Racing Victoria statement on jump-out issue
Racing Victoria has issued the following statement. “As we stated earlier this week, RV supports the principle that all persons should be remunerated for work performed,” RV chief executive Aaron Morrison said.
“The engagement of riders for jump-outs and their payment has always been a matter between trainers and riders. At the core of that is the fact that jockeys are self-employed and have a direct contractual relationship with trainers, not with RV, when it comes to jump-outs and trackwork.
“We have heard the many views expressed across the industry over the past 48 hours. They are varied which underscores the complexity of this issue. RV has been working for several weeks to bring key stakeholders together and give them the chance to resolve the matter collaboratively.
Aaron Morrison | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“This approach was appropriately respectful of the direct contractual relationship between trainers and jockeys, but it has proven challenging. We are now taking a more significant role in fostering productive discussions and finding solutions with the ATA and VJA.
“We understand and appreciate the potential impacts for other industry stakeholders including owners, and the overall implications upon the affordability of racing, which are also part of our discussions.
“As the governing body for the industry, our number one priority is to ensure the ongoing viability of the thoroughbred racing industry for all stakeholders and participants. We’ll be continuing to work with the key parties to ensure that this issue can be resolved quickly with a fair and reasonable outcome for all.”
Dee sustains concussion in jump-out fall
Jockey Michael Dee has sustained a concussion and broken ribs in a fall at the jump-outs on Friday morning. Initially taken to hospital with a suspected shoulder injury, a Victorian Jockeys' Association update on Friday evening confirmed that scans had later revealed he has a fracture of his first right rib, as well as concussion. He had been booked for four rides on Friday night at The Valley and nine at Caulfield on Saturday.
RWWA deputy chair Hasluck resigns
Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) deputy chair Anthony Hasluck has resigned after 11 years in the position. “One of the first decisions that I was involved in was to proceed with funding the (then) new track and facilities at Cannington,” Hasluck told racingwa.com.au.
“Since then, many millions have been spent across all three codes including Bunbury, Ascot, Pinjarra and at many other sites in the State. A lot of work has been done to make racing better for everyone, no matter which side of the rails you are on.
“I’ve been on the board for more than a decade and during that time there has not been a major integrity issue in WA. Some of the issues that have been highlighted in the media in the past in the Eastern States have not occurred in our backyard. I think that’s a testament to the skills and focus of our integrity team. The work that they do is absolutely fundamental to keeping racing going and I think the industry owes them a genuine vote of thanks.
Anthony Hasluck | Image courtesy of Racing and Wagering WA
“It’s vital that we call out the success of the wagering team and the WA TAB in the last decade…we have to work very hard to maintain our competitiveness. It has been challenging to maintain strong investment in the WA TAB during several attempts to sell our wagering activities.
“We have always sought to ensure that our digital and retail platforms continue to improve for customers and promote our racing products to grow revenue while supporting all three racing codes.”
Anthony Cummings business into liquidation
Trainer Anthony Cummings has been asked to meet with Racing NSW with regards to his training licence now his business Rosscarbery Holdings Pty Ltd has been placed in liquidation, reported racenet.com.au.
Anthony Cummings | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Sydney financial firm DW Advisory outlined material debts for Rosscarbery Holdings in excess of $2 million, including an outstanding tax debt of $1.3 million with a further $155,128 owed in unpaid superannuation to staff. Racing NSW have not approved a training partnership between Anthony and his son Edward.
Serpentine wants it dry on Saturday
G1 Epsom Derby winner Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) prefers it dry for Saturday’s G2 Zipping Classic. “With those types of forecasts you never know how it's all going to pan out, you got to stay optimistic, turn up, do your job, give them every chance and see how you go,” jockey Jye McNeil told racenet.com.au.
“I worked him here Tuesday morning and he seemed very well in himself and he moved well. If things suit him, I'm sure he'll be competitive.” Serpentine won the Derby at his fourth start, then had five more starts before heading down under to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable. After running 20th in the 2022 G1 Melbourne Cup, he didn’t race again until April 2023 where he won while resuming. He’s added a couple of stakes wins since then, and comes into Saturday off a fourth in the G3 Queen Elizabeth S.
Colmar travels for Sandown Guineas
South Australian raider Colmar (Strasbourg) will run in Saturday’s G2 Sandown Guineas. “He's a horse that has his best form on soft tracks, we're not going to be getting them at the minute – we're having a throw at the stumps over there,” Murray Bridge trainer Matthew Seyers told racenet.com.au.
“It's a solid field, but there's supposed to be a fair bit of rain happening Saturday, we thought we'd give him the opportunity while he's fit.”
Footy inspires Stylish Secret
Nicknamed after late Richmond premiership coach Tommy Hafey, Stylish Secret (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) will run in Saturday’s G2 Sandown Guineas. Trainer Mick Nolan and a group of clients bought Stylish Secret for $20,000 from respected racing writer Helen Thomas, who paid $2300 for him as a weanling and retained a small share upon selling. “Tommy's a little champion, he's only small, but he tries his heart out and he's given his owners a huge thrill,” Nolan told racing.com.
“It's the first time owning a racehorse for a few of them and with a cheap horse like him, normally you're running around at Bairnsdale. With this bloke, they've already seen him win at Flemington and run on Derby Day.”
O’Shea aims Buckeye at Magic Millions
John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained 2-year-old colt Buckeye (Zousain) is being aimed at January’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic. “He has been a nice horse all along, a horse we've been very happy with,” O'Shea told racenet.com.au.
John O’Shea | Ashlea Brennan
“There is no reason why he couldn't give a good account of himself on debut. We will get through Saturday and see what it brings but he is a Magic Millions horse and is quite a robust individual so it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility if he was to run well.” He is a full brother to G3 Red Roses S. winner Amelita.
Arkansaw Kid hoping for Supanova slot
Lindsay Park trained Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) will run in Saturday’s G3 Kevin Heffernan S. at Caulfield hoping to win his way into the $1 million Supanova. “We don't think (the distance) is going to be an issue and he deserves his crack,” co-trainer Will Hayes told racenet.com.au.
Arkansaw Kid | Image courtesy of Oliver Damien
“He came out of that (Meteorite) understandably very well so we're very happy with him coming into the Kevin Heffernan. It was always an option (to back-up) but given the run it made it a no-brainer. There's plenty of upside as the winner gets a free ticket into the slot race, the $1m Supernova.”
Broken leg for Payne
South Australian jockey Samuel Payne sustained a broken leg at Gawler on Wednesday after falling from Bay Of Portland (Kobayashi). “Apparently he's broken his fibula and tibia, he's not really in a good way, they are just waiting for the swelling to go down so they can operate,” Payne's manager, Josh Jones told racenet.com.au on Friday.
BOBS Horse of the Year steps up for Starlight
Last season’s BOBS Horse of the Year In Flight (Flying Artie) will run in stakes class for the first time in Saturday’s Listed Starlight S. at Rosehill. “I think Joe (Pride) has targeted this race with the forecast in mind,” jockey Jay Ford told racingnsw.com.au.
In Flight | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“She’s trialled up well, both her trials have been really nice. She’s nice and sound and feels like she has come back well. If the forecast eventuates it’s her chance to run well in a stakes race. If we get the right conditions it’s going to be advantageous for her albeit this will be the strongest race she’s contested.”
Xidaki skips The Gong for Festival
Trainer Peter Snowden skipped The Gong with Xidaki (Zoustar) in preference for Saturday’s G3 Festival S. at Rosehill. “Just looking at his work after he showed me he hadn’t fully recovered but he showed me in his work on Tuesday that he’s back on track,” Snowden told racingnsw.com.au.
“He felt it in the Golden Eagle, he was probably a bit too close to the speed and out of his comfort zone. It was just a bit rich at this early stage but he was there to have a crack. The plan was to run him in the Gong but I’m glad I waited another week, it would have been another gutbuster. So it was the right call making this race a better target race for him.” Xidaki ran poorly in the Golden Eagle last start but won the G3 Winx Guineas last season at three.
Derby goal for Bourbon Proof
The G1 New Zealand Derby is the goal for maiden 3-year-old colt Bourbon Proof (Justify {USA}) who runs in Saturday’s Listed Aramco 3YO S. at Ellerslie. “He has drawn poorly every time and never had any luck,” trainer Stephen Marsh told Loveracing.nz.
Stephen Marsh | Image courtesy Nicole Troost
“This time, he’s up to 1500 metres with a nice barrier and I’d just love to see him bounce and get every chance for the first time. There’s a couple of really nice ones in it, but he’ll get his opportunity. We’ve run him in some good races and he does have the talent, we really rate him.”
“We think he is one of those 3-year-olds who will love getting over ground and the Derby will be his goal.”
Around The Nation: Friday’s highlights
With our Looking Ahead column picking three winners from as many runners, it was a good day for readers of TTR. Friday was a busy one with three night meetings and six day meetings. Linda Meech won the Wodonga Cup on Riot And Rose (NZ) (Pins) making it a treble for the day after winning earlier races on the card on 3-year-old filly Princess Montecito (Toronado {Ire}) and Dancing Duck (Von Costa De Hero).
At Muswellbrook, trainer Justin Drake’s 3-year-old filly Panta Rhei (Astern) won on debut, while Chris Waller trained 3-year-old colt Inside Man (Lonhro) won on debut at Canterbury, as did Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained 3-year-old filly Gerringong (Blue Point {Ire}).
Pink Ribbon week hugely successful
Pink Ribbon Cup founder Robyn Cameron is blown away by the racing industry’s generosity as the 2024 Pink Ribbon Raceweek raised close to $400,000. “It is humongous amount – it is awesome the money we have raised,” Cameron told racingqueensland.com.au.
“It will be able to make a significant impact on the research for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and their funds. That will go into funding life-changing research that will target detection, treatment and a cure. The ultimate goal is no more deaths from breast cancer by 2030.”
Connello back to Listed class
Trainer Lisa Latta’s 3-year-old filly Connello (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) will run in Saturday’s Listed O’Leary’s Fillies’ S. at Wanganui and is coming off a fifth in the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas. “We thought that was a pretty good run, particularly bearing in mind that she got a fairly decent knock at the top of the straight,” owner David Woodhouse told Loveracing.nz.
“She was also a bit wide coming around the bend, so it was a good effort. Lisa and her team have been very happy with her since then. The big question will be how much that trip has taken out of her, but Lisa’s seen no signs of any fatigue. She’s a tough little thing. She tries her hardest every time. She’s needed to grow a bit, because she was quite small as a 2-year-old, but she’s furnished into a very nice filly now.”
Quartet of wins for Parsons team
Trainers John and Karen Parsons won four of the eight races at Cromwell in NZ on Friday led by La Bella Nera (NZ) (Sweynesse) in the Clare Memorial Cup. “La Bella Nera deserved that win today and she did a good job to lead all the way like she did,” Karen Parsons told Loveracing.nz.
“I’m not sure where we’ll go with her next, but she’s racing well. She’s putting together a good record.” Their other winners were On File (NZ) (Sweynesse), El Ultimo (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), and Funfetti (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}).
Change of plans for Romantic Warrior
Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {Ire}) will stick to turf, and head to the G1 Jebel Hatta, not the Al Maktoum Challenge on the same day before he runs in the G1 Saudi Cup. “The owner doesn’t want to run him on the dirt first, he will go straight to the dirt in Saudi. The Jebel Hatta will allow him to get used to the environment,” trainer Danny Shum told scmp.com.
Romantic Warrior (Ire) | Image courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club
If all goes well, he’ll continue to the Dubai meeting on April 5 for the G1 Dubai World Cup or G1 Dubai Turf. “It’s the plan that works for me, the owner and the jockey. All three races James McDonald will ride.”
Turf Stars launch plushies
The launch of Turf Stars was announced on Thursday, a new venture creating plush toys in the image of famous racehorses. Turf Stars is a passion project of racing presenter and breeder Sally Ann Grassick, who said, “I have been working on Turf Stars for the past two years and I am so excited to finally be launching it. I am so passionate about racing and sharing these wonderful racing legends with the public.
“Hopefully this will bring new racing fans, both young and old, into our wonderful sport. We have exciting plans for the future too as we build the Turf Stars collection.”
