Wandering Eyes

Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are keen to get Con Te Partiro to the Epsom via the Shannon. Tulloch Lodge has its sights on the Group One Epsom Handicap for Con Te Partiro if she can bounce back to winning form in the Shannon Stakes at Rosehill. Adrian Bott, who works in partnership with prolific Epsom Handicap-winning trainer Gai Waterhouse, has confirmed the stable is keen to get the American-bred mare into the showpiece mile on Saturday week. “We wouldn’t hesitate to back her up in the Epsom. It’s a race we’d like to get her to,” Bott said. “If she can win on Saturday she gets in with a light weight and a strongly run mile at Randwick would be ideal for her.” If successful at Rosehill, Con Te Partiro will have to race three weeks in succession having finished midfield in last Friday’s Cameron Handicap at Newcastle won by Rock. The effort followed an eye-catching return behind Deprive in the Show County Quality (1200m) and Bott has urged punters to assess the mare on her first-up fourth, rather than her performance at Newcastle. “Things didn’t go to plan at Newcastle. She didn’t have any luck in running and wasn’t able to be fully tested so it was a forgive run,” Bott said. “This is a nice race for her.” Con Te Partiro, who has 50kg in the Epsom, is on the second line of Shannon Stakes betting at $4.20 behind the Kris Lees-trained Gem Song at $2.60. Tulloch Lodge has won the Shannon Stakes (1500m) four times in the past 20 years including in 2005 with Lotteria who went on to finish third to stablemate Desert War in the Epsom and claimed a Group One success during that year’s Melbourne spring carnival. The post Group One goal for Con Te Partiro appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre steps to 1400m for the first time in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude. A wide barrier is no concern to connections of Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre who will be out to stamp her Thousand Guineas credentials when she steps to 1400m for the first time in the Prelude at Caulfield. After trainer Anthony Freedman opted to bypass the Danehill Stakes a couple of weeks ago with Lyre because of a less than perfect scope before the race, the filly instead ran in an 1100m handicap at Caulfield last Saturday, finishing second. The three-year-old backs up eight days later in Sunday’s Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude where her performance over 1400m will confirm whether she presses on to the Group One $1 million Thousand Guineas over 1600m on October 12. Lyre has barrier 13 of 16 and has to give her rivals between 1kg and 3kg but assistant trainer Sam Freedman expects she can make her presence felt. “Like in the Blue Diamond she can just go back and get in that running line, so we’re actually happy with that barrier,” Freedman said. “She really needs to relax. “Even last weekend she just jumped a bit too well and gave herself a bit of a hard time. “With Luke Currie back on her, hopefully he can just come out a bit quieter on her and just get her to switch off, especially if she is going to run the mile. “She probably just peaked on her run last weekend but we left a bit in the tank with the eight-day back-up. “She will run a really good race and hopefully give us an indication that a mile is going to suit her. “If not then she could always freshen for the Coolmore Stud Stakes.” The Group One Coolmore (1200m) is at Flemington on November 2. Lyre’s stablemate Southbank faces her first stakes test in the Prelude at her fourth start. “She’s an exciting filly who is out of a Zabeel mare so she will get over more ground,” Freedman said. “There doesn’t appear to be a lot of speed so she’ll just hold her spot there or thereabouts and she could definitely fill a place.” The post Lyre out to stamp her Guineas credentials appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

The Lisa Latta-trained filly Platinum Dubai showed professionalism to take out the Otaki Mail (800m) for two-year-olds on Thursday, leading throughout to land the prize while race-favourite Piaggio was slow into stride and bucked off rider Jason Waddell shortly after. A daughter of Pride Of Dubai, the filly is Karaka Million eligible and that will be a long-range target, having been sold through the draft of Ardsley Stud for $100,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale. “She is a natural two-year-old. She’s a precocious little filly,” Latta said. “We will just give her a week in the paddock and then all going well she will go to the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1000m). “We were looking for an early type of filly and Neville McAlister, who owns half of her with Lincoln Farms, really liked her pedigree and then we liked her on type as well. “She has got a very good brain and that bit of toughness that is good to see in a filly.” Meanwhile, Latta reports that Sentimental Miss will skip the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in preference to easier options later in spring following her disappointing fifth placing at Hawke’s Bay last weekend when beaten 3.5 lengths by Peso. “She didn’t come up at this time of the year last year. It wasn’t until late October that she came up,” she said. “We will probably take a backward step and look at the Thompson Handicap (Gr.3, 1600m) at Trentham in late October on a track where we are going to get the fire out of the ground.” The post Platinum Dubai wins eventful 2YO race appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

The Everest is a Weight for Age race run over 1,200 metres on turf at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia. View the full article

Danielle Johnson’s focus this weekend is firmly on Ellerslie on Saturday with six rides at the meeting, including last-start stakes performer Sorrentina in the Bill Sattler Memorial (1300m). The Lib Petagna-raced Savabeel filly made her debut for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh in this month’s Listed O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui and closed strongly from last to finish third to Riva Capri. “She was really good the other day,” Johnson said. “She was very professional down there, especially having her first start. I didn’t think she would go through the gaps like she did but she was really brave.” Though Wanganui was a Heavy10 that day, Johnson was wary of how Sorrentina might cope with heavier conditions should the Ellerslie track deteriorate from the slow nine reading posted on Thursday. “I don’t think she’ll go on a really heavy track. She looks too brilliant for that,” Johnson said. “I watched her work yesterday and she worked super. We’ll see how she goes in this but I’d say Stephen will aim for further black-type after Saturday.” Johnson’s other rides are Group One performer Zacada in the Barfoot & Thompson 2200, Midnight Runner in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1200, Early Morning Rise, Molto Veloce and Quizzy Lizzy. “Zacada has got the 60 kilos to carry and everything else has 54 or less so that won’t make it easy for him but he’s run second in a Sydney Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) so he’s got a bit more form than these,” Johnson said. “Midnight Runner trialled up nicely and he does handle a bog track. He should go well and I like the other one of Peter and Dawn Williams’ too, Early Morning Rise. I trialled her up and she gave me a real nice feel.” Further ahead, Johnson is looking forward to riding Vernanme as a likely late entry for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday week after guiding the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) runner-up to success in last Sunday’s Listed Karaka Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe. “He needed to win to step up to the spruik on him. Before that he’d only won a maiden at Pukekohe but he was pretty dominant and he deserves his shot at Hastings,” said Johnson, who has accepted the ride on Exuberant in the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) the same day. “I had a bit of a slow start to the season but three winners on Sunday and another one yesterday (Wednesday) and all of a sudden the wheels are in motion and at the same time, Stephen’s team is really starting to fire now as well.” The post Ellerslie focus for Johnson appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Trainer Richard Litt has eonfidence Castelvecchio heading to the Group One Golden Rose. Earlier this week, trainer Richard Litt and his major clients, Octavio and Wendy Galletta, had two horses running at Orange, bringing home just over $1000 prize money between them. It is the sort of day that has been stock-standard for the trio and has helped to keep them level-headed as they prepare for what will be their most significant moment on a racetrack at Rosehill on Saturday. The Litt-trained, Galletta-owned Castelvecchio will take his place among a star-studded field in the Group One Golden Rose (1400m) and while he is already an elite winner of the Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old, Saturday’s race holds even more magnitude. Not only does it offer a $1 million purse, it all but shores up the stud career of any colt who wins. The last seven horses on the race honour roll are all serving stallions, the past two standing for significant sums, The Autumn Sun at Arrowfield Stud for $77,000 and Trapeze Artist at Widden for $88,000. In fact, the 16 editions of the race have been won by one filly, four geldings and 11 colts, the last group all forging stud careers. If Castelvecchio wins, it will cap an incredible journey for Litt, who has been training for less than four years but has known the Gallettas since they raced horses with his father, former trainer Jim. “We’ve had a small amount of success and a lot of fun,” Litt said. “I took two of their horses to Orange on Monday and they ran only fair, and here we are heading to a Group One on Saturday. “But we all work really well together, there’s no pressure from them. “And they love those two horses who ran at Orange just as much as Castelvecchio.” Castelvecchio will be reunited with regular jockey Josh Parr who had a prior commitment when the colt finished fourth first-up in the Dulcify Quality over 1500 metres. It has been a slightly unorthodox preparation with six of his seven rivals coming through the Run To The Rose (1200m) but while there is a distance query over many of them, including favourite Bivouac, there is no such doubt about Castelvecchio. “It’s worked out perfectly, having the drop back in distance I haven’t had to do too much with him, I’ve just kept him nice and fresh,” Litt said. “He’s ready.” Litt is ready too. Despite his youth and relative inexperience on the big stage – his rival Golden Rose trainers are Chris Waller, James and Anthony Cummings, Team Hawkes and Tulloch Lodge – Litt is taking the moment in his stride. His only nod to nerves is a little bit of superstition. Litt ensures Castelvecchio has the same race day routine each time he steps out, in particular his lucky bridle. “I’m pretty superstitious. I don’t like to change too much and I won’t change the bridle,” Litt said. “Everything stays the same with him, I have the same people going to the races with him all the time. “But at the end of the day, if they can gallop, they can gallop.” And that has perhaps been Litt’s biggest lesson in training Castelvecchio, to trust in his horse and in himself, be it a race at Orange or a Group One Golden Rose. The post Golden opportunity for Castelvecchio team appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Mitch Beer with sister Ash. Photo: Supplied Albury trainer Mitch Beer has purchased last season’s Listed Wanganui Guineas (1340m) winner Bobby Dazzler from the stable of Stephen Marsh and is looking forward to training his latest Kiwi import. The four-year-old son of Zed has won three of his 14 starts in New Zealand and Beer said he would cost around A$40,000, including transport, by the time he arrives at his country New South Wales base. “He has obviously proven himself at a very good level,” Beer said. “I find ratings wise, if a three-year-old had won a Listed race in Australia they really have to measure up or they’re hard to place for the next two years. “Having purchased a few tried horses from New Zealand, they get in quite well at the ratings, which is a big plus.” Beer said he had dealt with Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh previously and found him very straight-forward and helpful. “I purchased Mr Trump off him and he came over here and won in his first preparation, so it gives you good confidence that you are buying from a source you can trust.” Bobby Dazzler is likely to have a brief spell and be back racing early next year. “We’ve got a race like the Snake Gully Cup (1400m) in Gundagai which is worth $100,000 that would suit him. The prizemoney at the second and third tier meetings in New South Wales is excellent. “You are not buying them on the proviso of going to town to win. We want him as a good country handicap horse and if he’s any better than that, we can look at city races.” Beer said he likes to focus on four-year-old tried horses from New Zealand, and quite often mares so that he is not competing with the demand from Asian markets. “We have purchased a lot of horses out of New Zealand and the key is to buy them at the right time and they can be value,” he said. “Three runs ago I wouldn’t have been able to afford Bobby Dazzler. “Dreams of Paris, I think she had had six starts in New Zealand and won a maiden, we got her after a couple of okay runs. She came here and she won three, including a race at Caulfield, and she finished second in a stakes race at her final start.” The witty 30-year-old trainer has utilised the power of social media to promote his business and revealed that he had sold half of Bobby Dazzler to twitter followers within a couple of hours of posting his new acquisition. “I am a big fan of twitter for both business and a bit of fun,” Beer said. “I put a tweet out about him last night and we sold half the horse within a few hours through twitter. “I put a horse on there about eight or nine months ago called Logan River that I purchased as a tried horse for $15,000. Probably 80 percent of his ownership is twitter based and he has earnt nearly $100,000 in eight months and won four races. “It is great not only for selling horses but also keeping people informed of where we are going and what we are doing and including them in the inner sanctum of the stable. “We race for such good prize money and we are not a big punting stable. We like to be open and if we think we have a winner we are happy to share it and get everyone involved because that is the way of the modern world now. Information is the key.” Beer is also looking to make a return to the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale in November after good results from his foray last year. “I purchased three at the Ready To Run Sale last year and we had a Ferlax filly that we paid NZ$5,000 for won a A$30,000 maiden at her first start and the other two have trialled up well, so we will be back. “I am bringing them back to country New South Wales where our first objective is to win races and pay for themselves and then we can go to town and try our luck.” The post Beer secures a Bobby Dazzler appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Cooga Doon winning the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1340m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Exciting three-year-old Cooga Doon will continue his racing career in Asia after his seven-figure sale to Hong Kong interests on Thursday. The undefeated son of Makfi won the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1340m) by nine lengths last start and trainer Fraser Auret said the phone has been red hot since then. “There was a huge amount of interest in him from agents from many different countries,” Auret said. “It was quite overwhelming the interest that was in the horse. “As of this (Thursday) morning he is officially sold. He is going to do his future racing in Hong Kong. “It was Brian Hedley in partnership with Greg Zarra from Australasian Bloodstock that got the deal done.” After his last-start heroics Cooga Doon was installed as a second favourite behind Catalyst in the TAB’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) futures market, but he will now join Casper Fownes’ barn and Auret believes he will thrive in the Hong Kong stable environment. “He is a very relaxed type of horse that really does enjoy the stable environment,” he said. “He’s a good level-headed type and is a very good eater. I believe from that perspective he ticks those boxes (for Hong Kong). He’s just so untapped, he had very good ability right from day one. “It’s very exciting that we will be following his future with great interest.” While Auret admits Cooga Doon is a big loss to the stable, he said with the state of the domestic racing scene in New Zealand his sale was inevitable. “It is a big loss for the stable, but with how domestic racing is at the moment it gets to the point where these type of horses can’t possibly be retained. “It is a big loss, but we move on and rebuild basically.” Another promising three-year-old in the stable could assist with that rebuild despite a luckless unplaced run in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday. Trifolium was heading into the race off the back of a fresh-up runner-up performance in the Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1200m), but Auret said she never had the opportunity to unwind on the weekend. “She was a little bit stuck for early speed and ended up in a bit of an awkward spot. It was basically race over from that point,” he said. “She was basically under a hold from the 600m to the winning post. There were a few other unlucky runners in there, but she didn’t really get a crack at them, which was a bit of a shame. “In these high pressure races there is always going to be some hard luck stories and on this occasion she was one of them.” Auret said he would now test the daughter of Krupt over more ground to see if she can handle the step-up to a mile for the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. “We are going to step her up to 1400m. She is still currently in the 1000 Guineas, so we will just try her over a bit more ground and that will dictate what path we take.” The post Exciting three-year-old Hong Kong bound appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Group One winner Azkadellia is up for auction at the Echuca sale with a reserve of $300,000. Group One winner Azkadellia, who has been banned from racing, is one of a number of former racehorses being auctioned at Echuca. Azkadellia, winner of the Group One Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick in the autumn of 2016, has not raced since June 2016 following a Racing Victoria investigation into the mare’s ownership bona fides. Convicted con man Peter Foster was the mastermind behind an elaborate conspiracy to hide his ownership of Azkadellia which eventually led to the disqualification of Ciaron Maher’s racing manager Ben Connolly. Connolly was listed as the mare’s owner along with other racehorses Loveable Rogue, Hart, Mr Simples and Little Bubulu. Maher was suspended for six months and fined $75,000 on charges including improper and dishonourable action and conduct prejudicial to the image, interests and welfare of racing. Azkadellia was disqualified from several races in Victoria but retained her Group One win in NSW. She has a reserve of $300,000 at Thursday’s sale and while she will not be allowed to race again, she can have a career as a broodmare. The Echuca sale is notorious for attracting buyers from the meat trade, although former racehorses have been saved in recent years. The post Banned racehorse Azkadellia up for auction appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Sydney sprinter, the Greg Hickman-trained Top Striker, will make his Brisbane debut at Doomben. Veteran Sydney gelding Top Striker finds himself in new territory at Doomben where he will make his interstate debut at the ripe age of eight. In a career that has spanned 44 starts, Top Striker has only raced on NSW tracks, his furthest venture coming just two months ago when he travelled to the NSW Northern Rivers town of Grafton for the Ramornie Handicap, finishing midfield. It was with some trepidation trainer Greg Hickman sent Top Striker to Queensland earlier this week ahead of his next assignment in the BRC Spring Racing Carnival Open (1110m) at Doomben on Saturday, although the horse took the road trip in his stride. “The first time he really travelled was to Grafton. He’s been a good enough horse to race in Sydney most of the time,” Hickman said. “But he got up there OK. “He had a gallop before he went up there and I was really happy with his work.” Hickman is based at Warwick Farm but has secured nine permanent boxes at the Gold Coast, partly to give him guaranteed accommodation for his Magic Millions team, but also the flexibility to travel horses when a suitable race presents in Brisbane. It is especially handy during Sydney’s spring and autumn carnivals when the racing is high-level, making horses like Top Striker more difficult to place. “I’ve also got a couple of horses heading towards the Magic Millions and it’s hard to get boxes sometimes so it’s a nice option to have,” Hickman said. Saturday’s race has come up stronger than Hickman anticipated but he still expects Top Striker to make his presence felt. A Randwick winner in June, Top Striker has finished out of the placings at his past three starts but has not been far away, including at his most recent run when he finished just over 2-1/2 lengths from subsequent stakes winner Sweet Deal over 1400m at Rosehill on August 10. “He’s been knocking on the door,” Hickman said. “I thought this race might have been a bit easier but there are a couple of handy horses there. “In saying that, if my bloke races up to his best they’ll know he’s there.” Hickman also reported star sprinter Pierata, favourite for next month’s $14 million The Everest, had continued to thrive, working over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace on Thursday. “He looked beautiful,” Hickman said. “He’ll have a barrier trial at Warwick Farm (October 8) then straight to the Everest.” The post Sydney Striker poised to come out on Top appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Trainer Toby Edmonds admits the Moir Stakes is stronger than expected for his runner Winter Bride. The only thing left for the CV of multiple stakes winner Winter Bride is to land a Group One victory. Co-trainer Toby Edmonds said Friday night’s Moir Stakes (1000m) was always intended to Winter Bride’s campaign opener although the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on October 25 may prove to be a better race. “This is the right race to start her off in bearing in mind she’s better at 1200 metres than she is at the 1000 metres,” Edmonds said. “Our view is running at The Valley tomorrow night, and if she runs well getting home nicely, and comes out of it in good order, we can target the Manikato Stakes after that. Edmonds, who trains in partnership with his son Trent, pointed out Winter Bride was a three-time Group Three winner with victories over talented sprinting mares Booker and Spright who both subsequently went on to claim Group One successes. “She’s got really good numbers and form all around her so hopefully this season we can pinch a Group One with her,” Edmonds said. Friday night’s race is a little stronger than Edmonds expected with The Everest contender Sunlight returning from Sydney for the sprint after being ruled out of Randwick last Saturday because of the wet track. Ball Of Muscle, Trekking, Nature Strip and Assertive Approach are also in the Moir. Edmonds said he could not worry about the opposition, just his own horse, but added Winter Bride was in good order after arriving at her Caulfield base last week. He said the mare was around 20kg heavier for her first-up assignment than in previous campaigns. “That’s OK, she’s races better with a bit more top on her,” Edmonds said. “The tempo should be good with four or five speed horses and it should suit those coming from behind, so hopefully she’s running on well which will give us confidence going to the Manikato.” The post Winter Bride in order for G1 Moir assault appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

The Sangster’s Paradise squad is on a high after a strong season of SuperCoach NRL where we finished top 1.5 per cent overall and took out the News Hardcore League in an emphatic grand final performance. View the full article

Hurry Cane (right) will be vying for a spot in the A$300,000 Jericho Cup (4600m) on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Trainer Raymond Connors knows how to prepare extreme distance stayers and jumpers, with Wise Men Say recently providing him with his sixth victory in the time-honoured Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m). With the bulk of his jumping team now enjoying some R&R, the Whanganui dairy farmer will be aiming to land a golden ticket to the A$300,000 Jericho Cup (4600m), when lightly-tried seven-year-old Hurry Cane contests the NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3210m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. The Rating 82 and jumps Benchmark has drawn a capacity field with win-and-you’re-in status for the lucrative Jericho Cup, run at Warrnambool on December 1, with sponsors NZB Airfreight also ensuring the winner’s transport costs are covered. Hurry Cane has won two of his 10 career starts, with a further seven placings, including a last-start second over 2100m at Ellerslie. Connors believes the step-up to two miles will suit the son of Nom du Jeu and he has opted to put side winkers on the laconic gelding. “He’s a horse that the further he goes, the better he seems to go,” he said. “I’d like to think that on his runs this winter he should be more than competitive. “He is a pretty green sort of horse that has taken a long time. He keeps going but I’d like to see him jump and travel a bit better than he does, and getting over this sort of distance, hopefully it might work in his favour.” Connors said that should they be successful on Saturday, they would look to target the Jericho Cup, which is only open to horses which were conceived and born in Australia or New Zealand. “I think it’s a great concept and we’d definitely look at it if he won. It’s been in the back of our minds for a while and I have never been to Warrnambool. “It is a big step up from Saturday’s race to the Jericho in terms of distance, which I think would be in his favour, but the query would be racing on a firmer surface in December.” Connors, who milks around 1000 cows and trains between 15 and 20 racehorses at peak times, said Hurry Cane’s future most likely lies over jumps. “He’s the sort of horse that has taken a lot of time and we haven’t hustled or bustled him. “Because we’ve got the farm, if they’re not ready we can give them a few more months in the paddock and go and work another one. I just feel that there is no point going to the races if they’re not going good enough. “He has done a bit of jumping and that is where his future lies and next year we will see him jumping.” Stablemate Magic Ivan has finished second at his last two outings in mid-week grade and will contest the Epsom & Ascot With Wheels & George 2000 (Rating 65) on the undercard. “He struggled a bit through the winter with the really heavy tracks but his last couple of runs have been good enough to have a go,” Connors said. The Jericho Cup is the brainchild of Victorian philanthropist and amateur war historian Bill Gibbins, who will be on-course on Saturday. The Jericho Cup, which was first run on the desert sands of Palestine just outside the city of Jericho in 1918, commemorates Australia and New Zealand’s light-horse involvement in World War One The post Hurry Cane gunning for Jericho golden ticket appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Everything about Beauty Generation on Tuesday morning signalled that Hong Kong’s superstar will once again be the horse to beat when he kicks off his campaign in next week’s Gr.3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m). The brilliant miler strode out through a 1000m barrier trial shortly after dawn at Sha Tin. The bay travelled close to the inner guide markers under Zac Purton, galloped by the winning post alength and a quarter fifth behind young gun sprinter Aethero (clocked at 57.82s), and advanced after the line to lead the pack of seven off towards home and the rising sun. “I’m very pleased,” trainer John Moore said of the seven-year-old. “He’ll go into the race slightly underdone, which is taken for granted at this stage of his prep, but Zac wasn’t concerned that the horse’s age had caught up with him or anything like that.” Beauty Generation is on an uninterrupted nine-win streak and has won the past two editions of the Celebration Cup. Like last year, he will shoulder top-weight of 133lb. This time, rated a mighty 137, his next best rivals could be weighted 20lb inferior. “It wouldn’t be a disaster if he did get beat,” Moore admitted, before adding, “I don’t think he will.” There was a firm emphasis on the latter part. “The important thing is getting him prepared for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile in December but if he has continued in the same vein as last season it would be great to win next week,” he continued. “This is all part and parcel of his prep, and, giving so much weight away, we know all champions can get beat. But we’re not using that as an excuse going in because I believe he will win.” Owner Patrick Kwok wishes to see his champion put together “the same season as last year”, which would mean equalling Good Ba Ba’s record of three wins in the G1 Hong Kong Mile. But, knowing how difficult it is to achieve a perfect campaign, he has one over-riding ambition for Beauty Generation. “The thing I want see most is him winning abroad,” he said. “I’m not sure if it will happen because he’s not getting any younger, so we have to factor that, but it would be a sweet thing to see him winning abroad, especially a race like in Dubai.” Hong Kong’s two-time Horse of the Year had the demeanour of a fresh young buck before today’s trial, perhaps sensing that his first race since April’s Champions Mile is not far off. Groom Lau Wai-kit a couple of times had to take a strong grip leading him around the sand yard pre-trial, and when Purton climbed aboard, the gelding’s ‘spring’ coiled. “He was a bit fresh in the gate too,” the champion jockey said. “He was happy to be back out there in a competitive environment and he wanted to bounce around a bit. He actually tried to jump at the front of the gate and I was lucky the gate opened otherwise he would have knocked his head. Now that he’s got that freshness out of him I think he should be ok on race day. “He showed good speed early, he travelled along really, really well and I just let him do a little bit through the line,” Purton continued. “He feels good and we know he goes well fresh. He’s where he needs to be.” Beauty Generation has enjoyed a long, relaxing summer without a hint of anything unusual. And the foot issues that caused some concern last term have not arisen. “Everything has been perfect, no setbacks whatsoever,” Moore said. “He’s very durable, he’s the iron horse. He’s had shoeing issues before but he’s already been reshod: we shoe him 10 days out to make sure he fits into those shoes. We don’t do it close to the race because there’s always a chance of soreness. “All in all, we’re really pleased,” he added. The post Moore expects as Beauty Generation impresses ahead of return appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Reliable Team makes it two wins from two starts. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club Reliable Team will put his unbeaten record on the line in Wednesday’s Class 3 Yip Fat Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley and Zac Purton hopes the rising talent can continue to overcome the challenges he’s already faced this early in his career. “He’s done a good job so far and from awkward gates, he has another awkward gate again and he’s up in grade this time, so it’s going to be harder for him,” Purton said. The Frankie Lor trained son of Reliable Man scored two impressive wins last campaign, resulting in an 18-point rise in ratings to a current mark of 70. His natural talent, though, has been complimented by determination and grit as he has twice been forced to overcome wide barriers. That is something he will need to contend with again as he will be breaking from stall 10 of 12. “He wants to hang and runaway from other horses a little bit, but I think it’s just because he is under so much pressure trying to maintain his position, he hasn’t been in a race yet where he has been able to jump and travel comfortably – he’s been under the pump from the outset,” the three-time champion jockey said. The four-year-old’s sire Reliable Man won the 2011 G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) as well as the 2013 G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and Purton is of the opinion that he has the similar qualities to that of his father, suggesting his continued progression may see him race over further. “He does feel like a mile is going to be more suitable, so whether against the sharper horses that are a little bit more seasoned he can get away with it – we’ll just have to wait and see,” the champion jockey said. Reliable Team faces 11 rivals in Wednesday’s assignment, including the likes of two-time course and distance winner Harrier Jet , Benno Yung’s Joyful Union and Le Terroir who also steps up in class following a two-win 2018/19 campaign. Purton has eight rides out of a possible nine at Happy Valley, commencing in the opener when he reunites with the Chris So-trained Tianchi Monster. The gelding returns off a tough Hong Kong Derby campaign last term. “He’s an interesting horse going forward,” Purton said. “Chris did a good job to actually get him into the Derby. For a while there it looked like he wasn’t going to make it.” Tianchi Monster and race rival Mr So And So will be the fifth and sixth horses to race this season out of last year’s Derby, following from last start winner Gold Chest, Enrichment (4th last time), Mission Tycoon (7th) and Harmony Victory (4th). Derby winner Furore trialled last week in preparation for his return. “He ran credibly in the Derby although the form sort of wasn’t really franked after that, but he has a lightweight, he’s first-up and he’s going to improve,” Purton said. The son of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking isn’t the only newly turned five-year-old out of last year’s Derby in the small but competitive field. Enrichment and last start winner Green Luck will also fly the four-year-old flag. The field also features the six-year-olds Helene Charisma, Brave Legend and Ruthven. “It’s not a strong race, there are a couple of chances in it but there’s not a lot of depth to it, it’s only a small field. I’m not sure he’s prepped to be at his best but the small field gives him his chance,” Purton said. The post Zac Purton seeks Reliable hat-trick appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Logan Savory14:40, Sep 26 2019 KAVINDA HERATHOwner Tom Kilkelly and trainer Kirstin Barclay with their horse U May Cullect which has been ruled out of a shot at the New Zealand Cup because of a tendon injury. [File photo].Kirstin Barclay is doing her best to remain positive. Her dream of training and driving a horse in the 2019 New Zealand Trotting Cup has been shattered. The connections of U May Cullect were handed news on Thursday morning that Southland’s star race horse will be sidelined for between four and six months. U May Cullect was initially scratched from Sunday’s Hannon Memorial race because of a minor stone bruise.However earlier this week Barclay and fellow trainer Paul “Tank” Ellis felt the horse still wasn’t right. A vet check on Thursday morning discovered a small tear in the lower tendon, ruling out any hope of him lining up in November’s New Zealand Cup. The horse had quickly become the talk of Southland racing this year on the back of the left-field rise to New Zealand Cup hopeful. Tom Kilkelly bought the horse for just $5200 at a weanling sale in Auckland, although he never made it to the race track until he was five. Two tendon injuries held him back and Kilkelly acknowledges giving up on him as a racehorse was a possibility at one stage. However, U May Cullect, or Carlos as he’s known around the stable, went from an unqualified five-year-old horse to winning seven in a row. Carlos become the fairytale story of New Zealand harness racing. “What he’s done has been amazing, not just for us, but he’s been really good for the industry. A lot of people outside [of harness racing] started to follow him,” Barclay says. She admits the injury is gutting for everyone involved, including Barclay herself who was eyeing a shot at a drive in the New Zealand Cup. “We were so close to having a crack. It’s the dream to race in the biggest race, but it’s not over. “He could have another shot next year and we’ve got other promising horses coming through.” It is a new injury rather the reoccurrence of older tendon problems, which Barclay says is positive. She doesn’t see any reason why U May Cullect can’t return for another campaign next season. “He’s showed he can come back from an injury. I’m staying positive.” To add to an already tough week for Barclay, her dog, which ironically is named Carlos after the horse, was kicked by another horse and required surgery on Thursday afternoon. The post Fairytale story halted as injury shatters New Zealand Cup dream appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Logan Savory14:40, Sep 26 2019 KAVINDA HERATHOwner Tom Kilkelly and trainer Kirstin Barclay with their horse U May Cullect which has been ruled out of a shot at the New Zealand Cup because of a tendon injury. [File photo].Kirstin Barclay is doing her best to remain positive. Her dream of training and driving a horse in the 2019 New Zealand Trotting Cup has been shattered. The connections of U May Cullect were handed news on Thursday morning that Southland’s star race horse will be sidelined for between four and six months. U May Cullect was initially scratched from Sunday’s Hannon Memorial race because of a minor stone bruise.However earlier this week Barclay and fellow trainer Paul “Tank” Ellis felt the horse still wasn’t right. A vet check on Thursday morning discovered a small tear in the lower tendon, ruling out any hope of him lining up in November’s New Zealand Cup. The horse had quickly become the talk of Southland racing this year on the back of the left-field rise to New Zealand Cup hopeful. Tom Kilkelly bought the horse for just $5200 at a weanling sale in Auckland, although he never made it to the race track until he was five. Two tendon injuries held him back and Kilkelly acknowledges giving up on him as a racehorse was a possibility at one stage. However, U May Cullect, or Carlos as he’s known around the stable, went from an unqualified five-year-old horse to winning seven in a row. Carlos become the fairytale story of New Zealand harness racing. “What he’s done has been amazing, not just for us, but he’s been really good for the industry. A lot of people outside [of harness racing] started to follow him,” Barclay says. She admits the injury is gutting for everyone involved, including Barclay herself who was eyeing a shot at a drive in the New Zealand Cup. “We were so close to having a crack. It’s the dream to race in the biggest race, but it’s not over. “He could have another shot next year and we’ve got other promising horses coming through.” It is a new injury rather the reoccurrence of older tendon problems, which Barclay says is positive. She doesn’t see any reason why U May Cullect can’t return for another campaign next season. “He’s showed he can come back from an injury. I’m staying positive.” To add to an already tough week for Barclay, her dog, which ironically is named Carlos after the horse, was kicked by another horse and required surgery on Thursday afternoon. The post Fairytale story halted as injury shatters New Zealand Cup dream appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Adelaide Ace winning at Flemington on Wednesday Photo: Darryl Sherer Tuesday’s release of Victoria Derby nominations contained two colts from the Lindsey Smith stable and the pair justified their payment fee 24 hours later at Flemington on Wednesday. Adelaide Ace ($6) won the $60,000 AAMI Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) while stablemate Olympic Oath ($6.50) ran an eye-catching fifth, 2.35 lengths behind his stablemate. Both horses will head towards the Gr.1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2 with Smith undecided about the pathway towards their target. “I’m a one-race-at-a-time man, I don’t get too far ahead of myself because it leads to disappointment,” Smith said. “He (Adelaide Ace) had a bit of improvement. He did a bit of work (in the run), had a bit of cover and then kept trying to find the line. “He looks like he’ll run the journey. His coat still hasn’t come out yet so he’s got past the first hurdle. “The jockey (John Allen) was quite keen to ride him after his jumpout at Ararat so that’s pleasing. “The other horse (Olympic Oath) was bottled up on the fence and he’s a big bowling, goofy sort of horse. I thought his run wasn’t too bad and once he gets over 2000 metres and further he’ll come into his own.” Smith prepared the winner of the Victoria Derby in 2004 when Plastered defeated Adelaide Ace’s sire, Savabeel, and Count Ricardo. Bred by Gartshore Bloodstock, Adelaide Ace was purchased via New Zealand Bloodstock’s online auction house gavelhouse.com by respected Australian bloodstock agent John Foote. Foote went to $110,000 to secure the son of Savabeel as a weanling. Out of the Pins mare Ampin, a half-sister to Group Three winner Strike The Stars and three other stakes performers, Adelaide Ace is a full brother to Group Three placed mare Savy Yong Blonk. “He was a strong type and moved well,” Foote said. “I actually bought him for Darren Weir and I thought he was good buying.” In the same gavelhouse auction Foote also purchased Ampin in foal to Savabeel for what was a record price of $211,000 at the time. “They were the first horses I bought off gavelhouse,” Foote said. “Savy Yong Blonk was just being broken in at the time and I bought the mare for some friends of mine. “The mare had a Savabeel colt and he is now a two-year-old that has gone to Tony Gollan.” The bloodstock agent was also responsible for sourcing the dam of Victoria Oaks Trial (1800m) winner Celestial Falls, the Dalakhani mare Rippled, who is also the dam of Greysful Glamour, who finished second in last year’s Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m). “I also bought a filly by Ocean Park called Ocean Miss that ran fourth behind Celestial Falls, so it has been a good day. She was held up and I thought it was a really good run,” Foote said. The post Derby trial winner a gavelhouse gem appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Tony Pike does not believe he could have The Bostonian going any better ahead of the sprinter’s spring return in the A$1 million Moir Stakes at The Valley, but would have liked a better barrier draw. The Bostonian, who won two weight-for-age Group Ones in Brisbane in his previous preparation, begins his latest Australian campaign in Friday night’s 1000m sprint, with his rivals including fellow Group One winners Nature Strip, Sunlight, Trekking and Booker. Pike would have preferred a softer draw than barrier 13 but will rely on star jockey Damian Lane to navigate and hopes the gelding closes strongly. “Obviously any inside barrier would be gold, you would think,” Pike said. “But it is what it is. It’s out of your control and it looks like they will run along pretty quickly in the race. “We’ll leave it up to Damian. That’s what those boys get paid the big bucks for and hopefully he can get some cover somewhere in behind them.” The Bostonian has settled in well since arriving in Melbourne and impressed Pike with his performance in a jump-out at Flemington last Friday. “We left him up in Brisbane for a month last year and his coat went off and he probably didn’t come up as well as we were hoping last spring,” Pike said. “But this year he is really going well. “He couldn’t be going any better but he will obviously need to be going pretty well as well.” The Moir is the first of a number of feature sprints for The Bostonian this spring, including the Schillaci Stakes on October 12 at Caulfield, where the winner will be offered the Melbourne Racing Club’s slot in the $14 million The Everest the following week. The Valley 1000m course record holder Nature Strip has drawn barrier one in the Moir, with Eduardo in barrier two and Ball Of Muscle in gate three. Multiple Group One winner Sunlight has barrier 10 and trainer Tony McEvoy believes that makes things tougher for the mare, who is second favourite at $6 behind Nature Strip ($2.70). “All the speed is barriers one, two, three,” McEvoy said. “So it’s going to be on, isn’t it. So she’s going to need a bit of luck.” The post The Bostonian set for spring return in G1 appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Epsom Handicap (1600m) favourite Te Akau Shark has had a gallop between races at Canterbury, with jockey James McDonald and trainer Jamie Richards pleased with his condition. The son of Rip Van Winkle finished second to Dreamforce in his first Australian start in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) but still retains favouritism for the Epsom on Saturday week. Richards said four weeks between runs suited Te Akau Shark but he wanted to make sure he was ticking over as he wanted and opted for Wednesday’s race day workout. “We could have trialled him on Friday at Randwick but this gives us an extra few days,” Richards said. “It’s nice to get him a gallop on a good track like this and to give him a bit of a day out and James was happy with him. “It was good exercise for the horse.” Te Akau Shark is part-owned by and named for recently retired Cronulla rugby league captain Paul Gallen. Richards is the trainer for Te Akau Racing, which will also have Probabeel running on October 5 at Randwick in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) and New Zealand champion Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at home. Probabeel finished second in a three-way photo finish to Saturday’s Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick , which was won by Funstar with Libertini third. The Chris Waller-trained Funstar is the favourite for the Flight Stakes ahead of Probabeel. Richards said Probabeel had come through Saturday’s race in good order. “She was terrific. It’s a shame she missed out but that’s what happens in this game,” he said. “She’s been to the beach this week and we will work her on Tuesday and head to the Flight Stakes. “The 1600 metres will suit her.” The post Te Akau Shark has day out at Canterbury appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Loire Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is happy with the way his three-year-old fillies Loire and Kali have pulled up after Saturday’s Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). Pike was particularly pleased with Loire’s performance to finish third and believes she will be suited to stepping up to the mile of Novembers’s Gr.1 gavelhouse.com NZ 1000 Guineas. “Loire has come through it in superb order, it was a really good run,” he said. “We knew 1200m was short of her best, hence we put the blinkers on. “She was one of the few that really closed from a fair way back all day so it’s really encouraging heading forward to a mile at Riccarton. I think she’s going to be a chance in the Guineas down there.” Although frustrated with race favourite Kali’s luckless run, Pike was still pleased with her performance and believes her time will come. “Unfortunately, Kali’s still looking for a run,” Pike said. “She’s gone super and Troy (Harris, jockey) said he had plenty of horse underneath him too but at no stage did she see daylight up the straight. “She’ll keep, she’s a very smart filly and we’ll just press on from here. She’s got plenty of ability, she’s had luckless runs the last two starts and I’m sure she’ll be back winning again shortly.” Pike has a few options in the lead-up to the 1000 Guineas with the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Partners Life Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) two viable options. “It’s five weeks if we want to go to the Soliloquy or the Sarten, we’ll just play it by ear at this stage,” Pike said. “We’ll see how they come through the week and sit down and have a bit of a chat and see if we have a run before one of those two races or not.” Meanwhile, stablemate Spring Bouquet ran on well to finish runner-up in the Springtime Handicap (1420m) at Flemington on Wednesday. The post Pike duo pull-up well appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Group One-winning stayer Glory Days will take a step closer to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) when she lines-up at Moonee Valley on Friday. The daughter of Red Giant will compete in the Gr.3 JRA Cup (2040m) and trainer Bill Thurlow has been happy with her progress since her fifth-placing over 1700m at Flemington earlier this month. “I was very happy with her first-up run in Australia, she went well,” he said. “She has got through a bit of work since and seems pretty good. “I am happy enough with her, but she still might need another run.” Glory Days will have a bit of weight relief on Friday after carrying 60.5kg in her Melbourne debut. “She will appreciate the step-up to 2040m on Friday,” Thurlow said. “Four kilos is a good drop from what she carried last start, so everything is looking good on that front.” Jockey Craig Williams will be aboard once again on Friday night when Glory Days will compete against last year’s Melbourne Cup favourite, Yucatan. “It’s good to have him back onboard, especially someone of his experience,” Thurlow said. Everything going to plan, Glory Days’ next assignment will be the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield next month. The post JRA Cup assignment for Glory Days appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Super Hoof winning at Te Rapa on Wednesday Photo: Race Images Matamata trainer Glenn Old believes he has a Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (3200m) prospect on his hands in lightly-tried five-year-old Super Hoof. The handsome chestnut handled the step-up in grade with aplomb when successful at Te Rapa in the Rating 82 Benchmark Melbourne Cup @ Te Rapa 5 November 2100 on Wednesday. “We think he is potentially a real staying horse of the future,” Old said. “Being a son of Cape Blanco, some of them stick well, being by Galileo. “He is a five-year-old and we have had issues with him so while he is up and going we will aim high. “We will work back from the New Zealand Cup now and see if we can plot a path to get him there.” Old, who won the 2018 New Zealand Cup with Bizzwinkle, said Super Hoof would need more racing to build his fitness as he heads towards the $250,000 two-mile feature. “He is such a gross doing bugger, I may back him up at Te Teko on Sunday week just in an Open 2100m then into a 2400m race at Trentham at the end of the month,” he said. “We will see if he is good enough to go down south then.” “Believe it or not I think he has more brilliance than Bizzwinkle. But you don’t know till you try them past 2400m and that’s why the Trentham race will be a good gauge for him.” Old purposely ran Super Hoof, a rating 69, out of his grade as he looked to bolster the rating of the gelding to give him a better chance of qualifying for the Christchurch feature, which holds fond memories for the Matamata horseman. “You can’t ask for a better week than New Zealand Cup week. It is amazing, with great people and good weather.” Meanwhile, Old is looking forward to watching Bizzwinkle contest Friday’s Benalla Gold Cup (2046m) at what will be his second start for Victorian trainer Patrick Payne. Old, who remains in the ownership in Bizzwinkle, said he was delighted with his first-up performance for Payne over 1700m at Flemington a fortnight ago. “We thought it was a huge effort. He is just a big one-pacer and he has never won under 2000m in New Zealand. He led them up and held his ground in the straight and finished four-and-a-half lengths from the winner,” he said. “The feedback is good. He galloped at Moonee Valley on Monday and Patrick was happy with his work. “2000m around Benalla we would be hopeful he could run a place at least.” Like Super Hoof, Bizzwinkle holds a nomination for the New Zealand Cup, but there are plenty of staying options across the Tasman for the six-year-old. “Australia is amazing, there are at least two races every week for him,” Old said. “I mentioned to Paddy something like the 2800m race on Melbourne Cup Day or the Sandown Cup (Listed, 3200m) but we will just leave it up to Patrick.” The post New Zealand Cup contender for Old appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Jockey Victor Wong Chun is on track to make a full recovery from the injuries he sustained in a trackwork accident in May, according to Apprentice Jockeys’ School headmistress Amy Chan Lim-chee.Chan is hopeful Wong, who according to the Jockey Club suffered “several contusions and fractures to his chest, back and head”, will be back riding trackwork as soon as December.“He’s doing really well, we are quite lucky. It was such a tragic injury but his spirits are still very high,” Chan said.“When… View the full article

The series begins with the Lecomte (G3) at 1 1/16 miles, followed by the Risen Star (G2) at 1 1/8 miles, and concludes with the Louisiana Derby (G1) at 1 3/16 miles. View the full article