Daily News Wrap

Vale John Patto Patterson

John “Patto” Patterson has passed away in Melbourne at the age of 86. Awarded the Order Of Australia medal in 2021, the legendary clerk of the course led in 44 Melbourne Cup winners since his first with Rain Lover in 1969.

“After every Melbourne Cup you rode he was the first person you wanted to see after the race,” jockey Craig Williams told racing.com.

“He’s synonymous with the race. He was iconic. He’d go out with his red coat and white horse and he brings in the winner of Australia’s most famous race which is now targeted worldwide. Every single day when he was working his job was to get the horses and riders to the barriers safely and then back after the race. It was like having our own bodyguard.

“Rightly he gets the accolades for being an amazing horseman and he was a person who shared his knowledge and experience and not everyone does. I was one of the benefactors of him wanting to share his vast knowledge. He was a man of few words but when he spoke you listened as his words carried weight. That’s what we loved about him and that’s why Patto was Patto.”

Racing Victoria's CEO Aaron Morrison said: “On behalf of the entire industry, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Glenys, Shane, Peter, Sheralee and the Patterson family on the passing of an icon of Victorian racing.

“Patto, as he was known to all, dedicated his life to Victorian racing and our sport is greater for his remarkable contribution. He was a highly respected horseman whose talents were sought by many in racing and the broader equestrian world.

“A mainstay of Australia’s most iconic race, the Melbourne Cup, Patto’s steady hands led many champions of the sport back to the mounting yard and his legacy lives on across our biggest racedays through the work of his sons Shane and Peter.

“Patto will be deeply missed, but never forgotten by his family and everyone in racing who met him and benefited from his incredible skills.”

Traffic Warden has minor stable accident

Racing NSW stewards announced on Thursday that “trainer James Cummings has notified Racing NSW Stewards that Traffic Warden has this afternoon sustained minor abrasions to both hocks in a stable incident. He has advised that the colt has been assessed by the stable veterinarian Dr Trevor Robson and has trotted up sound but will continue to be monitored.”

Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) is booked to run in Godolphin’s slot in The Everest.

Coolmore’s The Everest slot could change

Coolmore CEO Tom Magnier announced on Thursday that if Switzerland (Snitzel) runs well on Saturday, he could be swapped into their The Everest slot. “Switzerland could be in the mix,” Coolmore Australia’s Tom Magnier told racenet.com.au.

“But he would have to win well and not have a hard run. I know Chris (Waller) is very happy with the colt so we will see how he goes on Saturday.” He runs in the G2 Roman Consul S.

The other Too Darn Hot for the Guineas

Jockey Mark Zahra thinks Tropicus (Too Darn Hot {GB}) can push his paternal half-brother Broadsiding in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on Saturday, if he improves his manners. “Tropicus's racing manners weren't the best up there (in Sydney) so getting to Melbourne suits him coming back this way,” Zahra told racenet.com.au.

“But he's still got to improve a little bit. Caulfield is always a hard track so to come here and have won helps. Going there to have another look around on Tuesday also helps him.” Tropicus won his only start at two at Caulfield and was third in the G3 San Domenico S. behind Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) when resuming at three. He ran sixth in the G2 Run To The Rose and seventh in the G1 Golden Rose.

Craig to ride Craig in Toorak

Craig Williams will ride Craig (GB) (Territories {Ire}) for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, replacing Luke Currie, in Saturday’s G1 Toorak H. “Luke can't do those weights so we had to book Craig,” Young told racenet.com.au of the 53.5kg.

“The Toorak is always a tough, hard race but you can't win in it if you're not in it. It would then leave him three weeks into Golden Eagle. When you've got to take them up to Sydney, it's nice to have that extra week to just get that freshness back into their legs.”

First Group 1 runner for Sutton

Ballarat-based trainer Dom Sutton’s 3-year-old gelding Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) has already given him his first winner and his maiden city victory, and now Saturday's Caulfield Guineas Feroce will become his first Group 1 runner. “If someone said to me when I first took my licence out that I would have a Group 1 runner in the first seven months of training, you'd laugh at them,” Sutton told racing.com.

“I'm very fortunate enough to have a horse to warrant taking to a Group 1 race like that.” Feroce comes into the Guineas off a last start fourth in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude.

Castelvecchio colt ready for G3 Gloaming S.

Trainer Anthony Cummings thinks the Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) form around his 3-year-old colt El Castello (Castelvecchio) means he’s a good thing in the G3 Gloaming S. “I think he’s shown that, he’s much more professional and has a better idea of how to finish it off,” he told racingnsw.com.au.

“He got to the furlong and he really accelerated and showed a turn of foot. In his previous couple he was a bit green and goofy, and lengthened without quickening. Whereas the other day he actually quickened and I thought that was a significant improvement and with a similar performance it’ll make him tough to handle.” He will go to the G1 Spring Champion if he runs well on Saturday.

Coleman heads north for G2 Roman Consul S.

Trainer Matt Laurie will bring 3-year-old colt Coleman (Pierata) to Sydney for Saturday’s G2 Roman Consul S. “You’ve got a whole range of races there depending on how things play out for you in the early part of their campaigns, this obviously looks ideal for him,” Laurie told racingnsw.com.au.

“It’s a rung down on what he’s been doing of late so we’re pretty optimistic. We’ve done our part, found the right race. I took him up to Sydney in the middle of last week so we didn’t much around. His work on Tuesday was first class. I’m pretty happy with the horse so hopefully it’s a matter of knocking this off and we still have time to being him back to Melbourne and give him a quiet trial before the Coolmore.”

Customized to use Barnswood to ready for Guineas

Trainer Cody Cole sent 3-year-old colt Customized (Capitalist) to Andrew Carston’s Riccarton stable earlier this week to continue his build-up toward next month’s G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas, and he will run in the G3 Barnswood Farm S. on Saturday. “He went down last Sunday and he’s settled in really well, we’re very happy with him,” Cole told Loveracing.nz.

“He’s pretty cruisy and he raced in Brisbane as a 2-year-old, he went there from Sydney for his first start so he’s well-travelled. He’s a very laid-back horse so this trip (to Christchurch) was never going to be a factor.” He ran third to Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) on debut in the G3 BJ McLachlan S. and is a winner this season at three.

Bellatrix on trial for Group 1 targets

If Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) performs up to expectations in the G2 Schillaci S at Caulfield on Saturday, she will step up to Group 1 company.

“It is terrific for New Zealand racing as a whole because we need our horses to perform. There are quite a few Group Ones on warnings, so any New Zealand-trained horses that can go to Australia and perform is good for the whole industry. It has been satisfying,” co-trainer Mark Walker told Loveracing.nz.

“Perhaps the Coolmore S., the Group 1 3-year-old race on Derby Day.”

Southside Racing unveil two new million dollar slot races

The Southside Racing slot series announced on Thursday includes the $1 million The Meteorite (1200 metres) and $1 million Supernova (1400 metres), with The Meteorite set to take place on Cranbourne Cup Day on November 23, while The Supernova will be run on Pakenham Cup Day on December 21.

“The Southside Slot Series is unlike anything we've seen before in Australian racing, and the calibre of slot holders reflects the industry's enthusiasm for this ground-breaking format,” Southside Racing chief executive Neil Bainbridge told Loveracing.nz. “We can't wait to see the best contenders compete on the track and make history.”

To add further incentive to the series, each race has become a qualifying race for the Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series in New Zealand, which has become a part of Entain Australia and New Zealand and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s Champion Bonus series.

First ride, first win for apprentice Hateley

Apprentice Steph Hateley made a winning debut at Mornington on Thursday on Nova Lights (Lean Mean Machine) for her employers, Sam and Anthony Freedman, in a heat of the apprentice-only RMBL Investments Rising Stars Series. “It might be a moment I struggle to remember because it was a bit of a blur out there,” Hateley said post-race.

“But I'm really glad I could get the job done for the team and the guys at Roll The Dice were extremely generous for putting me on today. I ended up where I wanted to be, just outside the leader. I let Celine (Gaudray) dictate the pace and my horse was there and traveling the whole way. It was fun to have a fight with Celine to the line, but I'm glad I got the job done.”

Around The Nation: 3-year-old winners

Hawkesbury’s Thursday meeting saw four 3-year-old winners with Shoutaboutit (Overshare), Idolised (Zoustar), Useapin (Yes Yes Yes), and Mogul Monarch (Capitalist). At Orange, Triple Tempo (Yes Yes Yes) gave his second season sire a double in NSW for the day, and Wonder Step (Shalaa {Ire}) also won at the meeting.

At Mornington, Certain Rise (Written Tycoon) and Wainman (Rubick) both won at their second career starts.

WA’s York meeting opened with two 3-year-old winners, being Mai Aloha (Long Leaf) and Flagship (War Chant {USA}).

JJ Atkins to be inducted in Queensland Sporting Hall Of Fame

Champion trainer Jim Atkins will be recognised as one of the state’s all time-greats following the announcement that he will be inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.

Atkins will become only the seventh horse racing figure in the Hall of Fame, joining Mick Dittman, Darby McCarthy, George Moore, Mel Schumacher, Neville Sellwood and Pam O’Neill. Atkins passed away in 2010 at the age of 94.

“Jim Atkins is a name synonymous with Queensland racing, and is remembered as one of the top trainers the Sunshine State has produced,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott told racingqueensland.com.au.

“In a career spanning close to 80 years, a Toowoomba boy took on some of the biggest names in Australian racing, headlined by his champion middle-distance star Dalrello who to this day remains one of Queensland’s greatest ever thoroughbreds. His induction in the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame, alongside some of our greatest champions, is a welcomed acknowledgement for Jim’s stature and legacy on our industry.”

Trail blazing jockey inducted into Queensland Racing Hall of Fame

Jockey Eva Draper has been inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall Of Fame. While Pam O’Neill is Australia’s first registered female jockey, having been granted a licence to ride on the Gold Coast in 1979, Draper rode in an official race on Boxing Day, 1915. “Her mother Ena was a horse rider, and her father William was a horse trainer,” granddaughter Sue Draper told racingqueensland.com.au.

On December 26, 1915, Eva’s brother Gordon was to ride Mown Hay, trained by their father William, in a race in Bundaberg but he’d fallen ill, so William asked the stewards to give permission for Eva to ride the horse, who she rode in trackwork. “Eva won that race as an unregistered jockey, in a registered race, when she was only 17,” Sue said.

“They didn’t expect her to win and rumour has it that there was a lot of uproar after the win. The bookies didn’t like it, the other trainers didn’t like it, and they tried to have her disqualified because she wasn’t a registered jockey. But they said no - they had special permission, so they allowed it go through.”

Big weight no trouble for Voyage Bubble

Trainer Ricky Yiu thinks the big weight given to Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) for Sunday’s G2 Sha Tin Trophy won’t trouble his Group 1 winner. “He’s going really well,” Yiu told scmp.com.

“He’s had two trials in Conghua and he’s a happy horse. He’ll run well. Although he’s top weight, it’s not a particularly strong field. He’ll still have a bit in the tank.”

First win in Hong Kong for David Eustace

Trainer David Eustace celebrated his maiden victory with his sixth runner when Swift Ascend (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) won on Wednesday night at Happy Valley. “It’s obviously a great thrill,” Eustace told scmp.com

“I’m just delighted for the team. My assistant Cash [Lee] built a fantastic team of staff that have worked really hard the last few months. They deserve many plaudits.” A winner in Sydney, when named Citizenship, Swift Ascend took his record to two wins from nine starts. He was a $900,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the Kulani Park draft.

Bright Future retired to Claiborne Farm

Bright Future (USA) (Curlin {USA}), the winner of the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at the Spa, has been retired to Claiborne Farm with a stud fee of US$12,500 (AU$18,600) LFSN for the 2025 breeding season, the farm said via a press release on Wednesday. Bright Future will be syndicated with owners Mike Repole of Repole Stable and Vincent Viola of St. Elias Stables retaining an interest in the horse at stud.

Group 1 winner Mqse De Sevigne retired to Rothschild broodmare band

Multiple Group 1 winner Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) has been retired to become a broodmare, according to a post on X from owner-breeder Baron Edouard de Rothschild's Haras de Meautry.

“Mqse De Sevigne returns to Haras de Meautry to begin her new life as a broodmare, having won five Group 1 races with Andre Fabre including the double-double of Prix Rothschild and Romanet in successive years,” the stud posted on X. “Truly the Queen of Deauville.”

The Autumn Sun half-brother debuts in France

Juvenile colt Azimpour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will debut for the Aga Khan and Francis-Henri Graffard stable on Thursday (Thursday night AEDT) at Saint-Cloud, and is a half-brother to Redoute's Choice's multiple Group 1-winning sire The Autumn Sun. From the family of the high-class Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift), he is joined by the owner-breeder's Ridari (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}), a Mikel Delzangles-trained son of the G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Ridasiyna (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) while also in attendance is George Strawbridge's Kryon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a Victoria Head-trained half-brother to Wootton Bassett's Almanzor (Fr).

Fasig-Tipton digital overcomes technical glitch

The Fasig-Tipton October Digital Sale, which was delayed by a day due to an unexpected service outage, concluded Wednesday evening with 224 horses sold for a combined gross of US$3,466,300 (AU$5 million). “I want to say a big thank you to all participants for working through some unexpected technical issues with us,” said Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron.

“We were able to sell 224 horses at a 75 per cent clearance rate. Our impromptu Day 2 had robust action. We are looking forward to a tremendous December Digital Sale.” The topper was Commuted (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}), who sold for US$150,000 (AU$223,000) to Agent Willowbrook Stables.