).
“She's probably gone career-best to win (the Leon Macdonald), and it always weighs on your mind a bit whether they can put two of those strong PBs together in a row. I like what she's done since, we don't ever test her on the track, she's a happy horse in a good headspace.” His other two runners are Favourite Child (Dundeel {NZ}) and Sachem (Street Boss {USA}).
Magic Millions Adelaide remains despite construction
Magic Millions are committed to the South Australian industry and the Adelaide Yearling Sale. Recent developments by the South Australian Jockey Club and their partners Villawood Properties and Hostplus that surround the Adelaide Magic Millions complex at 1 Park Terrace, Morphettville will not change the future of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Magic Millions Adelaide | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“(It’s) Business as usual,” said Magic Millions in a press release. “We are extremely proud of our Adelaide graduates including recent Group 1 Winner, Asfoora, and recognise the importance of this sale in the Australasian Yearling Sale circuit for breeders and buyers alike. But it's not just our graduates that are important, with over 65% of sale attendees located outside South Australia, the Adelaide Yearling Sale generates important economic benefits for Adelaide annually from visitation and export revenue.”
Via Sistina on trial for Cox Plate on Saturday
Last start Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) will run in the G1 Makybe Diva S. on Saturday, to be ridden by James McDonald, and it is an opportunity to showcase her G1 Cox Plate credentials. “I rode Fangirl and Fangirl was incredible,” McDonald told racing.com about the G1 Winx Stakes.
“I thought she ran as good as she could under the circumstances, so for Via Sistina to beat her was obviously exceptional. All three mares that clashed in that race (Via Sistina, Zougotcha and Fangirl), they had all had faultless preparations, so they were always going to be hard to beat. Obviously there's always that question mark in terms of being second-up, whether she can reproduce that. But there's no indications she can't.”
Betty Lane’s former house sells
The Randwick home of trailblazing horse trainer Betty Lane sold at auction on Saturday for $2,151,000. Betty Lane, who died aged 97 in October 2023, became the first woman to be granted a Sydney trainer’s licence by the Australian Jockey Club in 1976.
Lane first applied for a trainer’s licence in 1962 but was turned down by a six-man panel, eventually gaining a Sydney licence in 1976. “Betty was a lovely, kind lady and a great mentor to me,” Gai Waterhouse told News Corp in 2023 after Lane died aged 97.
“I remember when I was trying to get my trainer's licence she really supported me, kept pushing me. She was the only female trainer at Randwick at that time and was instrumental in getting my licence. A few years earlier, Betty went through something similar because the AJC (Australian Jockey Club) wouldn't give her a licence and she had to go to the bush to train. But she kept going and eventually got her licence to train in Sydney.”
Eagle Farm to resume but with familiarisation protocol
Racing Queensland reported that race meetings will resume at Eagle Farm from Saturday, September 14. In an effort to acclimatise horses to the updated track conditions, a detailed familiarisation process has been established for both jockeys and trainers including every horse sighting the construction zone at the 600m mark before heading around to the gates.
“We want to ensure that both horses and riders are fully prepared for the unique challenges of the Eagle Farm track,” Chief Thoroughbred Steward Josh Adams said. “Familiarisation is key to a safe and successful race day. This process is not just a formality, it’s a crucial step in safeguarding the well-being of humans and horses.”
WA’s Alsephina set for Flemington
Group 1 placegetter Alsephina (Star Turn) will make her return to racing in this Saturday’s G2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington. “Everything has been good so far with her,” co-trainer Grant Williams told Racing WA Thoroughbreds.
Alsephina | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“Her first trial wasn’t much good, but she had four pads on because we were looking after her feet. I thought her second trial was pretty good, but Willie (Pike) wasn’t overly happy she was beaten by Lord Gannicus. We can’t work her any better as of today.” She was placed in the G1 Railway S. two starts ago.
Let’sbefrankbaby sold to USA
Stakes-winning mare Let'sbefrankbaby (Frankel {GB}) has run her final race in Australia, with a change of ownership resulting in the departure for the United States on Tuesday. “It's always disappointing when you lose a potential carnival horse but there is no sour grapes at all,” co-trainer Mat de Kock told racing.com.
“Gary (Barber) felt her most value as a broodmare would be selling her in America, so between the three owners they came to an agreement and he bought them out. I believe she is going to the broodmare sale in November, so I guess a lot of that (racing career) will be determined by how she travels and if they could squeeze in a race or two. We wish her and Gary all the best with what happens in America.” Let’sbefrankbaby has won five of her 17 starts including the 2023 G3 South Australian Fillies Classic.
NSW 3-year-old winners on Tuesday
At Muswellbrook on Tuesday, 3-year-old gelding Fan Harder (Calyx {}) won on debut for trainer Rodney Northam in the first on the card, while the second went to Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald trained gelding Fiftyfivechevy (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) who was having his second start.
My Last Hooray (Harry Angel {Ire}), a gelding trained by Frank Cleary, won at Queanbeyan’s Tuesday meeting. He was having his first start at three, having placed in the To The Black Opal handicap at two.
Three nicely bred 3-year-olds win at Tatura
Trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman took 3-year-old filly Bridal Waltz (Snitzel) to Tatura on Tuesday for her second start and she won by 2.75l for jockey Carleen Hefel. She is a half-sister to Group 3 winner She Dances (Street Boss {USA}).
Mark and Levi Kavanagh trained 3-year-old colt Bourne Identity (Pierro) won by 2.25l for jockey Teo Nugent. He was having his fourth start and is the second foal of a winning full sister to Group 1 winner Catchy (Fastnet Rock).
Trainer Matt Laurie combined with jockey Zac Spain to guide filly La Plage (Omaha Beach {USA}) to a 2l win. She was having her third start having placed at both her first two starts and is from the family of Group 1 winner Devil Moon (King Cugat {USA}).
Lamentum adds winner for Deep Field
Trainer Kerrod Smyth’s 3-year-old gelding Lamentum (Deep Field) won at Yeppon on Tuesday. Originally trained by Ciaron Maher, he ran in the Golden Gift at two, but was on-sold for $7,000 at the 2024 Inglis August Digital Sale and was having his third start for Smyth, having placed in his first two starts for the stable.
Tasmanian handicap shifted to Wednesday
The last of four $45,000 open handicaps run across winter is the big prize money race on the 10-race card in Devonport on Wednesday. The race was originally programmed over 2100m in Hobart on 1 September but was one of three races abandoned on that day due to bad weather.
“Sir Simon is racing in great form and still gets in well, given he is going for three wins on the bounce,” trainer Glenn Stevenson said of the favourite. “We’ll take our place though in a race that looks more suitable than it did in Hobart.” Stevenson is planning a trip to Victoria for Sir Simon (Tickets) who has 16 wins and 15 placings from 52 starts with earnings over $380,000.
Per Incanto enjoys 400 winners
When Rue de Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) won on Sunday, TTR reported that it was the 400th winner for Per Incanto (USA). “It was really cool that it was Rue de Royale because he was the maiden with most amount of prizemoney in Australia (more than A$675,000) before he won,” Little Avondale’s Sam Williams told Loveracing.nz on Tuesday.
Rue de Royale (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“I said at the beginning of the season that I think he (Per Incanto) could be in for his best time on the track and highlighted a number of younger horses, Rue de Royale was one and Evaporate is another. He’s won his first three starts this campaign and now he’s on a Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) path.”
Per Incanto currently stands at NZ$50,000 + GST and served a limited book in 2023 after sustaining a leg injury in a paddock accident. “He looks phenomenal and obviously the last 18 months have been quite tiresome for the horse because he was confined to a box for 10 months,” Williams said. “Time has been the best healer and patience has been a virtue in this case. The vets, his groom, the farriers and all the team have done a fantastic job with him.”
Tony Pike pleased with Ellerslie surface
Tony Pike was pleased to return to Ellerslie with a similarly positive report following trials held at the venue on Tuesday. “We’ve got through the day well, the jockeys have been happy with the track and there’s definitely more indentation in the track then there probably was previously,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.
Tony Pike
“Obviously getting later in the afternoon now, it is starting to firm up a touch, but I think everyone has been pleased with the surface. One of the comments from Matt Cartwright, who has ridden on StrathAyr tracks a number of times in Melbourne, was that a bit more grass cover would be ideal, and talking to Paul (Wilcox, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing chief executive), they have fertilised the track and will be getting more grass cover ahead of the upcoming race meetings. I think it’s been positive all round and we’re looking forward to getting back to headquarters on race day.”
HISA court order refused
A Monday order out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit shot down a request for a rarely granted “en banc” procedure that the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) Authority and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had asked for last month.
Had the long-shot legal maneuver been successful, it would have granted a rehearing before all of that court's judges to review a July 5, 2024, opinion issued by a panel of three that had declared HISA is unconstitutional because its enforcement provisions violate the private nondelegation doctrine.
You Got To Me supplemented for St Leger
Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has been supplemented by owners Valmont and Newsells Park Stud for Saturday's G1 Betfred St Leger at Doncaster at a cost of £50,000 (AU$98,000). Last seen filling the runner-up spot in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks, You Got To Me is one of 10 horses in contention for the final Classic of the season as she tries to emulate Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), the last filly to win the race when successful in 2015.
“I don't think stamina will be an issue and she seems in good shape,” said trainer Ralph Beckett. “We're conscious that her best form is on good ground or faster and it looks like being that at the weekend if the forecast is correct. It felt like a good fit for her. We've been first, second and third with fillies in the Leger. I wouldn't say we've always got it right, but it is certainly not a race that holds any fears, for sure.”
Rosallion season ends
Richard Hannon has decided not to run Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) again this season, with the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot being nominated as his first major target of 2025. The three-year-old was due to contest the Sussex Stakes after he'd established himself among the best of his generation with back-to-back top-level victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh and St James's Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting, but he was forced to miss Goodwood after being found to be suffering from a respiratory infection.
“He's got nothing to prove now. He wasn't right for Goodwood and he would have run terrible. He had a lung infection, we put him on antibiotics, and after three weeks he was bang ready to go again. The ground has gone now so let's look forward to next year–look forward, not back,” Hannon said.
“I just think he's had a long break and he gets pretty big. He'd need loads of work beforehand and 99 per cent of the time it is very soft ground on Champions Day. I would hate to finish the season on a bad note. I would much rather the winter went much quicker looking at a St James's Palace and an Irish Guineas winner. He's definitely staying in training next year.”
Osarus sale sees declines
The first of two days of trade at the Osarus September Yearling Sale concluded with a colt from the first crop of Haras de Bouquetot stallion Armor (GB) leading the way at €34,000 (AU$56,000). A clearance rate of just 57% was the unfortunate feature of the opening day in La Teste de Buch, with only 47 of the 83 yearlings offered finding a buyer. Those sold brought turnover for the session to €438,000 (AU$725,000), with an average price of €10,012 (AU$16,500) and median of €8,000 (AU$13,200).
