Victorian Jockeys make concession in negotiation
The Victorian Jockeys' Association have offered to cut the minimum riding fee in return for a jump-out fee to keep costs for owners down. “We get $110 for an official trial and we're doing exactly the same thing in a jumpout but we're prepared to make that adjustment and we're prepared to make a contribution,” VJA chief executive Matt Hyland told racenet.com.au.
Matt Hyland | Image courtesy of Victorian Jockeys Association
“Our proposal was a $50 fee for jumpouts plus super(annuation) for 25,000 individual starters per year across the state. That would equate to about $1.5 (million). We were prepared to contribute $250,000 of what we would receive through an adjustment to our minimum ride allowance.” Victorian jockeys currently receive a minimum riding allowance of $100 if booked for three or less rides at a meeting and other negotiations cut the jumpout fee to around $30 per ride.
“The average horse in training has 2.7 jumpouts per preparation so what we're arguing over is less than $100 per horse per preparation. We don't want to invoice trainers individually because it's not realistic. What's the purpose of it? The system (Racing Victoria) is there (for paying jockeys).”
Bittercreek ready for Magic Millions Guineas
Co-trainer Will Larkin will have Bittercreek (Snitzel) ready for Friday night’s rescheduled R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas. “It’s a bit frustrating but it doesn’t change much. They’ll still be there to take their place. It’s a bit of a challenge, but you have to scramble to make things happen, and they’ll be there in good order,” Larkin told racing.com.
“He has trialled well at the Gold Coast and his form up here in Queensland from his 2-year-old season is really good. I feel like he really loves going this way around. He’s done everything right. He looks terrific, feels good within himself and his trackwork has been incredible. I think (Saturday) he was going to be ready to peak and heading into Friday he will be the same.”
Bittercreek | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Space Rider awaits scratching for Magic Millions
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are waiting to see if first emergency Space Rider (Zoustar) will make the field for the rescheduled Friday night R-Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. “If he secures a run (in the 2YO Classic) on Friday night we'll head there but if not he'll go to Eagle Farm on Saturday,” Price told racenet.com.au.
“There's a nice 1200 metre race on Saturday that fits in well so the preference is to obviously go to Friday night but the race on Saturday is a good second option. If he goes there James Orman will ride. He really needs a run. He's in his box and carrying on a bit so the hitout will do him the world of good.”
Bellatrix Star’s racing future in doubt
Promising G2 Schillaci S.-winning 3-year-old filly Bellatrix Star’s (Star Witness) racing future is in doubt after she sustained neck fractures in an accident at Cranbourne. “She had an accident as she was exiting the pool, she reared right over onto her back and fell heavily,” Fortuna director John Galvin told Racing.com.
“She was on the ground for 10 or 15 minutes, but she gradually got to her feet and was walked back to the box where she was examined by the vet and then x-rayed. She’s got fractures in her neck. The good news since is that she’s bright, she’s alert, she’s eating well and her vitals are good.
Bellatrix Star | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Obviously, her autumn campaign that we had planned is out the window and it’s possible that she may never race again, but we don’t know that for sure at this stage. We’ve got a very good vet there, Matt Morahan, and I’ve spoken to our local Waikato vet, who was at the (Magic Millions) sales and, while it’s not a common injury, they’ve seen similar before.
“Whether she recovers well enough to be able to race again, we can’t be sure, but obviously, given her race record to date, she’s got a fair value as a broodmare prospect, so that would be plan b if she couldn’t race again.” Bellatrix Star has won five of her 11 starts and was placed in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. two starts ago, with earnings over $980,000.
La Roux potentially set for Blue Diamond Series
Phillip Stokes trained 2-year-old filly La Roux (Zousain) may go to the Blue Diamond Series. “She’s very professional, does everything right and has taken the ownership group on a good journey so far,” stable representative Kerrin Stokes told racingsa.com.au. on Monday.
“If she pulls up well, we could look at a Cinderella in six weeks’ time, or we could look at a Blue Diamond Prelude/Preview and roll the dice.”
Southport Tycoon winds up for swansong campaign
Dual Group 1-winning entire Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon) was an eye-catching second at the Cranbourne jump-outs on Monday morning, hot on the heels of Just Folk (Magnus) in his heat. Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull confirmed to Racing.com that the valuable stud prospect’s intended jumping off point for his campaign is the G2 Australia S. on January 24, before heading to the G1 CF Orr S. on February 8. Connections are hoping to book a berth in the G1 All Star Mile.
Southport Tycoon was a $300,000 purchase for Bennett Racing from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale in 2022, from his breeders Daandine Stud. Out of a full sister to G1 Hollywood Starlet S.-placed Grace And Flower (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), dam of G1 Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal {USA}), the colt attracted the interests of Widden Stud after his G1 Australian Guineas win when they bought a share in him. It was confirmed in November that he would commence stud duties at Widden in the 2025 breeding season.
Dual Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban back in work
Twice the G1 Melbourne Cup favourite, and twice a failure, Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) was purchased in the spring for $2 million by Australian Bloodstock and sent to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. “He's retained plenty of residual fitness off the back of that campaign,” Bott told racing.com.
Vauban (Fr) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He had a nice break, a nice freshen up, but he's back in work, he's settled in really well. He's in our Sydney stable, he'll remain there and most likely compete in Sydney for the carnival, no firm program just yet, most likely, he'll have a relatively light campaign and then we'll focus on the spring for him.
"He's obviously a high-quality horse; we're just hoping he can settle in, acclimatise to the Australian conditions and hopefully recapture what we've seen from him prior to coming over.” He is the current G1 Sydney Cup favourite, and is a Group 2 winner in Europe.
Interesting debutant for Vandyke on Wednesday
Trainer David Vandyke will debut 3-year-old filly Acapulco Girl (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) on Wednesday at Ipswich for Ontrack Thoroughbreds. “(Grant Morgan) picked her out, really liked her and he's a very good judge,” Vandyke told racenet.com.au.
“He asked me to have a look at her after purchasing her and I was very taken with her, she's a beautiful filly, lovely type, good solid bloodlines and she's nice and tough. Ultimately I think she'll run a good race on Wednesday.” Acapulco Girl was a NZ$110,000 purchase from Highden Park at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Experienced jockeys join Queensland Apprentice Program
Michael Cahill and Chris Whiteley have joined the Queensland Apprentice Jockey Program. Cahill, who starts as an Apprentice Jockey Coach in February, rode over 2600 wins in his career which included six Group 1 wins.
Whiteley joins Racing Queensland as an Educator for Apprentice Jockeys. “RQ is committed to providing more support to apprentice jockeys to help them develop into skilled professionals, both on and off the track, while building a strong and sustainable jockey talent pool in Queensland,” RQ Education and Workforce Development Manager Briony Moore told racingqueensland.com.au.
“We know that by investing in their education, coaching, and overall development, we can help them achieve their full potential and build a stronger future for racing in Queensland.
“With the depth of experience now within our team, we are confident in our ability to nurture the next generation of racing champions. We warmly welcome Michael Cahill and Chris Whiteley to the team and look forward to their contributions in helping develop racing’s next generation of stars.”
Listed Vamos Stakes for last start winner
Last start winner 5-year-old mare Lovin’ Bev (Needs Further) will head to the Listed Vamos S. next. “I actually turned around and stopped watching for a little bit. I was a little concerned she had gone a lot quicker than she needed to, but Lizzie obviously had the mare in a nice rhythm. Look the horse over this distance she just sustains a good tempo,” trainer Siggy Carr told tasracing.com.
“We plan to run her in the (Listed) Vamos S. (on Launceston Cup day). We know she loves Launceston, we will keep ticking through a few more grades here and then to the Vamos.”
Dilger Scholarships announced for 2025
County Meath natives Jordan Kidd and Tara Carroll were announced on Sunday as the latest recipients of scholarships from the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation, awarded in the memory of Irish pinhooker and successful breeder, Gerry Dilger.
The scholarships are open to Irish citizens, with the recipients earning a place on the Irish National Stud programme which Dilger himself completed. It includes fully paid tuition, room and board at the famed Kildare nursery.
