Daily News Wrap

Zoustar share headlines Inglis Digital

A mammoth 554 lots have been catalogued for the Inglis Digital April (Late) Online Sale headlined by a share in Champion sire Zoustar. Offered on account of Qatar Bloodstock, this is only the second time a share in Zoustar has been available through public auction.

Other stallions on offer include two breeding rights in leading sire Bivouac, and Kingstar Farm are selling Unite And Conquer and Lord Of The Sky. As well as these stallions, the catalogue includes 232 broodmares, 189 racehorses (96 race fillies), 66 racehorse shares, 36 yearlings, and 29 weanlings. The sale ends on Wednesday April 30.

Mike Moroney’s colours semi-retired

Trainer Mike Moroney’s colours were officially retired on ANZAC Day. “Thanks to Cavalry Man’s owners Cheryl and Rupert Legh for letting us use them and the Racing Victoria stewards as well as Mike’s partner Karen,” brother Paul Moroney told racing.com.

“There were so many good memories associated with Flemington. Our first big win in Australia was when Happy Star won the Winter Championship in 1997, then later that year the colours were to the fore when Second Coming won the Victoria Derby. The second set of colours won a Melbourne Cup (Brew) and ran third (Xcellent) in the same year in 2000.

“It’s a sad time, but we can reflect on so many great moments and Mike’s great training career and how well he represented the family colours. If we have a majority of a horse then they could be used, but at the moment that’s not the case as only if the family wants to use them will we use them. We will keep them registered for when we have the majority of a horse.”

First stakes winner for Microphone

Debutant Highvol (Microphone) announced himself as a rising star on Friday, with a smart win at Flemington in the Listed ANZAC Day Stakes. The 2-year-old gelding, who is trained by Nick Ryan, was not deterred by the 1400-metre length of the contest and unleashed down the home straight to claim a 0.2l victory over Stay Cosmic (Cosmic Force), with Just Kick (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) in third.

“From day dot, we’ve always had a big opinion of him,” stable representative Damian Kefford said post-race. “He’s just a bit revvy, very typical of a Microphone, I think. So we gelded him, gave him a lot of jumpouts, and Nick (Ryan) decided, ‘look, we’ll roll the dice here’. Nick always thought he’d be a 1400-metre plus horse.

“It is a big task to come to Flemington for your first start over 1400 metres, but the raps that we had on him were warranted today.”

A $100,000 purchase for his trainer at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale from Noorilim Park’s draft, Highvol is the first stakes winner for former Darley stallion Microphone, who scored a double for the day when his 3-year-old daughter Amplify won at Bathurst. Microphone relocated to Brazil earlier this year.

American Wolf wins St Leger, heads to Derby

American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) defied $12 odds to emerge victorious in the Listed St Leger Stakes at Flemington on Friday - and defy the fact he only broke his maiden at his previous start. The leap from 2000 metres to 2800 metres proved no problem for the 3-year-old gelding, who is trained at Cranbourne by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, and he reeled in the field 12-horse field to win by 0.25l over smart stakes-placed filly Litzdeel (Dundeel {NZ}).

Young shared that the gelding would back up into the G1 South Australian Derby next Saturday at Morphettville, joining three other contenders from the stable.

“We won’t have to do much with him, just keep him ticking over until next week,” she said. “It’s fantastic him winning a race like this for his owners over such a trip.” It was the stable’s first victory in the St Leger, as well as a first win for jockey John Allen.

“He just looked so well,” Young said of how American Wolf had come on since his maiden win at Ballarat. “He had dapples on him. He didn’t lose any condition and he’s on the up. Sometimes you’ve got to throw these three-year-olds into the deep end and it was 2800 metres third-up, but if you think they’re going the right way, then you take it on.

“He’s an athletic horse who has needed more time. We bypassed the other Derbies to wait for the South Australia Derby.”

A NZ$110,000 purchase for his trainers from Waikato Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, American Wolf is a half-brother to G3 Wellington Stakes winner Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls), out of a half-sister to G1 Diamond Stakes winner and sire Warhorse.

First winner for Peltzer

Tom Vegas (Peltzer) won on debut at Bathurst on ANZAC Day to give his first season sire his first winner. The 2-year-old gelding trained by Dean Mirfin won by 1.7l from 2-year-old filly Gilette (Exceedance) and 2-year-old colt So Rebellious (Rebel Dane).

Bred and owned by Mr D Gregory and Miss RJ Gregory, Tom Vegas is the second foal of Love Las Vegas (Casino Prince) who won twice, and is from the family of G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner and $1 million earner Amovatio (Al Maher).

Tom Vegas was ridden by jockey Donovan Dillon who enjoyed a treble at Bathurst with his other two winners being 3-year-old filly Giovanna Star (Spieth {NZ}) and 3-year-old filly Joy Of The World (Street Boss {USA}).

Twin Hills Stud announced their 2025 fees on Thursday.

Awapuni abandoned after the first

The newly renovated surface at Awapuni only lasted one race before the meeting was abandoned. “A horse slipped on the outside,” RACE’s General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor told Loveracing.nz.

“Walking the track, there is no visual slip, but we have got to have jockeys’ safety first. They are the ones going out there and riding on it and it’s on us that this has happened. It’s really unfortunate, but we will learn from it and put the plans and processes in place to make amends for it and hopefully be back here in three weeks’ time.”

Around the nation: ANZAC Day highlights

Wet weather saw four meetings abandoned on ANZAC Day, leaving 14 meetings across Australia on the public holiday. At Flemington, 3-year-old filly Esternay (All Too Hard) won her second in succession and her sire enjoyed a double with the victory of Losesomewinmore. Fiorente (Ire) sired a double at Moe with Oak Beach and Eloped.

At Kalgoorlie, Tash Faithfull rode a treble in the first four on the card. At Pinjarra, 3-year-old filly Cantrix (Patronize) won on debut. Microphone had a good day with 3-year-old filly Amplify winning at Bathurst to go with the Listed ANZAC Day Stakes win by Highvol.

Shalaa (Ire) sired a double at Gosford with 3-year-old gelding Inoue and 3-year-old gelding King’s Secret, while at the same meeting 3-year-old filly Roman Forum (So You Think {NZ}) won on debut and Oakfield Jupiter (Toronado {Ire}) stayed unbeaten with her second victory. At NSW’s Nyngan meeting Brazen Beau sired a double with 3-year-old gelding Spotted and Chookster.

At Kensington, 3-year-old gelding Engine Room (NZ) (Super Seth) won his second in succession. Apprentice Anna Roper rode a treble at Kensington on Collect Your Cash (NZ) (Ragesse), Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines) and The Great Houdini (Written Tycoon).

Milnes thrilled with Group 1 opportunity

Jockey Rochelle Milnes will ride Phenom (Zoustar) in the G1 Australasian Oaks for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. “I think I got a text message from Gai at about 4am one morning and I was still asleep so I got my bum into action,” Milnes told racing.com.

“Every time she has texted or someone from the team has called since, I've made sure I was up and about. I rode this horse last start and that was my first association with Gai and her team. It's a privilege for me to be a part of that (Waterhouse's team in a G1), so it adds a bit of extra excitement for me personally.”

Phenom is one of several runners on Saturday heading to a breeding sale.

Unbeaten Hatch ready for another

Unbeaten 2-year-old filly Ha’Penny Hatch (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) will aim for a hat-trick of wins in the Listed Calway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. “I’m not sure how far she’ll go in the winter but we’ll get a good line after the Calaway Gal,” trainer Paul Shailer told racingqueensland.com.au.

“She’s bred to get 1600 metres and she’s freshened up well since her last win and had a soft trial on Tuesday. Her first win was very good but there’s a question mark on the opposition she beat that day.

“She was too good for them when she led last time but I’m sure she’ll be a better chaser than a leader and she might get that chance on Saturday. I’m sure she’ll run well in the Calaway Gal as she’s got that race experience now and is a winner.”

Talkanco ready for Karrakatta Plate

Dan and Ben Pearce-trained Talkanco (I'm All The Talk) is one of the two favourites for Saturday’s G2 Karrakatta Plate with Yes Queen (Yes Yes Yes). “She came through the run really well,” Dan Pearce told racingwa.com.au.

“I am wondering if Yes Queen came that hard it might have caught her a bit by surprise. I think our filly went with her late and through the line and past the line. It will be interesting to see if they come with their runs together.

“I couldn’t be happier with our girl and she’s where she needs to be fitness wise. I wouldn’t be swapping her and hopefully she can peak on grand final day.”

McEvoy to ride Philia in Princess

Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke has booked Kerrin McEvoy to ride 3-year-old filly Philia (All Too Hard) in the Listed Princess Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. “I sent Kerrin a message. He had a look at her last couple of runs and was impressed and he was keen to jump on,” Vandyke told racenet.com.au.

“That's worked out well and I'm hoping he can stick with her through the winter carnival. Kerrin will be up here to warm up for the winter carnival. It's not a big day of racing in Sydney and if this filly can measure up during the Group races in the carnival, now's the time to give her a spin around and see what he thinks.” Philia is being aimed at the G1 Queensland Oaks.

Promotion for Trumper

Te Akau Racing’s racing manager Reece Trumper has been promoted to assistant trainer, and Michael Gray is the new racing manager. "At Te Akau, we pride ourselves on creating meaningful career pathways for passionate and talented young people, and both Reece and Michael embody the values we hold dear - excellence, integrity, dedication, and an enduring love for the horse,” Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis told Loveracing.nz.

“Their individual strengths will enhance our stable and contribute greatly to the New Zealand racing industry as a whole and we feel proud to have them both in the Te Akau team."

Loose Sally gives trainer a boost

Loose Sally (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) has given trainer Shankar Muniandy plenty of joy this season and will try to continue it in Saturday’s Listed Warstep Stakes. “She was fresh the other day and pulled hard from the back of the field and when she made a run she didn’t get much luck in the straight,” Muniandy told Loveracing.nz of the 3-year-old filly who won the Listed Dunedin Guineas two starts ago.

“When she got clear air she stormed home. She has come through the race well.” She will be ridden by Muniandy’s brother, Ruvanesh.

Listed option for Darci Brahma filly

Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray will run Eye Candy (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in Saturday’s Listed Warstep Stakes to get some black type before the end of her 3-year-old season. “She simply didn’t run the trip out in the Oaks, which looked quite obvious. She set an even sort of tempo and when the pressure went on at the 300, she was lacking,” Ritchie told Loveracing.nz.

“She’s Group 3-placed and Listed placed at the 2100 and 1800, so coming back to 2000 is probably the sweet spot for her at the moment. She’s run well in the Sunline and got that elusive Group placing, which sets her up as a broodmare. Once they turn four, it’s much harder to get that black-type and we’re training very much for the breeders (Llanhennock Trust). We’d love to get a stakes win for her before then.”

Hayes happy with draw for Ka Ying Rising

Trainer David Hayes was pleased with drawing barrier four for Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in Sunday’s G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize. “I’m very happy after the barrier draw. It’s the first time he’s drawn a marble for a long time,” Hayes told scmp.com.

“Just looking at it briefly, I think the three inside him [A Shin Fencer, Danon McKinley and Beauty Waves], he’s a bit faster than them – he’s faster than most horses, really. He’ll get the rail and Zac [Purton] will be able to choose whether he takes a sit or takes it up.”

Magic Man can beat Ka Ying Rising

It seems a big call, but jockey Joao Moreira thinks his mount Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) can beat Hong Kong’s latest sprint star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in Sunday’s G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize. Last time they met, Ka Ying Rising beat Satono Reve by 0.75l, but both are Group 1 winners since then. “It was an impressive win in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen,” Moreira told scmp.com.

“He will need to improve a little bit on his form from back in December as this is very competitive, but I think he has done that already. I sat on him on Thursday morning and had a good look with him. I can’t see a reason he won’t perform. I think just having time for this horse to mature and have the experience could make the difference, but it’s very hard to beat Ka Ying Rising.”

Voyage Bubble hoping for three

If Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) can win Sunday’s G1 Champions Mile, he’ll join a rare club of horses to have won all three of Hong Kong’s Group 1 miles in a season. “Voyage Bubble had a nice break and seems to still be a fresh horse,” Yiu told scmp.com.

“He had two barrier trials, one in Conghua and one in Hong Kong, and did both of them well and respectably. He just seems to keep improving, doesn’t he? He’s so relaxed and that makes him capable of running over the mile and further. It would not be surprising if he ran well over 2400 metres – he’s so relaxed.”

U.S. Hall Of Fame inductees released, lead by Smarty Jones

Seven new members have been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, headed by Smarty Jones (USA) (Elusive Quality {USA}), a finalist for the first time and featured on these pages this week. Additionally, Kentucky-breds Decathlon (USA) (Olympia {USA}) and Hermis (USA) (Hermence {USA}) and trainer George H. Conway have been chosen by the 1900-1959 Historic Review Committee; and Edward L. Bowen, Arthur B. Hancock III, and Richard Ten Broeck have been elected by the Pillars of the Turf Committee.

In the contemporary category, Pennsylvania-bred Smarty Jones was the lone candidate to appear on the majority of ballots submitted (50 per cen plus one vote is required for election). A total of 157 voters (90.2 per cent) participated from the 171 eligible to cast ballots in the election. The candidates in the Historic Review and Pillars of the Turf categories were required to receive 75 per cent approval from the respective committees to earn election.