Riff Rocket dies following colic surgery
Trainer Chris Waller announced the death of his triple Group 1 winner Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) on Tuesday. The 4-year-old gelding underwent surgery last week to address a bowel issue, and while his initial recovery appeared positive, he could not overcome persistent post-surgery complications.
“This is a heartbreaking loss… Riff Rocket will forever hold a special place in our hearts, remembered for the fighting spirit he displayed both on the racetrack and in his final days,” said Waller in his press release.
Riff Rocket | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Riff Rocket was bred and owned by Debbie Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock and won seven of his 12 starts with earnings over $3.5million. He won on debut as an April 2-year-old but it was his 3-year-old season that has him in line for Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding and Champion Stayer at the upcoming Australian Horse Of the Year awards.
In the spring he won first up, then added the Listed Super Impose S. and G1 Victoria Derby in five starts, then in the autumn, he won three of his four starts and was third in the other. His key wins were the G1 Rosehill Guineas and G1 Australian Derby, as well as the G3 CS Hayes S, and his third was in the G1 Australian Guineas.
Godolphin’s Pericles ready for Underwood
Pericles (Street Boss {USA}) lines up in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday and hopes to improve on his three Group 1 placings in his career to date. “Looking at the nominations, it's not going to be an easy Group 1 for him but he's definitely going in the right direction to win his first Group 1,” stable foreman Nacim Dilmi told racing.com.
Pericles | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The last start winner has won five of his 20 starts. “He looked like he was going to be the winner a long way out, but Blake (Shinn) said he kind of stargazed a little bit the last furlong, hence why he was so far in front but the margin at the end wasn't as much. We're very happy with how he's pulled up from the run, he's come on a lot for that race and hopefully that win gave him a lot of confidence.”
Guineas prelude for Angel Capital
Saturday's G3 Guineas Prelude at Caulfield is a telling day for Clint McDonald and could decide the immediate racing future of 3-year-old colt Angel Capital (Happy Angel {Ire}). “It's probably the fork in the road for him to see whether we go up to the Guineas or freshen him and go back to a race like the Coolmore,” McDonald told racing.com.
“It's a nice problem to have, my gut's telling me that he will run a mile. Family suggests he will, how he looks suggests he will, so we just need to see it happen on Saturday.” The last start Listed Mitchell McKenzie S. winner has won two of his four starts.
Perth on the cards for Corstens pair
Inaugural Gold Rush winning co-trainer Troy Corstens is contemplating another trip to Perth with last year’s winner The Astrologist (Zoustar) and Baraqiel (Snitzel). “The Astrologist didn’t handle the heavy track,” Corstens told TABradio about his last start unplaced run in last Saturday’s G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality.
Troy Corstens | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He might be looking for Perth again. I actually think Baraqiel might be a Perth horse as well. We’re going to try and get him there if we can.”
Holy Flash chasing hat-trick
Group 1-winning trainer Paul Jenkins is hopeful the lightly-raced Holy Flash (Holy Roman Emperor) can complete a hat-trick of wins when the gelding steps up in distance at Doomben on Wednesday. “I was pleasantly surprised with his last win, but it was a great ride from Sean (Cormack),” Jenkins told racingqueensland.com.au.
“Sean is a very good rider and he flies under the radar. His owners have a lot of show jumpers and he’s more of a hobby for them. Unfortunately, the rail is out a long way at Doomben but he’s a real hope to make it three in a row. This could be his last run before he goes for a spell but I’m sure he will run a lot further as he’s a push button type.” Holy Flash has won two of his six starts and placed on three other occasions.
Good news for Moody employee Giovanni Spiga
Moody Racing employee Giovanni Spiga is determined to walk again after he sustained life-threatening fractures to a large portion of his body following a three-vehicle collision on the South Gippsland Highway in Koo Wee Rup on August 6.
“I wanted to provide an update about my recovery for those interested, after two weeks in ICU, three weeks in the trauma ward and over 10 surgeries later at the Royal Melbourne, where all the doctors and nurses have been beyond amazing,” Spiga told racenet.com.au.
“I have officially over the weekend moved to a rehab centre to continue my recovery, it has been a difficult time but I'm remaining positive and in high spirits.”
“The response we received was overwhelming and unexpected, it is truly appreciated, more than words can express. I am beyond thankful to the paramedics and trauma doctors from the Alfred who assisted in removing me from the truck and transporting me to the Royal Melbourne, thanks to them I will make a full recovery and will walk again!”
Chautauqua’s half-brother looks to improve after gelding
Trainer Peter Snowden has gelded lightly raced galloper Need Some Luck (Rubick) who is a half-brother to Champion Sprinter Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago). He resumes at Canterbury on Wednesday. “He was a bit of a thinker and hopefully we can get him back on track and get him to a decent level,” Snowden told racingnsw.com.au.
Peter Snowden
“He’s always worked well and showed plenty in trials but I don’t think he’s really lived up to it on race day. It’d be good to see him run well first-up because he will improve again on where he’s at. Good horses win when they are only three parts ready, you want to see them getting better all the way through.” Need Some Luck placed in both his starts at two, then won two of his four starts last season at three.
Crocetti ruled out of Golden Eagle
Trainer Danny Walker has ruled out a Golden Eagle tilt for Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}). “He's having three weeks off and not coming to Sydney now,” Walker, who trains in partnership with Arron Tata, told racenet.com.au.
“He just went too hard early in that race so he's going to have some time off. It is a shame because they are only four once and it's a $10m dollar race but you can't be coming over there on the downward spiral, you need to be on the up and unfortunately, we weren't.”
Valentia dies
Adelaide Plains Bloodstock confirmed on Tuesday that their sire Valentia died last Friday,. “It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Valenta, who suffered a fatal haemorrhage,” Adelaide Plains Bloodstock said in a press statement.
Valentia
“We are beyond shocked and devastated at his untimely passing and know his wonderful temperament and nature will live on in his foals to come.” The son of Fastnet Rock won the 2014 G2 Skyline S. and at stud, he has 32 winners from small crops with stakes placed horses Fayerra, Smokin’ Val and Starlite Valley.
Treble for Nugent at Wodonga
Jockey Teo Nugent rode a treble at Wodonga on Tuesday aboard If I Was You (Hellbent), Dancing Duck (Von Costa De Hero) and Brungle Creek (Glass Harmonium {Ire}).
Treble for Stanley at Mackay
Jockey Justin Stanley rode a treble at Mackay on Tuesday aboard Stephen Rundle trained Whatjeudoin’ (Nom Du Jeu {NZ}), as well as Blue As (Astern) and Kathy’s Beau (Turffontein) with the latter two both trained by Clinton Taylor.
Around the Nation: 3-year-old winners
Tuesday’s racing saw Blake Ryan trained 3-year-old gelding Asuriito (Brazen Beau) maintain his unbeaten record with his second career win at Moruya. Ridden by James Innes Jnr, the $25,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase won by 0.8l.
At Wodonga, Danny O'Brien trained 3-year-old colt Glove Artist (Trapeze Artist) won on debut by 1l for jockey Billy Egan. Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained 3-year-old colt Stranglehold (Pierro) won on debut while Opening Address (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) and Fully Calculated (Deep Field) also won at the meeting.
Queensland’s Mackay meeting saw Nick Walsh trained 3-year-old gelding The Home Team (Impending) win the second on the card for jockey Ryan Wiggins.
NZ Pattern Committee announce 2024/25 changes
The New Zealand Pattern Committee have recently released the stakes race schedule for the 2024/25 season, following their review of the 2023/24 racing season, which includes the Levin Classic losing its elite level status.
“The committee is a group of representatives, half are New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing appointed (Bruce Sherwin, Mark Freeman and Gus Wigley) and half are New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association appointed (Michelle Saba, Scott Calder and Nick Hewson), and one New Zealand Bloodstock nominee (Kane Jones),” chair Matthew Goodson told Loveracing.nz.
“It is our role to grade the best races in New Zealand in the year just gone according to global norms, using the handicapping ratings put together by the New Zealand handicapper, which in turn are moderated by the Asian handicapping group. All of our Listed races are assessed according to that. We then make decisions as to whether those races should still be Listed, and if so in what category, with the idea being that a Group 1 in New Zealand should be comparable to one in Australia, Japan, South Africa, UK etc.
“It has considerable implications for the bloodstock industry in terms of pedigrees.”
Velocious out for the spring
Trainer Stephen Marsh announced that his Group 1 winner Velocious (Written Tycoon) will miss the rest of the spring. “She’s gone for a wind operation, she’ll be back into the New Year and we certainly hope she will come back to top form,” Marsh told Loveracing.nz about last season’s Champion 2YO in NZ who won the G1 Sistema S.
Velocious | Image courtesy of Race Images
The stable has Listed winning 3-year-old colt Super Photon (NZ) (Super Seth) to look forward to. “Super Photon will go to the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, he’s going well but hasn’t had a lot of luck this prep. He just needs a good draw and the right run, he can really turn his form around.”
Al Basti Equiworld Dubai sponsorship continues in NZ
Al Basti Equiworld Dubai have extended their sponsorship of the New Zealand racing industry to include the $250,000 Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase over 2100 metres and best turned-out prizes at New Zealand’s premier racetrack, Ellerslie.
“We are delighted to be extending our long-standing sponsorship in New Zealand to the northern region,” Al Basti Equiworld Dubai founder and owner Malih Al Basti told Loveracing.nz. “We are pleased to be partnering with Auckland Thoroughbred Racing and excited to be part of their thrilling new Champions Day meeting.”
Book 4 at Keeneland led by McKenzie colt
Monday's seventh session of the Keeneland September Sale was led by freshman sire McKenzie (USA), who has his first crop of 2-year-olds this season. Leading the fray for the first day of book 4 was Hip 2197, a colt that brought US$475,000 (AU$702,000) from Reeves Thoroughbred Racing.
“I told Jimmy to tell me which ones were the must-haves. And this one was a must have,” said Dean Reeves. “He was drop-dead gorgeous. I also like the Smart Strike on the bottom side. I've always been a fan of that family.” Reeves owns a part-share in Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio {USA}) who won last Saturday's G1 Matron S.
At the conclusion of Monday's session, a total of 288 head sold for gross receipts of US$25,234,000 (AU$37.3million), up 2.57% from one year ago. The median was US$70,000 (AU$103,000) (+7.69%) while the average was US$87,618 (AU$130,000) (+8.62%). The gross through seven days of selling was US$361,642,000 (AU$530million) for 1454 head sold, up 5% from 2023.
General Manager of Maryland Jockey Club announced
Bill Knauf, who has served Monmouth Park in a variety of roles–most recently its vice president of business development–for over a quarter-century, will take up the position of president and general manager of The Maryland Jockey Club Inc., a new 501(c) (4) organization to manage and operate Thoroughbred horse racing in the state.
“We have found the perfect person to lead Maryland's groundbreaking efforts to reimagine and renew the racing experience,” said Greg Cross, chairman of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA). “Bill not only has operating experience, but the knowledge to embrace and deploy cutting-edge technology to increase wagering and profitability.”
Unbeaten Defence Minister supplemented for Mill Reef
The unbeaten Defence Minister (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) has been supplemented by owners Wathnan Racing for Saturday's G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury at a cost of £5000 (AU$9800).
Last seen defying a penalty in decisive fashion at Haydock, Defence Minister is one of 19 horses in contention for the prestigious two-year-old contest as he tries to make it three wins from as many starts for his Qatari-born, Newmarket-based trainer Hamad Al-Jehani.
Starspangledbanner mare set for USA campaign
Trainer George Boughey is considering a trip to Kentucky with 3-year-old filly Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) following her third-place finish in the G1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday. “She's for a long time threatened to be a Group 1 filly and I was slightly scratching my head for a large part of her career so far,” said Boughey.
“Not many win four Group 1s, as Porta Fortuna has this year, and there was a Classic winner (Fallen Angel) in second, so she's mixing it with the very best. She may well go to Keeneland for the QEII on October 12. It's a nine-furlong, 3-year-old fillies only Grade I that is worth just shy of $1 million, so that's a possible plan for her next.”
