Daily News Wrap

Entain NZ appoints Moncur

Entain NZ has appointed Sam Moncur to the role of Managing Director to fill the gap left by Lachlan Fitt and Cam Rodger who resigned on Thursday and will depart on March 8.

“Sam has worked right across many parts of the business in New Zealand, and has a special blend of financial acumen, wagering knowledge and relationships within the racing industry,” Entain Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Dean Shannon told Loveracing.nz.

“Sam’s appointment follows on from other key leadership positions being filled by our own talented and driven people, which is a great reflection on the talent we have within Entain.”

Southport Tycoon retired

Part-owner Nathan Bennett of Bennett Racing announced that 4-year-old entire Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon) had been retired to stud.

He won four of his 15 starts with earnings over $2.4 million and won the G1 Australian Guineas and G1 Manikato Stakes.

A deal to stand Southport Tycoon was done with Widden Stud during the spring.

Icarian Dream scratched from Blue Diamond

After failing the vet check from Racing Victoria on Friday morning, Icarian Dream (Blue Point {Ire}) has been scratched from the G1 Blue Diamond.

“Icarian Dream did not show the necessary improvement when reinspected and was withdrawn on vets advice by the Stewards,” said Racing Victoria stewards.

Racing Victoria statement on inspections

Racing Victoria issued a statement on Friday regarding inspections on the G1 Blue Diamond runners.

“This is the 12th-consecutive year that we've conducted pre-race veterinary inspections of Blue Diamond runners. The process this year is no different to previous years for the Blue Diamond and other races including The Showdown, Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate,” the statement read.

“Due to the geographical spread of acceptors, we had two teams of veterinarians inspect the horses on Thursday. Today we had a team of three veterinarians reinspect four horses - one RV veterinarian that had inspected them yesterday, one RV veterinarian who brought a fresh set of eyes and one new independent veterinarian.

“The veterinarians are not concerned with the name of the horse, who trains it, or who owns it. They are purely focused on its condition and seek to take in all the information available to them before providing their advice to the stewards on the suitability of a horse to race.

“At the core of all decision making is ensuring the safety of horses and riders and taking action where the potential for injury and poor performance may be at a heightened level. In doing so, this process also provides confidence to punters that they can bet in our feature races in the knowledge that horses have been deemed suitable to race by RV appointed veterinarians.”

Dundeel filly wins Listed Tasmanian Oaks

Dundeel (NZ) added a new stakes winner on Friday night when 3-year-old filly Cinch won the Listed Tasmanian Oaks by 3l. It was an interesting training feat for the Hayes brothers at Lindsay Park who took her over to Tassie after she broke her maiden at Sale last time out.

Two other fillies picked up black type as Glenn Stevenson trained Moorlands Miss (Santos) was second with Liam Howley trained Luvya Mumma (Toronado {Ire}) in third.

Cinch becomes Dundeel’s 34th stakes winner and is the third for her dam Eye For Fun (Snitzel) who previously produced G1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun (Mossman), dam of Group 3 winner Dajraan (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and granddam of Group 3 winner Bodyguard (I Am Invincible). Mossfun and Cinch are also half-sisters to Champion Sprinter in Singapore Aramco (Magic Albert) whose 11 wins include three Listed wins.

Eye For Fun’s yearling colt, by Ole Kirk, is Lot 368 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale being sold by Fairview Park Stud, who passed in Cinch at the same sale in 2023.

Farnan's Farcited wins Black Opal Preview

Friday’s Canberra meeting saw 2-year-old colt Farcited (Farnan) win the Black Opal Preview. He was on debut for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable and becomes the fourth winner for G1 Golden Slipper winner Farnan.

Purchased by his trainers in partnership with Kia Ora and several others for $1.2 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Bell River Thoroughbreds, Farcited is the second foal and first winner for G1 Galaxy Handicap winner I Am Excited (I Am Invincible). She has a yearling filly by Zoustar.

Wootton Bassett's State Visit wins on debut

The opening event at Canterbury on Friday night was won by Ciaron Maher trained 2-year-old colt State Visit (Wootton Bassett {GB}) for owners Coolmore and partners. He becomes the fourth Southern Hemisphere 2-year-old winner for his sire, and wasn’t sold at auction.

He is the first foal of G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Celebrity Queen (Redoute’s Choice) whose second foal, a colt by Pierro, sells at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 317. Coolmore purchased Celebrity Queen for $2.5 million at the 2021 Inglis Chairman's Sale.

Celebrity Queen is a daughter of Listed winner Celebrity Miss (More Than Ready {USA}), herself a daughter of dual Group 1 winner Miss Margaret (Marscay).

Social Circle wins on debut

Arrowfield Stud’s 2-year-old filly Social Circle (Maurice {Jpn}) trained by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich won on debut at Quirindi by an impressive 3.9l on Friday. She is a full sister to Group 2 placed Invinsible Tears out of Networking (Ger) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

Around the Nation: Friday’s highlights

With nine meetings, Friday is still giving off summer vibes. At Quirindi, 3-year-old filly Marine Girl (Headwater) won on debut. The first at Moonee Valley was won by Howlin’ Rain (Fiorente {Ire}) who took his record to four in succession. He has five wins and took until his tenth start to win his first race.

Jockey Raymond Vigar rode a treble at Darwin on 3-year-old gelding Vanguard Legend (Microphone), Forms Of Fear (Written Tycoon), and Shecanmixit (Danerich).

Sghirripa ready for Oakleigh Plate redemption

Last year Sghirripa (Lonhro) ran seventh in the G1 Oakleigh Plate and this year he has another crack. “You would've gone home really disappointed last year if you didn't have the other horse in it and won it,” co-trainer Shane Oxlade told racenet.com.

“That took the edge off it a bit, because there's not much doubt that Sghirripa should've won, but part of that's his own doing by not stepping and then you're in traffic. He doesn't step as good at Caulfield as he does at Flemington, I don't know why that is. In races like that with the speed on quick, they don't take long to take your spot and you're in traffic, he just got in a horrible spot last year.

“I don't think he's missed a place first-up, and to be honest he probably should've won three of those that he didn't. You're not going over there for a Group 1 race if you didn't think you were right to go.”

Racing Queensland CEO to help greyhounds

Jason Scott, Racing Queensland CEO, will take on a temporary position at Queensland Greyhound Racing Club to assist with getting The Q project back on track. “I’m going to be seconded for the next three months over to the greyhounds. We are a little bit behind on where we need to be on the greyhound facility, with the three tracks,” Scott told SEN.

“We are a little bit concerned, both the club and Racing Queensland, so we decided the best thing we can do is I’ll go in there and manage it for the next three months.” CFO Lachlan Murray will operate as interim CEO.

Scott tendered his resignation from the Racing Queensland CEO job a month ago and is due to finish up in five months time.

Evaporate takes on stablemate Mr Brightside

Lindsay Park will run their 3-year-old gelding Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) against multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in Satuday’s G1 Futurity Stakes.

“There wasn't a 3-year-old option for him. This fits in nicely with his preparation as The Kiwi is in a fortnight and this will tighten him up for his next assignment,” Ben Hayes told racing.com.

He was third last start in the G2 Autumn Stakes.

Wodeton ready for G2 Silver Slipper

Coolmore’s Tom Magnier isn’t getting carried away by all the talk about Wodeton (Wootton Bassett {GB}) ahead of Saturday’s G2 Silver Slipper. “This is an important race and if you listen to the Chris Waller camp, James (McDonald) and Kerrin (McEvoy), Wodeton's an exciting colt,” Magnier told racenet.com.au.

“Kerrin rode him trackwork during the week and was very happy with the horse but our feet are very firmly planted on the ground, we are not getting carried away.”

Clark backs Mayfair in tough Hobartville

Jockey Tim Clark thinks Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) can return to form in Saturday’s G2 Hobartville Stakes despite it being a tough field. “He’s got the form around all the right horses, he’s just got to produce it on race day,” Clark told racingnsw.com.au.

“He was disappointing (first up), he didn’t have the best of runs. He had a wide run and I just think he’s looking to get out over a bit of ground. I think the 1400 metres is going to help him and he will be better again when he gets out to 1600 metres as well.”

Sunrays set for Jewel Qualifier

Eagle Farm trainer Kelly Schweida will run unbeaten 2-year-old filly Sunrays (Hellbent) in Saturday’s Jewel Qualifier but her next step is unknown. “The Prelude is open to any horse but she’s by an interstate sire so she can’t run in the QTIS Jewel Final,” Schweida told racingqueensland.com.au.

“She’s a progressive filly but there’s a lot of unknowns up against her this week. Her last win was very good but she’s still green and does a few things wrong. But, she’s a big scopey filly and looks more like a 3-year-old.”

She was bred by Peter Moran whose Noble Park Stud at Beaudesert stood Mossman and Success Express when he ran it.

Vale Alan Ninness

Racing NSW announced the death of long time Northern Rivers stalwart and former Mid North Coast racing administrator Alan Ninness who passed away this week at age 84.

Pike bidding for a third Derby

Trainer Tony Pike runs 3-year-olds Golden Century (NZ) (Pierro) and Amazing Fluke (The Autumn Sun) in this Saturday’s G2 Avondale Guineas as he heads towards a third G1 NZ Derby.

“Saturday will tell a story and whether they are ready for the Derby, we know both of them will get the trip but it’s just whether they are mature enough to handle the preparation,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.

“It’s D-Day for both of them, but I think Golden Century is definitely a horse that can progress through.”

Fourteen World Pool races this weekend

World Pool returns this weekend with 14 races across meetings in Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Hong Kong, with the world's richest race, the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup the jewel in the crown.

Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) will be trying dirt for the first time in that 1800-metre affair. The globally commingled pools powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club will be in operation for the third time on Saudi Cup Day, with seven races set to be globally commingled.

In Australia at Caulfield Racecourse, the A$2-million G1 Blue Diamond, G1 Futurity Stakes, G1 Oakleigh Plate, G3 Mannerism Stakes, and the Victoria Gold Cup are all part of the World Pool. There are also a pair of races from Hong Kong in the World Pool on Feb. 23, the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup featuring Voyage Bubble (Deep Field), and the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup which marks the return of the world's highest rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}).

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Sam Nati, head of commingling at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “The eyes of Hong Kong and the racing world will be on Romantic Warrior as he takes aim at the Saudi Cup this weekend and we're greatly looking forward to commingling the world's richest race for a third year.

“It forms part of a very strong World Pool offering this weekend, with top quality racing from Saudi Arabia, Australia and Hong Kong featuring some of the very best horses from around the world, and it's a real thrill to bring such enthralling action to our global customers.”

HISA rules improving safety, fatalty rates hit historic lows in America

For the first time in the United States since data has been recorded, the racing-related fatality rate at racetracks subject to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) rules fell below 1.00 per 1,000 starts for a calendar year, the regulator said in a press release on Thursday morning.

“It has never been clearer that Thoroughbred racing has become safer under HISA,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus.

“While we celebrate this progress, HISA remains committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders to further reduce fatalities and to enhance safety for horses, jockeys and all those who love and participate in the sport.”

HISA's Racetrack Safety Program, implemented on July 1, 2022, and its Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, implemented on May 22, 2023, have significantly strengthened safety measures nationwide by implementing uniform rules that embody best-practice standards. Key requirements include expanded veterinary protocols, pre-race inspections, laboratory harmonisation, racetrack surface monitoring and uniform medication oversight.

Groupie Doll, Smarty Jones, Ken McPeek first-time finalists for the Hall of Fame in America

Groupie Doll, Smarty Jones, and Ken McPeek have been nominated to the Hall of Fame as finalists for the first time, according to a press release on Thursday morning from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

They were among the eight racehorses, seven trainers, and one jockey who accounted for the 16 finalists that will comprise the National Museum of Racing's 2025 Hall of Fame ballot, as chosen by the Museum's Hall of Fame Nominating Committee.

The finalists are racehorses Blind Luck, Game On Dude, Groupie Doll, Havre de Grace, Kona Gold, Lady Eli, Rags to Riches, and Smarty Jones; trainers Christophe Clement, Kiaran P. McLaughlin, Kenneth G. McPeek, H. Graham Motion, Doug F. O'Neill, John W. Sadler, and John A. Shirreffs; and jockey Jorge F. Chavez.