Archibald thinks timing is right for Port Lockroy
Co-trainer Rob Archibald thinks Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) is perfectly timed for Saturday’s G1 Railway S. “The first couple of runs in his prep, he sort of was getting back in his races and running home in really good time, but he hadn’t put together a big run that suggested he was good enough to come over,” Archibald told racingwa.com.au.
“I think that run in the Golden Eagle, when you go through it and look at the horses he beat, he was well outside the handicap and beat some really good horses. That’s when we thought, hang on, he’s going to get in with a lovely weight and we felt it put him right in the mix and that was definitely the deciding factor.
Rob Archibald | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“There were a couple of races here (Sydney) that we could have looked at, but we felt it was a nice opportunity to get him over there. It’s terrific prizemoney and we love travelling with our horses and so do our owners, it all just matched up. We think he’s in with a really good chance, he’s still on the way up and lightly raced. He’s got great finishing sectionals and the mile is his sweet spot. I think he’s a horse in form.”
Andrews wants fourth WA Guineas
Trainer Trevor Andrews has won the G2 WA Guineas three times and has two runners, Street Band (Lucky Street) and King Hit (Magna Grecia {Ire}), for Saturday as he aims for his fourth. “He’s been luckless at his past few starts and we’ve just had to ride him cold,” Andrews told racingwa.com.au about Street Band.
“His sectionals have been great and he’s really looking forward to the mile and should relish the distance. He’s in good order, his work has been good, so there are certainly no negatives. I’d like to think he’ll be three pairs back and races better that way, I think. It should be a competitive race, but I’m happy.”
Trevor Andrews | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
King Hit comes into the race having won his maiden last start. “I’m probably leaning towards Street Band a bit more, but I wouldn’t be surprised if either of them won. I think they’re worthy contenders and they go to a mile, a few of them won’t run it out as well as the others. I’m confident these two guys will and I wouldn’t be surprised if either of them won.”
Heathcote/Coetzee training partnership under discussion
Trainer Rob Heathcote is planning on creating a training partnership with foreman Jarred Coetzee which would likely begin in 2025. “Rob is not like most trainers, he always wants to learn more even with his age and experience,” Coetzee told racingqueensland.com.au.
Rob Heathcote
“With my experience internationally and from other trainers, I can add one percenters to improve on things around Rob’s stable. I think that has come to fruition. I have been very lucky to work for some leading trainers around Australia.”
Familiar path towards Magic Millions
Trainer Clinton Taylor is using a familiar path to qualify Don’tdoubthelady (Dubious) for January’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, one he used last year with Astapor (Tassort) who ran fifth in the big race. “That race she won is the first race of the season up here at Rockhampton, it is the same one Astapor won last year,” Taylor told racenet.com.au. Don’tdoubthelady runs on Saturday at Doomben.
“She deserves her chance, her win was good and the form around her is good, so we want to give her a go. The second horse (Tinkerbella) is no slouch, they were really competitive in Brisbane when they ran in town and I think my filly has taken improvement out of the run.
“She is paid up for the Magic Millions, so like Astapor, we will use this for a stepping stone and see where we end up. If she happens to win on Saturday, she will be close to Magics, but we are pretty lucky because there are QTIS Jewel's and all those races around if we don't go there. She is a very good type, she was a $40,000 yearling and she won't look out of place in town.”
Around The Nation: Thursday’s highlights
With all eyes on New Zealand’s Ready To Run Sale, there were only three meetings in Australia on Thursday. While I Am Invincible made headlines over the ditch, he sired a double at Hawkesbury with 3-year-old filly Duck Egg Blue and 4-year-old mare I Am Wild.
Todd Smart trained 3-year-old gelding The Unique Star (Shalaa {Ire}) won on debut at Albury.
World’s Best Jockey comes down to final race
Ryan Moore needs to win the G1 Japan Cup to nab 12 points in the World Jockey’s Contest and beat James McDonald who currently leads the table by 10 points. Moore has won in 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2023, while McDonald was the World's Best Jockey winner in 2022.
Ryan Moore | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Moore will ride Aidan O’Brien trained Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) who will retire to Coolmore Stud after the race. Japan have bestowed a retirement ceremony on him. “I think it's very special, obviously we would never have expected it, but we really appreciate it,” O'Brien said of the retirement ceremony.
“We are really amazed how respectful the Japanese public are of Auguste Rodin.”
Luck needed for Territory Express in The Gong
Jockey Jason Collett thinks Territory Express (Territories {Ire}) needs a little luck to be competitive in Saturday’s The Gong at Kembla Grange. “More times than not you end up in a difficult position and needing a bit of luck but he does seem to race best like that,” Collett told racingnsw.com.au.
Territory Express | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“On the flip side you have that confidence you can get out of tricky positions due to the turn of foot he has and that’s how I see it. You can’t really have a plan for a horse like that. Your race is dictated to by what happens in the run, how quick they go, how the track plays and the perceived pattern of the day. I guess I’ve got to be very open minded.”
Imprevu steps up to Group 2 company
Imprevu (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}) will step out in the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. on Saturday after a strong second in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint when resuming. “She’s a happy horse and has come through her first run really nicely. She had a good draw and a good ride, I’m very happy and her work has been lovely,” trainer Janenne Dalley told Loveracing.nz.
Imprevu (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“We’re hoping the (G1) Railway will be her go this time and it sits well for her with the shift back to January 25. I can freshen her up a bit more and find a nice lead-up to that, she doesn’t need a lot of racing.”
Shoes to take on Group 1 winners in Group 3
Trainer Pam Gerard will run emerging 4-year-old mare Shoes (NZ) (Derryn) in Saturday’s G3 Counties Bowl but realises the task ahead of her. “She’s just gaining confidence all the time, but I have to admit, I’m not so confident when I saw the noms come out and the field,” Gerard told Loveracing.nz.
“There are four Group 1 horses in there and we may be asking a bit much of her at this stage. Sometimes this race can come up not as strong, but it’s a super field this weekend so I’m not sure we’ve quite made the right decision. We’ll have to see.” Shoes has won her last three in succession.
Happy Valley win snares IJC slot for Teetan
Jockey Karis Teetan has grabbed the final spot in the International Jockey’s Championship with a win aboard Take Action (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. “I’m thankful for all the support I get. Without the support of people of like Mr Size, you cannot have any success,” Teetan told scmp.com.
Karis Teetan | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“The IJC, all the guys want to ride in it. It’s always a fantastic night organised by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and you just want to be part of it. I’ve ridden in a few of them, so I know how it feels – it’s very exciting.”
Baffert’s first Churchill Downs runner since ban lifted
Barnes (USA) (Into Mischief{USA}), an unraced 2-year-old colt who sold for US$3.2 million (AU$4.9 million) as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling in 2023, has been entered by trainer Bob Baffert and owner Zedan Racing Stables in a 5.5 furlong maiden special weight sprint at Churchill Downs next Wednesday.
The start will be Baffert's first at the Louisville track since Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) on July 19, 2024, announced the lifting of a corporation-imposed three-year suspension that had kept the Hall-of-Fame trainer from racing in the G1 Kentucky Derby and at any of CDI's tracks nationwide.
CDI had ruled off Baffert in June 2021 because of a string of drug positives in horses Baffert trained, including two in CDI's most prominent races, the 2020 GI Kentucky Oaks and the 2021 Derby. The colt who tested positive for an overage of betamethasone in the 2021 Derby, Medina Spirit (USA), was owned by Zedan.
