Daily News | 25th June 2018

• Ellicazoom Breaks All Time WA Auction Record

  Monday, 25th June 2018
  Stakes winning mare Ellicazoom will have another racing campaign after she set an all time state auction record when selling for $420,000 at yesterday's Magic Millions Perth Winter Sale at Belmont. Leading New South Wales based operation Kitchwin Hills was the successful buyer of the mare who was offered by Mogumber Park on behalf of connections. "She's a quality mare," said Kitchwin Hills' Mick Malone. "We are really happy to get her. She will be put into work on the eastern seaboard for maybe one preparation depending on how she goes." Malone added: "Ultimately we bought her as a broodmare but we will try and give her a campaign before heading to stud." Ellicazoom is from the Group 1 winning sprinter Ellicorsam and she is a stakes winner and Group 2 runner-up in both Perth and Melbourne. Across the day at Belmont, the Winter Yearling, Thoroughbred and Racehorse Sales grossed over $1.34 million. The top seller among the racehorses was the Peters Investments offering Heart Starter who sold for $55,000 to Gangemi Racing. The top selling yearling earlier in the day was the Snippetson half brother to Like a Butterfly who was knocked down to Damien Wyer Racing and Bloodstock for $30,000. The day was historic in another sense with it being the last to be held by Magic Millions at Belmont Park. "There's been a lot of history here at Belmont but we are looking to the future with our new purpose built complex in the Swan Valley now in development," Magic Millions WA Manager David Houston said.

  

  Ellicazoom (image: Magic Millions)

• Prompt Response Wins Gr1 Tattersall's Tiara

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	4. Prompt Response (3) News J: B Shinn T: G Waterhouse & A Bott W: 57 kgs S: Beneteau D: Prompt
  	1.3L	6. Shillelagh (7) News J: M J Walker T: C J Waller W: 57 kgs S: Savabeel D: Trocair
  	1.4L	5. Super Cash (13) News J: Jamie Kah T: Andrew Noblet W: 57 kgs S: Written Tycoon D: Super Bucks
  	1.5L	10. Savanna Amour (1) News J: B Melham T: Chris Meagher W: 57 kgs S: Love Conquers All D: Savanna La Mar

  At Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, Arrowfield Stud's deceased Gr1-placed stallion Beneteau (Redoute's Choice-Slice Of Paradise, by Encosta de Lago) celebrated an elite races success when 4YO Australian-bred mare Prompt Response (Beneteau-Prompt, by Exceed and Excel) sent her value soaring when breaking through at the highest level in the $500,000 weight-for-age Gr1 Tattersall's Tiara (1350m) for fillies & mares, defeating Shillelagh & Super Cash. Prompt Response, who is a full sister to Gr3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Prompt Return, improved her record to 6 wins (including the Gr2 Emancipation Stakes, Gr2 Breeders Classic, Gr2 Dane Ripper Stakes & Listed Twilight Glow Stakes) and 11 placings (including the Gr1 Queen Of the Turf Stakes, Gr1 Tatts Tiara, Gr3 Dark Jewel Classic, Gr3 Hawkesbury Guineas, Gr3 VRC Emirates Airline Plate & Gr3 ATC Percy Sykes Stakes) from 27 starts for $1,481,350 in earnings. Co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are now hopeful of attracting some interest from slot owners for the $13 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on 13 October. "She's found it difficult until now to get a Group 1 but she's been most consistent right throughout her career and from her first start as a two-year-old," said Bott. "She's been in top class races and she's in career best form now." Bott added: "We had the confidence a Group 1 win would come one day and trained a bit differently she could be a real speed mare for us, so we want to give serious consideration about keeping The Everest open for her."

• First Sires Uploaded To New 2018 Platform

  Monday, 25th June 2018
  The first batch of stallions for the new, improved 2018 Sires platform are now up, with additional entries to be uploaded over the coming weeks. Enhanced by a more traditional flat layout, Sires 2018 is a precursor to a significantly more integrated Daily News information industry facility, with first iterations due out on 1 August. Aside from an editorial overview, stallion image and embedded video (where available), key stallion components of 2018 Sires include:
  • Catalogue-style race record
  • Tabulated pedigree
  • Leading progeny overview
  • Latest runner acceptances
  • Chronological Daily News items (sire highlighted in yellow for context)
  • Detailed recent progeny placings in date order
  • Live-linked social media for facebook, twitter, instagram & youtube

  Click on the image below to access the initial 2018 Sire uploads, some of which will also feature in next month's dedicated Freshman Sires platform. For information on how to have a stallion included in 2018 call Christian Whitehead on 0413 112 020.

  

• Nature Strip Blooms on Return

  Monday, 25th June 2018
  Boom sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi-Strikeline, by Desert Sun) showed that the hype surrounding him is justified when he resumed with an explosive win in the Great Ocean Road Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday. Having his first start for Darren Weir after being transferred from the stable of John Sadler, Nature Strip looked a top-liner in the making when scorching to a 4.5 length win in a near-track record time of 1:02:26 with a final 600m in 32.58 seconds. "It looked like he was playing with them and enjoying it so that's a really good sign," Weir told racing.com. "I just wanted to see him do it because there's such a hype on him. Jarrod [stable foreman Jarrod McLean] who I regard as a great mate said 'He's a machine'." Weir added: "He works with all my good horses and he [Jarrod] knows them and he said 'Well, this one's a beauty'." Nature Strip will make his next appearance in the final of the Creswick Series at Flemington in two weeks.

  

• Entries Open for Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale

  Monday, 25th June 2018
  Entries are now open for the 2018 edition of Australia's most popular breeze up style auction, the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale. To be held at the Gold Coast on October 9 & 10 after four breeze up sessions at three venues, the sale will attract a first class domestic and international buying bench looking for their next racetrack star. Last year's sale was a great success with 33 lots selling for $100,000 or more with buyers returning to the auction where the graduates record real success. In 2017 the sale boasted an outstanding depth to the buying bench with $6.1 million of stock sold to Asia including $2.8 million to Hong Kong. The domestic market spent a tick under $4 million. With an average price around $60,000 and a median price climbing 23%, last year's auction was well received by buyers around Australia and across the globe. Graduates over the past five years include 641 winners, among them an impressive 42 individual black type performers. Click here to nominate online for the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale. Entries close on July 27.

  Important Dates

  • Thursday 13 September - Breeze Ups at Warwick Farm, NSW
  • Friday 14 September - Breeze Ups at Seymour, VIC
  • Monday 17 September - Breeze Ups at Gold Coast Turf Club, QLD
  • Thursday 20 September - Breeze Up Footage Available for Online Viewing
  • Monday 8 October - Breeze Ups at Gold Coast Turf Club, QLD
  • Tuesday 9 October - Day 1 of the Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale
  • Wednesday 10 October - Day 2 of the Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale

• Bombora Downs Excited About Season of Firsts

  Monday, 25th June 2018
  Bombora Downs has had a few firsts since last season, including the arrival of the first foals of Gr2 winner and Gr1 Caulfield Cup runner-up Dandino. The son of Dansili's progeny are correct, strong looking foals who have inherited their father's striking good looks and great attitude. Former Champion New Zealand 2YO Warhorse also saw the first of his yearlings offered for sale, with a top price of $97,500, another at $75,000 and the list goes on. Warhorse will have a few headed to the Ready to Run sales, so confidence is high that they will be early 2YO runners. Jungle Ruler also sired his first winner and Lago Delight keeps producing good, honest winners nearly every week. Bombora Downs is also excited about its new stallion recruit, De Gaulle. By world-class sire Exceed And Excel from the dual Group 1 winning mare Response (Charge Forward), the beautifully bred De Gaulle is a half-brother to this year's brilliant Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab. It's easy to see why the team at Bombora Downs are looking forward to the future. Bombora Downs' full roster for 2018 is:
  • Warhorse - $7,700
  • De Gaulle - $5,500
  • Dandino - $5,500
  • Jungle Ruler - $2,750
  • Lago Delight - $2,750

• Divine Unicorn Wins Gr3 Tattersall's Cup

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	8. Divine Unicorn (2) News J: J Byrne T: M J Dunn W: 54 kgs S: Lope De Vega D: Inchberry
  	1.3L	2. Tradesman (3) News J: B Shinn T: D K Weir W: 59 kgs S: Trade Fair D: Virelay
  	2.6L	3. Jumbo Prince (7) News J: Jamie Kah T: M G Nolan W: 56.5 kgs S: Outback Prince D: Maggie Jain
  	2.7L	7. My Diamantine (6) News J: L V Cassidy T: B J Smith W: 54 kgs S: Eighth Wonder D: Sahrhy's Jewel

  At Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, French 2000 Guineas & French Derby-winning shuttler Lope De Vega (Shamardal-Lady Vettori, by Vettori) added a Group race success when 4YO UK-bred gelding Divine Unicorn (Lope De Vega-Inchberry, by Barathea) indicated a bright future awaits when finishing strongly along the rails to win the $200,000 Gr3 Tattersall's Cup (2200m) for 3YO+, defeating favourite Tradesman & Jumbo Prince. Divine Unicorn, who was originally purchased at the 2015 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale with the intention of racing in Hong Kong, improved his record to 4 wins and 3 placings (including the Listed Wayne Wilson Plate) from 8 starts for $214,965 ion earnings. "He's taken some quantum leaps this preparation," trainer Matt Dunn told Sky Racing. "He showed today that he is a stayer with a massive future ahead of him." Dunn added: "I'm not sure where we will end up with this horse but he could end up anywhere. We might give him a little break now and come back in the spring."

• Spright Wins Gr3 WJ Healy Stakes

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	5. Spright (6) News J: M Cahill T: G L Frazer W: 55 kgs S: Hinchinbrook D: Dashoff
  	0.3L	9. Tumbler (3) News J: Jamie Kah T: B J Lockwood W: 54 kgs S: Time Thief D: Brookton Flash
  	0.7L	10. Havasay (12) News J: M Mc Gillivray T: L F Birchley W: 54 kgs S: Rothesay D: Showhama
  	1.4L	14. Sony Legend (1) News J: L V Cassidy T: B J Smith W: 54 kgs S: Hard Spun D: Lasers

  At Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, Yarraman Park's Gr3-winning & 4-time Gr1-placed stallion Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock-Snippets' Lass, by Snippets) added a Group race success when 4YO Australian-bred mare Spright (Hinchinbrook-Dashoff, by Dash for Cash) stormed home from the rear of the field to register a narrow but decisive win in the $175,000 Gr3 WJ Healy Stakes (1200m) for 3YO+, defeating Tumbler & Havasay. Spright improved her record to 5 wins (including the Gr3 Star Kingdom Stakes, Gr3 VRC Crown Resorts Plate & Listed Brian Crowley Stakes) and 6 placings (including the Gr2 ATC Light Fingers Stakes, Gr3 ATC Percy Sykes Stakes & Listed ATC Lonhro Plate) from 21 starts for $637,925 in earnings. Spright, who hails from the same female family as Gr1 Doomben 10,000 winner Ideal Planet, Gr1 Queensland Derby winner Our Planet, and stakes winning sprinter Kaepernick, was a $100,000 purchase at the 2015 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Grange Thoroughbreds.

• Grande Rosso Wins Listed GH Mumm

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	3. Grande Rosso (4) News J: K Mc Evoy T: P & P Snowden W: 57.5 kgs S: Written Tycoon D: Jestemma
  	1.3L	7. Noire (9) News J: B Avdulla T: C J Waller W: 54 kgs S: Foxwedge D: Valadon
  	1.5L	1. Hopfgarten (7) News J: Jake Bayliss T: R L Heathcote W: 59.5 kgs S: Mossman D: Black Tourmaline
  	1.6L	5. Cantbuybetter (5) News J: B El-Issa T: Ben Currie W: 55 kgs S: Casino Prince D: Lingerie Girl

  At Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, Woodside Park's Gr2-winning Champion Victorian Sire Written Tycoon (Iglesias-Party Miss, by Kenmare) added a black-type success when 6YO Australian-bred gelding Grande Rosso (Written Tycoon-Jestemma, by Rory's Jester) posted his first win in more than nine months when scoring a comfortable 1.25 length win in the $100,000 Listed GH Mumm (1615m) for 3YO+, defeating favourite Noire & Hopfgarten. Grande Rosso, who was purchased for $220,000 at the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, advanced his record to 9 wins (including the Listed John Dillon Stakes & Listed Chester Manifold Stakes) and 7 placings (including the Gr3 Aurie's Star Handicap) from 36 starts for $555,860 in earnings. Co-trainer Peter Snowden said Grande Rosso might head to next month's Grafton carnival as long as he gets conditions to suit. "It won't be hard to find a suitable race for him now and there's some nice races coming up including Grafton," Snowden told Racing Queensland. "But I want to dodge any wet tracks."

• Granny Red Shoes Wins Listed Winning Edge Presentations Stakes

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	4. Granny Red Shoes (8) News J: B Shinn T: A J Edmonds W: 55 kgs S: Not A Single Doubt D: Shoboard
  	4.3L	1. Soaring Heart (3) News J: J Lloyd T: P Duff W: 57 kgs S: Show A Heart D: McFly
  	4.4L	6. Light Up The Room (5) News J: J Byrne T: T J Gollan W: 55 kgs S: So You Think D: Aliberani
  	6.6L	2. Spending My Time (2) News J: M Mc Gillivray T: P A Nolan Jnr W: 57 kgs S: Jet Spur D: Kiss And Covert

  At Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, Arrowfield Stud's multiple stakes-winning stallion Not A Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice-Single's Bar, by Rory's Jester) added a black-type success when peculiarly named 2YO Australian-bred filly Granny Red Shoes (Not A Single Doubt-Shoboard, by Show A Heart) treated her rivals with utter contempt when unleashing a powerful sprint from last on the turn to score a brilliant 4.25 length win in the $100,000 Listed Winning Edge Presentations Stakes (1350m) for 2YOs, defeating Soaring Heart & Light Up The Room. Purchased by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds for $280,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Cressfield, Granny Red Shoes improved her record to 3 wins (including the Listed Oxlade Stakes) and 3 placings (including the Listed Caraway Gal Stakes & Listed Bill Carter Stakes) from 8 starts for $184,515 in earnings. Granny Red Shoes comes from a strong family that includes Champion NZ Sprinting Filly Star Satire and her equally precocious Gr2-winning daughter Satin Shoes.

• State Prosecutor Wins Listed Belmont Guineas

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	3. State Prosecutor (10) News J: W Pike T: G & A Williams W: 56.5 kgs S: More Than Ready D: Significant
  	0.2L	2. Roganella (1) News J: P Harvey T: D L Morton W: 56.5 kgs S: Rogano D: Zanella
  	0.7L	9. Necklet (6) News J: P Carbery T: F R Kersley W: 54.5 kgs S: Snitzel D: Visited
  	2.3L	1. Debellatio (2) News J: S Parnham T: F R Kersley W: 56.5 kgs S: Smart Missile D: Velasco

  At Belmont racecourse in Perth, WA, Vinery Stud's champion shuttler More Than Ready (Southern Halo-Woodman's Girl, by Woodman) added a black-type success when 3YO Australian-bred gelding State Prosecutor (More Than Ready-Significant, by Flying Spur) opened his stakes account with a slashing last-to-first win in the $100,000 Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) for 3YOs, defeating Roganella & Necklet. A homebred for prominent WA owner and breeder Bob Peters, State Prosecutor improved his record to 3 wins and 5 placings from 14 starts for $121,810 in earnings. Peters said State Prosecutor would now head to the Aquanita Stakes (2000m) on 7 July and the Belmont Classic (2200m) two weeks later. "William decided to drop him back when he drew the outside barrier today. It turned out that we could have found the key to this horse," Peters told the West Australian. "He was throwing his head up and not settling when racing between rivals. Back by himself today, he showed a free-flowing action and finished much better than previously. He's big and strong, and could develop into a good stayer."

• War God Wins Listed HG Bolton Sprint

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	10. War God (3) News J: P Carbery T: N D Parnham W: 54 kgs S: War Chant D: Hallelujah
  	0.2L	1. Durendal (1) News J: S Mc Gruddy T: Chris Gangemi W: 59.5 kgs S: Medaglia D'Oro D: Razor Blade
  	0.5L	4. Rebel King (5) News J: Mitchell Pateman T: D T McAuliffe W: 56 kgs S: Universal Ruler D: Rebel Sister
  	1.5L	7. Flying Time (8) News J: Tayla Stone T: L Smith W: 54 kgs S: Heritage D: Belgrave Square

  At Belmont racecourse in Perth, WA, Yarradale Stud shuttler War Chant (War Chant (Danzig-Hollywood Wildcat, by Kris S) added a black-type success when 5YO Australian-bred gelding War God (War Chant-Hallelujah, by Twig Moss) opened his stakes account when scoring an upset win at odds of 17-1 in the $100,000 Listed HG Bolton Sprint (1200m) for 3YO+, defeating Durendal & Rebel King. Purchased by his trainer Neville Parnham for $35,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale from the draft of Geisel Park Stud, War God improved his record to 8 wins and 9 placings from 42 starts for $328,650 in earnings.

• New York Minute Wins Listed Tauranga Classic

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	3. New York Minute (2) News J: L J Allpress T: M Baker & A Forsman W: 57 kgs S: Iffraaj D: Zenno Queen
  	0.8L	4. Deals In Heels (7) News J: M Cameron T: M Baker & A Forsman W: 57 kgs S: Iffraaj D: Fascinator
  	1.6L	2. Tomelilla (1) News J: T N Harris T: M Baker & A Forsman W: 57 kgs S: Tavistock D: Purnima
  	1.7L	5. Art Deco (6) News J: J Parkes T: S A Sharrock W: 57 kgs S: Road To Rock D: Something Special

  At Tauranga in New Zealand, Haunui Farm shuttler Iffraaj (Zafonic-Pastorale, by Nureyev) added a black-type success when 5YO New Zealand-bred mare New York Minute (Iffraaj-Zenno Queen, by Zenno Rob Roy) broke through for an overdue maiden stakes victory in the $50,000 Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) for fillies & mares, defeating Deals In Heels & Tomelilla. New York Minute, a $15,000 purchase at the 2013 NZ Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Sale, improved her record to 7 wins and 6 placings (including the Gr3 CJC Winter Cup) from 23 starts for NZ$170,910 in earnings. Trainers Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman said they will set New York Minute for the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on 1 September. "Murray and I have spoken about that, we might just keep her fresh and maybe run her in the Foxbridge Plate before that," Forsman told NZ Racing Desk.

• Exultant Wins Gr3 Premier Plate

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	1. Exultant (5) News J: Z Purton T: A S Cruz W: 60.5 kgs S: Teofilo D: Contrary
  	1.3L	2. Gold Mount (7) News J: A Sanna T: A S Cruz W: 60.5 kgs S: Excellent Art D: Dolcetto
  	4.3L	3. Dinozzo (6) News J: S Clipperton T: J J Size W: 56.5 kgs S: Lilbourne Lad D: Nisriyna
  	5.5L	5. Romantic Touch (4) News J: J Moreira T: A S Cruz W: 54.5 kgs S: Northern Meteor D: Dearness

  At Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong, Darley's unbeaten European Champion juvenile & dual Gr1-winning shuttler Teofilo (Galileo-Speirbhean, by Danehill) added a Group race success when 4YO Irish-bred gelding Exultant (Teofilo-Contrary, by Mark Of Esteem) overcame a wide run to sprint clear in the straight and score a comfortable 1.25 length win in the HK$3 million Gr3 Premier Plate (1800m), defeating Gold Mount & Dinozzo. Exultant improved his record to 5 wins (including the Gr3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup) and 6 placings (including the Gr1 Hong Kong Derby & Gr1 Champions & Chater Cup) from 14 starts for £1,298,260 in earnings.

• California Whip Wins Gr3 Premier Cup

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	7. California Whip (6) News J: K Teetan T: A S Cruz W: 51.5 kgs S: Giant's Causeway D: Canterbury Lace
  	0.3L	4. Born In China (5) News J: D Whyte T: K W Lui W: 55 kgs S: Shamardal D: Pearl Dance
  	0.6L	2. Lucky Bubbles (8) News J: B Prebble T: K W Lui W: 59 kgs S: Sebring D: Bubble Below
  	0.7L	1. Thewizardofoz (3) News J: J Moreira T: J J Size W: 60.5 kgs S: Redoute's Choice D: Princess Coup

  At Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong, Coolmore's deceased 7-time Group 1 winner and champion sire Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat-Mariah's Storm, by Rahy) added a Group race success when 5YO US-bred gelding California Whip (Giant's Causeway-Canterbury Lace, by Danehill) was able to hold off a number of late challengers to score a narrow win in the HK$3 million Gr3 Premier Cup (1400m), defeating Born In China & Lucky Bubbles. A $250,000 purchase at the 2013 Keeneland November Breeding Sale, California Whip improved his record to 5 wins and 13 placings from 28 starts for £870,401 in earnings.

• Elite Invincible Wins Gr1 Charity Bowl

  Monday, 25th June 2018

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	3. Elite Invincible (2) News J: V Duric T: M W Walker W: 57 kgs S: Archarcharch D: Dough On The Go
  	0.1L	4. Kingsman (8) News J: C J Grylls T: M W Walker W: 57 kgs S: Darci Brahma D: Society Lady
  	0.9L	2. Jupiter Gold (5) News J: O Placais T: H Takaoka W: 57 kgs S: Congrats D: Contented
  	1.9L	6. Only Win (3) News J: Alan Munro T: M Clements W: 57 kgs S: Tribal Rule D: Stacie's Smile

  At Kranji racecourse in Singapore, 4YO Irish-bred gelding Elite Invincible (Archarcharch-Dough On The Go, by Bernardini) confirmed his status as one of the rising stars of Singapore racing when claiming his maiden top-flight success in the second Leg of the Singapore 4YO Challenge - the S$1 million Gr1 Charity Bowl (1600m), defeating Kingsman & Jupiter Gold. Elite Invincible improved his record to 6 wins (including the Gr2 Stewards' Cup) and 5 placings from 14 starts.

• Merchant Navy Wins Gr1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes

  Monday, 25th June 2018
  On the fifth and final day of the Royal Ascot carnival in England, Coolmore's former Gr1-winning Champion Australian Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) celebrated an elite race success when top-class 3YO Australian-bred colt Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock-Legally Bay, by Snippets) surged home under Ryan Moore to score a narrow short head victory in an action-packed renewal of the Gr1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) for 3YO+, defeating City Light & Bound For Nowhere. Purchased for $350,000 by Ciaron Maher Racing at the 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, Merchant Navy improved his record to 7 wins (including the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, Gr2 Greenlands Stakes, Gr3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes & Listed Anzac Day Stakes) and 2 placings (including the Gr1 Newmarket Handicap) from 10 starts for $1,658,291 in earnings. A winner of last year's stallion-making Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington, Merchant Navy was transferred to the famous Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O'Brien earlier this year to be prepared for the Diamond Jubilee. He is scheduled to return to Australia next month to stand his first season at Coolmore in the NSW Hunter Valley, but O'Brien said he is keen to delay his flight so he can bid for the big sprint double in the July Stakes at Newmarket in three weeks time. "We thought it was an impossible task for Merchant Navy as he was meeting the other horse from Australia [Redkirk Warrior] 12lb wrong compared to when they met there," O'Brien told Racing Post. "He's only a three-year-old [bred to southern hemisphere time] but being treated like a four-year-old. He's a lovely big horse. He's relaxed and genuine and has a good mind. He's no problem in any way. He's a joy to have anything to do with." O'Brien added: "He improved a lot from the Curragh to here, and we thought there was plenty more to come, but he's booked to go back to Australia after this so I don't know what's going to happen. Wouldn't it be great to have him for the July Cup too."