Daily News Wrap

Larry Cassidy announces retirement

Jockey Larry Cassidy officially announced his retirement from racing on Friday, bringing the end to a career that has netted 40 Group 1 winners. “After more than a year, two surgeries and numerous, painful physio sessions, I have made the difficult decision to retire,” Cassidy said in a statement referring to a finger injury that came after a long lay off with a back injury.

“I want to thank everyone that has helped and supported me throughout my 39 years of riding. I have been lucky enough to have had a wonderful career and I am now excited to start the next chapter.”

Silver Slipper race record holder Amelia’s Dream dies

Element Hill announced on Friday that Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice) had died aged 19. She holds the race record for the G2 Silver Slipper S. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the star mare Amelia’s Dream,” said the statement.

“While her career was only a fleeting dream those two races left the racing world wondering what could have been. Having won both of those races by a combined margin of 18.5 lengths and her race record in the G2 Silver Slipper still stands 16 years on.

“Amelia may never be remembered for her broodmare career however it seems her memory will live on through her granddaughter Amelita who recently won the G3 Red Roses on Oaks day at Flemington and looks to have a bright future ahead of her. Amelia’s filly by So You Think who was born back in September is healthy and seems to have inherited her mother’s strong willed personality and her love for running.”

Unbeaten in two starts, Amelia’s Dream produced eight winners including Listed placed Better Land (Shamardal {USA}), Listed placed Impasse (Sepoy) and Miss Amelia (More Than Ready {USA}) who won three races and is the dam of G3 Red Roses S. winner Amelita (Zousain). Her 3-year-old gelding Goodlucktome (Written Tycoon) ran second at Canterbury on Friday night.

Trio of fillies eligible for Inglis Pink bonus

Three fillies in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery on Saturday are eligible for the Inglis Pink Bonus. Each will wear pink saddlecloths on the day and the first of those runners home will win $200,000 on top of any other prizemoney earned. They are Gary Portelli trained Sunrise Ridge (Star Turn), Fabio Martino trained Gail Jeanette (Capitalist), and Neil Osborne trained Falcon Gold (Unite And Conquer).

Gallery: Three fillies in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery on Saturday are eligible for the Inglis Pink Bonus, images courtesy of Inglis

“Falcon Gold is part owned by Denise Osborne, who won the Pink Bonus in this race last year with Beer Baron. Denise’s mum died this week aged 94 - she was still volunteering for Riding For the Disabled as a 92-year-old. This filly also has Tammy Crowe in the ownership, wife of Dean Crowe who bred this horse,” said Inglis in a statement.

Thompson juveniles to add to weaponry

Trainer John Thompson already has the Golden Slipper equal favourite in Bel Merci (Extreme Choice), and will try to add Deep Affection (Street Boss {USA}) and Vingt Neuf Noir (Zousain) who run in Saturday’s R. Listed Inglis Nursery. “Deep Affection is a nice filly. I am probably a bit surprised she is going this early but she is just going really well and is drawn well on Saturday. She should run well,” Thompson told racenet.com.au.

“Vingt Neuf Noir will get back and be ridden quietly to hit the line. She is a nice filly but she is going to need luck from the draw.”

Trip south for juvenile colt

Goulburn-based trainer Matthew Dale anticipates that getting Bombay Boom (Spirit Of Boom) onto a drier surface is key to his success in Saturday's Magic Millions Vic 2YO Classic at Caulfield Heath. “The whole way through he's been a nice colt that's been quite natural,” Dale told racing.com.

“Even when I took him to Warwick Farm trials when he won his first trial on a Heavy 8 I still thought he under-trialled a little bit, he just didn't travel as good as I know he can. He got onto a Soft 6 in his second trial and travelled really well, then he came out in his first race start on a Soft 7 and he didn't travel as well as he should have. I think he's better on top of the ground.”

Munce has faith in apprentice in Listed Gold Edition

Chris Munce will give his apprentice Tahlia Fenlon a golden opportunity to land her first stakes-level victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday on 3-year-old filly Kahlisee (Dracarys) in the Listed Gold Edition S. “She was put in as a late nom when it was so wet because we know she goes so good on it, but we think she goes just as well on the dry tracks. It hasn't come up the strongest race in all honesty, I think everyone is holding back for Magic Millions these days, so we will probably go around. She is already a stakes placegetter after running second in the Mode,” Munce told racenet.com.au.

“Tahlia deserves her chance on the horse, she works hard and she doesn't make a lot of mistakes. The opportunities she gets aren't always the best but she makes the most of them, they are often long prices in betting and gives them their chance if they are good enough.”

Prince Of Boom to redeem himself at Listed level

Earlier in the week, Prince of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) bit the tip off jockey Jimmy Orman’s finger, and he will try to redeem himself in Saturday’s Listed Lough Neagh S. “It's unbelievable what's happened, I've never seen or heard anything like it,” trainer Rob Heathcote told racenet.com.au about Orman's finger injury.

“His first-up run behind Hidden Wealth was super, he had a long break and his form before that wasn't good in the winter carnival. We gave him plenty of time and we wanted to aim him towards the Magic Millions. There doesn't look to be a clear leader in the race, so he will roll along and I think he will run a big race.”

Jimmy Orman is expected to be back for the Magic Millions carnival next month.

Around The Nation: Friday’s highlights

Friday was a busy one with seven day meetings and four night meetings. Jockey Andrew Mallyon rode a quartet of winners at Murwillumbah aboard 3-year-old filly November Sun (The Autumn Sun), Pierre Cardinnigan (Pierro), So You Can Torque (So You Think {NZ}), and 3-year-old gelding Neil (Headwater).

Jockey Ryan Wiggins rode a treble at Townsville on 3-year-old gelding Well Held (Kobayashi) who took his record to three wins and four placings from eight starts, Flying Artist (Flying Artie) and Tambo’s Justice (Justify {USA}). At Morphettville, jockey Jacob Opperman rode a treble on Hidden Witness (Capitalist), Fine Future (Jpn) (Fine Needle {Jpn}) and Enlist (Sepoy).

Obligated takes on Listed race on trainer’s birthday

Mackay trainer Lyle Wright has overcome health issues to enjoy promising 3-year-old Obligated (Lord Of The Sky) running in the Listed Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm on his birthday on Saturday. “I had open heart surgery six years ago and they had to open me up again after I haemorrhaged. Then about a year ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer so I gave training away for about three months while I had radiation treatment in Townsville,” Wright told racingqueensland.com.au.

“I sold a lot of my stuff around that time but I soon found out I had to do something so I started training again. The cancer seems to be okay now but I still have a few minor issues. It is on Saturday so it will be a nice birthday present if he can win. I’m very confident he’ll run a big race and more will finish behind him than in front of him.”

Rivals face off in G2 Cal Isuzu Stakes

Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) ran second to Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in the G1 Livamol Classic at Te Rapa in October, and she will return on Saturday to try and turn the tables on her nemesis in the G2 Cal Isuzu S. but has to contend with an unfavourable draw. “It is not ideal. We would prefer to have drawn three or four, but it is what it is, Joe will have to bring some tricks because I am sure Opie (Bosson, jockey) will try and box us in from there (aboard Campionessa), but I am sure Joe will have it sorted,” owner-trainer Kim Reid told Loveracing.nz.

“We will see how she goes tomorrow and also the following week. I have got thoughts of possibly the Zabeel on Boxing Day and/or the Thorndon Mile, and the Herbie Dyke later on.”

Kiwi countdown on with Sought After

The countdown to the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi will move up a notch when Waikato Stud’s runner Sought After (NZ) (Tivaci) lines up at Te Rapa on Saturday. “He won very well on debut and hasn’t really had things go his way in his couple of starts since then. He had a bit of a freshen up in the paddock after the Sarten. He looks very well and we’ve been happy with how he’s been working leading into his return to racing on Saturday. He’s certainly going to be an interesting runner at Te Rapa,” co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan told Loveracing.nz.

“With Waikato Stud having selected him for their slot in the NZB Kiwi, his season has very much become a matter of trying to get him to that day in the best shape we possibly can. We still need to make a plan for some of the other races he’ll run in between now and then, but we’ll get Saturday out of the way first and then figure out the next steps from there.”

Yaldi back in NZ after tough Melbourne campaign

Trainer Andrew Forsman’s 3-year-old Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) is back in New Zealand after a tough Melbourne campaign and runs at Te Rapa on Saturday. “We took him to Melbourne and probably found the toughest possible race to run him in first-up, it was a firm track, a windy day and there was a fair bit going on,” Forsman told Loveracing.nz.

“He was up against some of the better 3-year-old sprinters in Melbourne and he probably just lost his way a bit that day, it was just too much too soon.” Yaldi is eligible for the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO and $3.5 million NZB Kiwi, the latter Forsman is a slotholder for.

Jumps to continue in Victoria

Racing Victoria announced on Friday that jumps racing provides 'a significant economic and cultural contribution to regional Victoria', and so it will continue, with the board adopting all 11 recommendations made by the Jumps Review Panel. “After reviewing the JRG's report and further considerations received from the RV Executive, the RV Board has determined to continue jumps racing,” the release said.

“As part of its deliberations, the RV Board resolved to adopt and further enhance the 11 safety and operational recommendations it received. In reaching its decision, the RV Board acknowledged that jumps racing has thousands of passionate supporters, predominantly in regional Victoria.

“It also highlighted jumps racing's significant economic and cultural contribution to regional Victoria, particularly in the south-west of the state. The Board noted that the Warrnambool May Carnival generates $14.8 million in direct expenditure annually and the removal of jumps racing would likely impact the Carnival's unique appeal and potentially adversely impact visitation, employment, and economic activity in the region.

“The Board also acknowledged the jumps jockeys and trainers who contribute to Victorian racing throughout the year and not just on jumps racing days, especially via their roles as track riders. While acknowledging that last season's safety record was unacceptable, the Board also recognised the sustained efforts of all stakeholders over the previous 14 seasons to improve safety.”

Keeneland announces 70 supplements for Jan sale

Delahaye (USA) (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}), winner of this year's GIII Old Forester Mint Julep S. at Churchill Downs, is among 70 supplemental entries for the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, the auction house announced Thursday. The sale, which also includes in-foal mares, broodmare prospects and newly turned yearlings, will take place in Lexington over the course of three sessions on January 13-15, 2025.