Kanga unhappy with Melbourne Football Club's plan
Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga has stated he is unhappy with the Melbourne Football Club (aka Demons) plan to build a $100 million training facility in the centre of Caulfield as it will disrupt a popular dog walking path. “They (Demons) are also looking at using the inside (track) area for professional sporting fields … (but) we need to also remember and be conscious that it is a public reserve for the residents,” Kanga told racenet.com.au.
“We, and me, personally use that dog park, and it is a very, very important aspect of community life. They don't want to see it taken away, and neither do I.”
John Kanga | Image courtesy of the Melbourne Racing Club
“The positive sentiment from so many local community organisations and groups has been wide-spread and the feasibility study has definitely highlighted the community's desire to see this project come to life,” outgoing Demons chief executive Gary Pert said.
Inevitable result in the Listed Conquering S.
Sent out as a $1.60 favourite, 9-year-old gelding The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) took his earnings past $2 million with a gritty win in Wednesday night’s Listed Conquering S. at Launceston. “I didn’t enjoy that one bit,” trainer John Keys told tasracing.com.au after the heart-stopping finish where The Inevitable was bumped wide on the home turn and had to dig deep to recover for jockey Craig Newitt, eventually winning by 0.06l from Siggy Carr trained 4-year-old gelding Thespian Waters (Headwater) with Imogen Miller trained 8-year-old gelding And Beyond (Wordsmith) in third.
“I really thought he would (win). I didn’t think it would be that tight, this is the first time he has won for me I was scared I was the mozz but finally got one. If he keeps doing that and improving, we will probably have a look in Melbourne.”
The Inevitable had his first start as a June 2-year-old in 2018 running third on debut, then he put together five wins in succession at three including the Listed Tasmanian Guineas and G3 CS Hayes S. on the mainland. All up, he’s won 17 of his 41 starts and is from Dundeel (NZ)’s first crop. Dundeel now has 33 stakes winners.
A $90,000 purchase from Cornerstone Stud’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale draft, The Inevitable was purchased by David Brunton. One of three stakes winners for his dam, Listed winner Gift Bouquet (King’s High), he is her last foal. Her earlier stakes winners are Group 3 winner Blahnik (Jeune {GB}) and Listed winner Elysees (Statue Of Liberty {USA}).
Anthony Cavanagh awarded an Honorary Life Fellow of FBAA
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia is pleased to announce that Anthony Cavanagh has been recognised as an Honorary Life Fellow of the FBAA. Tony was a founding member of the FBAA in 1988 and provided distinguished service to the organisation and, more broadly, the bloodstock agent profession throughout his career.
“The FBAA and our members are proud of the organisation’s history in which Anthony Cavanagh played a significant role. We are determined to build on this foundation and continue to set the standard for bloodstock agents in Australia and around the world,” said FBAA President, Craig Rounsefell.
Anthony Cavanagh joins David Coles, Les Young, Brian Muschialli and Tim Stewart as recipients of the award.
Ellerton steps away from training
Trainer Mat Ellerton is handing in his trainer’s licence to focus on his health. He had a stroke in June. “My left arm is taking a bit of time to come right so I'll have my last runners next week and we'll see from there,” Ellerton told racing.com.
Mat Ellerton | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
He has won 15 Group 1 races in his training career.
Within The Law ready for Saturday
Bjorn Baker is quietly confident Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire})) can keep the stable’s flag flying at Randwick on Saturday in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery. “O’ Ole has always been the benchmark in terms of gallops in trackwork and times but I think this filly has a bit of depth,” Baker told racingnsw.com.au.
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“She’s very workmanlike and I guess we’ll find out how deep she can go. She’s come through and done everything very well and easy and she’s put it all together. I was very impressed with her first start.” Within The Law won the R-Listed Inglis Banner S. on debut.
Invincible Woman kicks off Magic Millions campaign
Trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans will kick off 2-year-old filly Invincible Woman (I Am Invincible)’s path to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a run on Saturday at Caulfield Heath. “I actually didn't have a share (as she sold within a couple of days) and I was having a bit of a whinge to Lloyd and he whittled someone down and got me in,” Yeomans said.
“I think I've got one or 1.5 per cent, so I'm a very major shareholder! There was actually a few names in front of that (Invincible Woman), they were either taken or not allowed … but it suits her and suits the play for sure. She's a bit of a spicy girl, got an opinion of herself, and there's strong women in the ownership group, combined we're a force to be reckoned with.
“I'm really confident she will run well, we just don't know what else is in the race and if she's good enough, but I think she's precocious enough to run well. We'll be having a lot of fun this Saturday regardless of the result, but hopefully she can run really well and top the day off for us.”
Zousain debutante on Saturday
Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin will debut Bennett Racing's Zouclaire (Zousain) in Saturday's Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic at Caulfield Heath. “She's earnt her stripes to be there,” Larkin told racing.com.
“She's very smart. You look at her on type and she doesn't look like she could be a 2-year-old at all, I think she'll improve on whatever she does this time in. She's just come up so quickly. We threatened to tip her out a few times, but every time we want to, she just keeps copping everything we're throwing at her and performing really well at jumpouts.
Zouclaire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She's got a lot of professionalism, she's got a good head on her and that's good to have in a 2-year-old.”
Racing Victoria introduces Apprentice Jockey Squad
Racing Victoria has announced the introduction in 2025 of the Apprentice Jockey Squad. “The enhanced model will provide a more structured and supportive pathway, gradually enabling riders to build their skills, manage their physique and develop the confidence required to excel as apprentice jockeys,” said Racing Victoria in a statement.
“The change in structure will also better support those who don't graduate to race riding by encouraging them to remain as trackwork riders or to seek other pathways, thus maintaining their skills within the industry. By refining the transition process and offering robust support systems, the new structure will also allow for a greater pool of candidates to be selected into the AJS.
“The AJS will provide its members with access to a network of resources, including expert coaches, dietitians, strength and conditioning specialists and physiotherapists from the Victorian Institute of Sport. These resources are designed to support growth and development, ensuring the riders are well-prepared for the physical and mental demands of pursuing a career in the saddle.
“Once an AJS member has demonstrated the readiness and skill levels required to take the next step, including being approved to ride in official trials by the RV Rider Skills Panel, they can officially transition to the AJTP and be licensed as an apprentice jockey. Their apprenticeship will continue to be run in accordance with the Apprentice Jockey Race Ride Guidelines, which is a total of four years (plus injury time if required) from the date of their first race ride. An apprenticeship may be shortened if a jockey outrides their claim earlier.”
Port Lockroy back for the Ingham
Co-trainer Annabel Neasham says Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) is fit and ready for the G1 The Ingham S. on Saturday, after travelling home via Melbourne after winning the G1 Railway S. in Perth. “He had to fly back into Melbourne because that was the only option. He had just under a week there to break up the trip and he’s back in Sydney. He galloped on Tuesday, he’s very fit now so he doesn’t take much work,” Neasham told racingnsw.com.au.
Port Lockroy | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“He won with 53kg on his back, he’s carrying 58kg on Saturday now he has that higher rating. He is a horse with confidence and we think the mile is his sweet spot. It’d be a nice way to end the preparation if we could knock off another big race with him.”
Super Smink to bounce back in Gold Rush
Trainer Dan Morton believes Super Smink (Super One) can improve off her last start ninth in the G1 Northerly S. in Saturday’s Gold Rush. “Circumstances meant we didn’t end up in the spot we needed to be in the run (Northerly),” Morton told racingwa.com.au.
Dan Morton | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Things didn’t pan out for her after that, but I guess the plus out of that is she didn’t get knocked around and we get another go. I don’t second guess Chris (Parnham) too many times, he knows the mare well and went in with a plan the other day, but it didn’t go to fruition. I’m sure he will want to be around midfield-ish and if that’s where she is and she gets an out she’ll go good.”
Around The Nation: Thursday’s highlights
Australia enjoyed four meetings on Thursday. At Kyneton, 3-year-old filly Long Brew (Needs Further) won on debut.
Cult horse Hell heads to town
Hell (Hellbent) has won four in a row and heads to the city on Saturday. “He has a very high cruising speed and I feel as if he is better to roll along, he is deep into his prep, so he is extremely fit at the moment and I think we can use that to our advantage,” Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh told racenet.com.au.
“We considered the George Moore a few weeks ago, but it was too soon, the weather has been stinking hot so we have elected to wait and come to this race instead. When we bring him back next year, we might try and map out a plan towards The Archer or something like that.”
Group 1 target for Snazzytavi
Trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall have more Group 1 targets for Group 1-winning 5-year-old mare Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}). “She’ll go on to the Zabeel Classic and then we’ll aim at the Herbie Dyke S.,” Richardson told Loveracing.nz.
Snazzytavi (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“What we do in between times I don’t know yet, maybe she could go back to a mile or we’ll trial her.” She won the G1 Livamol Classic at her most recent start.
Guineas next for last start winner Azonto
Trainer Barry Campbell will set 3-year-old filly Azonto (Stratosphere) for the Listed Tasmanian Guineas next. “Her run in the 3YO cup was good, she came from a mile back and found the line really good. All her runs she’s been hitting the line good we will step her out to a mile now even though she’s bred to be a sprinter,” Campbell told tasracing.com.au.
“It got to the stage where I was hoping she would just run a good race, full credit to Darma, he rode her really well.” She’s now won two of her six starts.
Century of wins in Hong Kong for Bentley
Jockey Harry Bentley ticked off a significant milestone at Happy Valley by landing his 100th winner in Hong Kong with Atomic Force (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}). “I’m really pleased with that. It’s been a slow start to the season and I’d hoped the 100 would have come up a lot faster than it has done, but nonetheless we got there and I’m looking forward to the next 100,” Bentley told scmp.com.
Japan’s Myriad Love has promising future
In the last two years in particular, the Listed Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun - the second of four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby - has been won by horses that went on to become significant players on the world stage.
The 2022 renewal was taken by Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits (USA)), and last year's running was won by Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}).
This year 2-year-old filly Myriad Love (Jpn), a daughter of New Year's Day (USA), proved narrowly best to remain perfect in three trips to the races. With the victory, Myriad Love picks up 20 points and assumes the top spot on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Fasig Digital sale tops US$10 million
In what is believed to be a world record for a Thoroughbred auction conducted exclusively online, Fasig-Tipton's December Digital Sale closed its two-day run Wednesday evening with gross sales of US$10,031,000 (AU$15.6 million). With more than 1200 bidders registered, 401 horses changed hands at an average of US$25,015 (AU$39,000).
“We're ecstatic over the results of the December Digital Sale, and over 2024 overall,” said Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “We've done over $10,000,000 in sales over the last few days, with more than $45,000,000 in gross over the year. We couldn't be happier that buyers and sellers are putting that level of trust in Fasig-Tipton Digital.”
Leif Aaron | Image courtesy of Fasig-Tipton
Wednesday's top lot was Allez Marie (USA) (Unbridled's Song {USA}) who sold for US$750,000 to Three Chimneys Farm. In 2024, Fasig-Tipton's digital platform has grossed just over US$45,500,000 (AU$70.8 million). During the year, 1417 horses have sold from 1789 offered, equalling a 79 per cent clearance rate.
Blue Point breeding right sells on Darley platform for 430k
A breeding right in Blue Point (Ire) sold for €430,000 (AU$705,000) to an unnamed buyer on Darley's winning bid platform on Wednesday.
Blue Point (Ire) | Standing at Kildangan Stud, Ireland
The son of Shamardal (USA) sired 2024 G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes hero Rosallion (Ire), as well as his third Group 1 winner in Kind Of Blue (GB). In his second crop, he is credited with seven black-type performers including Group 2 winner Sky Majesty (Ire). On the sales front, his 2024 yearlings have sold for up to €850,000 (AU$1.4 million). Fully booked at a fee of €100,000 (AU$164,000) for 2025 at Kildangan Stud in Ireland, Blue Point will see his third crop take to the track next year.
Persian King share sells for 140k
The Auctav Winter Breeding Sale concluded on Wednesday, and a 1/50th share in Persian King (Ire) brought €140,000 (AU$230,000) on a private bid to top proceedings. Sold as Lot 8, the share was acquired by Broadhurst Agency. Persian King stands at Haras d'Etreham and has 16 winners worldwide in his first crop.
