Chief Stipe

We need some turnover figures. Come in Allen and Saundry.

More like a leg or three.

Harness had.them didn't know gallops did.

Linton Shard has been in super form since joining Matt Anderson at Woodend Beach and he looks a major player in the Margo Nyhan/Peter Davis Kawatiri Cup at Westport on Friday. The rejuvenated six-year-old gelding joined Anderson over Christmas at a point where he hadn’t been placed since April last year and had been with four different trainers. Under the aspiring young horseman Anderson however, Linton Shard has raced six times for a first up win, three seconds and two thirds. “There’s probably been a combination of things which have led to the turnaround, but I think the biggest thing has been fixing his feet,” said Anderson. “He’s been around the block a few times and was jarring up, and since sorting that out, everything has flowed from there. “He’s quite narrow in front so we’ve played around with spreaders and the overcheck among other things, but I think the other big difference has just been riding him and working him on the beach – he’s just a much happier horse.” Linton Shard was a half-brother to Smiling Shard and Pemberton Shard when Cran Dalgety went to $40,000 to secure him from the Premier Sale, at a point when Changeover’s first crop were two-year-olds. He looked quite useful early on and won races at Rangiora and Addington, and much later one at Washdyke when he’d dropped right down in the ratings. But a year ago and after 34 starts, Dalgety handed Linton Shard over to Graeme Anderson for beach training and he won his first start for him at Forbury Park. A trip to the Manawatu under Michael House in May last year did not go well however and Anderson then approached Dallas Paterson about taking Linton Shard as a drive for the amateur races. “I lined him up a few times but he wasn’t going any good so we gave him a good spell,” said Paterson. “I don’t think he’d had a good spell for years and he was down on condition a bit. “He came back in looking like a gorilla and went a slashing first trial for me in the spring. “I’m in this game to get them up and running and sold, so at that point I sold 80% to clients of Matt’s in John Gillies and Clem Hall of Ashburton. “My cousin Brad Paterson and Josh Graham who are both from Arrowtown stayed in with me.” Linton Shard also won his first start for Anderson at Rangiora in early January and then seconds followed at Waterlea (two) and Orari and thirds at Oamaru and Ashburton. “We’ve tried keeping him to the grass tracks as much as possible because of his feet,” said Anderson. “He had a hard run at Ashburton last time and I’d turned him out for a freshen up, but after 2-3 days he was bouncing around again so the Coast trip was back on.” Since teaming up with Mitchell Kerr at Rangiora last season, when Anderson won races at Addington with the two-year-old Pitch Perfect and the trotter Brian, he has been working just a handful of horses while employed by the Dunns. But Anderson is now looking to ramp things up with a move into a new barn at Woodend Beach, which he and Matt Purvis are going to share and look to do about eight each and “feed off each other”. With that in mind, Anderson secured three yearlings from the sales including a Bettor’s Delight colt for $22,500 late in the day in Christchurch. Anderson made a name for himself in winning 111 races as a junior driver up until the end of last season, but it is Linton Shard who has been underlining his skills as a horseman lately as he prepares for a new phase in his training career. View the full article

Out to lunch and they don't eat where we do.

RACE 1 EASTANBULL (7) showed what he is really capable of when destroying his opposition last start, different draw tonight but should still be able to cross early, go again. DINA BROWN (1) should hold up the inside and get the trip she wants, place best for her. AWESOME SPEED (5) went her usual honest […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

RACE 1: ROCKNTOMMY RULZ (8) has just taken some time to strengthen, he needed his last start blow out, goes close to winning here. SMIRKEN (11) no world beater but she had to work a bit last time and still stuck on, should be thereabouts. MATTHEW EYRE (5) was near enough the last time he […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

A keen form student, jockey Craig Williams says the Australian Cup is an intriguing race with a number of different form lines meeting at Flemington. Williams rides the Chris Waller-trained Shillelagh, the only mare in Saturday’s Group One race, and said she had chased the ride after watching her at Flemington last spring. After winning the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival, the New Zealand-bred and owned Shillelagh returned a week later to finish an unlucky fifth behind Trap For Fools in the Mackinnon Stakes over 2000 metres. Saturday’s race is over the same course and distance as Shillelagh tries to become the first mare since Makybe Diva in 2005 to win. “I wanted the ride on her because of her performance in the Mackinnon Stakes last spring,” Williams said. “I thought that run showed that Flemington, over 10 furlongs, at weight-for-age, she could mix it with our best horses.” Shillelagh has had two runs in her autumn campaign, beating one home in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield on February 9 before running sixth to Avilius in the Peter Young Stakes two weeks later. Williams saw in that run she was on track towards the Australian Cup. “I thought her last run at Caulfield showed me she was right on the mark,” Williams said. “Her piece of work on Tuesday I was very happy with, and when you go back through her form her two Group One wins have both been at Flemington. “She does appreciate the big straight, so she’s a ride I’m looking forward to, but there’s a lot of intrigue in the race.” Adding to that intrigue are a number of horses returning from spells. Lloyd Williams-owned Melbourne Cup winners Almandin and Rekindling resume for trainer Liam Howley, while imports Muntahaa and Sound are having their first starts since last year’s Melbourne Cup. The Taj Mahal and Yogi have each had one run back and are stepping up to 2000 metres. “It’s a little bit like the Melbourne Cup,” Williams said. “We haven’t seen some horses through their preparations and are first time out, so it’s a very interesting race, a very competitive race.” Godolphin’s Avilius has a stranglehold on betting as the $1.95 favourite, the only runner under single figures. Night’s Watch is the $11 second elect ahead of Rekindling and Ace High at $14. View the full article

Otaki Race Scratchings R1: R2: R3: R4: R5: R6: R7: TAB Meeting #6 with the first of 8 races starting at 12:26pm Doubles: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 Trebles: 2-3-4, 5-6-7 Quaddies: 1-2-3-4, 4-5-6-7 Track conditions: Dead 4 Weather: Cloudy Rail: True Track: Left hand 1800m Length of straight: 400m Race 5: Best bet ATLANTA PEACH was a good winner on […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Melody Belle is not the only Group One winner stepping up to 2000 metres for the first time in Saturday’s Gr. 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie. Shadows Cast, who scored a brilliant win in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham two starts back, is also having his first start beyond 1600 metres in the weight-for-age feature. “It’s his first try at 2000 metres and it’s a bit of an unknown,” Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan said. “It’s one of those things where you don’t really know until they try it. But he’s a relaxed type of horse, so hopefully that’ll help him get those extra 400 metres.” In his only start since his Thorndon Mile win, Shadows Cast finished sixth in the Gr. 1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic at Otaki – 2.7 lengths behind the winner, Melody Belle. “We were happy enough with his run there,” Oulaghan said. “Possibly the track (Slow8) wasn’t really ideal for him that day, but it was a good enough performance. “He’s been doing well since then. He seems to have trained on nicely and he galloped well here on Tuesday. We’ll see how he goes on Saturday.” Shadows Cast will be ridden by Johnathan Parkes and is rated a $26 chance in a star-studded field that features eight individual Group One winners and three Group One placegetters. Multiple Group One-winning mares Melody Belle and Danzdanzdance share $3.20 favouritism, with last-start Herbie Dyke Stakes winner On The Rocks at $5.50. Last year’s Derby winner Vin De Dance is next at $9, alongside first-time Group One runner Rondinella. View the full article

Otaki Race Scratchings R1: R2: R3: R4: R5: R6: R7: TAB Meeting #6 with the first of 8 races starting at 12:26pm Doubles: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 Trebles: 2-3-4, 5-6-7 Quaddies: 1-2-3-4, 4-5-6-7 Track conditions: Dead 4 Weather: Cloudy Rail: True Track: Left hand 1800m Length of straight: 400m Todays $50 Betting Strategy Race 1: $5 Quinella 1 x 6 Race […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Rondinella is taking a solid formline into Saturday’s Gr. 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie, but trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood believe she will have her work cut out for her in the star-studded field. The Ocean Park four-year-old has won three of her six starts this season, placing in a further two, including a last-start runner-up performance in the Listed Kaimai Stakes at Matamata last month. “I thought it was a good run, she certainly didn’t get every favour, but she was very close on what wasn’t a suitable track for her,” Wellwood said. There are a number of horses the Cambridge trainers didn’t foresee competing in Saturday’s contest, but they remain excited to have her competing in her first Group One assignment in any case. “She is taking a good formline in, but the race has come up very strong,” Wellwood said. “I think there are eight Group One winners and a further two Group One placegetters. “There are probably two or three that we didn’t think were going to be there when we decided that was a race on our radar. But we are happy with her and we are going to get a good line on her from how she does perform on the weekend.” Rondinella has drawn gate three and Wellwood said jockey Vinnie Colgan will likely settle her midfield from that barrier. “She’s drawn three, that’s a nice barrier to find her feet and settle somewhere midfield and hopefully she can find the line as strong as anything else,” he said. “It’s a very strong field, but we are happy with her and very excited to have her there.” The Cambridge trainers will wait until after Saturday’s race before deciding on further autumn targets with Rondinella, however, Wellwood said a trip across the Tasman is a possibility for the mare. “We’ll run Saturday and make plans from the result and how she goes there,” he said. “She may head to Sydney for a race. There are a few different options around.” View the full article

When it comes to Ball Of Muscle, a quick glance at the horse’s family history tells Joe Pride that age really is just a number. At eight, it would be fair to assume the speedster is past his best. But given his half-brothers performed at the highest level as older horses, Pride has no doubt multiple Group Two winner Ball Of Muscle still has plenty to offer. “Tiger Tees was six or seven when he won the Galaxy, and Terravista won his Group Ones at four and six years old,” Pride said. “They’re not a family who produce their best early but they certainly train on.” The trio are all sons of the champion New Zealand broodmare Parfore, who is also the dam of the Singapore champion-turned stallion Super Easy. This Saturday at Randwick, Ball Of Muscle will take on dual Everest winner Redzel in the Gr. 2 Challenge Stakes. The 1000-metre event has been somewhat of a bogey race for the Pride-trained gelding. He contested the sprint in 2016 and missed a place for the first time in 18 starts, then finished last the following year. No doubt Pride is hoping for third time lucky, although he is already counting his blessings just having Ball Of Muscle back and fit following a bleeding attack that derailed a planned summer campaign in Perth. Winx’s sparring partner Happy Clapper has returned successfully this autumn following a similar incident, and Pride is confident Ball Of Muscle won’t have any ill effects from his bleed. “We see good horses come back from these sorts of things, not regularly, but often enough that it gives me confidence he is going to go really well,” Pride said. “I know this horse like one of my kids and he just seems like he’s in great order. “He’s making all the right noises and seems, within himself, to be a really happy, fit athlete who should go out and perform and he’s a very consistent horse.” Redzel is $1.70 to win the Challenge with Golden Slipper winner Estijaab the only other horse given a serious chance to beat him at $3.40. Ball Of Muscle is on the third line of betting at $10 with Jonker scratched to run in the Fireball Quality earlier in the programme. Pride concedes Redzel is a worthy favourite but he is not discounting an upset. “He’s favourite for a reason but we’re not going to go there to make up the numbers or think we can only run second. We’re going there to give it a real shake,” Pride said. View the full article

Awapuni Five To Midnight rounded off his Auckland Cup preparation in fine style when given his final trial at Awapuni this morning. Fast work was confined to the plough (good), but fog prevented the timing of several early gallops. Five To Midnight worked left-handed with Authentic Paddy on Tuesday, but had stablemate Lincoln’s Secret alongside today when going right-handed over 1000m in 1:6.3, the last 600m in 37.6. He was nosed out by Ladies First in the Auckland Cup last year, but 12 months on is looking to go better in the Group 1 two-miler at Ellerslie on Saturday. He could not be fitter. Wellington entrant Lincoln Fury (mdn mile) and talented filly Sentimental Miss were paired over 800m in 50.7, the last 600m in 37.5. Lincoln Fury is at the top of his game and deserves to break through at Trentham. Sentimental Miss is still on-song for the NZ Oaks on Saturday week, despite finishing unplaced in the Lowland Stakes last start. She did not get the rub of the green from the outside barrier at Hastings, and the run is best forgotten. Hypatia, off to Wellington on Saturday for the r65 2400m, had a Hinchinbrook maiden for company over 800m in 51.9, the last 600m in 37.8. Hypatia won well at Wairoa last start and will be right at home on the roomy track over 2400 metres. Bella Margarita and a Per Incanto three-year-old, both trained by Lucy Tanner, ran 800m in 53.7, the last 600m in 38.6, while a Towkay filly (sister to Heni) and a Howbaddouwantit filly, both in the Breslin stable, clocked 58.5 and 40.6. Wellington runners Voralto (by Sacred Falls) and Car Pie (r65 1000m) sprinted 600m in a quiet 40.3. Voralto is on debut in the maiden two-year-old 1000m at Trentham. Cambridge Bonecrusher Stakes candidates Aretha and Enjoy The Show produced impressive final work at Cambridge this morning. Galloping on the plough the stablemates for the 2 yr old feature at Ellerslie completed their final 600m in 36.7. Both appear strong chances, with Aretha being slightly the better prospect. Rondenella, who was responsible for Tuesday’s track work highlight, was given a comfortable 1400, quickening over the final 600m in 42. She looks in first class order for Saturday’s Bonecrusher Stakes. Race Rivals Saint Emilion and Vin De Dance enhanced their chances with nice work from the 1200m with stablemate Lord Arthur, run in 1:21.07, sprinting the 600m in 37.5. Western Girl and Ignored were also in good form when coming in from the 600 in 38.4. Any rain will enhance Western Girls prospects. Tightline completed a comfortable 1000m in 1:09.3 and 41.7. Stablemate and Ellerslie race rival Savapac followed with similar work. Gundown was sent 1600m in 1:52.0, completing the final section in 39.2. Power O’Hatta, who has been working well over recent weeks was kept under a strong hold from the 600m in 45.4. She is an unlikely starter this weekend after drawing a wide barrier. Magnum ran 600m in 42.1. Jimmy Rocket was sent 1600m in 1:52.8 and 42.6. In Fashion strode 1000m in 1:10.9, the 600m in 40.7. Nicoletta and Hinerangi matched strides from the 1200m in 1:20.2 and home in 38.0. Pitch And Switch ran 600m in 42.9. Imperious left 600m behind in 43.0. It’s Doable followed in 43.3. Spring Delight, Clementina and Rubera were clocked over 1200m in 1:23.3, finishing off in 37.5. Concert Hall galloped well from the 1200m in 1:22.1 and 37.6. Zacada maintained a solid clip from the 1400m in 1:30.2, coming home in 36.9, he is about to embark on an Australian Campaign. Queen Of Diamonds and Oratea were on terms throughout 1200m in 1:21.0, the concluding 600m in 38.4. Qiji Express and Nordic did well together from the 1000m in 1:04.0 and 37.0. Hanger strode easily from the 1000m in 1:10 and 41.4. Podrovina was clocked from the 600m in 38.3. Pretty To Sea came in from the 600m in 43.4. Ladynadal did well over 1000m in 1:06.0, with the 600m in 37.5. Best Bet: Lord Arthur. View the full article

Opie Bosson has formed a powerful partnership with star mare Melody Belle, who is the favourite for Saturday’s Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie. Opie Bosson is just one win shy of joining Hall of Fame jockey Lance O’Sullivan on 62 career Group One wins, and he has a gilt-edged chance of levelling up to his former great rival at Ellerslie on Saturday. The South Auckland jockey racked up his 61st Group One win when he guided the Jamie Richards-trained Melody Belle to success in the Haunui Farm WFA Classic at Otaki last month. He again takes the ride on the Commands mare in Saturday’s Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie, as well as teaming up with favourite Yourdeel in the Sistema Stakes and Melbourne visitor Vengeur Masque in the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup. “It would be nice to get there. Lance ranks as one of our best-ever jockeys, to level up to him would be a great feat,” Bosson said. “It would be nice to do it on Melody Belle too, but I won’t be thinking about that on Saturday. I’ll be just out there doing my job, trying to win nice races.” Bosson began his career in the mid-1990s and rode against O’Sullivan for the best part of eight seasons, forging a great friendship to match their rivalry. He gets his first opportunity to level up with O’Sullivan aboard Yourdeel, a runaway six-length winner of the Gr. 3 Waikato Stud Slipper at Matamata last month, having opted for the Dundeel gelding ahead of stablemates Aotea Lad and Equinox. However, drawing the outside barrier of 11 has added an unwelcome obstacle towards success. “It just makes things a little more difficult from out there. We just have to hope for luck in running. I would have preferred to have drawn four or five, but we can’t change that now,” Bosson said. “He was very impressive at Matamata. Once he balanced up and quickened, nothing was going to beat him. He worked really nicely with Aotea Lad on Tuesday and I can’t fault him. It’s a good field though and I rode Equinox on Tuesday and he worked well. He’s the big improver with blinkers on.” Bosson has a soft spot for glamour mare Melody Belle after she carried him to his first Karaka Million win earlier in her career and he’s looking forward to seeing her step up to 2000 metres for the first time. “She’s working nicely but she’s such a professional and always does. But she’s working as well as she was going into Otaki anyway,” Bosson said. “The way she’s racing, she’s well capable of running out a strong 2000 metres and she’s drawn well in barrier five, so she should get a cosy run from there which helps.” Bosson was excited to ride Vengeur Masque in the Auckland Cup, a race he first won in 1998 on Jezabeel. “Mike Moroney rang and asked if I’d be interested and on form he looks a really good ride,” Bosson said. “He won well under a big weight at Moonee Valley last start and he’s placed over 3200 metres in Melbourne at Group Two level so that’s good form for this.” View the full article

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Charles Road will earn another knighthood if he can run up to expectations in Saturday’s Gr. 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup at Ellerslie. Third in last year’s Sydney Cup under his Australian racing name of Sir Charles Road, the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Myboycharlie five-year-old again has Randwick’s $A2 million April 13 feature on his programme. But first he needs to showcase his staying potency in an Ellerslie feature he finished fifth in last year. “He’s entered for Sydney, but he’s first got to show that he warrants going,” Scott said. Stable confidence is high that Charles Road will earn his trip, and a flashing last-start fourth in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata under 60.5 kilograms convinced TAB bookmakers to install him as $3.30 favourite for Auckland Cup. “It was a really pleasing performance,” Scott said. “It indicated to us he’s coming up really well and racing in a manner that suggests he’s looking for the two miles. We were very pleased. “His body weight indicates that he’s spot on, he’s hitting out freely in training and his fitness levels look to be very high. He’s going in a manner that suggests he’ll put in a really good performance.” A winner of six of his 28 starts for owners Archer Equine Investments, Charles Road will attempt 3200 metres for the fourth time on Saturday, having most recently finished seventh in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington last November after challenging for the lead with 400 metres to run. “While he has’t won at the trip, his three runs have all been solid. You wouldn’t say he’s a proven two-miler but he’s a sound two-miler and everything says he won’t have any problem getting the trip on Saturday.” Scott is full of respect for Charles Road’s opposition, having chased runner-up Five To Midnight in last year’s Auckland Cup and come up against Vengeur Masque, who placed in the Gr. 2 Sandown Cup after his 15th in last year’s Melbourne Cup. “Vengeur Masque is no mug. He’s a Saturday horse in Australia and it takes a bit to win a Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group Three, 2600m) in Melboourne. The off track was against him in the Melbourne Cup,” Scott said. “Five To Midnight is in good form again and Glory Days is flying. It’s a strong Auckland Cup this year.” View the full article

RACING SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY AT SANTA ANITA Posted by AAP Turf | Mar 7, 2019 | Gallops Santa Anita Park has cancelled horse racing indefinitely after the latest in a series of horse fatalities at the renowned Los Angeles track. The track has now suffered 21 fatalities in racing and training since the winter meeting began on December 26. Santa Anita also announced it had hired Dennis Moore, the former track superintendent, as a consultant to help lead a study of the main dirt surface and the California Horse Racing Board is also investigating the matter. The announcement of the suspension comes as the track was set to host a big racing weekend featuring the Gr. 1 Santa Anita Handicap for older horses and the Gr. 2 San Felipe Stakes for three-year-old Kentucky Derby hopefuls. These features will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Mick Peterson, an expert from the University of Kentucky on surfaces, was brought in last week to examine the track. “If you can’t figure it out, you have to quit racing,” Peterson told the Los Angeles Times. “I’ve told (racing secretary) Steve Lym, keep testing until we know what’s going on. We’re all in. We’re going to figure it out.” From 2007 to 2010, Santa Anita’s dirt track was replaced with a synthetic surface called Cushion Track in an attempt to improve safety. However, the surface was criticised for unpredictable results and favouring turf horses rather than dirt specialists. Santa Anita reverted to the traditional American dirt surface in 2010 to remain a regular host venue for the annual Breeders’ Cup meeting.

Santa Anita Park has cancelled horse racing indefinitely after the latest in a series of horse fatalities at the renowned Los Angeles track. The track has now suffered 21 fatalities in racing and training since the winter meeting began on December 26. Santa Anita also announced it had hired Dennis Moore, the former track superintendent, as a consultant to help lead a study of the main dirt surface and the California Horse Racing Board is also investigating the matter. The announcement of the suspension comes as the track was set to host a big racing weekend featuring the Gr. 1 Santa Anita Handicap for older horses and the Gr. 2 San Felipe Stakes for three-year-old Kentucky Derby hopefuls. These features will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Mick Peterson, an expert from the University of Kentucky on surfaces, was brought in last week to examine the track. “If you can’t figure it out, you have to quit racing,” Peterson told the Los Angeles Times. “I’ve told (racing secretary) Steve Lym, keep testing until we know what’s going on. We’re all in. We’re going to figure it out.” From 2007 to 2010, Santa Anita’s dirt track was replaced with a synthetic surface called Cushion Track in an attempt to improve safety. However, the surface was criticised for unpredictable results and favouring turf horses rather than dirt specialists. Santa Anita reverted to the traditional American dirt surface in 2010 to remain a regular host venue for the annual Breeders’ Cup meeting. View the full article

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Mark Newnham has done the research and is convinced that Nakeeta Jane deserves a shot at a feat only one other filly has managed in the past 15 years. The Surround Stakes winner is one of three fillies backing up from last weekend’s Group One race to take on their male counterparts in Saturday’s Randwick Guineas. Her presence has added some much-needed spark, and Newnham is excited about the impending clash with Australia’s benchmark colt and race favourite The Autumn Sun. “You have a Randwick mile, you’ve got the best colt, I think I’ve got the best filly, so you put them in a contest with some other chances and you get a good race,” Newnham said. “For someone who enjoys racing like I do, I can’t think of anything better.” Mosheen in 2012 is the only filly to have won the Guineas in its current format, but after delving deeper into their record in the race, Newnham is satisfied Nakeeta Jane isn’t facing an insurmountable challenge. Only two fillies have contested the Randwick Guineas in the past three years – Invincible Gem, who was runner-up to Inference two years ago, and Stay With Me who was fourth behind Le Romain in 2016. “I’ve had a look, don’t worry,” Newnham said. “Generally the fillies don’t run but the ones that do, run well. “They haven’t been tested much in the race, but this year’s group of fillies is exceptional and they’ve generally had the better of the colts when they’ve met, bar The Autumn Sun.” The Autumn Sun is odds-on for the Gr. 1 Randwick Guineas, with Nakeeta Jane on the second line of betting at $6. Newnham said the filly had come through her Surround performance in great shape and all the indications pointed to her coping with her first seven-day turnaround. “She did a little bit of work this morning, she’s eaten well, she looks exactly the same as she did last week,” Newnham said. “Her blood is good and there’s no reason not to run.” While Newnham only confirmed Nakeeta Jane for a Guineas start this week, he has been weighing it up for a while. He sounded out Josh Parr about getting down to 54.5 kilograms a few weeks ago and the jockey committed to the challenge of riding at his lightest weight for some time. Surround Stakes runner-up Fundamentalist and the Kris Lees-trainer Miss Fabulass round out the fillies’ contingent in the nine-horse Guineas field, which also features New Zealand’s benchmark three-year-old Madison County. View the full article

Kris Lees has two dual Group One winners in the Newmarket Handicap, but he believes his best chance in the time-honoured Flemington sprint is a colt he considers a Group One winner in waiting. Lees has last-start Lightning Stakes winner In Her Time, dual weight-for-age Group One winner Brave Smash and impressive three-year-old colt Graff in the near-capacity field for Saturday’s A$1.25 million sprint. Graff was beaten just under a length when fourth to In Her Time in the Gr. 1 Lightning at Flemington on February 16 but meets her three and a half kilograms better this time with 51 kilograms. In Her Time has 55.5 kilograms while last year’s runner-up Brave Smash has half a kilo more this year with 57 kilograms, coming in off a luckless seventh in his defence of the Futurity Stakes. “Graff is the one of my three that’s probably in pretty well,” Lees said. “The other two have got their right weight, I’d suggest, but Graff is in quite well.” For that reason, Lees indicated he would lean slightly to him as his leading chance. “But only just,” he said. “You can’t deny In Her Time anything. She will carry her weight and it won’t be an issue for her. Graff just meets her better at the weights. “And Brave Smash was unlucky the other day in the Futurity, and I think if he gets exposed late and gets the right run he could really let fly at them. I reckon he’s ready to run a top race. “I think they are getting there as good as they can be but it’s a very open race. A good race. It’s an old-school Newmarket.” The field of 23 will be reduced to 22, with Shoals to instead run in Saturday’s Canterbury Stakes in Sydney. Having his third attempt at Group One level, Graff was second favourite yesterday at $8.50 behind Lightning runner-up Osborne Bulls ($4.60). “He certainly gets his chance,” Lees said. “It’s not going to be his last chance, but he ran super in the Golden Rose and was a bit luckless. He was really good again in the Lightning. “He’s a Group One winner in waiting. Whether it’s Saturday, we’ll see.” The Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick had been on the radar for Brave Smash, but his owners, who include Aquis Farm and Australian Bloodstock, decided to keep him in Melbourne for the Newmarket. “Connections had a review of things, and he is a stallion,” Lees said. “Although both are Group Ones the Newmarket is probably a more attractive option, a time-honoured event to have on his CV. And he was already in Melbourne.” Brave Smash is in line to travel to Dubai on Monday week for the Al Quoz Sprint on March 30. “At this stage he will go, all being well,” Lees said. View the full article

Transtasman trainer Mike Moroney will learn a little more about German import Sound when he makes his autumn return in the Australian Cup. Sound, who came to Australia last spring as Sound Check and was unplaced in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, runs first-up in Saturday’s Group One weight-for-age race over 2000 metres at Flemington. Moroney said there were limited options to start Sound’s campaign and he did not want to burden him with 66 kilograms in Sunday’s Stony Creek Cup (2100m). “We need to get him going to head towards Sydney, so there was only this race and the Stony Creek Cup and I’d rather keep him here closer to home,” Moroney said. “He got a big weight there and would have to give away plenty of weight, plus I didn’t want to be giving him a trip away from home with a trip to Sydney coming as well.” Moroney said Sound seemed in good order but he was unsure how competitive the stayer would be first-up. Sound works on his own and Moroney says it is hard to gauge how he is coming along and he will get a better idea of his progress after Saturday. Moroney has Sound aimed towards the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill on March 30 and the following month’s Sydney Cup at Randwick. “We’re learning more about him,” Moroney said. “He’s come back and looks great and in good order. He’s a horse we work by himself, not in company, so he is hard to get a line on, but he’s a real stayer and does things like a stayer. “We’re also thinking a little bit of give in the ground, if we get to Sydney, would be ideal for him as well.” Moroney said Sound’s two spring runs when 12th in the Caulfield Cup and 18th in the Melbourne Cup, were inconclusive. “He didn’t run up to his best in the spring, which might have suggested he’d come to the end of it when we got him, rather than being on the way up,” Moroney said. View the full article

Tabcorp bookmaker Sally Snow has been warned off for failing to produce her mobile phone to Racing NSW stewards as part of an investigation into betting activities. Snow is reported to have resigned from her position as the TAB’s senior trading manager – thoroughbred trading fixed odds betting on Wednesday, the same day she was sanctioned. Racing NSW said Snow was repeatedly directed to produce her mobile telephone(s) to the stewards in relation to an investigation and inquiry into betting activities. She refused on the basis she wished to assert her common law privilege against self-incrimination and also informed stewards she intended to assert common law privilege against self-incrimination and not provide any information or evidence at any inquiry. Snow was repeatedly told she would be sanctioned with the possibility she would be warned off if she did not co-operate. “Racing NSW has zero tolerance for those that obstruct and hinder the maintenance of the integrity of thoroughbred racing in New South Wales,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said. “We have set a precedent in warning off, and/or excluding from participation, those persons that jeopardise the integrity of racing and it is important that we maintain that strong stance. “Even though Mrs Snow has refused to cooperate, we will continue to pursue the matter to ensure the integrity of thoroughbred racing has not been compromised,” Warning off means a person cannot enter any racecourse or training facility, cannot have an interest in any thoroughbred racehorse and is not able to place a bet on thoroughbred races with a wagering operator. View the full article