Daily News Wrap

Teen sprint sensation Gout Gout at Stawell Cup

Easter Sunday’s Stawell Cup Day, has gained a massive coup with teen sprinting sensation Gout Gout on track for the day. “What a thrill to have Gout Gout on course, it’s so exciting for the club and our region to have a sprinting superstar add to our Cup Day”, Club Manager of Stawell Racing Club, Rachel Samsonenko, told country.racing.com.

“I’ve already had people in the community ask whether the rumours are true (Gout attending the Stawell Gold Cup). When confirming the news, they want to buy a ticket to Cup Day, and the (Stawell) Gift, which is so good for the town.

“It’s the biggest weekend of the year for Stawell, and the added star-factor will bring more people to our Cup meeting, for sure.” The 120 metres Stawell Gift is on Easter Monday.

Moore to ride Switzerland in TJ Smith

Coolmore have confirmed that UK jockey Ryan Moore will ride their Group 1-winning 3-year-old colt Switzerland (Snitzel), in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes. “We are delighted that Ryan has agreed, to come to Sydney next week to ride for us,” Tom Magnier told racenet.com.au.

“Everyone knows Ryan is a world class jockey, and we feel he's a good fit for Switzerland. Chris (Waller) is happy with Switzerland, and we do have a lot of faith in this colt, so the TJ Smith Stakes is a very important race.”

Group 1 winner Aegon retired

Trainer Andrew Forsman, announced the retirement of Group 1-winning 7-year-old gelding Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) on Tuesday. “It has been an awesome journey, and he has given us a lot of thrills,” Forsman said.

“We felt that he got to that point that he was holding his own in good company, but just lacked that dash that he used to have. We felt that we were running out of suitable options for him, and it was nice to see him perform in his last race (third in the G2 Japan Trophy), as well as he did and be able to be retired a sound and happy horse.”

Winner of six of his 33 starts, and over $1.9 million, he won his first five in succession, including the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas, at his third start. Purchased by his trainer from Waikato Stud for NZ$150,000 at the 2019 NZB National Yearling Sale, he is one of 11 stakes winners for his sire who also sired Group 1 winner Icebath (NZ). His dam, Toss Up (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), has a 2-year-old colt by Tivaci, and a filly foal by Ardrossan. She has produced five winners from as many to race, and is from the family of Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) and Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel).

Unbeaten Verona Rose for Vinery

Trainer Gary Portelli thinks his unbeaten 3-year-old filly Verona Rose (Castelvecchio), is up to the challenge of taking on Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) in Saturday’s G1 Vinery Stud Stakes. “I believe she's up to stretching this filly, I really do,” Portelli told racing.com.

“I think it's time to have a crack, for sure. The favourite is going to be very hard to beat, there's no doubt about that, but I've never won a race I wasn't in. There's something special there and while this Melbourne filly is very, very good, she is potentially there to stretch her. I'd be disappointed if she didn't at least get close to her.

“I bought her cheap, but I told the owners that the pedigree she had, we were going to give her plenty of time, and aim up at the Oaks. That's pie-in-the-sky, dreaming stuff. Every trainer says that when they buy a horse with a stayer's pedigree, but I was confident she'd give herself a chance.” Verona Rose won the G3 Kembla Grange Classic last start.

Derby a possibility for Treasurethe Moment

Yulong are considering running their G1 Victoria Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment, in the G1 Australian Derby. “Treasurethe Moment will go to the Vinery, and it will be interesting to see how she goes when she comes up against the Sydney fillies,” CEO Vin Cox told racenet.com.au.

“Then, we will look at potentially going to the Oaks although we haven't ruled out the Derby. We don't have her nominated for the Derby, so we will need to see how she comes through the Vinery before considering our options.”

Egan to waste for Feroce

Jockey Billy Egan, will have to strip lighter to ride last start G1 Australian Guineas winner 3-year-old gelding Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), in Saturday’s G1 Australian Cup. “For Group 1 races, I do make 54 (kg). In the Australian Cup, he'll be carrying the lightest weight possible. I won't be giving them any extra,” Egan told racenet.com.au.

“I think there was only one Group 1 winner in the Australian Guineas, but this is a field full of weight-for-age Group 1 horses over 2000 metres. It would be great to see him just run really well. At this stage, we think he can do it but we'll see on Saturday.”

Deny Knowledge can upset Jenni

Co-trainer Sam Freedman thinks his 7-year-old mare Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride of Dubai), can beat Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) in Saturday’s G1 Australian Cup. “It's going to be a truly run race,” said Freedman, who co-trains with his father Anthony.

“We'll be ridden in the same manner that we've been successful doing so in the past. Her (Pride Of Jenni) opposition have been scared to get going, and chase her from a fair way out, I don't think we'll be afraid to put it to her a little way from home, and at least give her some competition from the half-mile.

“She'll be able to chase that speed, and sit close to it, probably a lot of Pride Of Jenni's competitors haven't been able to absorb that sort of pace, and kick off it. I really do think she's capable of doing that, barriers will be important enough, but we won't be changing too much with her. I wouldn't swap our mare with anything there.”

Maher sets out argument for Jenni

Trainer Ciaron Maher, responded to Freedman’s comment about Pride Of Jenni in the G1 Australian Cup. “They have a similar running style, but Jenni does seem that little more tractable, and with each prep she's got that little bit softer, if you could say that about her,” Maher told racing.com when asked about Deny Knowledge (Ire).

“Tactically it will be interesting again. It's often underrated how tough it is to get them fractions spot on. I thought Froggy (Newitt) did it perfectly the other day and Dec (Bates) he just did it time and time again. Half a second is a lot and getting those even, smooth sectionals and first half right and unleashing her is underrated, it takes a bit of doing.”

Group target for Sunlight Power

Trainer Ricky Yiu will test Sunlight Power (Capitalist) in Sunday’s G2 Chairman’s Trophy over 1600 metres at Sha Tin. "He’s (Sunlight Power) rated over 100 now, so he’s against the big boys. He’s a horse who always tries very hard and gives his best. I’d be very happy if he can finish in the first three,” Yiu told hkjc.com.

Unbeaten juvenile winner for Flying Artie

Warwick Satherley-trained 2-year-old gelding Saraqael (Flying Artie) won at Rockhampton on Tuesday. Ridden by Ryan Wiggins, he made it easy with a 0.92l victory to take his record to three wins from as many starts.

Sold by JJJ Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Capricornia Yearling Sale to his trainer for $8,000, Saraqael is the first winner from Flying Artie’s current crop of juveniles. The final foal for Beauty Is (Redoute’s Choice) whose earlier three foals are all winners, Saraqael’s dam is a half-sister to G3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes winner Jazz Song (Fastnet Rock) and a full sister to G1 South African Nursery-placed Shaama, dam of G3 Kenilworth Victress Stakes winner Saartjie (Saf) (Dynasty {Saf}). Beauty Is is a daughter of Group 1 winner Absolut Glam (Snowland).

Around the nation: Tuesday’s highlights

Racing fans enjoyed three meetings across Australia on Tuesday. At Taree, 3-year-old gelding Bold Design (Calyx {GB}) won on debut. Zoustar sired a double at Ballarat with Zouper Fund and Dillinger. At Rockhampton, 3-year-old filly Querida (Dracarys) won her second in succession.

Listed Albury Cup rescheduled date

The Listed Albury Cup, which was abandoned on Friday March 21 will now be run on Thursday April 17, announced racingnsw.com.au. A new program for the day is now available.

Bravo Centurion resumes

Trainer Luke Fernie’s 4-year-old gelding Bravo Centurion (National Defense {GB}) is hunting for a slot in The Quokka when he resumes on Saturday. “Everything is going really good and I’m looking forward to getting him to the races again,” Fernie told racingwa.com.au.

“When you have a good horse, they do everything you need them to at a high standard and that’s what he’s been able to this prep along with most of the others I’ve had with him as well. I’ve spoken to one person in particular and we’re waiting to see how the weekend plays out.

“If he runs the way I’m expecting him to I’d imagine he’ll be lining up in a Quokka. There’s still a bit of water to go under the bridge, but with everything going to plan, it should happen.”

Infrastructure issues in New Zealand

With the abandonment of Taupo’s trials on Tuesday, trainers in New Zealand are voicing their frustration at the spate of abandoned meetings this season. “I think we are starting to get to a point where we have got a bit of a crisis with our infrastructure,” New Zealand Trainers’ Association President Shaun Clotworthy told Loveracing.nz.

“The Central Districts have been under pressure for quite a while now, so we feel for them. In the northern area, with Ellerslie and Te Aroha coming back on board it has been a big relief to trainers up this way, but we still need to address these problems properly. We probably need to look at a complete review of our processes and get someone in to have a different look at it from a different angle because it’s not working at the moment.

“The cost is huge to the industry and especially to the owners, who are getting really sick of it, and trainers, who have to reorganise staff and pay different people and juggle things around, so it comes at a personal cost to them as well. Owners are frustrated. It is not cheap to race horses and they aren’t looking to have any extra costs added on.”

Sapphire Coast announces charitable donation

The Sapphire Coast Turf Club has made a generous donation of $11,500 to the Sapphire Coast Youth Development Fund thanks to funds raised during their Pambula Cup raceday held recently. This was the largest single donation ever made to this charity.

“SCTC would like to express its sincere gratitude to Joseph Jones Racing for their donation of three 5 per cent shares in a racehorse, as well as Racing NSW for their generous donation of a day at The Star Championships (Royal Randwick) for four people, and Paintspection for donating a cut sapphire,” said a press release.

Coolmore’s Hong Kong Derby double

Coolmore have sold the last two Listed Hong Kong Derby winners, 2024 winner Massive Sovereign (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) and this year’s winner Cap Ferrat (Snitzel), through private sales as proven horses to Hong Kong. “It’s absolutely massive for us. It’s a big deal,” Mick Flanagan, Coolmore’s head of international sales, told scmp.com.

“To be able to go to Sha Tin (on Sunday) having sold last year’s Derby winner and to see the owners celebrating, it’s just unbelievable. We sold 10 horses to Hong Kong last year, which is a lot, and we’d like to do the same again this year, if not more. We’re open for business.

“The owners here might say ‘why would these guys sell these horses?’, but it’s a stallion operation, and if they’re not going to be stallions, we need to sell them. Basically, if they’re not going to be on the stallion brochure, we’re more than happy to sell them. Coolmore predominantly is a stallion farm and the main driver of the business is stallion revenue.

“There’s a big farming business behind it, a lot of land and a lot of families employed. We’re still a commercial operation, so we have to sell anything that isn’t going to make it as a stallion.”

The Lion In Winter doubtful for Guineas

Aidan O'Brien has revealed that long-time 2,000 Guineas favourite The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is unlikely to make the Newmarket Classic on May 3 and nominated Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Twain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) as being the most likely Ballydoyle-trained representatives for the race instead.

The news, which was delivered at the annual Ballydoyle press morning, saw Expanded usurp The Lion In Winter as the new 2,000 Guineas favourite at odds of 6-1 while Twain has also shortened into 9-1.

“The Lion In Winter took a little bit of time to come right so he's a little bit behind the others,” O'Brien said. “We took him to the Curragh last weekend and he went well–the work was easy what he did. Whether he'll make it in time for the Guineas or not I'm not sure. We'll know in the next week or so but if he doesn't he might be trained for something like the Dante [at York] and go straight to the Derby. There has to be a doubt about the Guineas but he's very well–he's just carrying plenty of condition so he might not make it.”

Triple Group 1 winner Lake Victoria also in doubt

Aidan O'Brien's leading filly from last year, Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won Group 1 races over six and seven furlongs as well as over a mile, is also not certain to be ready in time for the 1,000 Guineas. “She's good and she had a long break–longer than the others because her year went very long,” said O'Brien.

“She was at the Curragh last weekend as well on an easy piece of work. I'm not sure if she'll make the Guineas but we're training her for it. If she didn't make it she would go for the Athasi Stakes the day after at the Curragh if she didn't come in time. Knowing her, she probably will come in time because she's that type of filly. I'm very happy with her and we think she's done very well.

“We're thinking of going straight to the 1,000 Guineas with Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). There are a whole lot of them ready to run and, those who haven't won a Group 3, we will give them preference over the ones who have [in a trial]. Fairy Godmother will go there [the 1,000 Guineas]. And something else will as well.”

Storm Boy progressing to Ascot

Australian sprinter Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) is also reported to have settled into life at Ballydoyle well by his trainer. He is being prepared for an audacious tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. “He's very quick,” O'Brien commented.

“The plan will be to go to Ascot and have a run before it, maybe at the Curragh in the Greenlands Stakes. “Before he came, I wasn't sure whether he'd want six, seven or a mile, but there's no doubt he's a sprinter. He's fast. He's big and powerful. You'd be very happy with everything he's doing.”

Hollie Doyle’s 1000th winner in England

Hollie Doyle brought up a landmark 1,000th domestic career winner when partnering the Marco Botti-trained Handle With Care (GB) (Advertise {GB}) to victory in the opening six-furlong fillies' handicap at Lingfield on Monday. “I'm delighted to have got that done,” Doyle told Sky Sports Racing.

“It's another milestone and hopefully there's another 1,000 under the bonnet somewhere! I've had so much support over the years, so many people have been loyal to me, especially Archie [Watson]. Since I joined him, my career has really taken off. And Marco has also been a big supporter of mine, so it's quite fitting.”

Callan gets suspended sentence for remarks on social media

Jockey Neil Callan has been given an eight-month ban following remarks made on social media, but the jockey will be able to continue riding after the sentence was suspended for two years. Callan was charged with three offences and breaches of the rules of racing.

The first under rule J19a being that on December 15, 2023 he sent out a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, in relation to British Horseracing Authority (BHA) steward Anthony McGlone that was abusive, insulting and did not treat him with respect.

The second charge came as a result of conduct on December 9, 2023 when Callan posted in relation to the BHA that was not a responsible use of social media and did not show adequate respect to the officials.

The third allegation was in breach of rule J19 and related to conduct between August 16, 2023 and January 14, 2024 when he posted, reposted and commented on social media in a manner that was offensive, abusive and inappropriate, such that it was prejudicial to the proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing in Great Britain.