Imperatriz leads NZ Racing Hall of Fame inductees
Champion sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) has been paid the ultimate compliment with her inclusion in the 2025 draft of inductees to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. “We’re so proud that Imperatriz will be joining another of our champion race mares, Melody Belle, in the Hall of Fame,” Te Akau principal David Ellis, a recently announced Hall of Fame inductee himself, told Loveracing.nz.
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Te Akau Racing’s mare ready for Group 1
Te Akau Racing’s Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) will get her time to shine contesting the G1 Thorndon Mile. “She’s not very big and doesn’t carry a lot of condition, but she’s very game,” Sam Bergerson, who trains the mare in partnership with Mark Walker, told Loveracing.nz.
Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“I thought her runs this time around have been very good, she goes out there and tries hard, which her record reflects. She’s freshened up nicely and we were planning to go to the Rich Hill Mile last week, but she got quite a few points from the Counties Cup and would’ve been carrying 56.5kg. We elected to wait and she’s got 53kg in a pretty even field on Saturday, and she’s got a nice barrier, which gives us options.”
Dixon’s rising star set for Thorndon Mile
Trainer Matt Dixon’s Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) didn’t win until she was five, but as a last-start Group 2 winner, she’ll run in the G1 Thorndon Mile on Saturday. “She always showed a lot of natural speed, it was just a matter of her maturing into her frame. She’s had a few growing pains along the way. She’s certainly had the ability, but you never expect to get to this point, 13 or 14 months ago she was just winning a maiden race. She’s come a very long way,” Dixon told Loveracing.nz.
“She’s come through that run in great order, she’s had a pretty faultless prep over the past few weeks so I’m very happy with her. It wasn’t really the plan earlier on, but the more she’s raced, the more she’s learned to settle, which she showed in her Pukekohe run and her last run. In the early days, we wondered if she’d even get 1400 (metres), but she’s learned to race a bit kinder. She’s been strong to the line and given an indication that she will see out the mile, so we are hopeful.”
Memo to break maiden in 2YO Classic
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy is confident the inside barrier draw for Memo (Capitalist) in Saturday’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic will see her break her maiden status. “It was a great run in the Gimcrack after a nice trial before that and then she was great at Wyong, coming back from the wide gate,” McEvoy told racing.com.
Memo | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“She was unlucky in defeat (at Wyong) and then the other day (at Randwick) was a bit of a nightmare. The tempo was out of the race and because of that she sort of ran up the backside of one and then we were posted in a steadily run race. We weren't able to show our best but I'm confident that barrier one is going to assist and she can make her presence felt on Saturday.”
Schiller’s last start winner for 2YO Classic
A good draw has lifted Tyler Schiller's hopes of steering last-start Randwick winner Gallo Nero (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to victory in Saturday’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. “He's a quality colt. I think the field is very even and the barrier draw was going to be a big question mark as to what horses were going to have chances and what wouldn't,” Schiller told racing.com.
Gallo Nero | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“So I'm very happy to have drawn a good gate with him rather than being out wide trying to make something happen. I'd be shocked if he's out of the top five but, obviously being optimistic, hopefully we can win it. I feel like the Magic Millions there's a lot more pressure, he's just going to be sucked along on a nice speed and I hope from the draw we can be somewhere in the first half but not too close to the hot speed. If everything goes wrong with the pace, he may be a bit closer, but I think he's got a lot of good attributes.”
Search for new Aushorse CEO begins
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse have engaged racehorse owner Craig Sneesby’s leading recruitment firm u&u to help find their new chief executive, after incumbent Tom Reilly was appointed as CEO for the Melbourne Racing Club.
“Myself and all the board of Aushorse are very grateful for Tom’s hard work in the past 10 years, he and the team have done a great job for the industry,” said Aushorse Chair Antony Thompson in a press release. “The strategy Tom put in place and delivered through projects like the annual Investor’s Guide have created a strong narrative that Australia is the best place to buy and race a horse.
“Both Aushorse and TBA are in a very strong position as a result of Tom’s work and this role will give somebody the opportunity to come in and build on that legacy. This is an exciting opportunity for anybody who is keen to make their mark in the thoroughbred industry.”
Timing right for Abounding in Cup
Robert Heathcote is confident he's got the timing right with Abounding (Rich Enuff) in the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast on Saturday. “I’ve been having a horrible luck with barriers, and she was trapped five deep off a bad draw last start in the Nudgee and only just got beaten,” Heathcote told racingqueensland.com.au.
“I was going to go fourth-up with her into the Magic Millions but I had to scratch her one day when we had that horrid run of bad weather. She’s in great order and her work has been outstanding and I think she’s going better now than Guineas time last year. She had a tough run second-up but she’s bounced back well and hopefully I’ve got her right for this.”
Street Chase building towards Guineas
Jockey Craig Williams will combine with Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Jim Mason on Street Chase (Zoustar) in the R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas on Saturday. “Willo (Craig Williams) has ridden for me for an eternity and when I told him I was moving up to Queensland, he said to give him a bell if I got a good horse. So I spoke to him before the Vo Rogue Plate and told him to watch Street Chase and I told him the ride was available in the Guineas,” Mason told racenet.com.au.
Street Chase | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“His manager texted me the next morning and said he was keen for the ride. In the Vo Rogue, this horse did all the donkey work and just got swallowed up late in his first try beyond 1200 (metres). The pace they were going at he was entitled to fold; the winner was exceptional but was also out the back doing no work.”
Written Tycoon mare set for Standish
Phillip Stokes-trained mare Cheval Chic (Written Tycoon) will step up sharply into Saturday’s G3 Standish H. “We are throwing her in the deep end. She has been running very well. She probably should have won last start, although she's not even a metro winner yet. We are just chasing some black type with her. It's her first time down the straight but I don't think that will be any concern and I think if she can run top three, we'll be delighted,” Stokes told racing.com.
“I'm not sure what her level is but we'll just try to get that elusive black type. It's come up a small field. There's a couple of nice horses in it but I thought with even luck she could run a place and that would be a good result.”
Admin error by Melbourne Cup trainers
Racing Victoria have paid the trainer’s percentage for G1 Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) into an old bank account after trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon hadn’t updated their bank details with RV. “We are not able to comment in any detail given that the matter may be subject to proceedings, however, note that Racing Victoria has paid out all Melbourne Cup prizemoney as required, including to the bank account registered with us for Ms Laxon and Mr Symons' trainer prizemoney payments in Victoria,” an RV statement read.
Knight's Choice | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We have offered to assist Ms Laxon and Mr Symons in recovering the money from what we have subsequently been advised is their former account and remain willing to do so, but at this time they have not accepted that offer.”
Listed-placed Pereille set for G3 Standish H.
Godolphin’s Pereille (Fastnet Rock) comes into the G3 Standish H. off a last start Listed place. “His last run at Canterbury was really good - he hit the line really strong and was just beaten by a better horse on the day. That horse (Iowna Merc) is in (the Standish) on Saturday but is double accepted in both Melbourne and Sydney and we meet it a bit better at the weights,” stable representative Nacim Dilmi told racing.com
“He can run a big race. With the inside barrier, Jamie (Kah) can get a bit of cover and then go for him at the right time. The last time he was in Melbourne, around 12 months ago, he won at Moonee Valley, so hopefully he can win down the straight too. He's pretty bombproof, wherever he settles he's pretty straightforward. Hopefully he can finally get that first stakes win on the board.”
MM first emergency set for Golden Slipper
Co-trainer Mick Price will skip the G1 Blue Diamond with Space Rider (Zoustar) and go to the G1 Golden Slipper with the first emergency for Saturday’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. “No one knows, do they, but there's a chance that maybe one comes out and he's first emergency, so he's sitting on the bench, ready and waiting. Training-wise, he's beautiful. He's settled in really well, he's been through our Sydney barn, he's done plenty of reverse-work this way. His gallop on Tuesday was good, his Eagle Farm win was strong and he's a colt with a constitution - if he gets a run, he'll give it a shake,” Price told racing.com.
Space Rider | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“We won't be going to the Blue Diamond, we'll be going via the 1200-metre races into the Golden Slipper. I think he's a strong 1200-metre horse, so we'll be putting a circle around the Slipper and that's how we'll get there.”
Roper gets Helpful shot at prizemoney
Jockey Anna Roper rides Super Helpful (Super One) in the first edition of the $500,000 The Lakes at Wyong on Saturday and it marks the beginning of an injury comeback. “I had the quad injury, and they didn't think I would need surgery and then I ended up needing it so that was a pretty gutting one. Then two weeks after I'd been back I got kick in the leg and needed another two weeks out so it's just been a bit inconsistent and stop start. It's not great or for trainers who want a reliable jockey but I've been back for about six weeks now and it's been nice to have some consistency,” Roper told racenet.com.au.
“To be able to ride that light in a race with no claim, I am very excited as well as the fact (Super Helpful) goes in the wet and is in form. There has been a lot of talk about the day and how good it is for the race club to finally have a big race of their own so to be riding in the first one and on not too bad of a chance is great.”
Around The Nation: Friday’s highlights
On Friday, 3-year-old filly Goldane (Winning Rupert) won on debut at Newcastle. At Werribee, 3-year-old filly Sunday Georgie (Zoustar) won on debut. Jockey Justin Stanley rode a treble at Townsville on 3-year-old gelding Well Held (Kobayashi), Keep On Running (Sidestep), and 3-year-old gelding Belmont Park (American Pharoah {USA}).
Sharrock stable in flying form
Allan Sharrock’s New Plymouth stable is going great guns, and Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir) will attempt to extend that hot run in Saturday’s G3 Trentham S. “The stable’s been going pretty well over the holiday period. We’ve got some nice horses around us at the moment and hopefully we can keep our good run going for a bit longer yet,” Sharrock told Loveracing.nz.
Islington Lass (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“I thought it was a great effort to win the Manawatu Cup last time out. I gave her an easy week after that race and I’ve been happy enough with how she’s been working up since then. I think she’ll run well again on Saturday. She likes Wellington and is well suited to the set weights and penalties conditions of this race.”
Maiden Golden Century for Listed race
Trainer Tony Pike has set 3-year-old maiden Golden Century (NZ) (Pierro) for Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver Plate over 2100 metres. “He’s a real stayer and has been around tighter circuits and being the big horse he is, he’s going to appreciate the bigger track. The 2100 metre will be right up his alley, he is still a very green horse but he’s improving with racing,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.
“He was bought by OTI and his future lies in Australia, but they will look at leaving him here for our Derby depending how he progresses in his next couple of runs.”
Santa Anita opens for trackwork after fires
Santa Anita opened its track Thursday morning to limited training–just joggers and gallopers for most of the morning. For the Santa Anita backstretch community, it was a slice of normality as the extent of the damage caused by the wildfires that have ripped across Los Angeles this week began to set in.
Santa Anita Park has postponed Friday's January 10 racing program until next Thursday, January 16. due to the forecast of poor air quality for the San Gabriel Valley after the devasting impact made by the Eaton Fire in the Los Angeles area, the track said in a press release on Thursday afternoon.
“While Santa Anita continues to remain well outside of any active fire area, the smoke from the wildfires is affecting all of Los Angeles County,” said Santa Anita's General Manager & SVP Nate Newby. “We also want to respect the impact that this tragedy has had on many of our community, including our horsemen and women and our own Santa Anita team, who have been devastated by these fires. By proactively moving the races, it gives our horsemen and women, horseplayers, fans and our team the opportunity to plan accordingly.”
Leading Spanish trainer gets 1000th winner
The new year has already started well for Spain's leading trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta. On January 4, the 13-time champion notched his 1,000th victory in the country when Liam Norris's homebred Stellaris (GB) (Recoletos {Fr}) won at Pineda. “We try to travel as much as possible. We've been having lots of runners in France lately and we like to travel farther away as well,” said Arizkorreta.
Guillermo Arizkorreta
He has two runners on Friday at Meydan in Sky Hawk (GB) (Advertise {GB}) and Thundering (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), he says, “My biggest client has had a couple of horses in Dubai in the past and he was keen to have more there this year. We plan to send handicappers to those races which have good prizemoney – kind of 80-rated horses. We bought a few at the Horses-in-Training Sale in Newmarket and we have sent a few who have run in Spain.”
