Joliestar earns The Everest slot
Cambridge Stud-owned Joliestar (Zoustar) has secured the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot in The Everest. “A proven elite performer at three, Joliestar has returned as a four-year-old with dynamic performances, showing her talent with a dominant victory in the G3 Show County (Quality) followed by a gutsy second-up effort in the G2 Sheraco Stakes,” Waller said in a statement.
Joliestar | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She is a mare that looks to have it all before her and we are delighted to have her represent our slot in the world’s richest turf race.”
Unbeaten Lazzat heads to Golden Eagle
Nurlan Bizakov's undefeated Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) will forego the G1 Prix de la Foret on Oct. 6 and instead target Australia's Golden Eagle, trainer Jerome Reynier revealed. The Sumbe homebred is a perfect six-for-six in his career, with group wins in the G3 Prix Djebel in April followed by the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac in June and the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in August. The gelding will shortly travel to Newmarket and begin quarantine.
“He's going for the Golden Eagle in Sydney, so he's not going to run in the Foret,” Reynier confirmed. “Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning he's going to Newmarket to start his quarantine, he stays in quarantine before taking a flight to Sydney on Oct. 13, he will be there on the 15, he will be released from quarantine on the 29 and will be racing on November 2. It's quite exciting. It will be a change of environment and he needs to adapt to so many variables, but if he arrives safe and happy there, I think he will have a good chance. He's one of the best sprinters in Europe and is unbeaten in six starts, so it's a very exciting prospect and an exciting challenge.”
Inglis Digital ends with Darby Racing sale-topper
Wednesday’s Inglis Digital September (late) Sale concluded with 212 horses sold for $2,988,750. Darby Racing purchased the sale topper 3-year-old colt Imperial Force (Snitzel) for $285,000 from Coolmore. “It's a formula we've followed in the past and it's certainly worked,” Scott Darby told racenet.com.au.
“They're not easy to get but when they are bred like that, lightly raced and coming out of the company he (Imperial Force) did, it's understandable. People pay a lot more than that for a yearling and you don't even know how they will go.” Imperial Force was a $1.6million yearling who won at two at his second start for trainer Chris Waller, but ran eighth last start in the G3 Ming Dynasty Handicap.
“We'll just wait at this stage and finish off the preparation and see what the plan is from there. He's had two runs already so we'll just keep him going and see what we can do. Bjorn (Baker) will train him.”
Five other horses sold for over $100,000 and the average was $14,098.
Williams cleared for Friday’s Group 1 meeting
Champion jockey Craig Williams has been medically cleared to ride on Friday night at The Valley after missing Wednesday’s races due to a fall early in the day at the jump-outs. “Craig has been medically cleared to ride and is looking forward to Friday night under lights at Moonee Valley,” his manager Jason Breen wrote on Twitter.
Only four to face the starter in Feehan
The anticipated clash between Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) and Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) on Friday in the G2 Feehan S. has scared off most opposition with only two other horses accepting for the challenge. The race features a win-and-you're-in status for the G1 Cox Plate.
Tony Gollan's Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) will be ridden by Blake Shinn from barrier two, while Attrition (Churchill {Ire}) jumps from barrier four with Beau Mertens on board.
Climbing Star’s connections upbeat for G1 Manikato
Phillip Stokes is upbeat about Climbing Star (NZ) (Zoustar)’s chances in Friday’s G1 Manikato S. “She's 50-1 in the betting and I can see her running in the top four,” Stokes told racing.com. “I trained her differently and kept her fresh to 1200m and she obviously came a long way last preparation and probably took people by surprise.”
Climbing Star (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“They were Group 1s in Adelaide, but a lot of good sprinters were there and she raced and beat some top horses. She's got stronger again after that preparation.” She ran third, last start, in the G1 Goodwood Handicap and is resuming on Friday.
Blinkers on Johnny in Manikato
Trainer Nick Ryan will add blinkers to Johnny Rocker (Jukebox) for Friday’s G1 Manikato S. “He's come on a lot for his first-up run in the Moir,” Ryan told racing.com about his last start seventh.
"He jumped out Friday morning on the course proper, Ben Melham came and had a spin on him, he had the blinkers on and went super, so the blinkers will be going on Friday night, B. Melham will take the reins, look for a much-improved performance."
He also runs 3-year-old filly Savagery Vibe (Brutal {NZ}) in the G3 Scarborough S. “She's a lovely filly. She's very raw, she's very new, whatever she does, she's going to continue to improve. She's a very progressive, nice filly.” She won at her only start to date.
Coleman to improve with extra distance
Coleman (Pierata) is expected to improve in Friday’s G1 Manikato S. thanks to the extra distance over last start ninth in the G1 AJ Moir S. “I think he's going to improve up to 1200 metres, so he ran a good race first-up,” jockey Kerrin McEvoy told racing.com.
Coleman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He loomed and then probably just peaked and wasn't beaten far. I think 1200 metres suits him better so I think he can go there and run an improved race again. Obviously there are other horses that are going to improve second-up as well, but there's no reason to think he can't enjoy 1200.
“He's run second in a Golden Slipper at 1200. He's in at weight-for-age and I know that Matt has been happy with him, so you've got to look on the positive side.”
Freedman think Tropicus can surprise in Rose
Co-trainer Sam Freedman, who prepares with father Anthony, thinks Tropicus (Too Darn Hot {GB}) can surprise in this Saturday’s G1 Golden Rose. “His sectionals have been excellent in both runs, he’s just not the finished article yet,” Freedman told racingnsw.com.au referring to his third in the G3 San Domenico S and sixth in the G2 Run To The Rose.
“Hopefully Saturday the penny drops and he’s certainly not far off the ones at the head of the market. He’s drawn a gate finally which we’ve been missing in a couple of runs so far. We put the winkers on him, he’s done a bit of work in them just to narrow his focus a touch. He’s a funny horse, he raced in patches the other day where he got a bit keen. He got into a rhythm and eventually worked it out, then he was a bit wayward down the straight as well.”
Thursday’s Tenbury Wells has Gloaming aims
Brad Widdup, back home after an American trip to the Keeneland yearling sales, will run 3-year-old colt Tenbury Wells (Fastnet Rock) at Hawkesbury on Thursday. The last start winner will head to the G3 Gloaming S. next.
“Tenbury Wells is a horse we have always liked,” Widdup told racingnsw.com.au. “I was away when he broke through at Kembla Grange and it was good to see him do so in the manner he did. He has trained on well and provided he performs as well as I expect at Hawkesbury, he will go to the Gloaming Stakes next.” Tenbury Wells has a win from seven starts.
Group 1 target for Snazzytavi
Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will head to the G1 Livamol Classic if she performs up to expectations at Te Rapa on Friday. She comes off a last start ninth in the G1 Tarzino Trophy when first up. “It wasn’t a bad run, it was just a bit short for her in a Group One field and they went 100 miles an hour and she got unbalanced,” said Graham Richardson, who trains the mare in partnership with Rogan Norvall.
Snazzytavi (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“She’s improved a lot and is definitely looking a lot better, she’s an absolute darling to do most things with.” She won the G3 Easter Handicap at the end of last season. “I’m very proud of her and when she won the Easter it was a big thrill, I’ve been lucky enough to win it a few times, and she was very impressive.”
Kosciuszko pitch for Sir Ravanelli
Last year’s winner of the MNCRA Country Championships, Sir Ravanelli (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) needs to win on Saturday to make this year’s The Kosciuszko field. “It’s been the plan since last year and we’ve headed that way the whole year with it in mind,” trainer Terry Evans told racingnsw.com.au.
“This was the race we were always going to run in but we were hopeful to get a spot before. We know he can get the distance and would be suited at Randwick. It’d be lovely to get in (to The Kosciuszko) but if we don’t there’s other races around.” Winner of eight of his 24 starts, Sir Ravanelli is a known wet-tracker.
Hawkes Bay Guineas for Savaglee
Last season’s G3 Matamata Slipper winner Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) is ready to take on Saturday’s G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas. “I’m really happy with him, he’s certainly going in the right direction and he looks super well,” trainer Pam Gerard told Loveracing.nz
Savaglee (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“He’s been doing things right in his races and settling, he possibly didn’t get the luck of the draw last time. I don’t think he needs to do a lot more than he did there, obviously he was running on really well, so it all comes down to draws and a bit of luck in the running. I think that’s all he needs.” He ran second last start in the Listed El Roca Trophy.
Group winner Charge It retired to Gainesway
Whisper Hill Farm's multiple graded stakes winner Charge It (USA) (Tapit {USA}) has been retired from racing and will begin his stud career next season at Gainesway. Charge It followed a maiden victory with a runner-up effort in the 2022 GI Florida Derby. He demolished the field with a 23-length victory in the GIII Dwyer Stakes and returned as a 4-year-old to win the GII Suburban Stakes.
“Winning any graded race by 23 lengths, as Charge It did in the Dwyer, takes an immensely talented horse. Charge It's ability was at the Grade I level,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. A homebred for Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm, Charge It's second dam is broodmare of the year Take Charge (USA) Lady (Dehere {USA), making his dam a half-sister to champion Will Take Charge (USA) (Unbridled's Song {USA) and Grade I winner Take Charge Indy (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}), as well as to the dam of champion Take Charge Brandi (USA) (Giant's Causeway {USA}) and multiple Grade I winner Omaha Beach (USA) (War Front {USA}).
“Charge It is an exceptional-looking horse that possessed brilliance,” said Gainesway general manager Brian Graves. “His pedigree is among the very best available to breeders.”
Triple G1 Dubai Turf winner Lord North retired
Two-time UAE champion Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who raced for His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing, has been retired to Godophin's Rehoming after a lengthy career at the highest level. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the bay's biggest claim to fame was a trio of victories in Meydan's G1 Dubai Turf in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He also won the 202 G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and retires with 10 wins from 24 starts and US$8,148,646 (AU$11.6million) in earnings.
“Lord North has been retired to join Godolphin Rehoming after an illustrious career. He retires a sound horse, but the years have caught up with him,” co-trainer John Gosden said.
Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Sale metrics drop
Quality came to the fore on day one of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale when one of only two Sea The Stars (Ire) colts on offer this week went the way of agent Billy Jackson-Stops and trainer George Scott for €130,000 (AU$211,000). The Castlebridge-consigned colt was one of five yearlings to break the six-figure mark on a day where an 86 per cent (down 2 per cent on 2023) clearance rate provided some encouragement to middle to lower tier operators.
However, many of the key metrics dipped further, most notably the 17% drop in the median to €25,000 (AU$40,600). Despite 24 more lots on offer for the corresponding day's trade, turnover also dropped by 4% while the average was down 8% to €29,906 (AU$48,600).
California Fall yearlings hold steady
The Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale, held Tuesday at Fairplex in Pomona, produced figures largely in line with its 2023 renewal, which given the uncertainties in the state's racing industry, was satisfactory, according to Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr.
“I thought the sale was fine,” said Browning. “The median is the same and the average is basically down slightly. All things considered, it was a productive exercise. It got the vast majority of the horses sold and there will be brisk post-sale activity tonight and tomorrow as well.”
A total of 163 yearlings sold during the one-session auction for a gross of $4,781,400. The average was US$29,334 (AU$42,000) down from US$31,089 (AU$45,000), and the median was the same as 2023 at US$15,000 (AU$22,000). From a catalogue of 279 head, 250 went through the ring with 87 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 34.8%.
A colt by Stay Thirsty (USA) brought Tuesday's top price of US$250,000 (AU$363,000) when purchased by John Moroney from the Lovacres Ranch consignment.
