Daily News | 17th August 2018

• NEW Potential Cox Plate Campaign For Milseain

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  Milseain, a full-sister to Hong Kong Champion Werther, is set to start her spring preparation at Randwick tomorrow, which could potentially result in a tilt at the Gr1 Cox Plate. The multiple Group-placed mare holds a nomination for the weight-for-age feature and will have her first start for trainer Kris Lees in the Nicholas Moraitis Handicap (1400m). The Tavistock four-year-old joined Lees’ stable two months ago and has pleased her trainer in her two trial starts to date. “I have been quite pleased with her trials,” Lees said. “She worked home nice and Kerrin McEvoy was quite glowing in his appraisal after her recent trial. “It’s an awkward gate (13) on Saturday, so we’ll probably ride her fairly conservatively first-up. “The tracks are pretty firm at the moment, and with the seven metre rail, I wouldn’t think you could win from well back. But I just want to see her work home and set-up for a nice preparation hopefully.” Trained in New Zealand by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Milseain was purchased out of Highden Park’s 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft for $300,000 by Sona Bloodstock. At three she recorded a win and four Group placings in five starts, including a third-placing behind Savvy Coup in the Gr1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

• NEW Bumper Inglis Ready2Race Catalogue On-Line

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  The CATALOGUE for Inglis’ 2018 Ready2Run Sale, which will be held at Riverside Stables on Monday October 15 – two days after The Everest – is now available online. Siblings to Group 1 winners, progeny of Group 1-winning mares and 2YOs by some of Australia’s leading stallions are included in the catalogue. Among the 183 juveniles are horses by leading sires such as Fastnet Rock, Pierro, So You Think, Sebring, Written Tycoon, Zoustar, More Than Ready, Hinchinbrook, Nicconi, Spirit Of Boom, Tavistock and Not A Single Doubt, as well as first season sires including Brazen Beau, Deep Field, Dissident, Hallowed Crown, Olympic Glory, Rubick, Sacred Falls, Shooting To Win and Toronado. Of the entries, 51 are nominated for the $8 million Inglis Race Series and 118 are BOBS Eligible. Inglis’ General Manager of Bloodstock Jonathan D’Arcy is thrilled with the strength of the catalogue, noting, “This is the strongest Ready2Race catalogue we have ever presented to buyers. This sale concept [2YOs in work] is extremely popular in many racing jurisdictions around the world but is yet to realise its full potential in Australia, but we firmly believe there is a strong market for it here and we have continued to work closely with our clients to provide the best platform for this sale to further develop and reach its potential in Australia.” D’Arcy added, “By moving the sale to coincide with The Everest, it will cap off one of the biggest weeks in Australian racing.”

• NEW Key Inglis Ready2Race Lots

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  Among the key juveniles catalogued for October’s Inglis Ready2Race Sale (see above item) in October are:
  • Per Incanto x Explosive Dancer - Half brother to this year’s G1 New Zealand Derby winner, Vin De Dance (see below).
  • Fastnet Rock x Heavenly Glow - This filly is out of the G1 Australian Oaks winner and Champion 3YO Filly of her generation, Heavenly Glow.
  • Warhorse x Hidden Strings - Half brother to five winners including this year’s impressive G1 Schweppes Oaks winner, Sopressa.
  • Savabeel x I Do - Three-quarter brother-in-blood to Stakes winner Iggi Pop. From G1 Hawkes Bay Makfi Challenge Stakes winner I Do.
  • Stratum x In The Past - Half brother to the G2 Silver Slipper winner and Aquis stallion, Domesday.
  • Sepoy x Quiet Life - Half brother to six winners including Better Life, the Champion Miler of her generation in Singapore.
  • All Too Hard x Quintessential - Out of the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Quintessential.
  • Dundeel x Shoot Fer Love - Three-quarter sister-in-blood to the four-time G1 winner Shoot Out.
  • Written Tycoon x Suffer In Silence - From a half sister to the multiple G1 winner Response, who in turn is the dam of this year’s G1 Golden Slipper heroine Estijaab.

• Waller Claims Eighth Successive Bart Cummings Medal

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  Last night in Sydney, trainer Chris Waller was presented with his eighth successive Bart Cummings Medal during the NSW Racing’s Night of Champions awards held at Royal Randwick. The Bart Cummings Medal point score – honouring the legendary trainer who passed away just under three years ago – is comprised of votes from leading Sydney racing journalists. With an incredible 189 city winners for the 2017/18 season, Waller easily passed his previous milestone of 169 wins established during the 2015/16 racing season. Brenton Avdulla claimed his first George Moore Award for winning the Sydney Jockeys’ Premiership with 92 wins for the season, while Rachel King, now a fully-fledged jockey, took out the coveted Theo Green Award for leading Sydney apprentice with 38 wins for the season. The NSWROA Committee acknowledged the wonderful service to the industry of the late Mr Noel Bracks by presenting his family with the NSWROA Industry Recognition Award. Other key Award winners on the night were:
  • Winx (TAB.com.au NSW Champion Horse of the Year and NZ Bloodstock Middle-Distance Horse of the Year)
  • Estijaab (ATC NSW Two-year-old of the Year)
  • Trapeze Artist (International Animal Health Products NSW Three-year-old of the Year)
  • In Her Time (Sky Thoroughbred Central NSW Provincial Horse of the Year)
  • The Monstar (Sky Thoroughbred Central NSW Country Horse of the Year)
  • Redzel (ATC NSW Sprinter of the Year)
  • Who Shot Thebarman (Emirates NSW Stayer of the Year)
  • Prompt Response (Inglis Queen of the Autumn)

• Cash Arrives For Caulfield Guineas Contender

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  The gloves are starting to come off as aspirants head towards the big-ticket Gr1 Caulfield Guineas in a few months. One of the more interesting runners nominated is Tony Nicconi from the Hayes, Hayes & Dabernig stable. The winner of his only start at Caulfield by 4-lengths over 1200m at the end of June, the 3YO colt was conspicuously short-priced when markets first opened following the feature race’s closure of nominations. Having trained Tony Nicconi’s sire Nicconi (sire of boom sprinter Nature Strip) to notable Gr1 success, David Hayes knows the breed and their ability well. Dropping to 55kg in tomorrow’s Vain Stakes at Caulfield over 1100m, Tony Nicconi has been crunched in to $2.30 favourite from an opening $3.20 quote. Drawn wide on debut where he had to do a ton of work yet  was still able to leave them 4-lengths in his wake, Tony Nicconi ‘s more favourable Saturday barrier should provide Luke Nolen with a few options. It’s a perfect test to see if he’s ready to take the next step with unbeaten duo Rock Hard and The August also in the field, along with talented stable mate Long Leaf and untapped Native Soldier.

• Confidence High For Julius In Foxbridge

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  If expectations meet performance in Saturday's hotly contested Gr2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, Swiss Ace gelding Julius is set to be right in the finish, reports NZ Racing Desk. Jockey Jason Waddell is highly optimistic of his horse's chances, "He's my horse to hopefully replace Kawi. He's the best I've ridden who hasn't won a Group One. He hasn't run in one yet, but he will and he'll be a Group One winner." Waddell, who teamed with 7-time Gr1 winner Kawi over the latter segment of his illustrious career in taking out the Gr1 Haunui Classic, Gr1 WFA Classic and Gr1 Captain Cook Stakes is now forming a fine partnership with the highly consistent Julius. Like many gallopers intending to take the route from the Gr2 Foxbridge to the Gr1 Tarzino Trophy, Julius will need to excel in the Foxbridge to void the ballot which currently has him 21st in order of entry for the Tarzino (16 horse field). Trainer John Bell acknowledged, "He's a happy horse and he's improved from his first-up run." He added, "[Jason will] be making the call on how to ride him on Saturday. He knows what's best for the horse and what he can do."

• Weekend Black Type Feature Schedule

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  Australia and New Zealand’s Black-Type racing is back – and in a big way. From the dearth of features on display over the past month, their numbers have leapt to a dozen this weekend, headed by the first Gr1 running of the former Warwick Stakes (1400m), now named the Winx Stakes. In attempting to set a new record consecutive 26 wins (eclipsing Black Caviar), Winx will also become the first triple winner of the race if successful. As things stand two other runners have won twice: Pinwheel went back to back in 2011 and 2012, while Lonhro was victorious in 2001 and 2003, although his 2001 win was over 1300m instead of 1400m. The supporting cast of feature races tomorrow includes three at Gr2 level, comprising the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield, Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa and the Surround Stakes at Royal Randwick. Brought to you by Cornerstone Stud, below in AET order, are Saturday's scheduled stakes races, incorporating integrated fields, form, indicative odds and runner news:
  • 1.40pm: Gr2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge P. (1200m) Te Rapa
  • 1.50pm: Gr2 Darley Silver Shadow S. (1200m) Royal Randwick
  • 2.25pm: Gr3 Up And Coming S. (1300m) Royal Randwick
  • 2.40pm: Gr3 Vai Stakes (1200m) Caulfield
  • 3.00pm: Gr1 Winx Stakes (1400m) Royal Randwick
  • 3.20pm: Gr3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) Caulfield
  • 3.40pm: Gr3 Show County Quality (1200m) Royal Randwick
  • 4.00pm: Gr2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) Caulfield
  • 4.20pm: Gr3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) Royal Randwick
  • 4.21: Gr3 Spring Stakes (1200m) Morphettville
  • 4.40pm: Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) Caulfield
  • 6.15pm: Listed Belmont Newmarket (1200m) Belmont

  

• 1.40pm: Gr2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge P. (1200m) Te Rapa

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 1.50pm: Gr2 Darley Silver Shadow S. (1200m) Royal Randwick

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 2.25pm: Gr3 Up And Coming S. (1300m) Royal Randwick

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 2.40pm: Gr3 Vain Stakes (1200m) Caulfield

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 3.00pm: Gr1 Winx Stakes (1400m) Royal Randwick

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 3.20pm: Gr3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) Caulfield

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 3.40pm: Gr3 Show County Quality (1200m) Royal Randwick

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 4.00pm: Gr2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) Caulfield

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 4.20pm: Gr3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) Royal Randwick

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 4.21: Gr3 Spring Stakes (1200m) Morphettville

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 4.40pm: Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) Caulfield

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• 6.15pm: Listed Belmont Newmarket (1200m) Belmont

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  

• Downloads Does The Job For Munz

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  Currently best known for his sensational dual Gr1-winning mare Shoals which he co-owns with Arrowfield Stud, Pinecliff Racing’s Jonathan Munz had another Fastnet Rock filly with a lovely catalogue page collect her winner’s cheque yesterday. Granted, Sale isn’t the big smoke, however Downloads (Fastnet Rock-Dance Mix, by Hennessy) was given an easier assignment to win her Maiden than had been the case in her three prior career starts. Justifiably sent to the barriers as an odds-on chance after competing in Caulfield’s Blue Diamond Prelude and Blue Diamond Preview for 2YO fillies, as well as Adelaide’s Cinderella Stakes, Downloads was ridden like the best horse in the race and came away by a length with enough authority to suggest bigger options lie in store.  Out of a half-sister to the dams of Krupt, Tulip and Sacred Eye, the $850,000 Inglis Easter yearling graduate is from a massively influential family whose Australian members include Flying Spur, Encosta de Lago, I Am A Star and Pear Tart.

• Daughter Of Champion 2YO Wins Again

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  High value filly Progression, a 4YO daughter of Vinery Stud stallion All Too Hard and Champion 2YO Filly Headway (by Charge Forward), appears to be on an upward spiral following her third win from only 7 starts at Newcastle yesterday over 900m. Piloted by James McDonald, and from the Newcastle stable of Kris Lees, Progression settled close to the rear of the field and unleashed a sustained and classy burst to overhaul talented I Am Invincible mare Venture Capital with a little in hand. Progression was a $280,000 2016 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling purchase from the draft of Milburn Creek.

• Torryburn Foaling Gathering Pace

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  At iconic Torryburn Stud inNSW, it was a quiet start to the foaling season with just two foals on the ground in the first half of August however the past two days has seen a foal population explosion with a further five foals born!  The highlight for the Cornish family's property so far is a chestnut colt for well performed Gr2-winning mare Serena Miss, "Again producing an outstanding foal by Snitzel with fantastic conformation and muscle tone.  He has certainly set the standard very high for the season." Torryburn is looking particularly forward to foals with some exciting breeding this year, including a second foal for Miss Interiors, herself a half-sister to Russian Revolution and Turbo Miss, and in foal to I Am Invincible.  Crimson Reign is again expecting another foal by Fastnet Rock with the hope of producing a full-sibling to multiple Gr2 winner Deploy, with G1-placed Imperial Lass due to have her maiden foal by the same sire in October.

  

  Russian Revolution's half-sister is due to foal (pic: Steve Hart)

• Danzdanzdance Limbering Up For Livamol

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  Meanwhile, in further NZ news, NZ Racing Desk also reports that Gr1 placegetter Danzdanzdance is on track to peak for the Gr1 Livamol Classic at Hastings on October 6. Ruakaka training duo Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley have intimated that the 4YO will kick-off his prep on his home track in a fortnight, sayng, "The Livamol is the main aim for her and we're just bringing her up quietly for it." noted Gibbs. "Hopefully she'll get in it. She's 19th equal in order with our other horse, Hello It's Me." A leading 3YO of the past season where she placed in Gr2 Avondale Guineas and Gr1 NZ Derby, before a Sydney trip that resulted in a 5th in the Gr1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and 6th in the Gr1 ATC Oaks, Danzdanzdance appears to have strengthened and matured with a spell. Gibbs added, "She's grown up a lot through the trip." By Mastercraftsman from Danzero mare Night Danza, Danzdanzdance is from a top drawer sprinter / classic distance family that includes triple Gr1 winner Lucia Valentina.

• And Now For Something Completely Different

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  For all the convoluted algorithms that abound when it comes to breeding racehorses, it seems that the more things change the more they stay the same. Like a marathon race where the first few miles can often resemble Spain's Running of the Bulls, the early weeks of Sire Tables are invariably skewed by a paucity of results. That would explain why a myriad stallions could be leading the new season Broodmare Sires table in New Zealand. Except they aren't. Zabeel is. Again. So dominant is Cambridge Stud's deceased multiple champion sire via his daughters' annual contribution to New Zealand stakes earnings, that since the 2010-2011 season he has never finished below third place. Winning the title more often than not, his stats read: 3rd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 1st. And now, for the meantime at least, he is back to his old tricks again.

  

  Brilliant broodmare sire Zabeel with Sir Patrick Hogan

• Better Than Ready Relation On Debut Tomorrow

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  The 3rd race at Ipswich tomorrow will see the debut of well-bred 3YO Pirlo. Set to contest an 1100m Maiden, the son of Pierro and Sixth Chance will be ridden by Shannon Doyle from the stable of Matthew Dunn. Pirlo's dam is indeed a half-sister to multiple stakes-winning stallion Better Than Ready, who has again attracted a quality book of mares this season at Queensland's Lyndhurst Stud, and and whose first 2YOs will debut in the 2018-2019 racing season. Interestingly, Better Than Ready broke Northern Meteor's Randwick 1200m course record on a Sydney raid and Northern Meteor is the damsire of Pirlo. This is an outstanding family that also includes dual Gr3 winner Publishing, Listed winner and Gr2 runner-up Miss Mooney Mooney and, most recently, Gr2-winning sprinter Illustrious Lad. Pirlo has built steadily across 3 trials, the latest runner-up on July 27 at Benalla.

• Morphettville To Host Camel Racing

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  Odd-spot: Unless it’s (to paraphrase POTUS) fake news, adelaidenow.com.au reports that Morphettville Racecourse will host a half dozen camel races in December. The event will form part of the Thirsty Camel Cup Lawn Party which, explains marketing manager Luke Schapel, is part of a new strategy for the racecourse:  “While we race 58 days a year, there are just so many other opportunities,” he said. “What this will do is make people realise we’re not just about thoroughbreds. There’s quite a bit of camel racing in the Outback and we thought … let’s put on a bit of an exhibition so people can get to see how it all works here in the city.” Notoriously stubborn animals, the fleet-footed camels could head off in any direction. Tickets are available now.

• Friday Odd Spot: Ode To Seinfeld

  Friday, 17th August 2018
  Few Seinfeld aficionados will forget the dozen episodes featuring  erratic New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and his "calzones". Well, his equine namesake will make his debut in the opener at Geelong Synthetic today. By Sun Ruler (sire-son of Zabeel and Champion mare Sunline) from Danasinga mare The Pearl Singa, Steinbrenner has been prepared for his first day at the races by Ellerton/Zahra. Intriguingly, another big name Seinfeld character also appears in the ownership - infamous "importer - exporter" Art Vandelay has a syndicate interest.