NEWS UPDATES AJC Prizemoney Slashed 1: Gr1 Races Bare The Brunt AJC Prizemoney Slashed 2: Corporates Refute "Leakage" Allegation Victorian Breeders Introduce Leasing Scheme Nominations For Inglis $100K Bonus Close On Monday Eagle Park Stud Appoints Marketing Manager Encosta Leads Redoute's & Scenic On Aust Sires Table Volksraad Leads Pentire & Pins On NZ Sires Table Aust-Bred More Than Ready Daughter Wins In New Zealand Little Avondale Stud Stallion Parade On July 12 HKJC Chief Appeals For Government Flexibility (more>>) Take a minute to visit our new Luxury Leisure & Lifestyle portal, the complete guide to all things luxury. INDUSTRY NEWS — FEBRUARY 2003 Viking Ruler Retires to Stud Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners announced his stallion Viking Ruler will not be racing this Saturday, but will instead retire to stud. "His leg has started to come up a little,” Conners told racenet.com.au. "It's not too bad, but we have decided not to take any risks with him. He'll now go off to Cambridge Stud in New Zealand for Sir Patrick Hogan." Viking Ruler (Danehill-Tristalove) won the AJC Spring Champion Stakes (1800m) in 2001. But the 4YO was off the scene for 12 months last year, after damaging a tendon & the same leg has caused his premature retirement. Hogan, who inspected the colt at the stables prior to his resumption, said: “You would travel many miles to see such a horse. He is such a magnificent individual that he makes you hold your breath." Viking Ruler has a blue-blood pedigree: he is out of the mulitple Gr1 winning mare Tristalove (ex Diamond Lover, by Sticks and Stones), who is a half-sister to Gr1 AJC Derby winner Don Eduardo (by Zabeel), Gr2 winner Peruzzi & Listed winner Antwerp (dam of the young sires Dangerous, by Danehill, & Viscount by Quest For Fame). (Feb 28) Sydney Super-Club: Proposal Gathers Momentum The AJC-STC amalgamation debate has expanded to consider addition of Sydney’s 5 provincial clubs. “A super race-club may span the entire Sydney basin with provincial organisations highly interested in the proposal,” reported The Daily Telegraph. “The 5 provincial clubs (Gosford, Hawkesbury, Wyong, Illawarra & Newcastle) all expressed interest in the proposal which could see amalgamation of the Australian Jockey Cub, Sydney Turf Club & other clubs. The move would save administration costs, releasing funds that could double weekend prize-money figures to $100,000 a race.” AJC chief executive Tony King said he was “open-minded” about the super-club proposal involving more clubs than just the AJC & STC: “If you accept the idea – & all the people involved do – you would think it would be a logical plan to go down.” Racing NSW chief executive Merv Hill added: “From our point of view, there are some synergies with the AJC & STC & some savings & it could go even further. The issue of race programming, & individual issues such as attracting local sponsorships, would remain with the clubs. But if there was one very strong race-club looking after a larger area, rather than several with vested intetests, that would help racing in this state.” (Feb 28) Sydney Super-Club: 5 Provincials Also Considered Last year the STC approached the 5 provincial clubs to open discussions over possible mergers. The Daily Telegraph sought their comments on the latest ‘AJC-STC-Provincials Super-Club’ proposal. Gosford secretary Michael Beattie said: “It is on the record that we have had talks with the STC & I couldn’t see any reason why we wouldn’t talk to them again about this. We would be happy to be involved in any talks that would benefit the industry.” Wyong secretary Tony Drew said: “We haven’t had a Board meeting about it – that’s a few weeks away – but it could be quite exciting; $800,000 in prize-money every weekend is enormous & it would bring people back to racing.” Illawarra secretary Michael Craig said his organisation would be interested but “would just see how the idea develops at this stage.” Newcastle secrertary John Curtis said his club had not been interested in the STC’s previous approach “but any club would be silly not to look at something where money can be saved.” Hawkesbury “indicated its likelihood to remain independent in the long-term”. (Feb 28) Queensland Strike 1: Trainers Split On Racing Boycott What a shemozzle! Queensland trainers “seem to be split down the middle in relation to the proposed boycott of race meetings at Doomben, Gold Coast & Toowoomba” reported racenet.com.au. In a day high of drama, Radio TAB’s Stephen Hewlett yesterday went to Eagle Farm track-work & found “most trainers were not going to nominate horses” for the meetings. However later on air he telephoned 10 trainers & obtained mixed responses: Rob Heathcote: “No. It has got to the stage that the Government has to be made to take notice of how tough we are doing it.” Barry Miller: “No. I was going to have Forest Jim resuming on that day, but he will have to wait for another day.” Dan Bougoure: “No. The situation is just getting worse & worse, so we have to stand up & be counted.” Ron Maund (President of Australian Trainers Association, Queensland Branch): “Yes. The last thing we should be doing is striking, not the first thing.” Alan Bailey:” Yes.” Rex Lipp: “Yes.” Gerald Ryan: “Yes. I will nominate & then discuss the situation with the individual owners.” John Hawkes: “Undecided. I will wait until Monday to see how it is shaping-up.” Lawrie Mayfield-Smith: “No.” Bevan Laming: “No. I don’t think I will have any runners, but feel that I should support the trainers. The problem is that we have both the Australian Trainers Association & the Queensland Trainers Association & they can’t seem to agree on things.” (Feb 28) Queensland Strike 2: McLachlan Blasts Fellow Trainers Meanwhile prominent Brisbane trainer Bruce McLachlan has written to Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, Racing Minister Merri Rose & Queensland Racing Board chairman Bob Bentley slamming fellow trainers advocating strike action. His letter declares: "In my 35 years as a trainer in Queensland I have never felt more contempt or dismay for some of my colleagues than I do right now. I can no longer sit back & watch the damage they are doing. I am angered & disappointed by the militant approach being adopted by a lobby group that is certainly not representative of the industry in this State, nor does it have the best interests of racing at heart. It is my opinion, & that of many other trainers & owners, that the new Board of Queensland Racing, under the leadership of Mr Bob Bentley, is heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, there are individuals & groups within racing that only want to derail the process. They are the ones who are loading the bullets for this poor, misguided group, to fire. If we don’t rationalise the number of race clubs & race meetings in Queensland the industry will struggle to survive. We need financial assistance to boost prize-money, but have to go about it the right way. I am totally opposed to the industrial action being planned for Doomben, Gold Coast & Toowoomba on Saturday week. It is a hasty, stupid decision. Horses from my stable will certainly be starting & my stable jockey Brad Stewart will be riding. I have to consider what is in the best interests of the 40 owners connected with my stable & the 50 horses that I currently have in work. I cannot see where a strike will achieve anything. This group has rushed in & after one meeting about country racing they want to take the industry over & have a strike. I wonder who is paying the feed bills while the trainers decide not to nominate? Are they going to train the horses for nothing because it was their decision to go out on strike? I would suggest that few have even bothered to consult the majority of owners. As my training colleague Pat Duff said, some of the instigators of this industrial action should take a cold shower. What makes matters worse is that the Queensland Trainers’ Association & the Queensland Racehorse Owners’ Association are certainly NOT representative of the industry in general. Yet they are the ones making decisions to strike & bring the industry to its knees. I make this plea to the Government, the Premier, the Racing Minister, the Board of Queensland & all those who follow this great sport of ours: don’t be misguided by the ranting & raving of a few, many of whom have jumped at the chance to push political agendas." (Feb 28) Queensland Strike 3: Retaliatory Legal Action Threatened By Raceclubs And the proposed boycott took a further twist when both the Gold Coast Turf Club & Toowoomba Turf Club confirmed they “may take legal action for loss of revenue if the meetings do not go ahead,” reported racenet.com.au. Gold Coast chairman Bill Millican (himself a barrister) & Toowoomba chairman Neville Stewart confirmed they “have sought advice & may take action against any parties that cause the clubs to suffer a loss of revenue.” Brisbane Turf Club chairman Ian Baxter also confirmed that his club “is considering legal action as well, if the Doomben meeting does not go ahead.” (Feb 28) HK Stewards Deny ‘Bias Against European Jockeys’ In an equally dramatic brouhaha in south-east Asian racing circles, Hong Kong Jockey Club new chief steward Jamie Stier “has denied charges of his panel showing bias against European jockeys,” reported The South China Morning Post. “Stier was put into an uncomfortable & unnecessary situation this week when forced to defend the integrity of his panel. The Australian, who chairs a panel that comprises other experienced Australian stewards Kim Kelly & Martin Knibbs, was accused of ‘double standards’ & of ‘showing favouritism’ to jockeys' premiership contender Shane Dye by a Hong Kong Chinese-language newspaper.“ The allegations in the Apple Daily newspaper were “met with a firm but emotionally controlled rebuttal” from Stier, who has only been in charge for 2 months since the retirement of internationally-renowned former AJC chief steward John ‘The Sheriff’ Schreck. Stier retorted: “Obviously I completely reject any suggestion of bias or favouritism & I am very happy to explain any of our decisions. But I don't have to justify them to anyone but my employer (the HKJC).” The offending story referred to the "majority Australian stewards' panel" demonstrating bias against jockeys of European heritage after Austrian-born German star Andreas Suborics was suspended for 4 meetings for careless riding last Sunday at Sha Tin; Dye had been one of the central players in an interference incident in the same event & emerged from a subsequent inquiry with his riding licence intact. Stier said he had not been asked for an explanation of the decision, but noted negative publicity went "with the territory" for a chief steward, whose “key roles are to oversee the safety of all jockeys & the general integrity of the industry. We don't want to be dragged into a public debate on an issue like this, but clearly we absolutely deny any suggestion of bias or favouritism." But Stier emphasised: "They were 2 entirely different sets of circumstances." Irish rider Jamie Spencer & Australian Dwayne Dunn were also suspended by Stier's panel on Sunday for careless riding offences. (Feb 28) Dye Takes Lead in HK Jockey Title Race Meanwhile Shane Dye rode a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening to move ahead of arch-rival South African Douglas Whyte at the top of the HK jockeys’ premiership. Dye now has 50 wins to Whyte’s 48. Former South Australian jockey Dwayne Dunn is on 20. (Expatriate trainer John Size continues to lead the trainers’ title with a 14-win lead over his nearest rival.) (Feb 28) Dittman Lands First Winner In Macau And on Tuesday evening in Macau, former Australian champ Mick Dittman rode his first winner during his current 3-month riding stint. (Feb 28) Beasley & Robinson Return To The Track On the local front, Len Beasley returns to race riding with 3 mounts at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow, after 4 months away from the track with a broken leg suffered in a race-fall last year . And Alan Robinson returns from a 1-month suspension to ride at Newcastle. (Feb 28) American Gr1 Riviera To Fairdale Stud Riviera (Kris-Manureva, by Nureyev), a millionaire Gr1 winning sprinter-miler in North America, has been purchased by New Zealand’s Fairdale Stud at Longburn near Palmerston North. Riviera will stand alongside Rex & Gerald Fell’s exciting young sire Howbadouwantit. Gerald Fell, who flew to the US last month to complete the purchase, told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “There was strong interest in Riviera from Canada, Ireland & Australia when he became available for stud duties, but we acted quickly to secure him for NZ.” Fell noted Riviera “has all the right credentials to be a successful stallion in NZ. The whole world wants Gr1 winning sprinter-miler stallions. Riviera is importantly a turf performer with a very fashionable pedigree. He has bloodlines & race form that have proven a successful formula in southern hemisphere racing conditions. He possessed a wonderful turn of foot to win at distances ranging from 6.5 furlongs to one mile & his ability to win races across 5 seasons demonstrated his ability to train on & his soundness.” Riviera won the $US1 million Gr1 Atto Mile Stakes at Woodbine as a 6YO in 2000 (an event regarded as one of the major lead-up races to the Breeders’ Cup Mile). “He beat home 4 Gr1 winners in what was considered a very strong field & ran an incredibly smart time (1min 33.18secs, just 0.2secs outside the course record),” Fell said. Top US trainer Bobby Frankel commented: “Riviera was one of the most genuine racehorses I have ever trained. He never knew when he was beaten, as he ran his heart out every time he started.” Riviera also won the Gr2 Firecracker Breeders’ Cup Handicap & Gr3 Morvich Handicap. Overall he won 10 races and more than $US1 million in prize-money during his 21-start career. His sire Kris: was champion UK sire of 1985; sired 5 champions in Europe during his career at stud in England; has sired 38 group or graded stakes winners & 76 stakes winners from 18 racing crops; & is the sire of more than 400 individual winners from around 580 starters & has life-time progeny earnings of about $25 million. Riviera will stand at a fee of NZ$5,000. (Feb 28) NSW TAB’s Major On-Line Betting Revamp The NSW TAB “has stepped up development of its new $8 million on-line betting site & is expected to sign contracts for the construction of the portal in the next 3 weeks,” reported The Australian Financial Review newspaper. The TABnet project was put to tender late last year “following an exhaustive bench-marking process & the company is now in contract negotiations,” TAB wagering chief executive Peter Kadar confirmed. He added the new website was “expected to be up-&-running late this year or early next year” & noted that, with 5% of TAB’s racing turn-over & 20% of sport turn-over (the company’s highest growth business) generated on-line “the enormous growth rate in sports & racing are pretty good reasons to do it now.” In the 2002 financial year, on-line racing wagering grew 54% & on-line sports betting surged 130%. The newspaper commented: “In a testament to the internet boom the company is enjoying, TAB expects $270 million to go through its RaceTAB & SportsTAB sites this financial year.” Among the key functions of the new site will be 24-hour-a-day & 7-days-a-week account access for on-line punters, multi-lingual functionality & multi-currency facilities. TAB’s existing site (launched in 1996) can take on-line bets only in normal business hours (when its betting sytems are open). TAB is licensed to offer wagering on 23 sports on-line. (Feb 28) Handicapper Reveals Doncaster & Sydney Cup Thinking Racing NSW handicapper Mark Webbey releases weights on Monday for Sydney’s Randwick autumn feature double Doncaster Handicap & Sydney Cup. Webbey confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that Defier & Lonhro would receive “within the vicinity” of 58kgs weight-for-age &, when asked if either would be top-weight, replied: “Yes. These 2 horses are the best-performed within the nomination.” Pressed whether he felt “under any pressure to give Defier & Lonhro handicaps that will entice connections to target the Doncaster”, Webbey replied: “No. When allocating weights for the Doncaster I am mindful of numerous factors & consistency within the ratings for each edition is paramount. I am also mindful of historical factors, such as weights carried. However, in my opinion, the Doncaster is the premium event in NSW & arguably the best in the nation, & as such should attract the best possible field.” For the Sydney Cup Webbey revealed that “the 2 top-rated horses nationally within the nomination are last season’s leading 3YOs Carnegie Express & Don Eduardo.” (Feb 28) Sydney Hen Party At Rosehill Silver Slipper Day Tomorrow’s Silver Slipper meeting at Rosehill Gardens will be accompanied by "Sydney's Biggest Hens’ Party". Among the novel entertainment planned by the Sydney Turf Club are: a Hens’ Fashions-On-The-Field competition (the winner receives all table wines for the bride’s wedding day courtesy of BRL Hardy); live musical performances; free clairvoyants & tarot card readers; & a free glass of sparkling wine for the first 2,000 ladies through the gates. (Feb 28) Stars Aligning For Dubai World Cup Program It’s called “the Olympics of horse racing” & the Dubai World Cup program on March 29 at Nad al Sheba racecourse “could well fulfill that promise - with or without a war in nearby Iraq,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Although some American trainers are waiting until the last possible moment to decide whether to ship their runners to the Middle East, “one of the strongest US contingents since the event was inaugurated in 1996 could take on top runners from around the world.” US handicap stars Congaree, Harlan’s Holiday, Medaglia d’Oro, Lido Palace & Pleasantly Perfect all remain eligible for the world’s richest race, the US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup, although only the connections of Pleasantly Perfect have definitely committed at this point. Grundlefoot also is a World Cup definite (although he will be running for his new Saudi Arabian owners); Grundlefoot won Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious event, the King’s Cup, on January 24 (defeating Sei Mi & Crimson Quest, who finished 2nd & 4th in last year’s World Cup). Other global stars currently aimed at the program include South African champion Ipi Tombe in the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes; US champion mare Xtra Heat in the US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen; German classic winner Boreal in the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic; & English high-weights Nayef & Aquarelliste in either the Sheema or the World Cup. And multiple Gr1 winner Grandera is expected to join stablemates Moon Ballad & Sulamani as part of the Godolphin Racing contingent headed to the Dubai World Cup. The son of Grand Lodge won last year’s World Series Racing Challenge (as well as individual victories in the Singapore Gr1 International Cup at Kranji racecourse, the Gr1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in England & the Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown) & trainer Saeed bin Suroor confirmed: "There is a great chance he will run in the World Cup. If he stays sound & healthy, we’ll look at the World Series & the same races he ran in last year." He summed up: "So far, it is certainly possible that we will run Sulamani, Grandera & Moon Ballad in the World Cup. It is a very difficult race to win & we always try to send the best Godolphin horses for the race. All 3 horses have the class to run in the race." (Feb 28) North Boy Returning To Singapore For Krisflyer Sprint Meanwhile last year’s Krisflyer Sprint champion North Boy will return to Singapore to defend his crown in May. Trainer Tony McEvoy declared “full speed ahead for Kranji”, reported aapracingandsports.com.au, after the bay finished 2nd in last weekend’s Gr1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield. McEvoy hopes to have a strong team for the Singapore international weekend, with the S$3 million (A$2.93 million) Singapore Airlines International Cup principal target for Australia’s most improved racehorse Fields Of Omagh. The Rubiton 5Yo ran a strong 2nd to Australia’s weight-for-age champ Northerly in the St George Stakes (1800m) last weekend. (Feb 28) Coolmore Buys Half-Interest in Serena's Song Colt Irish-based Coolmore Stud has bought a half-interest in Serena's Song's 2YO son Grand Reward from Robert & Beverly Lewis who bred the colt, reported bloodhorse.com. “The son of Storm Cat is in training at Ballydoyle in Ireland with Aidan O'Brien & will race for Beverly Lewis & Coolmore associate Michael Tabor in partnership with Sue Magnier, whose husband John is Coolmore's managing partner.” Coolmore showed interest in purchasing Grand Reward last year “primarily because of the success achieved by the colt's older full sister Sophisticat, who was Gr1 stakes-placed as a 2YO in 2001 & a Gr1 winner & classic-placed in 2002.” Coolmore associate Demi O'Byrne paid US$3.4 million for Sophisticat at the 1999 Keeneland July yearling sale. Grand Reward was sent to Ireland last year at the request of Coolmore & the deal involving his sale was completed this month. Eleven-year-old Serena's Song (dam of the full siblings) was a millionaire prize-money winner & recently foaled her 6th offspring, a Storm Cat filly, at Craig & Holly Bandoroff's Denali Stud in Kentucky. Serena's Song (Rahy-Imagining, by Northfields) is kept at Denali. Grand Reward will run in the Coolmore colors while racing in Europe. (Feb 28) Stakes Winner For Coolmore Shuttler Celtic Swing Meanwhile it was also good news for Coolmore when Ionacolumba (Celtic Swing-Maybe An Angel) sprang an upset win in the Listed $97,950 Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) at Mowbray. Gr1 winner Celtic Swing (by Damister) shuttled to Collingrove Stud in Victoria 3 years ago & stands at the Irish National Stud in Kildare. (Feb 28) Chinese Companies Propose US$326 Million Track On Shanghai Island A group of 6 Chinese companies (led by Shanghai Industrial Investment) has proposed building a $326 million racetrack complex on Chongming island in Shanghai. The 21st Century Business Herald reported Shanghai Industrial “is seeking overseas investment in the project.” If finances are secured, then the companies will seek government approval. China’s State Development Planning Commission, Ministry of Public Security & 3 other government organizations “have prohibited gambling on horse racing in China. Tracks in Shenzhen, Beijing, Guangzhou & Ningbo have been shut down because of gambling activities,” noted thoroughbredtimes.com. “Breeders in the US, Australia & other nations have long eyed China as a tremendous potential market if the government allows racing to grow with the assistance of gambling.” (Feb 28) Zubaran & Bryce Canyon Triumph At India’s Biggest Raceday Top British jockey Martin Dwyer (who rode 103 UK winners last year) steered 3YO colt Zubaran to victory in India's most prestigious race, the Gr1 Indian Turf Invitation Cup at Hyderabad. Dwyer told racingpost.co.uk: "It's the biggest race on a card that is really India's equivalent of the Breeders Cup, bringing together the best horses from the country's different states. The sport is big in India & there were a hell of a lot of people there. It was great to win it as, although the crowds go mad when you win, they throw flip-flops at you if you get beat!" In the other major event on the program, 5YO gelding Bryce Canyon (Serious Spender-Academic, by Riyahi) won the Sprinters Cup over 5 furlongs, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Bryce Canyon is a half-brother to the ill-fated Her Excellency, winner of the Indian 1000 Guineas. Their dam Academic won an Indian Oaks. Bryce Canyon’s sire, the Gr3 winner Serious Spender (by Seattle Slew) stands at Poonawalla Stud in India & is also the sire of Calcutta Derby winner Touch Of Silver. (Feb 28) ‘Suspicious Incidents’ Uncovered In UK Betting Study A 6-month study of betting patterns on Britain's racecourses & on internet betting exchanges has uncovered “suspicious incidents that are to be reported to the Jockey Club” revealed racingpost.co.uk. The confidential report “is certain to reinforce criticism of the exchanges on the ground that the websites - which in the space of 2 years have revolutionised punters' choice - increase the opportunities for malpractice.” In one recent case, the place odds offered about a horse on an on-line exchange drifted from 3-1 to 30-1 although, on-course, the horse only drifted from 12-1 to 16-1, to win. As expected by its alarming drift in the betting, the horse ran unplaced, raising suspicions that privileged information about the horse's well-being, or lack of it, had been used for financial gain. Three other horses in the last month ran in the same disappointing manner after exchange betting on the place market followed a similar pattern. The study was carried out by Racefax Monitoring Service, headed by Clive Reams, who as a former chief executive of the UK National Joint Pitch Council was charged with control of the betting rings on Britain's 59 racecourses. Reams confirmed: "There are a number of individual examples of peculiar betting patterns that have emerged from the report, particularly with regard to the place betting market. The prices made available for a place on certain horses often exceeds the price available in the ring to actually win the race. However, more intriguing is the clear pattern of horses' performances in races when analysed by trainer, jockey and owner. These must be closely monitored.” Reams would not identify any of the owners, trainers or jockeys concerned, but “the information is bound to be of interest to the Jockey Club's security department as it seeks to investigate any evidence of corruption in racing. The incidents were far from isolated, as the Racefax study has identified 52 ‘major incidents’ during the last 6 months, all related to the place betting market.” Mark Davies, communications director at leading exchange Betfair, which can identify through an audit trail who places bets or lays horses to lose, gave his support to the findings of the report: "If the study is right, then we will be delighted to help the Jockey Club with any investigation. We have all the information here." Jockey Club public relations director John Maxse said: "We would be interested to see any information on betting patterns that might cause concern & are developing a memorandum of understanding with exchanges to enable us to follow suspicious betting patterns to a greater extent than at present.” (Feb 28) UK Ponders Introduction Of Barrier Trials & Schooling Races Meanwhile the UK Jockey Club is considering introduction of barrier trials & schooling races into British racing. “Proposals have been made to the National Trainers' Federation by the Jockey Club, who are awaiting feedback from the relevant parties before the establishment of concrete plans,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “But it is hoped that the use of all-weather tracks to hold stalls tests & schooling races for Flat - and possibly for National Hunt - horses could bring many benefits to the sport.” Jockey Club public relations director John Maxse confirmed: "The proposal is no more than an idea at present, but in our eyes there would be many benefits if such schooling races were to be introduced. For Flat horses there would be an opportunity to go through stalls in a situation which mirrored that of a race. Most foreign turf authorities have some form of barrier trials, which unraced horses must pass prior to entries being accepted. We are not proposing such a system in Britain, but we hope that trainers might appreciate the opportunity to educate their horses prior to their formal racecourse debut. This would hopefully help maiden races avoid delays at the start & decrease the chances of horses misbehaving and upsetting others." Maxse added schooling races could take place either on a raceday or non-raceday, provided that necessary health & safety measures were in place. "We are hopeful that trainers will see merit in such proposals, as any scheme would be dependent upon their support to make it worthwhile,” he said. (Feb 28) UK Trainers ‘Polarised’ On Trials Proposal However similar initiatives in the past from the UK Jockey Club have not met with universal approval. While “hopes are high that this new initiative could fill a gap for trainers who are keen to educate their horses, without the worry of breaching existing guidelines for races run under Rules,” reported racingpost.co.uk, “opinion among the training community is polarised as to the benefit of such races.” Leading jumps trainer Henrietta Knight welcomed any such move: "I am sure they will be much appreciated by many trainers with fewer facilities & a smaller number of horses. I know that they have been quite successful in Ireland. For a smaller trainer, who wants to give their horses some experience of the hurly-burly of a race, they would be ideal." Flat counterpart Gerard Butler agreed: “They would be an absolutely fantastic idea, more so at the all-weather tracks. They give young horses the chance to learn the ropes & young jockeys the chance to build some experience before they ride in races. In some countries they have barrier trials for 2YOs before they are allowed to race & that is a system that works very well.” However Mark Johnston (who has the largest string of Flat horses in Britain) was not keen on the idea: "I am not the slightest bit interested in racing without prize-money. My horses wouldn't be taking part in schooling races when there are real races to go for with real money." And Seven Barrows handler Nicky Henderson said: “Personally I'm not a fan of it. If you can have schooling races, why can't we have proper races? I can't see any point. We are desperate for more bumper races, so when the ground is suitable at the turf tracks, then why not just have another division of the bumper? Most of the time, we can do all of the work we want to on (training) gallops." Harvey Smith concurred: "Why should we run for nothing, when you should be running for prize-money? We are short of races in the north, so why don't they put on a few more for us? We just can't get a run (currently)." (Feb 28) Singleton’s Sunday Silence Filly Wins On Debut John Singleton's latest success is the optimistically named Touched By God, a striking filly by the late superstar sire Sunday Silence from the well-related Sally Klaire. Singleton purchased Sally Klaire (an unraced daughter of Salieri & Great Klaire) while in foal to Sunday Silence, from Arrowfield Stud 2 years ago. When Touched By God was born, Singleton hung onto her instead of selling her at the Magic Millions Sale. That decision paid off yesterday at Randwick when, on debut, she wooshed home from midfield around the bend to win a 2YO event for trainer Gai Waterhouse trains & jockey Chris Munce. Touched By Gold is a half-sister to the Waterhouse trained multiple city winner Miss Anna Louise (by Brocco). (Feb 27) $200 Bargain Returns $600,000 Prize-Money Veteran Tasmanian stayer St Andrews, who cost just $200 as a weanling, took his prize-money to nearly $600,000 when he won his 3rd $195,000 Gr3 AAMI Launceston Cup (2400m) at Mowbray yesterday. The George Blacker-trained 8YO gelding, who previously won the Cup in 2000 & 2002 also finished runner-up in 2001. The son of Aliocha (from Flying Regent, by Northern Regent) also won the 2002 Gr3 Hobart Cup. Blacker told aapracingandsports.com.au: "He's been a great horse to us & he's done a great job today. He's a great stayer, a very easy horse to train." Ridden by Noel Callow, St. Andrews carried top-weight of 58.5kg & conceded 6kg to the runner-up, the David Hall-trained favourite Arena Valadora (by Flying Spur), with Saturday Fever from the Tony McEvoy stable 3rd. St Andrews has now won 11 races (including 6 stakes races) from 47 starts. (Feb 27) St Andrews Highlights Aliocha Legacy Meanwhile St Andrews is proving “a wonderful legacy for his sire Aliocha, whose final crop of yearlings pass through the sales rings this year,” reported racenet.com.au. Aliocha had to be put down in 2001 at his Armidale Stud home in Tasmania after developing back problems. To date Aliocha has sired 123 winners, 15 stakes-winners & 9 stakes-placed for prize-money over $5.1 million. His progeny have won just about every stakes race on the Tasmanian calendar. But in company with most Tasmanian-based stallions, Aliocha struggled to gain acceptance on the mainland & his only stakes winner outside Tasmania was sprinter Windigo (who defeated Piavonic & Flavour) in the Gr3 Bletchingly Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. Himself a Gr3 winner in France, Aliocha is by Umatilla’s sire Miswaki (by Mr Prospector) out of the stakes winning Ribot mare Chatterbox. He is a half-brother to Bonhomie (by What A Pleasure), winner of the UK’s Gr2 Royal Lodge Stakes & Gr2 King Edward VII Stakes, & 2nd in the Gr1 Irish Derby. One of few runners in Australia to carry Sheikh Mohammed’s maroon & white silks, Bonhomie finished 2nd in the 1988 Gr1 STC Segenhoe Stakes to Beau Zam & 2nd to Wong in the Gr1 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes. (Feb 27) Prized Gem’s Shock Retirement To Stud Connections of Brisbane Cup winner Prized Gem, who had just resumed racing for an autumn campaign after finishing unplaced in the last Melbourne Cup, announced her shock retirement yesterday. The 5YO mare was “found to have heat in a foreleg when she was brought into her box at trainer Murray Baker's stables” at Cambridge in New Zealand. Baker confirmed to thoroughbrednews.co.nz: "I've been in touch with her owner & she has agreed that she be retired." Prized Gem is owned in Australia by Mrs Billie Morton, but is expected to remain in NZ for her pending stud career. The Prized mare scored a brilliant Prime Minister's Cup-Brisbane Cup double in Queensland last winter. Baker added: “The hard part is that she was going so well. Still, I guess we've got to be thankful for what she did achieve." (Feb 27) Distant Music Returning To Yallambee As a star juvenile, Distant Music (Distant View-Musicanti) ended his debut racing season crowned Champion 2YO of Europe following victory in the stallion-making Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes & prestigious Gr2 Champagne Stakes in England. As a 3YO he won the Gr3 Park Stakes at Doncaster & as a 4YO he added the Gr2 International Stakes. He was retired to stud at Morristown Lattin Stud in England & over the past week his first foals have started arriving - & the first 6 are all colts! Distant Music stood his debut southern hemisphere season at Yallambee Stud in Victoria last year & served 80 mares. He is coming back again this season at a fee of $16,500. (Feb 27) Springsteen To Stand 2003 Season At Royston Stud Springsteen will stand the 2003 breeding season at Royston Stud in Queensland. The stakes winning half-brother to Marauding covered 164 mares in his first 2 seasons at Attunga Stud in the Hunter Valley. Attunga Stud owner Brian Nutt said the foals by Springsteen “are typical Danehill stock” & other breeders who have Springsteen foals “have also been delighted with the quality Springsteen has thrown.” It was always intended to stand Springsteen at Royston Stud early in his career to give Queensland breeders access to him & qualify his stock for the very successful QTIS Scheme. Springsteen will return to Attunga Stud for the 2004 Breeding Season. Breeders eligible for ‘Free Returns’ can elect to do so in either 2003 at Royston Stud or 2004 when Springsteen returns to Attunga Stud. Springsteen’s service fee for the 2003 breeding season has been set at $6,600 (including GST) with “transportation subsidies” available to southern state breeders seeking to have their mares covered by Springsteen. (Feb 27) Racing Industry Booming In Australia A report on the status of thoroughbred racing in Australia shows “a growing industry that has pumped billions of dollars into the nation’s economy.” According to the Australian Racing Board study: racing contributed $4.66 billion to the Australian economy in 2001; 240,000 Australians are employed in the thoroughbred industry; 1.7 million patrons attend Australian race meetings at least once a year; total purses have increased every year since the 1996-97 season & reached $163 million during the 2001-02 season. (Feb 27) Jolley Pays US$1 Million For Storm Cat Filly US Hall-Of-Fame trainer LeRoy Jolley paid US$1-million to purchase a filly by Storm Cat at the Fasig-Tipton Calder Selected 2YOs-In-Training Sale on behalf of “a partnership that just wants to race a Storm Cat,” he told thoroughbredtimes.com. Consigned by Danny Pate's Solitary Oak (on behalf of Kathleen Schonefeld, Rick Imbert & Roger Baugh), the filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Relinquish & is out of the winning Ogygian mare Sun Blush (a half-sister to Mariah’s Storm, dam of one of Storm Cat's best sons, Giant's Causeway). Pate commented: "She's always been a very sound filly, very precocious & she has a great mind. We really thought she would bring a lot of money." (Schonefeld purchased the filly for just US$115,000 at the 2002 Keeneland September yearling sale.) Jolley was one of America’s leading trainers during the 1960s, 1970s & 1980s; his stars included 1980 Kentucky Derby winner Genuine Risk & 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. (Feb 27) US 2YO Market Steady At Fasig-Tipton Calder Overall, the “geopolitical situation may be threatening, & the equities market is still in decline, but the market for thoroughbred racing prospects maintained somewhat surprising strength” at the Fasig-Tipton Calder Select 2YOs-In-Training Sale, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. With 139 horses sold for US$29 million, the 2003 average declined by only 1.4% to US$209,187, while the buy-back rate (which soared over 45% last year) declined slightly to 43.5%. Fasig-Tipton’s president & chief auctioneer Walt Robertson summed up: "Considering the situation, it’s fine. We’re right on last year’s average. If the buyers are on, they’ll give you twice what you want; & if not, they’ll give you half what you need." Consignor Eddie Woods added: "The selectivity is more severe than ever. It’s all top-end & if you’re not there, you know it before you come up to the sales ring. There’s no room for mediocrity. Absolutely none." (Feb 27) King Of Kings Continues 2YO Speed Blitz Coolmore’s stallion King Of Kings (by Sadler's Wells) has certainly produced top quality speedsters from his 2nd crop. San Simeon’s effortless 5-lengths win over 1000m in Adelaide (57.68secs in dead going, the last 600m in 33.58secs) for the McEvoy stable certainly captured the attention of 2YO clockers across Australia. Especially since King Of Kings has already produced the best 2YO in New Zealand this season in King's Chapel (winner of NZ’s richest 2YO race, the Mercedes Classique, & boasting an unbeaten record of 3 starts for 3 wins as he heads into Saturday's Gr1 Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes). In addition King Of Kings’s talented filly Gaelic Princess finished a solid 5th in Victoria’s premier 2YO sprint, the $1 million Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes, last weekend. (Feb 27) Tale Of The Cat’s Youngsters Grab Attention Meanwhile Tale Of The Cat, who stands at Coolmore's Ashford Farm in the US and is possibily going to stand at Coolmore Australia this year, also seems set to grab plenty of attention with his youngsters. Having taken America's 1st-crop sire list by storm in 2002, Tale of The Cat’s NZ 2YO son Ubiquitous (from his solo stud season at NZ's Windsor Park) recently landed the Listed Ford Fairview Slipper. And the same day, his daughter Purrfection ran 3rd in the Gr2 Breeders Stakes for 2YO fillies. Meanwhile among his headline-grabbing progeny in the US, 3YO colt Aristocat may now be Kentucky Derby-bound after his impressive victory over 1700m at Gulfstream Park last week, the same day another 3YO son Quick Draw won over 1200m & 3YO filly Tale Of A Dream went within a neck of winning the Listed Vallejo Stakes. (Feb 27) Roedean Is Latest Success For Newlands The Alteri family’s Newlands Thoroughbreds Farm at Seymour in Victoria is only 5 years old & eagerly chasing customers. So Roedean’s win in the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes last weekend was a huge shot-in-the-arm. Roedean was bred by Newlands & is the 2nd living foal from her dam Queen Kathleen (a daughter of Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq). The stud offered a half-brother to Roedean by Rory’s Jester at the recent Melbourne Inglis Premier Yearling Sale which was purchased by trainer Tony Noonan for $90,000. Roedean (a daughter of Golden Slipper Stakes winner Flying Spur) was a $50,000 bargain from the 2002 Melbourne Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Other successes from Newlands in the last year include: Gr2 winner Lady Marion; Listed winner & Gr1 & 2 place-getter Fuji Dancer; Gr1 & 2 place-getter Dane Choice in NZ; dual Listed place-getter Bluewin in South Australia; & city winners in Victoria & Queensland. (Feb 27) NSW Trainer Disqualified 4 Months Following Positive Swabs Racing NSW stewards have disqualified Dubbo trainer Garry Lunn for 4 months after Microdot returned a positive swab following a race at Gilgandra last month. Lunn was disqualified for 2 months after pleading guilty to a charge of “bringing Microdot to race in a Class 2 Hcp (1100m) on January 5 when a pre-race urine sample subsequently revealed the presence of the prohibited substances Phenylbutazone & Oxyphenbutazone.” He was disqualified for another 2 months, to be served cumulatively, after pleading guilty to “administering the prohibited substance Furosemide, which was also detected in the urine sample, to Microdot.” Stewards said Lunn could reapply for his licence on June 26. (Feb 27) Holiday Inn Hotels Sponsor NSW Country Racing Holiday Inn hotels yesterday announced a major sponsorship partnership with the NSW racing industry. Holiday Inn will be a feature or supporting race sponsor at 4 major racing events in country NSW & Canberra in 2003. The sponsorship commitment will also see the hotel group associated with promotions at a number of other feature race meetings in country NSW during the year. Feature races the company will sponsor in 2003 are: Canberra Racing Club’s $75,000 Listed Holiday Inn National Sprint at the Black Opal Stakes meeting on Saturday March 22. Albury Racing Club’s Holiday Inn Cup at the Albury Gold Cup carnival on Thursday April 3 & Friday April 4. Clarence River jockey Club’s $30,000 Holiday Inn Guineas for 3YOs at the Grafton Cup carnival on Wednesday July 16 & Thursday July 17. Wyong Race Club’s Holiday Inn Sprint at the Wyong Cup carnival on Wednesday September 3 & Thursday September 4. Additionally, Holiday Inn will provide accommodation packages as promotional prizes for feature race meetings conducted by other race clubs including Queanbeyan, Nowra, Scone, Taree, Port Macquarie, Muswellbrook, Gundagai & Dubbo. Holiday Inns are part of the international Six Continents Hotels group. Six Continents Hotels NSW director of marketing Bruce Ryde said: “The NSW racing industry is a vast & exciting market. We are delighted to be a supporter of the industry through our sponsorships & look forward to a long & successful association with regional racing in NSW & Canberra." NSW Country Racing Council chief executive Brian Judd added: "It is most gratifying when such a high profile corporate identity as Holiday Inn becomes involved with country racing." (Feb 27) NZ Forum Debates ‘Governing Body’ Make-Up The “differences between the NZ Racing Bill & working party recommendations in respect of the make-up of the racing industry’s proposed governing body” was the major issue, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz, at yesterday’s industry forum attended by 400 people at Te Rapa racecourse. The working party was given the task of devising an industry business plan in the wake of last year’s PriceWaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by the NZ Minister for Racing. One of the working party’s most interesting assertions, that a restructured industry could generate a revenue increase of NZ$50 million over the next 5 years, was elaborated on by working party member Steve Thompson, who pin-pointed the following initiatives: To successfully address the inequitable taxation on racing industry betting revenue; Bring in cost savings by eliminating duplicated administration; Overhaul the betting product by providing alternatives to compete with more simplistic casino, gaming machine, etc, types; Reorganise programming to increase betting turnover; Increase other income sources, notably gaming machine ownership; Implement one overall organisational structure to convey industry funds more effectively. (Feb 27) Serena's Song Foals Storm Cat Filly Champion & prize-money multi-millionaire Serena's Song produced her 6th foal, a Storm Cat filly, at Craig Bandoroff's Denali Stud in Kentucky, reported bloodhorse.com. Bred by Robert Lewis, the new-born filly is a full sister to English Gr1 winner Sophisticat & a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Serena's Tune. North America's second richest mare, Serena's Song (Rahy-Imagining, by Northfields) is booked back to Storm Cat. (Feb 27) Soaring Softly’s Dam Wings Of Grace Dies Wings Of Grace, dam of champion & inaugural Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Soaring Softly & also Gr1 winner Plenty Of Grace, has died after foaling complications at Darby Dan Farm near Lexington in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 25-year-old daughter of Key To The Mint (out of Far Beyond, by Nijinsky II) aborted a foal by Darby Dan stallion Repriced prior to developing complications. Wings Of Grace produced 16 foals during her broodmare career, including 7 winners from 10 starters. In addition to Soaring Softly (winner of the 1999 Eclipse Award as champion turf female), Wings of Grace also produced Plenty Of Grace (winner of the 1990 Gr1 Yellow Ribbon Invitational Stakes) & multiple stakes producer Jody G. Wings Of Grace herself won 6 of 20 starts at the track. (Feb 27) Nines Wild Moves To Tomorrow Bloodstock New York-based sire Nines Wild has been relocated to stand the 2003 season at Al Martin’s Tomorrow Bloodstock near Thompson Ridge, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 14-year-old son of Wild Again (out of Family Affair, by Honest Pleasure) stood in 2002 at Pond View Farm near Bullville in New York state; Nines Wild had stood 3 seasons at Pond View after starting his career in Florida. Nines Wild is the sire of Allen’s Oop (winner of the 2000 Gr3 New Orleans Handicap) & Shed A Tear (multiple stakes winner & 2001 champion imported 2YO colt in Puerto Rico). He has sired 64 winners from 84 starters from his first 5 crops. (Feb 27) US ‘Thoroughbred Championship Tour’ Framework Established The US National Thoroughbred Racing Association & the Breeders' Cup organisation have “formed the framework to look at the Thoroughbred Championship Tour, a for-profit, televised racing series the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association hopes to launch,” reported bloodhorse.com. The proposal “comes at a time when more thoroughbred racing than ever is on television & broadcasts have posted viewership gains of about 50%.” NTRA commissioner Tim Smith said the proposed ‘TCT’ was discussed during a joint NTRA/Breeders' Cup 2-day retreat. Smith said: “The board of directors endorsed formation of a committee that would include racetrack operators, owners & breeders, & representatives of horsemen's groups. We've not yet finalized the make-up of the committee. It will be a pretty small, but high-end, group." Smith added the concept "is an important topic: what's the best way to create nationally televised racing linking the Triple Crown & Breeders' Cup? We don't fully understand all the details, but we respect the owners' investment in the game. I'm in a recruiting mode to see if people will agree to serve on the committee." Darby Dan Farm's John Phillips & owner Robert McNair are among those working on the project for TOBA. Others involved in the process are prominent US owners John Amerman, John Ed Anthony, William Condren, Donald Dizney, Steven Duncker, Eugene Melnyk, Kenny Troutt, Tom VanMeter & TOBA president Dan Metzger. Economist Dr Richard Thalheimer has been hired to help put together the business plan. (Feb 27) Melbourne Cup Runner Returns To Track In Dubai Melbourne Cup runner Pugin will have his first outing since November at Dubai’s Nad Al Sheba meeting tonight. He will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy in the Khas El Dhaheb handicap over 2,800m on turf for Prestige class horses. (Feb 27) UK Grand National Ban Draws Strong Criticism On Tuesday we reported: “Pre-post betting markets across Britain on the UK’s most famous race, the Grand National, have been thrown into uproar after Davids Lad – 2nd favourite on most charts – was sensationally ruled out of the big race after trailing in last in the Paddy & Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase at Naas. Stewards ruled the racecourse had been used as a training ground for the 9YO & rider Timmy Murphy had made insufficient effort . . . & imposed a 42-day ban, which finishes on April 6 - one day after the Grand National.” Amid the ensuing public outcry, legendary Grand National trainer Ginger McCain has declared he would be “hung” if current rules had been in place when he trained Aintree immortal Red Rum to win the race 3 times in the 1970s. McCain told racingpost.co.uk: “I think it is very, very sad & entirely unnecessary. What’s the man expected to do? Davids Lad has a wind problem & there can’t be any more sympathetic rider than Timmy Murphy & I think they have done it awfully well. At the end of the day you have got a horse with a problem & you are trying to get him to run a big race in a big race. Without being dishonest, there is no way any trainer worth 30 bob is going to have his horse knocked about to just pander to the betting-shop punter - there is no reason whatsoever why he should do that. They want to get a few old horses to train, these silly stewards, & then see how they get on. To be quite honest, they’d have hung me with Red Rum. We never stopped him, but the races were just a step along the road to get to Aintree as fit as you possibly could. His last run before every National was the Greenall Whitley & I don’t think he ever got closer than fourth. I remember the last time he ran in it Tommy Stack was beaten maybe 30 or 40 lengths on him, but he came in & laughed at me & said: ’Don’t worry, we’ll win the National.’ If you have a horse that has a chance of doing well in the Grand National you have got to nurse them. If he has a problem you say: ’Ride him like you are sitting on eggs’. That’s what they have been doing & you can’t condemn them for it. The public are not paying the bills.” (Feb 27) All UK Jockeys To Undergo Aust Concussion Test UK jockeys will be required to undergo an Australian-developed computerised brain function test to determine their fitness to resume riding after suffering concussion in a race fall. The Jockey Club has directed that all its 1,325 registered jockeys undergo a “baseline neuropsychological test” as part of their annual medical examination. After a concussion, the test is repeated & the jockey will not be permitted to resume riding until their performance is back to normal. The scientifically validated CogSport test was developed by Australian-based biotechnology company CogState. The computerised playing card test assesses cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, decision-making & information processing, to provide a highly sensitive measure of brain recovery after concussion. The test is used by high profile sporting organisations around the world, including the Australian Wallabies & South African Springboks international rugby teams, Notre Dame University & many Australian Football League & Australian National Rugby League clubs. In a study published in the latest edition of British Journal of Sports Medicine, the chief medical adviser to the UK Jockey Club, Dr Michael Turner, found the incidence of concussion was considerably greater in horse-racing than most other sports. In response, the Jockey Club has become one of the first sporting organisations around the world to implement a complete concussion management system, including the CogSport test. Dr Turner's co-author on the paper, leading Australian neurologist & sports physician Dr Paul McCrory, emphasised the risks of resuming contact sport too soon after a concussion: "There is a real risk of further injury if sportspeople return to sport before fully recovering from a concussion, including the potential for long-term cognitive impairment." Concussion testing is not currently required for Australian jockeys, but a proposal similar to that adopted in the UK is under consideration by the Australian Racing Board. (Feb 27) Japanese Star Grass Wonder To Eliza Park Victoria’s Eliza Park has added star Japanese sire Grass Wonder to its stallion roster for the 2003 Breeding season. Grass Wonder, by successful Roberto line sire Silver Hawk out of Danzig mare Ameriflora, was the undefeated champion 2YO of his year in Japan, winning 4 races including a track record victory in the Gr1 Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes (Japan’s equivalent of the Golden Slipper). Overall Grass Wonder raced 15 times, winning 9 races (7 at Group level defeating champion gallopers Agnes World, T.M. Opera O, Special Week, Air Jihad & Stay Gold) & US$5.9 million prize-money. His victory highlights included back-to-back wins in the Gr1 Grand Prix Arima Kinen (Japan’s Cox Plate Equivalent) & he was awarded the Special Award by the Japan Racing Association in 1999 for his outstanding racetrack performances. Grass Wonder comes to Eliza Park having served 2 seasons in Japan at Shadai Stallion Station with books of 189 & 178 mares at a service fee of 4 million Yen (A$56,800). His first crop foals sold to A$265,000. Grass Wonder will stand at Eliza Park for a service fee of $13,750 inc GST (with a Live Foal guarantee applicable). (Feb 26) Black Hawk Returning From Japan To Eliza Park Grass Wonder will be joined on the trip from Japan’s Shadai Stallion Station by Black Hawk, who returns to Eliza Park in 2003 following a successful 2002 season where he served a book of 110 mares. (Feb 26) Wattle Brae To Stand Argentine Sprint Champ Taimazov Dual Gr1 winning sprinter & 2001 Argentine Champion Taimazov is joining the stallion roster at the Turkington family’s Wattle Brae Thoroughbred Stud at Nobby in Queensland. Wattle Brae has purchased the horse outright & confidentially syndicated him to leading Queensland breeders. Taimazov is named after Atlanta Olympics Gold Medal weight-lifter Timur Taimazov (the horse was born in 1996, the year of the Atlanta Olympics). Taimazov had 28 track starts for 8 wins, 6 2nds & 2 3rds, including victories in: the Gr1 Carrera de las Estrellas (‘Race Of The Stars’) in the sizzling time of 55.03 seconds for the 1000m journey; the Gr1 Gran Premio Suipacha (1000m in 55.42secs); & the Gr2 Classico Pippermint (1000m in 57.29secs). Taimazov will be the 2nd major son of Southern Halo to venture to Australia; the champion sire of more than 30 Gr1 winners (12 carrying Champion status in their own right), Southern Halo is also represented at stud locally by Vinery’s More Than Ready. (More Than Ready had an advertised service fee of $22,000 & served 108 mares in 2001 & 70 mares in 2002.) Pedigree Dynamics analyst Jane Henning commented on Taimazov’s arrival: “There are many points in the pedigree of Taimazov to suggest he will find plenty of mares to his liking in Australia.” And Taimazov’s full-sister Igreja raced in South Africa where her host of leading black performances included victory in the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas & 2nd in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes. Taimazov is expected to arrive in Australia in April & will stand his first season (alongside fellow Gr1-winning sprinters Easy Rocking & Mr Innocent, as well as Dolphin’s Ace) at a service fee of $10,000. (Feb 26) Pernod Injury May Hasten Stud Career Pernod will this week have arthroscopic surgery for a knee chip at the Goulburn Valley veterinary clinic, trainer Mike Moroney told aapracingandsports.com.au. Moroney said the Centaine 5YO had “filling in a knee” after running 5th in the Orr Stakes & X-rays “revealed a fresh chip.” While not career threatening, Moroney revealed Trelawney Stud, which leases the mare to a group of owners including managing owner Warren Huntly, was “keen to put her to stud next spring” even though the lease doesn't expire until the end of next season. (Feb 26) O'Byrne Pays US$1.4 Million For Tale Of The Cat Colt Overnight in the US, Irish bloodstock agent Demi O'Byrne paid US$1.4 million (on behalf of Michael Tabor) for a colt from the 2nd crop of Tale Of The Cat at the Fasig-Tipton Calder Selected 2YOs-In-Training Sale. The colt is out of the stakes-winning Mr Leader mare Satin Sunrise, already the dam of 2002 Gr3 French Oaks winner French Satin. O’Byrne told thoroughbredtimes.com: "He breezed very well & I like the stallion. He'll stay here in America & will go back to (consignor) Bobby Scanlon before we decide who will train him." Scanlon noted: "I didn't really expect that much, but I thought he'd bring a million.” (Last year, O'Byrne purchased the highest-priced horse of the sale, a US$1 million Seeking The Gold colt, also from Scanlon. And O’Byrne paid US$1.2 million earlier this year for a Montbrook colt that topped the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Calder Selected 2YOs-in-training Sale.) (Feb 26) Sekiguchi Pays US$850,000 For Kris S. Colt At the same sale Fusao Sekiguchi, who campaigned 2000 Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, purchased a colt by Kris S. for US$850,000. Consigned by M.W.Miller III, the colt is out of the Mr Prospector mare Key To My Heart, a full sister to champion & Gr1 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Eillo. The colt is also a full brother to Gr3 winner Love n' Kiss S. Southern California-based trainer Neil Drysdale, who handled the bidding for Sekiguchi, told thoroughbredtimes.com: “This horse will go to Japan. He looks like he'll be a 3YO, so we'll give him some time off & let him grow to himself. We expected to pay about that much, but I think Mr Sekiguchi was prepared to go a little higher. Being by Kris S., he's doing something he's not supposed to do, showing a lot of speed early.” (Miller had purchased the colt for US$200,000 at the 2002 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearling Sale.) (Feb 26) Fulton Pays US$600,000 For A.P.Indy Colt And Stanley Fulton paid US$600,000 for an A.P. Indy colt out of Gr1 Alabama Stakes winner November Snow (by Storm Cat). The colt was consigned by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables. (Feb 26) US$450,000 For Elusive Quality Filly Among the female lots, a filly by hot young sire Elusive Quality sold for US$450,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Calder Sale. The smooth-striding filly, out of stakes winner Prying (by Farnesio), worked a furlong in 10.20secs during the pre-sale breeze-up. Bloodstock agent J.B.McKathan, who made the winning bid on behalf of Robert & Beverly Lewis, told thoroughbredtimes.com: "They're the greatest people in racing. And this is a nice looking, 2-turn horse; a beautiful moving filly with a lot of scope & quality." (Feb 26) Byrne Returns from Macau To Brisbane Former champion Brisbane jockey Jim Byrne will be returning home from a successful riding stint in Macau after his final meeting there last night. Byrne is currently 3rd in the Macau jockeys’ premiership, but failed in a bid to have his riding licence extended & is disappointed he was not granted the extension, as he has formed a successful recent combination with former Brisbane trainer Barry Baldwin. Byrne told Radio TAB it will “probably be a couple of weeks” before he resumes riding in Brisbane, noting "I've got a lot of things to sort out with my house." (Feb 26) Rodd Back From Dubai & Off To NZ Meanwhile champion Queensland apprentice Michael Rodd returns home to Australia briefly today, after his short stint riding in Dubai & visiting Godolphin’s UAE stable. Rodd notched 2 2nds & a 4th from 5 rides in Dubai. However he heads off almost immediately to New Zealand “where he will reunite with Prized Gem in the weight-for-age Gr1 Lion Red Stakes over 2000m” reported racenet.com.au. Rodd had great success on the mare last year with wins in the Gr1 Brisbane Cup (3200m) & Gr1 Kelt Capital Stakes 2040m, as well as the Gr2 Prime Minister’s Cup (2400m). (Feb 26) Didham Suspended For 3 Months And Racing Victoria stewards have suspended Victorian jockey John Didham for 3 months, following an inquiry into his riding of Del’s Obsession at Yarra Glen on February 7. After taking evidence from Didham, trainer John Symons, stable employees & several of the horse’s owners (plus written evidence from veterinary surgeon Dr M.Brain from Kilmore Equine Clinic), Didham was found guilty of a charge that “when he rode Del's Obsession in the Carlton Draught Class 4 Handicap he failed to take all reasonable & permissible measures in that he did not improve his position from after passing the 600 metres until approaching the 250 metres.” (Feb 26) Wolfe Appeals 2-Year Ban Over Jockey’s Death In Western Australia, trainer Steve Wolfe has appealed against a 2-year ban imposed by WA Turf Club stewards following the inquiry into the death of jockey Jason Oliver. Oliver sustained head injuries in a barrier trial at Belmont Park racecourse on October 28 & died the next day. His mount Savage Cabbage, trained by Wolfe, tested positive for the anti-inflammatory medication phenylbutzone. Wolfe’s lawyer Tom Percy told aapracingandsports.com.au: "Someone had been killed & the stewards were trying to apportion liability for someone’s death. But the question is what is the appropriate penalty under the rules." Wolfe’s appeal has been filed with the WA Racing Appeals Tribunal. (Feb 26) Victorian Breeders Night: ‘OCD In The 21st Century’ The Equine Centre & Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria are conducting an information evening with Professor Leo Jeffcott for all thoroughbred breeders on Monday March 17 at Moonee Valley racecourse to discuss “Osteochondrosis Disease in the 21st Century”. Professor Jeffcott, a recognised international leader in OCD research, is Dean of the Veterinary School & Professor of Veterinary Clinical Studies at Cambridge University in Britain. Professor Andrew Clarke, Chair of Equine Studies at Melbourne University, noted: “The introduction of x-rays for yearling sales has highlighted the number of preventable developmental diseases which are occurring in our young thoroughbreds. This seminar could not be more timely, as it provides a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity for Victorian thoroughbred breeders to receive state of the art international information on OCD with one of the best OCD researchers in the world.” (Feb 26) California Prepares For Arrival Of West Nile Virus Most US breeders have found 2 years dealing with the mysterious causes of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome bad enough. Now the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District in California “is taking steps to ensure that horse owners throughout the state are ready for West Nile virus, a disease that kills 30% of the horses it infects & is expected to arrive in California this spring (Australian autumn),” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. As a result, the California Department of Health Services has recommended that horses be vaccinated. At Santa Anita Park, track veterinarian William Bell said most horses are vaccinated, but the final decision rests with the owner. "There’s a lot of money invested in these racehorses," Bell told The Pasadena Star-News. "So everything that can be done to protect them is being done." Vector Control Education Specialist Kelly Middleton advised horse owners to contact their veterinarian & begin the vaccination process, & to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sources such as areas where standing water develops around their property. (Feb 26) Equine Herpes Virus Detected At Penn National Meanwhile a small outbreak of equine herpes at Penn National Racecourse has prompted management of Philadelphia Park to bar horses shipping in to race, as well as horses shipping out to "race & return", reported bloodhorse.com. Penn National general manager Richard Schnaars emphasised the situation was "very localised," with only 3 horses from the stable of trainer Bob Wolfe testing positive for the virus (which is transferred from horse-to-horse by contact, usually through the nostrils). A 10-14 day quarantine is typical, advised Schnaars, adding: "The 3 horses are contained in the same barn &, hopefully, that's all there is." In some forms, the equine herpes virus can cause respiratory & neurological problems. Philadelphia Park chief executive Hal Handel said the ban on in-coming & out-going horses is a "cautionary measure" & would be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, noting: "The worst thing we could do would be to cause it to spread. Until the dust settles, we're playing it safe." (Feb 26) McKee Bringing New Star To Aust Sunline's New Zealand trainers Trevor & Stephen McKee are heading back across the Tasman this autumn with their latest stable star. With Sunline now retired to the broodmare paddock, the Takanini stable's attention is focused on promising 3YO Live By The Sword. The son of Volksraad made it 4 wins on end when he lead throughout in the St Leger Trial (2100m) at Otaki - defeating some of NZ's most promising stayers. Stephen McKee confirmed Live By The Sword will be aimed at one of the major Derby races in Australia before the end of the season: "Sydney with its million-dollar prize-money is the most attractive option, but the risk there is that he doesn't like wet tracks. In that case Adelaide or Brisbane are the most likely options." (Feb 26) NZ Stars Arrive For Autumn Plunder Meanwhile several top NZ horses will cross the Tasman this week, aimed at Australian autumn carnival riches. Manawatu trainer Wayne Herbert will head multiple Gr1 winner Tit For Taat (by Faltaat) for Melbourne for the 5YO’s tilt at the $402,000 Gr1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. NZ Thoroughbred Marketing reported: “He appears to have taken no harm from an incident during the early stages of last Thursday’s Family Hotel Weight-For-Age at Otaki in which he clipped heels with another runner. Herbert believes that problem caused him to over-race & eventually proved his undoing in finishing only 3rd.” Tit For Taat, who has won 3 Gr1 events in NZ this season, will be ridden by Michael Walker in the Futurity. Provided he performs well, he will remain in Melbourne to contest the $377,000 Gr1 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 22. And trainer Andrew Scott is also aiming Matamata stablemates & last-start winners Ubiquitous (by Tale Of The Cat) & Talking Heads (by TV Heart Throb) toward Melbourne. Ubiquitous will be nominated for the Gr1 Ford Auckland Sires’ Produce Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie this Saturday before flying out to Melbourne 48 hours later & targeting the $402,000 Gr1 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 10. Major mission for Talking Heads will be the $151,000 Duke Of Norfolk Stakes (3200m) at Flemington on March 15. (Feb 26) Magic Millions Perth Premier Yearling Sale & Raceday A week of festivities will accompany the up-coming Magic Millions Perth Premier Yearling Sale. They include: Saturday 8 March: Magic Millions Raceday (conducted in conjunction with the Malaysian Racing Association) featuring the Sportingbet Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic at the Western Australian Turf Club’s Ascot track. Open only to graduates of the Magic Millions Sales, the race carries prize-money of $105,000. Sunday March 9 & Monday March 10: Official inspection days at the Magic Millions Belmont sales complex. Monday March 10: Western Australian Bloodhorse Breeders Association cocktail party (from 6pm) at Paddy Hannans Bar in Burswood Resort. Tuesday March 11: Magic Millions Perth Premier Yearling Sale (commencing at 6pm) with lots 1-130. Wednesday March 12: Premier Sale continues (from 4.30pm) with lots 131-307. Friday March 14: Autumn session of the sale (beginning at 5pm) with lots 308-438. (Feb 26) Magic Millions Perth Premier Yearling Sale Magic Millions Perth Premier Yearling Sale is set for its Belmont sales complex on Tuesday March 11 & Wednesday March 12. Marketing & media manager Annie McDonald advised that, among the interesting lots catalogued, are: Serheed-Wild Spirit colt; Bletchley Park-Zamelina colt; Scenic-Ahava colt; Dr Johnson-Anemone filly; Citidancer-Anonym Girl colt; Second Empire-Ballet Girl filly; Lomond Bay-Bibiana Mist colt; Metal Storm-Bonny Guest filly; Scenic-Born With Wings filly; Magic Of Money-Calophylla filly; Corporate Raider-Cash Conversion filly; Don’t Say Halo-Charmed Luck colt; Key Business-Cherokee Lass filly; Bletchley Park-Corporate Dancer filly; Scenic-Couldn’t Watch filly; Serheed-Dance Spirit colt ; Umatilla-Ease And Comfort filly; Bletchley Park-Enlighten colt; Charwood Forest-Export Gold colt; Bletchley Park-Fabulous filly; Bletchley Park-Final Impact colt; Scenic-Fine Arcade colt; Don’t Say Halo-Gale Force colt; Lomond Bay-Getting Better colt; Scenic-Glitter Star colt; Rubiton-Go Lady colt; Scenic-Honey Petique colt; Metal Storm-Inception colt; O’Reilly-Irish Flirt filly; Laranto-Khaddad colt; Laranto-Lady Elegante filly; Woodman-Lady Fidelia filly; Rubiton-Lady Icon filly; Grand Lodge-Luna Belle colt; Chanteclair-Medical Gem filly; Serheed-Medic’ Pride filly; Bletchley Park-Meliantha colt; Piccolo-Memphis Magic filly; Metal Storm-Moonrake filly; Dr Johnson-My Satin colt; Thunder Gulch-My Trisha filly; Serheed-On Silent Wings foal; Hennessy-Our Cutey filly; Corporate Raider-Pago Paradise colt ; Don’t Say Halo-Partner Me colt; Bletchley Park-Penny Lane colt; Tayasu Tsuyoshi-Playtoss colt; Second Empire-Princess Sentosa colt; Key Business-Prospect Sky colt; Zedrich/Reverse Pass filly; Metal Storm-Sharika colt; Citidancer-Solo Walk filly; Rory’s Jester-Songs Of Araby colt; Second Empire-Sovereign Lady colt; Corporate Raider-Swift Along colt; Bletchley Park-Talk With Her Eyes colt; Honour And Glory-Terevega filly; Laranto-Tipples colt; Corporate Raider-Todtona colt. (Feb 26) Volksraad Extends Lead Over Zabeel Windsor Park stallion Volksraad has extended his lead in the NZ general sires' premiership in the past week. Chasing back-to-back wins in the premiership, Volksraad's progeny earnings this season are currently NZ$935,435. He now leads arch-rival Zabeel by NZ$102,135. (Feb 26) Windsor Park Stud Leading NZ First Season Sire Race Meanwhile Windsor Park Stud is also poised to claim another champion first season sire title. Windsor Park has previously had the honour of standing champion first-season sires Star Way, Volksraad, Kaapstad and Casual Lies. In the current season, the 2 top positions on the NZ freshman sires' list are held by Tale Of The Cat & Danske, sires who resided at Windsor Park in the 1999 breeding season. Tale Of The Cat (leading first season sire for winners in America in 2002) is in the top spot with progeny earnings of NZ$111,500. Danehill’s son Danske lies 2nd, having produced 2 winners, 2 stakes-placed horses & 2 3rd place-getters from only 6 starters. (Feb 26) Black-Type Double For Waikato Stud And it was 48 hours of unexpected ‘black-type glory’ for New Zealand’s Waikato Stud last weekend, with the Matamata-based operation gaining recognition as the breeder of Critic (by Centaine) who won the Gr1 Family Hotel (1400m) at Otaki at odds of 10-1, & then River Chant (by Danasinga) who registered her first black-type win in the Listed Tracs Bar-Mount Tauranga Classic at Tauranga at 35-1. River Chant’s sire Danasinga (by Danehill) stands at Waikato Stud & has had a successful season with several new black-type winners, including South Island-trained Chestpeak & South African stakes winner Danziga. Danasinga covered 120 mares at stud last spring & continues to be popular with breeders. (Feb 26) Waddell to Represent NZ In Macau Subject to Macau Jockey Club approval, Woodville apprentice Jason Waddell will be Michael Walker’s replacement in the international apprentice jockeys’ series in Macau in May. Waddell is currently 2nd to Walker with 49 wins on the NZ apprentice jockeys’ table & in 4th place overall. Walker is unable to take part in the series due to the obligations of his 3-month Hong Kong riding contract, which begins in mid-March. (Feb 26) Gold Allure Takes Japanese Gr1 Japan’s 2002 Champion Dirt Horse Gold Allure (Sunday Silence-Nikiya, by Nureyev) has won the Gr1 February Stakes, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. The 4YO defeated Biwa Shinseiki (Forty Niner) & Eagle Cafe (Gulch). Gold Allure won both last year’s Japan Dirt Derby & Derby Grand Prix. His granddam Reluctant Guest is a Gr1 winner (Beverly Hills Handicap) & a half-sister to Graded winner Dowery. (Feb 26) US Breeders Cup Winner Skywalker Dead Skywalker, who won the 1986 Gr1 Breeders' Cup Classic & whose champion son Bertrando finished 2nd in the same race in 1993, has died after a heart attack at Arthur Hancock III's Stone Farm in Kentucky. The son of Relaunch was foaled & raised at Stone Farm, where he stood at stud since the 1996 breeding season. He was 21. Hancock told thoroughbredtrimes.com: "Skywalker was a grand individual & very beloved here at the farm. His death was a shock to all of us.” At the track, Slywalker also won the 1985 Gr1 Santa Anita Derby & retired with 8 wins from 20 races. He entered stud at Cardiff Stud Farms in California. Bertrando, one of 40 stakes winners for his sire, set a track record in the Gr1 Pacific Classic & took the 1993 Gr1 Woodward Stakes by 13.5 lengths. He since has become one of the US West Coast's most successful sires. (Feb 26) Like The Prospects To Castle Peak Stud In Canada Like The Prospects, a winning son of Mr Prospector out of Gr1 winner Likeable Style (by Nijinsky II), will stand at Castle Peak Farm near Ottawa in Canada, reported bloodhorse.com. The 6YO is a half-brother to stakes-placed Special Times. (Feb 26) Tagish To Hidden Lake In Virginia Dave Reynolds & Marti Taylor have bought 17-year-old Tagish & will stand him at their Hidden Lake Farm near in Virginia, reported bloodhorse.com. Tagish, a son of Mr Prospector out of champion Waya (by Faraway Son), has sired 6 stakes-placed runners. He formerly stood at O'Sullivan Farms in West Virginia. (Feb 26) Tumbleweed Ridge’s New British Base Multiple European Group winner Tumbleweed Ridge (Indian Ridge-Billie Blue, by Ballad Rock), retired in January after injuring a tendon, has begun a stud career at Elsenham Stud in Hertfordshire. The 10-year-old won 10 races from 58 starts, including the Gr3 Ballycorus Stakes 3 times as well as the 1995 Gr3 Horris Hill Stakes & 1999 Gr3 Prix de la Porte Maillot at Longchamp. Elsenham proprietor David Owen told racingpost.co.uk: “He's a lovely kind horse & we're really happy to have him on board. We're standing him free to approved mares for 2003 because we need some foals on the ground." Elsenham is also home to Silver Wizard; it previously belonged to prominent UK owner Dorothy Paget & is the former base of stallions Risk Me & Bijou d'Inde. (Feb 26) Injured Delago Brom May Be Retired To Stud Australian Guineas winner Delago Brom “has a tendon injury & is likely to be retired to stud”, reported The Daily Telegraph. (Feb 25) Son Of Encosta De Lago To Stud At Hollylodge Victoria’s Hollylodge Thoroughbreds, home of top former racer & current stallion Durbridge, has just secured another stallion for the 2003 stud season. His name is Tuscanos (from Palace Fire), he’s the first son of Encosta de Lago to stand at stud & he’s already arrived at Hollylodge outside Avenel in preparation for his debut season. Retired after only 15 starts from a bowed tendon, Tuscanos was a smart 2YO sprinter who won over $235,000 in stakes & was Gr1 placed when 2nd to Spectatorial in the 2001 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes. Tuscanos is the image of his dam-sire Palace Music, including the big bull neck & white markings. His introductory price this season only will be $3,300. (Feb 25) Telesto To Stand At Tasmanian Stud Tasmania’s Armidale Stud will stand Telesto, son of champion sire Mr Prospector, in 2003 reported racenet.com.au. A winner over 1200m in England, Telesto is out of Gr1 winner Aviance (by Northfields) & is a half-brother to multiple Gr1 winners Chimes Of Freedom & Denon, while his Group-winning half-sister Imperfect Circle is the dam of multiple Gr1 winner & sire Spinning World. Telesto’s 3rd dam Best In Show (by Traffic Judge), America’s Broodmare-Of-The-Year in 1982, is “one of the most outstanding broodmares of the past century”, her descendants including: dual classic winner & sire El Gran Senor & his brother, the Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Try My Best (sire of Last Tycoon): Champion 2YO & shuttle sire Xaar (a great-grandson of Mr Prospector); multiple Gr1 winner Yagli (by a son of Mr Prospector); Gr1 Kentucky Oaks winner Blush With Pride; & in Australia the Gr1 winners Hurricane Sky, Umatilla (by a son of Mr Prospector), Redoute’s Choice & Platinum Scissors. Telesto (foaled in 1999) was trained in England by Sir Michael Stoute & won over 1200m in a career shortened by injury. On the dam-line, Aviance (Northfields-Minnie Hauk, by Sir Ivor) earned a Timeform rating of 111 as a 2YO (wins included the Gr1 Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes) & 112 as a 3YO. She has had 8 winners from 9 foals to race (2 of them Gr1 winners & 2 Gr1 placed) while 2 of her daughters have already produced Gr1 winners. (This Telesto is a different horse to the Telesto who raced in Australia & is currently standing at Royston Stud in Queensland.) (Feb 25) Success Express Moves To Noble Park Stud Success Express, Australia's leading sire of individual juvenile winners & now ranked among the stars of the breeding barn, will have a new address this season. The son of Hold Your Peace & Au Printemps, has stood his past 2 years at Chatswood Stud in Victoria. This year, however, he will stand beside his much-in-demand son Mossman at Noble Park Stud in Queensland (which was his former home) at a fee of $10,000 plus GST. This year he has 11 individual juvenile winners - 5 more than his nearest rival. And he is 8th on the 2YO list. He also has a solid Golden Slipper chance in Polar Success, currently 5th favourite at 14-1. Incidentally, this current batch of Success Express flyers were concieved while he stood previously in Queensland. (Feb 25) Arc Winner Sakhee Attracts First Season ‘Full Book’ Sakhee, winner of the 2001 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, has a “full book of 80 mares” for his first breeding season, reported racingpost.co.uk. The 6YO, standing at Shadwell Stud for a fee of £20,000 (A$56,000), has attracted high-class mares including: UK 1,000 Guineas winner Harayir; Irish Guineas victor Matiya; French Guineas winner Ta Rib; multiple Gr1 winner Sierra Madre; In The Wings' dam High Hawk; Italian Oaks runner-up Bright And Clear; & Coronation Stakes 3rd place-getter Dolores. (Feb 25) Quinton Urges ‘Culture Change’ To Minimise Jockey Injuries Former top jockey turned trainer Ron Quinton believes the “culture of racing” needs to be changed to alleviate the growing list of rider injuries & fatalities. Following yesterday’s similar call from experienced Sydney jockey Brian York, Quinton believes “intense media pressure & over-zealous stewards have lead to riders pushing the limit of their skills”, reported The Daily Telegraph. Quinton noted that, as well as being able to penalise riders for being too aggressive, stewards also suspend riders for not taking all permissible measures to provide their mount with a winning chance. This is an interpretation Quinton believes is made too liberally: “I have always said that the stewards are too tough on jockeys. The penalties are too tough. The stewards have jockeys operating in a way where you can’t ride a patient ride. The slightest interference & stewards put jockeys out; but the moment they hesitate, stewards say jockeys aren’t giving their mounts the best possible chance. I agree with Brian York. I reckon the media, stewards, owners & trainers have to take some of the blame.” (Feb 25) 4 Wins In 5 Starts For $6,500 Bargain Bargain Buy Of The Week: Country trainer Rado Boljun, based at picturesque Rush Park near Moruya on the NSW south coast, purchased 6YO gelding High Life for just $6,500 at the 2002 Inglis December Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands in Melbourne. High Life won again at Randwick last weekend, making 4 wins from 5 starts - & close to $50,000 in prize-money - since joining Boljun’s stable. (Feb 25) Danehill-Savana City Yearling Tip For Sydney Easter Sale It was good news at exactly the right time for Tyreel Stud, when Gunnamatta won his 2nd Listed Mornington Cup. Trained on the track by Tony Noonan, the 5YO gelding by Snippets from AJC Oaks winner Savana City, lifted his prize-money to $302,850. Savana City has been a fabulous asset for Tyreel Stud, producing Hong Kong champion Mr Vitality & top mare Rose O’War, as well as the dams of stakes-winners King Of Danes & Citirecruit. “Savana City’s yearling Danehill colt will be one of the stars at Easter 2003,” predicted Inglis marketing manager Melissa O’Gorman. (Feb 25) Sibling To HK Gr1 Winner Also At Easter Sale Equally well-timed was the victory by Ivan Allen’s latest star 4YO Self Flit in last week’s HK$8 million (A$1.752 million) Gr1 HK Classic Mile at Sha Tin. It was Self Flit's 4th win from 9 starts & he has never finished out of the top 3. A half-brother to Self Flit will be offered at the Inglis 2003 Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Prepared by Motto Farm as agent, the colt is by Red Ransom from Pretext, whose only other foal to race is smart HK galloper Quick Speed. (Feb 25) Inglis Graduates Snag 6 Weekend Stakes Wins And Inglis itself was, amid all the eastern seaboard rain, awash with good news as Caulfield & Randwick provided stakes wins for 6 of their sale graduates: Roedean ($50,000 at 2002 Premier Sale) won the $1 million Gr1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Conspectus ($75,000 at 2001 Easter Sale) won the Listed MRC Schweppes Cup; he was bred by the late John Suduk & offered for sale by Philippa Duncan Bloodstock as agent. Galapagos Girl ($155,000 at the 2000 Easter Sale) won the Gr3 MRC Mannerism Stakes for the Holmes A’Court family (in the maroon & white colours made famous by their Melbourne Cup winner Black Knight); she was bred & offered for sale by Lisa Randall’s Pine Lodge Thoroughbreds. La Bella Dame ($30,000 at the 2001 Classic Sale) landed the Gr2 MRC Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield; she is a product of Don Beard’s Middlebrook Valley Lodge at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley & the stud will offer a half-brother to La Bella Dame by Danzero at the up-coming Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Athelnoth ($5,000 at 2000 Australian Select Weanling Sale) scooped the Gr2 AJC Royal Sovereign Stakes at Royal Randwick; Athelnoth is another product of Don Beard’s Middlebrook Valley Lodge at Scone. Miss Helterskelter ($105,000 at 2000 Australian Breeze-Up Sale) took the Listed AJC Breeders’ Classic at Randwick; she has already returned $126,820 in prize-money for owners Bruce & Helen Reid. (Feb 25) Inglis Lands 4th Blue Diamond Winner In Succession Roedean’s weekend victory in the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes enables Inglis to boast that it has sold the last 4 winners of Victoria’s premier 2YO event. Roedean ($50,000 at the 2002 Premier Yearling Sale), joins previous winners Bel Esprit ($9,000 at the 2001 Classic Sale), True Jewels ($28,000 at the 2000 Classic Sale) & Road To Success ($18,000 at the 1999 Classic Sale). (Feb 25) Inglis Graduate Treble At Happy Valley Inglis graduates also landed a treble at Happy Valley in Hong Kong: Bargain buy Dashing Champion ($9,000 at 2001 Scone Sale) landed the feature Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup; the 3YO gelding by Carry The Crown has now won 2 of 3 starts at the track. Sir Octavius ($130,000 at 2001 Easter Sale) from the powerful John Size stable, became the first of Octagonal’s progeny to taste HK success when the 3YO won over 1200m. Thunder Man ($135,000 at 2001 Breeze-Up Sale), a 3YO by Thunder Gulch from Poetique, scored his first victory for the Lawrie Fownes stable; he’s a half-brother to handy HK runner Snippedydooda & also closely related to class sprinter Solid Contact. (Feb 25) Octagonal 3YOs Land Double In Hong Kong Octagonal wasted no time following-up with a 2nd HK winner when debutant Octa Lucky Star won the opening race at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 3YO is from the Danehill mare Newport Beach, a half-sister to stakes-winner Sir Midas from the ‘Hula’ family of Gr1 winners Hula Chief & Hula Drum. (Feb 25) Coolmore Imports Sire 4 Stakes-Winners Four stallions “originally imported to Australia by Coolmore sired stakes winners” on the weekend, noted racenet.com.au: Honour And Glory, Royal Academy, Dehere & Woodman. Only Royal Academy still stood at the famed Jerry’s Plains property last year, while Dehere now stands at Arrowfield. Honour And Glory sired his first Australian Graded Stakes winner when his 2nd crop daughter Only Glory took the $151,400 Gr2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, her 3rd win in 6 starts. The 3YO filly is the 2nd foal & 2nd winner out of the Rancher mare Range Belle (winner of 2 races in Sydney from a 10-start career. Gr1 winner Honour And Glory (Relaunch-Fair to All, by Al Nasr) made an immediate impact at stud in the US where he was not only the champion first season sire, but also champion juvenile sire. His first crop daughter Caressing won the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. In Australia, his stud career began with 6 winners from 18 runners (including How About That, winner of the Listed VRC Lady Mayoress' Plate & 2nd in the Gr3 VRC Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. But after 5 years at Coolmore, Honour And Glory did not return to Australia following the completion of the 2001 breeding season. (We reported yesterday the announcement that Honour And Glory will stand in Argentina during the 2003 Southern Hemisphere season as part of an agreement between Ashford Stud in Kentucky & 4 of Argentina's major studs.) The Mr Prospector stallion Woodman (who entered stud in Australia in 1997, the same year as Honour And Glory) scored with 3YO colt Conspectus, a $75,000 purchase at the 2001 Easter sale who landed the Listed Schweppes Cup. Conspectus, from Woodman’s 2nd Australian-born crop, has started 7 times for 4 wins & a 3rd; he is the latest stakes winner from the Holiday Scene family that includes Denise’s Joy, Euphoria, Joie Denise, Great Lover, Christmas Tree, Amusement Park, Fun For All, Light Up The World, Jewel In The Crown, So Gorgeous & Kenconcarne. Woodman exploded onto the international scene with his first crop born in 1998: at one stage he had France’s best 2YO in France Hector Protector; America’s best 2YO Hansel; & Britain’s best 2YO Mutahid. Woodman has 74 stakes winners world-wide, including 11 Gr1 winners. Woodman did not return to Australia after the 2001 season. The Australian career of Royal Academy looked to be at an end when chopped from the Coolmore roster at the end of the 1999 season. But that coincided with an explosion of stakes winners including Phoenix Park, Quays, Prince Of War, Regal Kiss, Royal Courtship, Tears Royal & Sarson Trail. And when Blue Diamond Stakes winner Bel Esprit emerged from that final 1999 crop, it triggered a recall for the son of Nijinsky, who returned to a book of 141 mares in 2002 after serving half that in 1999. Another member of that 1999 crop is La Bella Dame, successful in the $201,000 Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield on the weekend. The 3YO filly is the first foal of the unraced Snippets mare Nobellocove. From 10 starts La Bella Dame has won 5 & finished 2nd twice. Royal Academy has sired at least 78 stakes winners, including 9 Gr1 winners (Oscar Schindler, Val Royal, Bel Esprit, Kenwood Melody, Ali-Royal, Sleepytime, Lavery, Zalaiyka & Carmine Lake). Dehere landed an international stakes double when Galapagos Girl (out of the Century mare Reigntaine) won the Gr3 MRC Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield & Grandiser (from Staremma by Famous Star) took the Listed Reb’s Policy Handicap at his 2nd race start in North America. Dehere, who was the 2nd Leading Sire of North America in 2002, is now the sire of 45 stakes-winners internationally. (Feb 25) Flying Start To 2003 For Collingrove It’s been consistent good news for Victoria’s Collingrove Stud in the first 2 months of 2003: Danzig shuttle stallion Bianconi continued the strong pace he set at both the Gold Coast Magic Millions & Melbourne Inglis Premier Yearling sales with his first crop yearlings averaging $73,375 (including a top of $142,500 for his colt from Tudor Primrose) at the just completed Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling sale. With a 100% clearance on his 4 lots offered, Bianconi’s return was far above his 2002 service fee of $7,700. Collingrove also sold the top lot at Adelaide Magic Millions, a colt by Danehill from the Sir Tristram mare Cherry Garden for a sale record $250,000. And on the track flying filly Rosarino gave Collingrove stallion Perugino (sire of Testa Rossa) his 2nd winner of the Listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington, the imported stallion having also produced previous winner Sudurka (a subsequent dual Gr1 winner of the Oakleigh Plate & Salinger Stakes). Rosarino is the first foal of Gr3 Merson Cooper Stakes winner Rosa’s Joy, a daughter of Collingrove’s greatest sire Rory’s Jester. A $120,000 purchase by John Foote Bloodstock from the Collingrove draft at last year's Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale, Rosarino hails from only the 2nd crop of Perugino bred in Australia (the crop also boasts winners Paint The Stage & Fresh Boy & stakes-placed performer Neo). (Feb 25) Jockey El’Issa Has Conditions Attached To Return Bobby El'Issa's riding future is “in the balance, after a decision by the Board of Racing NSW not to automatically reinstate his licence when he finishes serving a 3-month suspension”, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Racing NSW directed that El'Issa can ride track-work & barrier trials only until June 30, when licence renewals are due & he can re-apply to ride in races. El'Issa was outed from December 13-March 13 after pleading guilty to having “dishonestly appropriated property in the form of a body protector belonging to another rider” at the Queanbeyan race meeting on November 11. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of “giving false evidence to a stewards' inquiry.” In order to reapply for his licence El'Issa, who has a history of run-ins with officialdom, must also remain under the supervision of trainer Malcolm Johnston. The variation to El'Issa's licence comes as a result of undertakings the jockey had previously made to the Racing NSW Licensing Committee in August 2002 regarding his future conduct as a licensed person. (Feb 25) Queensland Meetings Face Strike Action The newly-formed Queensland racing lobby group, The Racing Industry Participants Group (comprising representatives of trainers, owners & jockeys), has threatened industrial action at Queensland race meetings on March 8 unless the state government provides a massive injection in annual funding. RIPG held a meeting “attended by approximately 100 people at Eagle Farm racecourse & now will seek an audience with Premier Peter Beattie to intervene prior to a meeting between Queensland Racing officials & provincial & country clubs on March 7,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The meeting passed a motion to boycott meetings at Doomben, Gold Coast & Toowoomba on March 8 unless the government increases prize-money & abandons plans to rationalise country & provincial race clubs. Spokesman Kevin Vizer declared: "If the Queensland government is not prepared to provide further funding to the racing industry, then trainers & owners will not nominate horses for TAB meetings on March 8. We want prize-money increased to a comparable level to NSW & Victoria." Keynote speakers at the meeting were Vizer, Wayne Purchase from the Queensland Racehorse Owners' Association & Richard Pratt from the Queensland Jockeys' Association. Purchase said it was "incumbent on the government to turn the Queensland racing industry around. Whatever savings have been made have gone into administrative costs. The purchase of the Northern Territory & South Australian TABs has not seen one extra dollar increase in prizemoney. If the government can spend $300 million on Lang Park, surely they can invest $20 million a year on an industry which produces on-going turnover & jobs." Pratt added racing in Queensland was at the crossroads: "There has been a 48% loss of jockeys from this state & hundreds & hundreds of jobs will be lost unless the government acts." However Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley replied structural reform of the industry needs to continue before the Government is approached for extra funding & the clubs have been given an opportunity to voice their concerns: “We are listening to what is being said at meetings in the country & fully understand that emotions are running high among those most affected. But we have to make decisions based on current circumstances. We cannot afford to let sentiment compromise the structural changes needed to grow our wagering product & benefit the industry in general." (Feb 25) Catalogues For March Thoroughbred Sale At Oaklands Catalogues for the Inglis Melbourne March Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands will be available later this week, offering 297 lots including 164 broodmares, 94 racehorses, 8 unbroken stock, one stallion (Famous Nick) & 29 yearlings by popular sires including Rory’s Jester, Spectrum, King Of Kings &Dolphin Street. The sale has been boosted by substantial reductions from Woodlands Stud (22 broodmares), Lynden Park Stud (22 broodmares), Lindsay Park (11 racehorses) & Contract Racing (4 broodmares & 15 racehorses), as well as a dispersal from The Oaks Stud at Whittlesea (6 broodmares). The Woodlands Stud draft includes Beyond Price, a full sister to the dam of recent stakes-winner Pearly Kings, offered with a positive test to Canny Lad. Lynden Park Stud’s draft is highlighted by former stakes-winning juvenile Station Mistress, dam of Play Station (a stakes-winner of 9 races & more than $450,000 in prizemoney); she comes with a positive test to Danzig’s Gr1-winning son Golden Snake in his first season at stud. And Blue Gum Farm has entered metropolitan winner Seaside Attraction, a half-sister to Gr1 winner Pride Of Rancho; she has the added appeal of a Last Tycoon filly at foot & a positive service to Rubiton. The racehorse section features metropolitan performers Admiral Robinson, Bond, Crazy Date, Deputy Head, Marchark & Mawhoob. (Feb 25) Dubai’s Inaugural Super Saturday Draws Top International Horses Dubai’s inaugural Super Saturday, comprising 7 events on March 8 at Nad al Sheba racecourse as lead-ins for the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 29, has attracted nominations from top stables worldwide. Godolphin’s World Series Racing Championship winner Grandera & English multiple group winner Zindabad (including 2002 Hardwicke Stakes) head horses entered for the Gr3 Dubai City Of Gold (in which Grandera finished 2nd to Narrative last year). And Godolphin’s Sulamani, winner of the 2002 Gr1 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby), has been nominated to the Gr2 Maktoum Challenge Round III. Emirates Racing Association & World Cup Committee chairman Les Benton commented: "Super Saturday is an exciting concept to provide trainers with an opportunity to give their horses a run at Nad al Sheba leading up to the Dubai World Cup meeting - & looking at the nominations, many have taken up the opportunity." South African trainer Mike de Kock has nominated Gr2 UAE Derby winner Victory Moon for the Al Bastakiya (2nd leg of the UAE Triple Crown) & his champion 3YO filly Ipi Tombe for the Gr3 Jebel Hatta (a lead-in for the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free). Irish trainer Dermot Weld has nominated One More Round for the The Burj Nahaar (lead-in for the Gr2 Godolphin Mile) & Mutakarrim for the Dubai City Of Gold. French-based trainer John Hammond will send 2002 UK Diadem Stakes winner Crystal Castle against top UAE sprinter State City in the Gr3 Mahab al Shimaal (a lead-in for the 6-furlong Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen). (Feb 25) Connections Ponder Dubai Raid For Harlan’s Holiday Meanwhile, less than 24 hours after emerging US star Harlan’s Holiday “delivered an explosive victory” in the Gr1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park, his connections “are debating whether the threat of war in the Middle East is enough to derail plans to ship the 4YO son of Harlan to Dubai for the US$6 million Dubai World Cup” on March 29. "That’s a question we’ll have to answer," trainer Todd Pletcher told thoroughbredtimes.com. "The first factor is how the horse is doing. Then, it will be how things are in the Middle East." Starlight Stable principal Jack Wolf said the decision would be up to Pletcher, but also admitted it would be difficult to pass up the world’s richest race. "It could be dangerous, but you only live once," Wolf declared. "Also, it could work to our advantage if some of the other horses don’t ship for the race because of the situation." Harlan’s Holiday became the first horse in Gulfstream history to win the US$1 million Gr1 Florida Derby & Gr1 Donn Handicap in back-to-back seasons. "He looks great this morning," Pletcher said. "He ate up well & is doing fine. I think he’ll only get better after this race & that he’s probably one of the best 3 or 4 horses racing in this country." Harlan’s Holiday improved his record to 9 wins & 5 placings in 18 starts with the Donn victory. The Ohio-bred also won last year’s Gr1 Blue Grass Stakes. (Feb 25) Grand National Favourite Cops Controversial Ban From Stewards Pre-post betting markets across Britain on the UK’s most famous race, the Grand National, have been thrown into uproar after Davids Lad – 2nd favourite on most charts – was “sensationally ruled out of the big race after trailing in last” in the Paddy & Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase at Naas. Stewards ruled that “the racecourse had been used as a training ground for the 9YO & that rider Timmy Murphy had made insufficient effort,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “They hammered the horse, & all those who had already backed him in the Martell Cognac Grand National, with a 42-day ban.” Jockey Murphy was suspended for 7 race days & trainer Tony Martin was fined E1,000 (A$1,840). Davids Lad’s suspension finishes on April 6 - one day after the Grand National. Martin said: "I'll be consulting the owners & we are considering an appeal. Timmy should have been more forceful, but I left it up to him as he knows the horse best.” Davids Lad raced at the back of the field almost from the start & he was losing touch soon after halfway; he plodded on at one pace in the straight but still finished last. (Feb 25) Expanding UK Tattersalls Appoints Greek Representative UK Tattersalls (who last week announced the appointment of Australian-based consultant Rodney Rae as its representative in South East Asia) has appointed prominent owner-breeder Chris Imirziadis as its Greek representative. Athens-based Imirziadis has been involved in racing & breeding in Greece since 1989, & is currently vice president of the Greek Racehorse Owners Union, as well as a member of the Greek Thoroughbred Breeders Association. A property developer & hotelier Imirziadis, 38, is also joint editor of the Greek racing magazine Idioktitis. Imirziadis commented: "Tattersalls is Europe's leading firm of bloodstock auctioneers, already enjoying a strong profile in Greece & I am delighted to be acting as their representative. Greece has experienced significant recent growth in racing & breeding, & as it continues to grow we will be aiming to attract greater numbers of Greek buyers to Tattersalls." Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony added: "Chris' appointment reflects the increasing amount of business we have been attracting from Greece in the last few years. In 2002 Greek buyers were active at every Tattersalls sale except the Houghton & we are looking to build upon this growth with Chris' invaluable assistance." (Feb 25) Keltos To Stand At Alwyn Park In WA One of the world's top gallopers Keltos is coming to Australia & will stand this season at Alwyn Park Stud in Western Australia. A partnership of WA breeders (including De Grey Park Stud, Dawson Stud, Namerick Thoroughbreds, Crathes Park Stud & Key Farm) pitched in to buy the regally-bred & highly regarded European stallion, who will serve 3 seasons in WA. Keltos (by the great producer Kendor from Last Tycoon mare Loxandra) won the prestigious Gr2 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes in England, beating the Darley sensation & Gr1 winner Noverre. In turn Noverre (who is expected to stand at stud in the NSW Hunter Valley this year) ran the mighty Rock Of Gibraltar to 2 lengths when they met. Keltos retired this year with an international rating of 126 - higher than Northerly & just 2 below the highest rated international galloper Rock Of Gibraltar. Keltos raced 10 times for 6 wins (including a pair of Gr2 victories); he also beat six Gr1 winners during his career. He comes to Australia as the greatest galloping son of Kendor, who is a son of Kenmare - & WA breeders know how good a sire getter Kenmare is. He gave them the runaway WA sire success stories Metal Storm & Tribu. (Feb 24) Newhaven Park Patriarch John Kelly Dies John Kelly, described by The Sun-Herald newspaper as “the patriarch of one of Australia’s great breeding establishments Newhaven Park Stud”, has died after a long illness. Kelly, 86, founded the famous Newhaven Park Stud at Boorowa near Yass in southern NSW, which “became home to a host of champion Australian sires including Wilkes, Vain, Marauding & Luskin Star,” noted aapracingandsports.com.au, tagging Kelly “a revered figure in the Australian bloodstock & racing industry.” Kelly established Newhaven Park as a thoroughbred stud in 1942, after the property had been run as a sheep & cattle station by his family since the 1920s. He imported the legendary stallion Wilkes to stand at Newhaven Park in 1956; Wikes became an immediate success when one of his first yearlings sold was champion race mare Wenona Girl. By 1962-63 Wilkes had displaced Star Kingdom as Australia’s champion sire. His progeny included 89 stakeswinners (among them Vain, John’s Hope, Bogan Road & Vivarchi). “Under Kelly’s guidance the stud grew to boast one of the finest broodmare bands in Australia & built an enviable record on the racetrack with the many top class fillies the stud retained for racing & breeding (including Group winners Visit, Sudden, Parade, Invade, Sun Sally, Worth, Shackle, Specify, Burst & Arborea).” Other top class sires Kelly acquired for Newhaven Park included Imperial Prince, Boucher, Zeditave & Tierce. Newhaven Park sires produced 7 Golden Slipper winners (including 4 bred by Newhaven Park). (Feb 24) $1.34 Million Filly Blitzes Opposition By 13 Lengths Chris Munce piloted $1.34 million blue-blood filly Shower Of Roses to a 13-length blitz of her opposition in the Australian Ladies Variety Handicap (1550m) at Canterbury yesterday. A three-quarter 3YO sister to Octagonal, the filly fetched NZ$1.45 million (A$1.34 million) at New Zealand's Premier sale when knocked down to Eduardo Cojuangco of Gooree Stud. At her only other start, Shower Of Roses won over 1200m at Canterbury on February 12. "All Chris had to do was press the button, it must be like driving a Porsche," Gai Waterhouse's raceday foreman Tania Rouse told aapracingandsports.com.au. "She just flew home. She cost a lot of money, so it's good to see her do so well." Waterhouse said the filly would now take the next step in her campaign - aimed at the AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick - in the Gr2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on March 15. (Feb 24) Turform Editor Slams Rock Of Gibraltar’s Top Rating A major controversy has erupted among form experts in Britain, following the declaration by Turform editor Alan Hewison that he “is convinced the international handicappers have under-rated High Chaparral & Hawk Wing, & that they did so to boost stable companion Rock Of Gibraltar.” Hewison has put High Chaparral on the same 128 mark as The Rock in his just published Turform Irish Flat Racing Annual 2002, while Hawk Wing is next on 125. Rock Of Gibraltar is also on 128 in the International Classification, but High Chaparral is on 126 & Hawk Wing on 123. Hewison told racingpost.co.uk: “The international handicappers raised Rock Of Gibraltar 4lbs after the end of the season in an almost unprecedented move. I’m not sure how much of this was due to weight of public opinion, but there was a lot of clamour to make Rock Of Gibraltar the leading horse of the year.” (Feb 24) Sportingbet & Aust Racing Board Exchange Strong Opinions Darwin’s Sportingbet supremo & former leading Sydney bookmaker Michael Sullivan has fired a warning at Australian racing administrators, in reaction to an Australian Racing Board proposal “to extract a product fee from corporate bookmakers based in the Northern Territory.” Sullivan told The Sydney Morning Herald: “Ironically this arrives on my desk the same day Betfair kicks off betting here & it isn’t returning one cent to the Australian racing industry. What are the ARB & the major race clubs doing about betting exchanges? Sportingbet is on track to pay $6 million in tax this financial year, we are contributing nearly $200,000 to the Darwin Turf Club & are currently employing 50 people. We are sponsoring a Magic Millions race in Perth & wanted to do the same in South Australia at an inflated cost but they knocked us back.” The ARB recommendation that corporate bookmakers pay a 1% product fee based on turnover is to be submitted to an up-coming conference of state Racing Ministers. ARB chief executive Andrew Harding told The Sydney Morning Herald the product fee recommendation is “nothing more than fair & reasonable. If it is not 1%, what should it be? Taking their line, they are happy to make a token payment. Fresh air & concerts in the park are free; for anything else in life, if you use it you must pay for it.” Sullivan retorted that any imposed product fee would amount to Sportingbet paying out another $4 million, which is “totally unacceptable” to the publicly-listed UK-based company, threatening that “the UK Board has instructed me that any increase in tax take will result in moving the business off-shore, no ifs or buts. Any product fee should be based on profit, not turnover, & be revenue neutral.” But Harding “scoffed at the revenue neutral line” & said it was “a euphemistic way of saying: I don’t want to pay any more that I am now.” Stay tuned! (Feb 24) TwoFlys Betting Exchange Opens On Aust Sports Meanwhile the TwoFlys Betting Exchange (www.twoflys.com) launched on the weekend its “person-to-person betting exchange dedicated to Australian interests, kicking off with markets on the World Cup Cricket, AFL, Super 12 & NRL . . . with regular racing markets following shortly.” TwoFlys was the first service to introduce the P2P exchange betting concept to Australians, in a successful trial during the 2002 Spring Racing Carnival. In Auckland Derek Handley, managing director of Feverpitch (the NZ company providing the software behind the betting exchange) announced: “Invaluable feedback & encouragement was obtained from punters (during the 2002 tirals) & we’ve taken this into account for now going live, & continual enhancements to the software will be introduced in coming months. We have little doubt that TwoFlys will soon be offering the best odds available on Australasian events & races.” Handley noted: "The TwoFlys business model recognises the industry is entitled to a product fee from those conducting betting on its events & races. As such TwoFlys intends to set aside a sum to be paid to the Australian racing & sports industry. From the outset, TwoFlys will be operating through a company based in England; therefore it is up to the Australian industry to provide a model for income distribution to feed back into the industry, as none exists at present for offshore operators. We are convinced that the betting exchange phenomenon is here to stay & that the racing industry in particular needs to embrace it in order to maintain its share of wagering revenue. As a software developer, Feverpitch is in a position to share our technology with the industry. Launching the TwoFlys exchange demonstrates that we have faith in our own technology for the Australian market.” (Feb 24) Olympic Express Takes Gr1 HK Gold Cup Trainer Ivan Allen’s emerging star Olympic Express (formerly Ecclesiastical in Britain) overcame adversity to grab the HK$8 million (A$1.752 million) Gr1 HK Gold Cup (2000m) - the 2nd leg of HK's Triple Crown series - at Sha Tin yesterday. In a pulsating climax, Olympic Express (ridden by Eric Saint-Martin) defeated expatriate Australian trainer John Size’s Dr More (ridden by Shane Dye) by a neck, with a neck further back to Elegant Fashion (trained by another expatriate Australian David Hayes). Owned by HK Jockey Club steward Larry Yung, Olympic Express (a 5YO son of Bishop Of Cashel) has now won HK$31.1 million (A$6.8 million) after his 4th Gr1 triumph from just 11 starts; he previously took the HK Classic Mile, HK Derby & HK International Mile. Allen is now aiming Olympic Express at the Gr1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (2000m) & Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m), the 2nd & 3rd legs of the World Series Racing Championship. (Feb 24) Size & Dye Land 8th Victory For Century Star On the same Sunday card at Sha Tin, the pain of Dr More's defeat was eased for trainer John Size & jockey Shane Dye when 6YO Century Star edged out Anabatik to claim the HK$2 million (A$440,000) Silver Lining Handicap (1200m). Century Star was winless from 25 outings prior to making his debut for trainer Size on March 30 last year. Since then, the Exit To Nowhere gelding has won 8 times from 11 starts accumulating HK$5.83 million (A$1.27 million) for owner Yip Kwok-wai. (Feb 24) McEvoy Lands Moonshell Mile In Dubai Kerrin McEvoy continued his winning Dubai stint with the Godolphin stable when he piloted Sunday Silence filly Danuta to blitz her more fancied stable-mates & grab a sensational 7.5 lengths victory in the US$200,000 Moonshell Mile on the dirt track at Nad Al Sheba. A US Belmont Park winner in 2002, Danuta (Sunday Silence-Polish Style, by Danzig) jumped straight to the front & led through-out to defeat fellow Godolphin runner Ashraaf, with Brazilian-bred Prep winner Escania 3rd. Godolphin’s Simon Crisford indicated Danuta is now aiming for the US$250,000 UAE 1000 Guineas on March 13 & US$250,000 UAE Oaks on April 4, followed by a possible American campaign. McEvoy (who won aboard Naheef for Godolphin in the Listed Al Rashidiya a fortnight ago) also rode 2 2nds on the program. (Feb 24) Rodd Makes UAE Riding Debut On the same Dubai program, leading Queensland apprentice Michael Rodd made his United Arab Emirates riding debut with 3 unplaced mounts. (Rodd is currently visiting Dubai as a prize for finishing Champion Queensland Apprentice last year.) He rode two horses for expatriate Australian trainer John Sadler: Go On My Son (4th) & Nessuno (15th). He also rode Glenmorangie (10th) for trainer Richard Alford. (Feb 24) York Blames Trainer-Owner-Punter Pressure For Jockey Falls Experienced Sydney rider Brian York believes “weight of expectation is leading to more of our jockeys being hurt in races,” reported The Daily Telegraph. “York has placed some of the blame for the spate of recent jockey falls on racehorse owners, trainers, punters & to some extent stewards who all push for riders to be aggressive, not be caught wide or locked away in pockets.” York summed up: “There are a lot of factors, but more than anything the expectation is of riders to be aggressive; if not, the owners & trainers tend to look elsewhere. . . It is a case of, if a jockey doesn’t ride a horse well they get sacked. It is self-preservation to try & get out, but the pressure is more prevalent on the younger riders because the older riders know how to handle it better. We are just too quick to bag jockeys. The scrutiny of riders is just getting to be too much.” (Feb 24) Recovery Long & Slow For Sheila Laxon The recovery of Caulfield & Melbourne Cup winning trainer Sheila Laxon from her serious training accident late last year “continues to be slow & painful,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Laxon revealed she still has another 4 weeks on crutches & still suffers significant pain from her healing ribs. And she will soon have another scan on her hip to see if she needs a full hip replacement, having already undergone a partial hip replacement after her accident (when she was thrown from a horse on the training track). (Feb 24) Xtra Heat US Record: All-Time Leading Female Stakes Winner Xtra Heat (daughter of Dixieland Heat) became the “all-time leading female stakes winner” when she claimed the US$200,000 Gr2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap for the 2nd consecutive year on a sloppy track at Laurel Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Xtra Heat, the champion 3YO filly of 2001, now has 25 stakes victories, one more than Susan’s Girl (a 3-time champion in the 1970s). The 5YO Xtra Heat is now in a 3-way tie with 1945 champion Stymie & Gr2 winner Little Bold John for 3rd on the all-time list behind 2-time Horse-Of-The-Year John Henry (30 stakes wins) & Gr3 winner Who Doctor Who (26). Trainer John Salzman declared: "She is game & she proved how good she was today. She deserves this record. You look at her & she is truly amazing." Bred in Kentucky, Xtra Heat is out of the winning Hatchet Man mare Begin & has an overall record of 26 wins in 35 starts. Last year Xtra Heat used her win in the Barbara Fritchie as a springboard to the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen where she finished 3rd. She is currently again headed for the 6-furlong event, on March 29 on the Dubai World Cup undercard at Nad al Sheba. (Feb 24) Harlan’s Holiday Takes US Gr1 Donn Handicap Meanwhile Starlight Stable's Harlan's Holiday, who won last year's Gr1 Florida Derby & Gr1 Blue Grass Stakes, carried top weight to another US Gr1 victory in the US$500,000 Donn Handicap over 9 furlongs at Gulfstream Park. The Ohio-bred 4YO son of Harlan (ridden by John Velazquez & trained by Todd Pletcher) is out of the winning Affirmed mare Christmas In Aiken. He now has 9 wins in 18 career starts. (Feb 24) 2 Aust Winners On Same Program At Santa Anita And Australian-bred horses won 2 races on the same program at Santa Anita in the US, reported racenet.com.au. Grandiser (an Australian-bred son of Dehere) won a stakes race for 4YOs & upwards over 6.5 furlongs on turf. Grandiser, who won 4 of his 7 Australian starts for Sydney trainer Sterling Smith before receiving a life-time ban after suffering his 2nd bleeding attack, was sold for $110,000 at the Inglis Winter Thoroughbred Sale last July. (The total price was almost recouped in one hit with this latest prize-money cheque for US$48,660.) And at the same meeting Sister Patricia won a race for 4YO mares & upwards over 9 furlongs on turf. (She had previously won another Santa Anita race over one mile on January 3.) (Feb 24) Helissio Returning From Shadai To Widden Helissio will return from Shadai Stallion Station to Widden Stud for the next Australian breeding season in spring 2003. Dual Gr1 winner Helenus & recent Lightning Stakes placegetter Azevedo will certainly bolster his popularity, following the solid results for Helissio’s first 2 Australian crops in the sale ring. Helenus - who landed 4 consecutive wins last spring in the Gr2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m), Gr1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m), Gr2 AAMI Vase (2040m) & Gr1 Victoria Derby (2500m) - is now being aimed by trainer Leon Corstens at the Gr2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on March 8, followed by the Gr1 Canterbury Guineas (1900m) at Canterbury on March 22, Gr1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on April 5 at Rosehill & his Sydney autumn campaign culminating in the $2 million Gr1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 19. Meanwhile trainer Robbie Laing believes sprinter Azevedo is firmly on track for a major Group win, noting: "He's gone from a maiden at Bendigo to Gr1 place-getter in 5 starts. He has taken giant steps. He's just so fast, he finishes his races in better than 11 seconds per furlong." Helissio is currently leading 2nd crop sire. Widden Stud's Antony Thompson commented: "After Helenus took all before him in the spring, & Azevedo caught the eye of good judges taking ground off Choisir to finish 3rd in the Lightning Stakes, interest in Helissio really intensified. And Helissio stayed at the forefront of many breeders' minds because he topped the 1st season sire averages across all sales in 2001 with an average of $99,837, with his yearlings selling up to $240,000, & 7 at Easter averaging $117,142. He stayed in the top 10 2nd crop sires on average in 2002, with his progeny fetching up to $110,000 because he threw really nice horses with a lot of quality about them." Thompson added: "When we stood him in 1998 & 1999 we believed he would be an excellent option for Australian breeders seeking stamina & class, & we've proven that with Helenus. He is getting Gr1 horses & they have the class to carry their speed over distance." Helissio was a champion 3YO over Classic distances, winning 5 Gr1 races including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by 5 lengths over Pilsudski in 1996, ensuring he was Cartier Horse-Of-The-Year and top-weighted 3YO for 1996 on the international classifications. Thompson noted Helissio will “cover a strictly limited book of mares at Widden Stud in 2003 at a competitive fee of $13,750 including GST.” (Feb 24) Aust Gr1 Weekend Summary There were 2 Gr1 events in Australia over the weekend: Roedean (ridden by Dan Nikolic) gave trainer Mick Price his 3rd Gr1 winner in the $1 million Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) for 2YOs at Caulfield; Price also saddled 3rd place-getter Halibery (Red Ransom-Bown Eyed Girl, by Sir Tristram) & 5th Gaelic Princess. "Training Gr1 winners is what I have to do," Price told aapracingandsports.com.au. The John Hawkes-trained Kusi (Desert Prince-Naughty, by Canny Lad) finished 2nd. Roedean is a daughter of Golden Slipper winner Flying Spur (who ran 2nd to Principality in the 1995 Blue Diamond Stakes) from At Talaq mare Queen Kathleen. Price noted the filly had a "lazy pastern" & he was content to let her go through the sales, where she was passed in for $40,000. One of Price's owners Pat Donato later offered breeder Walter Alteri $45,000 for the filly but when the 2 parties couldn't come to an agreement, the trainer paid $50,000. Donato subsequently acquired 50% from Price & owns Roedean “with a number of Price's long-time friends, including Roger Okalyi who literally nailed down boards at Price's stables in the early days of the 1990s.” Okalyi is also Nikolic's running partner & the jockey declared: "This is a better thrill today than I have had winning any other race. The owners are friends of mine & it makes it that bit closer to my heart.” The $350,000 Gr1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Calufield was won by the Mathew Ellerton-trained 4YO mare River Dove (Hurricane Sky-Ride The Rapids, by River Rough) ridden by Stephen Baster, in a 3-way finish from North Boy (Northerly’s half-brother) & Choisir. Ellerton trains for David Moodie’s Contract Racing Syndicate; River Dove now has 7 wins & 4 placings in 19 starts. (Feb24) Arrowfield Stallions Star At Caulfield It was certainly a big day at Caulfield for Arrowfield Stud stallions. In 3 successive races: Flying Spur’s daughter Roedean (Flying Spur-Queen Kathleen, by At Talaq) grabbed the $1 million Gr1 AAMI Blue Diamond Stakes; 4YO Dehere mare Galapagos Girl took her first stakes win in the $125,000 Gr3 TBV Mannerism Stakes (1400m); & then River Dove, the tiny 4YO daughter of Hurricane Sky, took the $352,000 Gr1 Oakleigh Plate. Winning trainer Mick Price paid $50,000 for Roedean at the 2002 Inglis Premier sale & the $650,000 Blue Diamond winner’s cheque takes Roedean’s earnings to $717,450 from 2 wins & a 3rd from 3 starts. “Roedean becomes the 21st stakes winner & 5th Gr1 winner for Flying Spur since his retirement to stud in 1996,” noted racenet.com.au. “One of the most sought after stallions in the nation, the good-looking son of Danehill has sired over 182 winners that have amassed over $16 million in earnings.” Meanwhile former Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hurricane Sky (initially retired to Wakefield Stud in 1996 & subsequently transferred to Arrowfield in 2002) has sired 106 winners from 172 starters for earnings of $7.5 million. Oakleigh Plate winner River Dove follows VATC Gr1 Orr Stakes & Gr1 Futurity Stakes winner Desert Sky & VRC Gr1 Emirates Stakes winner Desert Eagle (now named Grand Delight in Hong Kong where he is a Gr1 winning sprinter) as winners at the highest level for Hurricane Sky. As for Dehere, he was runner-up on the 2002 US Sires list & has 197 winners from 307 runners world-wide who have amassed $32.2 million in earnings. His 43 stakes winners include Gr1 stars Take Charge Lady, Defier & Belle Du Jour. (Feb 24) Major Aust Weight-For-Age Results There were also 2 major weight-for-age events in Australia over the weekend: Champion galloper Northerly added another win to his record when he defeated arch-rival Fields Of Omagh after a 2-horse battle down the straight in the $200,000 St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield. Northerly has now won 12 of his last 14 starts at 1600m & beyond. Trainer Fred Kersley confirmed the 6YO’s main immediate mission is the $1.25 million Gr1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10. "He hasn't improved, but he's stayed the same & that's all I have to do," Kersley told aapracingandsports.com.au. And Sydney star 4YO entire Lonhro won the $150,000 Gr2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) first-up at Randwick for jockey Darren Beadman, trainer John Hawkes & Australia's biggest owner Jack Ingham. Belle Du Jour (who later in the year will race in France before going to Coolmore Stud in Ireland, where she is booked to super-sire Danehill) ran 2nd & Carael Boy 3rd. Ingham had not been to the races for several months due to illness, but told aapracingandsports.com.au: "I wouldn't miss this." Lonhro is a son of Ingham’s favourite racehorse, his 10-time Gr1 winner Octagonal. Lonhro now has 14 wins & 3 placings from 20 starts & over $2.5 million prize-money. Hawkes' stable foreman Peter Snowden said Lonhro was likely to next line up in the $150,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on March 8. (Feb 24) South African David Payne Lands First Aust Stakes Win Meanwhile former South African trainer David Payne (who moved to Randwick last year) landed his first stakes win in Sydney when his 4YO mare Miss Helterskelter (Brocco-Farinella) won the Listed Breeders Classic (1200m) at his new home track. Payne’s stable now includes dual Gr1 winner Carnegie Express & top international mare Hoeberg. Miss Helterskelter has now recorded 2 wins, 2 2nds & a 3rd from her last 5 starts for her new trainer, & Payne “hinted that the mare might press on toward the $1 million Gr1 Galaxy (1100m) on April 19”, reported appracingandsports.com.au. (Feb 24) Old Spice Dies At WA Stud Old Spice, sire of 1999 Melbourne Cup winner Rogan Josh, has died in his box at Clairfontaine Stud at Busselton in Western Australia aged 22. Old Spice’s most recent major winner was Tumeric in the Gr2 WATC Perth Cup (3200m) on January 1. Bob Peters, who raced the son of Star Kingdom horse Kaoru Star, told The Australian newspaper: “He covered 48 mares last spring, his 17th season at stud & retained a high fertility rating. I sent 9 mares to him & they’re all in foal. He was never a big numbers stallion & had 25 or 30 mares in some years. But he did remarkably well considering.” Old Spice sired 22 stakes-winners to date, with his progeny earning $11.5 million in Australia & a further $500,000 on Malaysian & Singapore tracks. His 8 Gr1 winners are Rogan Josh, Old Comrade, Forge On, Old Money, Natasha, Spectrum, Old Nick & Old Role. (Feb 24) Ryan Rides 6 Winners On One Program NSW country jockey Greg Ryan rode 6 winners at Bathurst & is “now on target to overhaul his Australian record for wins in a season,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Ryan set the national record with 208.5 wins in the 2001-02 season. His current tally this season (at the end of last week) was 128 winners. (Feb 24) Centre Stalls Tops Adelaide MM Summer Session A colt by South Australian-based first season sire Centre Stalls topped Friday’s Summer Session at the 2003 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. Victorian trainer Rick Hore-Lacy paid $44,000 for the brown Centre Stalls-Press To Play colt. Among other buys: David Balfour paid $43,000 for a bay Desert Sun-Gulchwood filly; Aquanita Racing paid $42,000 for a bay Made Of Gold-Princess Remarco filly; Beh Chin Pheng of Malaysia paid $37,000 for a chestnut Jeune-Sparkling colt; Aquanita Racing paid $35,000 for a bay Bellotto-Bokasah colt; Wendy Kelly Racing Stables paid $35,000 for a bay Distorted Humour-Miss Ali filly; Ian Hutchins paid $31,000 for a chestnut Jeune-Orchestral Belle colt; & Jeremy Gask paid $31,000 for a bay Centre Stalls-Rancona filly. (Feb 24) Autumn Plans For NZ Derby Winner St Reims New Zealand Mercedes Derby winner St Reims (by Zabeel) will have 2 set-weight races in NZ before embarking on a Sydney autumn campaign. Managing part-owner Rob McAnulty announced the NZ events will be “a progressive 1600m event at Hastings on March 1 & a progressive 1800m event at New Plymouth on March 22.” St Reims won a barrier trial at Cambrdge last week & trainer Chris McNab expressed his delight at the condition of the 3YO colt, telling NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "He has really blossomed into a more mature colt, who knows a lot more now about the racing game." The Sydney campaign for St Reims involves the $400,000 Gr1 Dubai Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill on April 5, followed by the $2 million Gr1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 19. (Feb 24) Asian Racing Conference In Auckland Next Week The 29th Asian Racing Conference begins in Auckland next week, running from Sunday March 2-Thursday March 6. The Breeding Business Session will be chaired by the Hon Michael Duffy, formerly Australia's Attorney General & currently Deputy Chairman of Racing Victoria. In it: John Digby, Keeper of the Australian Stud Book, is opening speaker & will “provide a factual overview of the impact of dual hemisphere stallions on the Australian breeding industry, & outline the consideration Stud Books are giving to limiting stallions’ books.” New Zealand's Professor Twink Allen, a world leader in reproductive technology, will “outline the genetical implications of the use of shuttle stallions & the influence that technology can have on the numbers of mares bred to a stallion.” Coolmore Stud spokesman James Bester will speak on “the benefits of shuttle stallions.” Prominent NZ stud-master Garry Chittick will “argue the strengths of locally (southern hemisphere) bred stallions.” And Racing NSW chairman Tony Hartnell will “introduce the often discussed, but rarely detailed, topic of the impact on local racing from dual hemisphere stallions.” (Feb 24) Tattersalls Breeze-Up Catalogue Available On-Line The 2003 UK Tattersalls Breeze-Up catalogue is now available online at www.tattersalls.com. The Sale is on April 16-17th, with all 187 lots ‘breezing’ on the Newmarket Rowley Mile Racecourse on Tuesday April 15. The record breaking 2002 Sale has led to a world-class catalogue in 2003, with 19 of last year's Top 20 sires in Britain & Ireland represented, including Danehill, Grand Lodge, Green Desert, Indian Ridge, In The Wings, Pivotal, Rainbow Quest, Selkirk & 12-times champion sire Sadler’s Wells. In addition, top international sires with 2YOs catalogued include Diesis, El Prado, French Deputy, Kingmambo, Linamix, Silver Hawk, Theatrical, Thunder Gulch & Unbridled’s Song. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented: “This Sale just keeps on improving. Last year's Sale set new standards & the 2003 catalogue reflects not only the sales ring successes, but equally importantly the racecourse achievements of Tattersalls Breeze-Up purchases. French Classic winner Mr Dinos & Britain's top-rated older miler Nayyir both emphasise the quality to be found at the Sale, & we would expect a catalogue of this quality yet again to attract a global audience." (Feb 24) Keeneland Catalogue Record For April Juvenile Auction Meanwhile in Lexington, Keeneland will offer its largest catalogue ever for its April 15 sale of 2YOs-in-training, with 261 horses listed – up 4.8% from last year. Keeneland's associate director of sales Tom Thornbury told bloodhorse.com: "If it all holds together, we should have a bang-up sale. We have a large number of outstanding individuals this year. We didn't have a lot of cross-entries (with other sales). Consignors are starting to point for this sale, because horses can work on the grass & because you have more time to prepare them." Last year, the sale grossed US$17,749,500 & records were established for average price (US$174,015) & median price (US$127,500). (Feb 24) Jockey Stanley Suspended For ‘Lack Of Urgency’ Jockey Justin Stanley has been suspended for one month by Queensland Racing stewards at Ipswich following his ride on hot favourite Sydanee. Stanley was found guilty under AR 135 (a) & (c) in that “between the 650m & the 300m he showed a lack of initiative & urgency in his riding when there was clear opportunity to improve his position when racing to the outside of Desert Aura.” Stanley was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by one calendar month, commencing at midnight on February 24 & expiring at midnight on March 24. In assessing penalty, stewards took into consideration Stanley's “good race riding record.” (Feb 24) VRC & Werribee Merger Abandoned The Victoria Racing Club & Werribee Racing Club announced they have abandoned plans to merge “due to recent developments beyond the control of either Club.” The merger proposal had been “predicated on the assumptions that the VRC would be in a position to invest a minimum of $5 million to improve on-course facilities at Werribee to a standard commensurate with metropolitan racing, as well as a commitment to metropolitan standard prizemoney levels. The VRC, in light of recent developments, cannot now responsibly commit the required funds as proposed.” The recent downturn in gaming revenues will mean TABCorp distributions to the VRC (& all other clubs) from Racing Victoria will be substantially reduced in the next few years. The Club has also recently been advised of “significant additional costs associated with the flood proofing of Flemington, which must be completed prior to the Club’s planned track reconstruction project.” VRC chairman Andrew Ramsden summed up: "With the uncertainty of future distribution revenues & additional unbudgeted capital commitments, the Club cannot responsibly commit to spend the funds necessary to improve facilities at Werribee to a standard expected by its Members, & of a track which is to host metropolitan standard meetings." Werribee Racing Club chairman Alan Harvey added: "I am disappointed the merger is not proceeding, but understand the financial commitments the VRC must undertake at Flemington. The Werribee Racing Club will continue to work in closely with the VRC & all other industry bodies. The future is still bright at Werribee, as the racecourse is situated in one of Melbourne’s fastest developing areas & financially the Werribee Racing Club is in a sound position." (Feb 24) Honour And Glory To Stand Southern Season In Argentina Former Australian shuttle sire & US Gr1 winner Honour And Glory (who first stood at Coolmore Australia in NSW in 1997) will stand in Argentina during the 2003 Southern Hemisphere season as part of an agreement between Ashford Stud in Kentucky & a partnership that includes Argentina's Haras de la Pomme, La Biznaga, Firmamento & Vacacion. “The agreement marks the first time a group of Argentina’s elite breeding farms have united to shuttle a top stallion, especially during a time when no new investments were on the horizon due to the economical crisis the nation is facing,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Honour And Glory has sired 152 winners & 12 stakes winners in 4 crops of racing age (including Caressing, champion 2YO filly of 2000). The 10-year-old son of Relaunch earned 6 wins & 7 placings in 17 career starts, including victories in the 1996 Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, 1996 Gr2 San Rafael Stakes, 1996 Gr2 King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga Race Course & 1995 Gr2 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland Race Course. (He was also runner-up in the 1996 Gr1 Santa Anita Derby, Gr1 Vosburgh Stakes & Gr2 Boojum Handicap both a Belmont, Gr2 A Phenomenon Stakes at Saratoga & Gr3 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita, & gained 3rds thirds in the 1996 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Woodbine & 1995 Gr1 Futurity Stakes at Belmont.) Kentucky-bred Honour And Glory is out of the Al Nasr mare Fair To All (half-sister to the multiple Gr1 winner & sire Ogygian). His best Australian-bred performers include stakes-winner How About That, London Eye, Sir Craiglee & Felicitate. (Feb 24) Last Seattle Slew Arrives In Indiana Seattle Slew, who impregnated 4 of the 9 mares bred to him last year in his final season at stud, has had his last filly produced by multiple US stakes producer May Day Ninety, reported bloodhorse.com. Bred by Don Myers' Swifty Farms, the filly is a half-sister to graded stakes winner Roza Robata & additional added-money winners Burger Day & Go Underground. May Day Ninety (by Alydar) is booked to Swifty stallion Crown Ambassador. (Feb 24) Saint’s Honor To Stand At Cajun Oaks US Gr2 winner Saint’s Honor will enter stud duty at Cajun Oaks Farm in Louisiana, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 7YO son of St Jovite was retired after sustaining an injury in the 2000 Gr1 Dubai World Cup. Saint’s Honor scored 3 wins & 6 placings in 11 career starts, including victory in the 2000 Gr2 San Fernando Breeders’ Cup. Out of the winning What Luck mare Luck Too, Kentucky-bred Saint’s Honor is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Super Cholo. (Feb 24) First Stakes Winner For Souvenir Copy Central Kentucky sire Souvenir Copy gained his first stakes winner when Long Term Wish won the US$112,500 Boo La Boo Stakes at Santa Anita Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Long Term Wish, a California-bred 3YO out of Nashwan mare Warmest Wishes, is one of 19 winners from 51 starters in Souvenir Copy's 2 crops of racing age. Souvenir Copy, an 8YO son of Mr Prospector out of the Nureyev mare Dancing Tribute, himself won 4 of 12 career starts including the 1997 Gr2 Del Mar Futurity, 1997 Gr2 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita Park & 1998 Gr3 Derby Trial Stakes at Churchill Downs. Souvenir Copy stands for US$15,000 at Hopewell Farm near Midway in Kentucky. (Feb 24) Northern Ireland Allowed To Begin Sunday Racing Northern Ireland is finally to be allowed to introduce Sunday racing “after years of reluctance by local politicians,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “However, the current ban on Sunday betting in bookmakers’ offices will remain in place.” Sunday racing itself has long been legal but, as betting on such racing was not, it has never been considered practical for either of the 2 racecourses, Down Royal or Downpatrick, to operate on a Sunday. However Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Des Browne announced that he intends to relax the betting laws to allow on-course Sunday betting. His announcement was welcomed by Down Royal chairman Jim Nicholson, who has long campaigned for the restrictions to be lifted (as they have been in mainland Britain since the mid 1990s). Nicholson declared: “It has been a long & tortuous path, but we are finally there.” (Feb 24) Northerly To Nominate for UK Ascot Double Australian weight-for-age champion Northerly “is poised to campaign against the best horses in Europe.” English racing officials want Northerly to run in the $700,000 Prince Of Wales Stakes (2000m) at Royal Ascot on June 18 & $2 million King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2400m) on July 26, & trainer Fred Kersley “has given an assurance to Ascot director of racing Nick Cheyne that Northerly will be nominated for the 2 Gr1 races when entries close in April,” reported The Australian newspaper. “Ascot will pick up the travel expenses of the dual Cox Plate winner if he goes.” Kersley commented: “It is possible we could take the horse to England, but we have to see if it is probable. If we went to Singapore for the International Cup on May 17 & came through that race well, then we would be well placed to go on to England. There is a degree of difficulty to be factored in & we have to do some more homework to see if it is a sensible option.” (Feb 21) Japanese Star Enters $2 Million BMW At Rosehill Meanwhile Japanese star Top Commander is a surprise early nomination for the Sydney Turf Club’s $2 million weight-for-age The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 12. STC general manager John Nicholson told The Australian: “We will know more early next week on the chances of the horse arriving for our race. Top Commander is to run in a feature race in Japan on the weekend & his performance will have a big bearing on his future plans. But the STC is delighted to have the first foreign nomination for The BMW & the first the club has received from Japan.” Nicholson added Top Commander’s nomination was a result of “prize-money growing to $2 million & a wider awareness of the race among foreign clubs & trainers.” Top Commander has won 5 races up to 2400m plus 9 placings in 24 starts for $3.1 million in prize-money. (Feb 21) AJC & STC Discuss ‘Sydney Super-Club’ Merger The Australian Jockey Club (Royal Randwick & Warwick Farm) & Sydney Turf Club (Rosehill Gardens & Canterbury Park) “are investigating whether the formation of an all-powerful Super-Club will benefit Sydney racing.” Senior representatives from both clubs yesterday confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that “negotiations have taken place & are on-going.” AJC chief executive Tony King & STC chairman Bruce McHugh “each cited significant potential cost savings as the primary reason the 2 clubs are considering amalgamation, always a divisive & controversial issue.” King added: “I am not embarrassed to admit that the AJC is looking at this. The AJC & STC work very closely on a lot of issues.” McHugh commented: “We are prepared to look at change, but we won’t make any firm decisions until all the facts & figures have been collated & considered.” (Feb 21) Don Eduardo May Be Retired To Stud AJC Derby winner Don Eduardo, the most expensive yearling ever purchased in the southern hemisphere, “may be retired to stud unless he performs at Caulfield tomorrow.” Don Eduardo (purchased for $2.8 million at the New Zealand sales 3 years ago) will contest the Gr2 St George Stakes (1800m); he hasn’t won since his Derby victory 10 months ago & resumed racing a fortnight ago with a 12-length last behind Yell in the Gr1 Orr Stakes (1400m). Andrew Baddock, spokesman for owner Eduardo Cojunagco, told The Daily Telegraph: “This is a very important day for the horse. If he doesn’t run a competitive race, then we might have to consider pulling the pin & sending him to stud. Our plan is to run him in the Australian Cup & ultimately the BMW, but it does hinge on how he performs in the St George Stakes.” (Feb 21) General Nediym Tops Magic Millions Adelaide Day 2 Hong Kong buying power came to the fore on Day 2 at the Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale when Gary Moore paid $205,000 for a chestnut colt by General Nediym. Moore told cyberhorse.com.au the colt would head to HK to be trained by his brother & leading trainer John Moore, adding: "I was on the phone to John during the bidding & he was keen to buy him. He was the best colt in the sale, very athletic & I'm very keen on his sire, who's made a great start at stud." Offered by Wistow-based breeders John & Pat Glenney, the colt is by former Magic Millions & Gr1 winning sire General Nediym, & is the first foal of 3-time winning Perugino mare Petagina (a daughter of stakes-winning Temperence Hill mare Pecky's Pet). (Feb 21) $100,00 For Last Tycoon Filly Among other lots, a bay filly by Last Tycoon was snapped up by a representative of New Zealand’s Anzac lodge for $100,000. The SuperVobis-qualified filly (offered by Sharondon Park Stud) is from juvenile-winning Sydney mare Excitant (a half-sister to Group performed Forever Dancing). Last Tycoon (a US Breeders' Cup winning son of Try My Best) progeny include international Gr1 winners Mahogany, Marju, Ezzoud, Bigstone, Lady Jakeo, Magic of Money, Super Sheila, Tracy's Element, Lost World, Poliuto, Privilege, Taipan, O'Reilly, Knowledge & Tycoon Lil. (Feb 21) Magic Millions Adelaide: Day 2 Summary Magic Millions managing director David Chester noted the sale had attracted “one of the strongest buying bench’s seen in Adelaide for many years.” He said it was especially “pleasing to see the return of buyers from South East Asia, & representation by all leading trainers, syndicators & bloodstock agents.” The buying bench included Gai Waterhouse, John Chalmers Bloodstock, TC Bloodstock, Aquanita Racing, Rick Worthington, Mark Pilkington Bloodstock, David Balfour, Denis Roberts, Tony Bott, Thornhill Park, Graeme Rogerson, Albert Stapleford, Daniel Guy, Steve Englebrecht, Leon Macdonald, Anzac Lodge from NZ, Vernon Brockman, Lee Freedman, Rick Hore-Lacy, Lawton Thoroughbred Racing, Contract Racing, Adrian Hancock, Tim Donnelly, Barbara Joseph, Greg Eurell, Bill Mitchell & John Morrissey. International identities attending the sale included David Hayes & Gary Moore from Hong Kong; Sheila Laxton, John Sargent, Paul Willetts & Tony Pike from New Zealand; & Beh Chin Pheng from Malaysia. (Feb 21) Gold Fever’s First Aust Stakes Winner One season shuttle stallion Gold Fever sired his first Australian stakes winner when the John O’Shea-trained Ultimate Fever scored a shock win over favourite Secret Land in the Listed $83,000 Gosford Slipper (1100m). “Ultimate Fever is a 2-time veteran of the sales ring,” reported racenet.com.au. “Rosemount Stud purchased him for $31,000 at the 2002 Inglis Classic Sale, then put him back through the Ready-To-Run Sale where Luskin Park signed the ticket for $45,000.” He is a half-brother to the Zoffany filly Just Fun (winner of 3 metropolitan races in Melbourne). Ultimate Fever is the 4th foal of his dam Ultimate Jester (Rory’s Jester), a winner of 3 races out of a full sister to the Neville Begg-trained filly Sabre Dancer (Twig Moss) who won the STC Gr3 Tea Rose Stakes, AJC Listed Light Fingers Gr3 Reisling Slipper Trial & Gr3 Silver Shadow Stakes. Gold Fever shuttled to Widden Stud for a single season in 1999 & becomes the 2nd son of Mr Prospector stallion Forty Niner to have a stakes winner in his first crop this season. (Last season’s leading US first season sire Distorted Humor was quick off the blocks this season in Australia when his daughter Rinky Dink won the Listed Adams Platform Stakes at Flemington.) (Feb 21) Lance O’Sullivan Lands 60th Gr1 Winner Champion New Zealand jockey Lance O'Sullivan & prominent Waikato Stud breeder Garry Chittick relived their memorable 1996 NZ Bayer Classic victory with O'Reilly, when they combined to score a shock win with the Centaine mare Critic in yesterday’s NZ$100,000 Gr1 Family Hotels Weight-For-Age (1400m) at Otaki. It was O’Sullivan’s 60th Gr1 victory. Hot favourite & current NZ champion sprinter Tit For Taat (chasing his 6th Gr1 win) could manage only 3rd place, after sharing the pace with Bunker. NZ Two Thousand Guineas winner Hustler finished 2nd with a late burst. Critic was bred at Waikato Stud & became Centaine’s 12th Gr1 winner. Chittick races her in partnership with NZ Thoroughbred Racing chairman Murray Acklin. The 4YO is trained at Takanini by Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill. (Feb 21) O'Sullivan Hits Lead In NZ Jockeys' Premiership Critic’s win vaulted Lance O'Sullivan to the lead in the NZ Jockeys' Premiership over champion apprentice Michael Walker. And with Walker “contracted to ride for 3 months in Hong Kong, the stage is set for O'Sullivan to repeat his premiership win of last season,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. “Should that eventuate, he will set a record of 12 premierhips. He currently shares that record with the great rider of half a century ago Bill Broughton.” (Feb 21) Dye Joins Size At Top Of HK Premierships Meanwhile a mid-week treble at Happy Valley has moved former Sydney jockey Shane Dye to the joint lead on the Hong Kong Jockeys’ Premiership. Dye has 47 winners, equal with South African champion Douglas Whyte. Meanwhile fellow expatriate Sydney-sider John Size continues to lead the HK Trainers Premiership comfortably. (Feb 21) New CEO For Racehorse Owners Association Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners' Association chairman David Lauritz announced executive officer Greg Buckingham has resigned & will leave the TROA on February 26. Lauritz said: "Greg has worked hard for TROA for 7 years & has served the Association with great distinction. We are grateful for his loyal representation of the Association & wish him well in his future career." TROA vice-chairman Peter Jurkovsky will fill the CEO role on an interim basis from February 27. Lauritz added: "TROA is pleased to have a person of Peter Jurkovsky's calibre available to undertake this crucial role. Peter has sold his business interests & comes to the position with considerable management, marketing and thoroughbred ownership experience. TROA will be embarking on an unprecedented phase of development, in conjunction with Racing Victoria & key thoroughbred industry shareholders & stakeholders. We intend to create a unique service organisation for all thoroughbred owners that will enhance the ownership experience in Australia's premier racing state." (Feb 21) Randwick Hosts Parade Of Champions Tomorrow’s 9-race program (with 3 Gr2 events) at Royal Randwick includes the AJC’s ‘Parade Of Champions’ featuring household sporting names (including AFL heroes Tony Lockett, Paul Kelly & Michael O’Loughlin; former rugby union stars Ken Catchpole, Topo Rodriguez & Tian Strauss; Socceroo coach Frank Farina; basketball whiz Shane Heal; & rugby league international Craig Fitzgibbon) paraded down Randwick’s famous straight in open-top Lexus cars, interviewed on big-screen TV & available for autograph signing. (Feb 21) AJC Autumn Carnival ‘Prince & Princess’ Competition Meanwhile the Australian Jockey Club has begun its search for a “Prince & Princess” for its San Miguel Autumn Carnival (from Saturday April 19-Saturday May 3), offering prizes. AJC marketing manager Steve Reid explained: "The AJC San Miguel Autumn Carnival is Australia's richest racing carnival & the AJC is looking for a Prince & Princess who can match both the glamour & energy of the 4-day event. To become a member of racing's Royal Family simply be at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday March 8, fill in a form & take your turn on the catwalk.” The Prince & Princess will be chosen by a panel of judges specialising in the entertainment & fashion world, with the ‘crowning’ to take place that same afternoon. As well as becoming the face of racing for Autumn Carnival, winners will receive a prize package including 5 afternoon training sessions, where they will learn all there is to know about being one of Sydney's social elite: a National Institute Of Dramatic Art presentation course with a well-known Australian actor; a media training course with a leading public relations firm; a make-over from a world name in cosmetics; a fashion course courtesy of Liz & Katie Davenport; & an educational course on thoroughbred racing. In addition they’ll also each receive $1,000 cash, a $1,000 fashion wardrobe, a 2-night stay for 2 people at the Sydney Harbour Marriott, a Longines watch, Christian Dior sunglasses & an Oroton purse or wallet. (Feb 21) Free Entry For Victorian Alpine Meetings Racing Victoria, the Alpine Racing Association & major sponsor Carlton Draught have joined forces to support Victoria's bushfire-ravaged Alpine communities, by creating "free community days" for the Hinnomunje-Benambra (Omeo) & Tambo Valley-Swifts Creek race meetings in March. CUB national sponsorship manager–racing Gary Miller said: “After 2 months of non-stop bushfire alert & fire-fighting, Carlton Draught is delighted to enhance its support of the Alpine Racing Association, particularly when it means people can enjoy a great day out with free entry & plenty of entertainment on offer.” Racing Victoria chairman Graham Duff added: “Both clubs have put in a huge amount of work to put together their race-days &, in times like this, it is terrific to see the community rally together.” The 128th running of the Carlton Draught Hinnomunjie Cup is on Saturday March 8 & the 108th running of the Carlton Draught Swifts Creek Cup is on Monday March 10. (Feb 21) Walker To Train For Coupland Mark Walker is the latest trainer chosen to train for major New Zealand South Island owner Ray Coupland. Three yearling colts purchased by Coupland at the Karaka Premier Sale last month are now at Te Akau Stud, where they will be broken in & pre-trained before entering work at Te Akau Stables in Matamata, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The colts are by Marju (purchased for NZ$55,000), Spinning World (NZ$67,500) & Jade Robbery (NZ$77,500). “Mark’s a trainer on the way to the top,” said Coupland in announcing his decision. “I’m really looking forward to working in closely with the Te Akau team.” The majority of Coupland’s horses are trained by Snooky Cowan at Ashburton, but Coupland has also made a commitment to Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett & Wayne Herbert in the Manawatu, providing a broad geographical spread for optimum placement of his horses. Coupland has bought 18 yearlings to be spread between the 4 stables. “In each case I have chosen people with a positive outlook, the sort of guys who have genuine confidence in the New Zealand racing scene,” Coupland explained. Walker is currently in 5th place with 37 wins on the NZ trainers’ premiership & leading the stakes table with earnings just below NZ$800,000. That record has assisted in finding owners for the 31 yearling purchases made by Te Akau Racing at the Karaka Sales. “I’m pleased to say that every one of them has been fully signed up,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. (Feb 21) Canada Jockey Club Grades 40 Stakes For 2003 The Jockey Club of Canada has announced 40 stakes races as graded events for 2003, including 4 Gr1 events. The JCC stipulates that to qualify for graded status in 2003, races must carry a minimum purse of C$200,000 (A$222,000) for Gr1, C$150,000 (A$157,000) for Gr2 & C$100,000 (A$111,000) for Gr3. All 4 Gr1 events will be run at Woodbine: the Selene Stakes on May 19; Atto Mile Stakes on September 14; & Canadian International Stakes & E.P.Taylor Stakes on October 19. (Feb 21) Invisible Ink To Stand At Rising Hill Farm Peachtree Stable has retired Invisible Ink (runner-up behind Monarchos in the 2001 Gr1 Kentucky Derby) & he will stand the 2003 stud season at James DiMare’s Rising Hill Farm in Florida. The 5YO son of Thunder Gulch won 4 races in 14 career starts. Peachtree president John Fort told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Invisible Ink, to me & a lot of other people, is a very special horse. He’s a part of Derby folklore & we were approached by a lot of people. The thing I was most interested in was finding a farm that would treat him with the dignity I always thought he should have. This gives us an opportunity to start a brand new career with who we think could be a real stand-out in Florida." Fort purchased Invisible Ink (out of the winning Conquistador Cielo mare Conquistress) for US$105,000 from the 1999 Keeneland September yearling sale. (Feb 21) Malibu Wesley To Stand At Liberty Stud Malibu Wesley, an 8YO son of Storm Cat, will stand the 2003 season at Liberty Stud near Ghent in New York state. He previously stood at McMahon Of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, after entering stud in 2001 for owner John Franks. Malibu Wesley is out of the Capote mare La Spia (winner of the 1991Gr2 Del Mar Debutante Stakes & runner-up to Pleasant Stage in that year’s Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies). Notable members of the immediate family include Gr1 winner Patches, Gr2 winner, sire Red Attack & stakes winners Hickman Creek & Exit Five B. Liberty Stud owner Jim Scott told thoroughbredtimes.com: "I’m very excited to have a son of Storm Cat standing at Liberty. Malibu Wesley is a good-looking horse & his pedigree is impeccable, going back to Seattle Slew on his dam’s side. He’ll cross with a variety of mares." Malibu Wesley notched 2 wins & 3 placings in 21 career starts; his first crop of foals are yearlings this year. (Feb 21) New York Stallion Claramount Dies At 19 Claramount, a champion New York-bred during his racing career & one of the state’s leading sires, has died after suffering a ruptured aorta at James Edwards’s The Stallion Park near Millbrook, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 19-year-old son of Policeman entered stud in 1990, following a racing career which included: a 1987 Gr1 win in Mexico; 4 US stakes wins (including the 1988 Gr2 Boojum Handicap at Belmont Park & Gr3 Philadelphia Park Breeders’ Cup Handicap in track record time for 7 furlongs); New York-bred Horse-Of-The-Year, champion older male & champion sprinter in 1988; & 14 wins in 41 career starts over 5 seasons. At stud, Claramount sired multiple graded stakes winner Stalwart Member & stakes winners Broomesse, Fickle Fanny, Diplomatic Corps, Mount Intrepid, Shady Clara, Claramount Hill, Misstress & Sinclara. From just 176 foals in his first 12 crops, Claramount sired 96 individual winners from 122 starters (including 9 stakes winners & 3 stakes-placed runners). (Feb 21) Loose Wire Dies In New York Loose Wire (dam of graded stakes winners Scottish Monk & Wire Me Collect) has died after a hemorrhage at co-owner Monica Driver’s Kinloch Farm near New Woodstock in New York state, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Owned in partnership by Driver & Caroline "Bunty" Ferguson of Willowind Farm, Loose Wire was voted New York Broodmare-Of-The-Year in 1996 & 1999; she is also the dam of stakes winner Electric Shock. The 25-year-old Oklahoma-bred daughter of Ruritania out of Miss Nanith (by Victoria Park) is the dam of 14 foals, including 6 winners from 9 starters. Scottish Monk won 28 of 81 career starts (including the 1990 Gr3 Poker Handicap at Belmont Park. Wire Me Collect won 10 of 30 career starts, including the 1996 Gr3 Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland. (Feb 21) Magic Millions Adelaide Record For Danehill Colt Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse paid $250,000 (on behalf of Victorian owner Robert Scanlon) for a Danehill colt, to set a new sale record on Day 1 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling auction. The bay colt (consigned by Collingrove Stud) is out of Sir Tristram mare Cherry Garden & is a half-brother to SAJC Guineas winner Liberty Rose. Other major purchases included: $142,500 for a black Bianconi-Tudor Primrose colt sold to John Chalmers Bloodstock of WA (the youngster is by Collingrove’s first season stallion Bianconi from the family of VRC Oaks winner Diamond Shower); $105,000 for a bay Strategic-True Blue Spirit colt sold to Aquanita Racing of Victoria; $90,000 for a Faliyev–Abbaron filly from Mark Pilkington Bloodstock; $85,000 for a Rubito–Voodoo Gleam colt from Malaysia’s Frank Maynard; $82,500 for a Spectrum-Centority colt from NZ’s Lynton Ltd NZ. Overall on Day 1, 75 lots were sold (74.3%) for an aggregate $2,778,500 & average $37,047. (Feb 20) Dress Code Wins Adelaide Magic Millions Race Earlier in the day, Dress Code (El Moxie–Ranein, by Blubird) won the $400,000 Channel 7 Adelaide 2YO Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at Morphettville - South Australia’s richest race - for jockey Noel Callow & trainer Robbie Laing. Dress Code defeated Danny Nikolic’s mount King’s Choir (Hurricane Sky-Queen's Choir, by Palace Music) & Simon Price’s mount Fragmentation (Snippets-Southern Sprinter, by Southern Appeal (USA). In his 5 previous starts, Dress Code had finished: 3rd on debut behind Scaredee Cat in the Listed Debutante Stakes at Caulfield; 4th behind Pinchbeck & Ra Sun in the Listed Super Vobis Stakes at Moonee Valley; 1st in a 1000m race at Moonee Valley; unplaced at Rosehill; & 5th (just over 2 lengths behind winner Regimental Gal) in the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO Classic. (Feb 20) Another Sale-Race Success For Emirate Park & El Moxie Dress Code’s victory gave Emirate Park Stud’s El Moxie another triumph in yearling-sales-related race just 10 days after his son Winestock won the $500,000 Inglis Premier Race at Flemington. El Moxie is a bay son of Mr Prospector out of the unraced Hoist The Flag mare Raise The Standard (a half-sister to Northern Dancer & granddam of Danehill). El Moxie earned a place on the Emirate Park roster after proving a sensation with his first few crops conceived in Tasmania. “He is one of the most reliable sires of winners available to breeders anywhere in Australia,” declared racenet.com.au, “and looks good value at his service fee of $7,700 (inc GST).” (Feb 20) Sale-Race Winners: Auction Price Summary Bred by Jack Woolridge at Inverness Stud, Dress Code didn’t make the cut for the Select Session of the 2002 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale, & “was relegated to Session 5 where Neil Jenkinson snapped him up for $20,000” reported racenet.com.au. The auction prices of the 2003 sale-related-2YO-race winners now read: $1 million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Regimental Gal ($16,500); $600,000 William Inglis Sydney Classic winner Secret Land ($50,000); $500,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier winner Winestock ($21,000); & $400,000 Channel 7 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic winner Dress Code ($20,000). (Feb 20) Media Puzzle Recovers: Aims At Dubai The on-going Media Puzzle saga took another turn yesterday, when trainer Dermot Weld confirmed the 2002 Melbourne Cup winner had received “a clean bill of health when his tendons were scanned at Rosewell House” & may yet return to Dubai for the US$2 million Sheema Classic on March 29. Weld told racingpost.co.uk: “We weren’t happy with him when he worked in Dubai last week & so, with a second Melbourne Cup a long term target, I decided to bring him back to see exactly what I was dealing with. We checked him out & we are happy with the scans we did on Monday. Indeed everything looks good & we think he may have just given himself a rap. He will now be trained here & we will review him over the coming weeks. But he may go back to Dubai for the Sheema Classic.” (Feb 20) De Montfort Not Returning To Singapore Sydney jockey Mark De Montfort has decided not to renew a lucrative riding position as Singapore stable rider for Kranji-based Zimbabwean trainer Michael Clements. De Montfort told aapracingandsports.com.au: “I had to weight up a few things & decided I will be happier staying in Sydney for the time being. I have not been riding track-work while I was tossing things around, as I was thinking that I would probably be going back to Singapore. However I have decided to stay home & for now I don’t have any plans about riding overseas for a while. Now I will have to get back to riding track-work, but I’m not sure where I will base myself until I weigh up where the best opportunities will be. It seems if you are not riding for Gai Waterhouse or John Hawkes you don’t have many options.” De Montfort added a factor in his decision was his wife Carol requiring an operation that would have prevented her accompanying him to Singapore for some time. De Montfort rode 13 winners in Singapore between July & December 2002. (Feb 20) Kaylene Gillman ‘Serious But Stable’ Meanwhile apprentice Kaylene Gillman remains in a “serious but stable condition" in an induced coma, following her recent race fall, a spokesman for John Hunter Hospital Newcastle told aapracingandsports.com.au. (Feb 20) Queensland Racing Meets Angry Rural Raceclubs Queensland Racing officials yesterday briefed representatives from a number of angry rural Queensland raceclubs affected by proposed changes to the TAB circuit under a draft program for 2003-04. Queensland Racing chief executive officer Jeremy Turner explained: "The briefing formed part of the consultation process we are undertaking before the proposed changes are considered by the Board at its March meeting. We are committed to ensuring clubs have the opportunity to provide input into the reform process & have their concerns heard. The clubs asked for more time to lodge submissions with Queensland Racing on the draft TAB program today, & we agreed to an extension until March 7." The presentation made to representatives from Dalby, Kilcoy, Esk, Beaudesert & Lockyer addressed the issues considered by Queensland Racing in developing the draft race dates, including the need to ultimately achieve an optimum wagering program, respond to Sky Channel communication requirements & strengthen regional TAB racing at northern centres. Turner added: "The major difference in the draft 2003-04 dates is a proposal to trial a number of additional Friday TAB meetings at metropolitan & major provincial venues. In addition to delivering wagering growth, the trial will also enable us to test & respond to recent market research that ranks Friday racing second in popularity to Saturdays.” Also discussed was the proposal to strengthen TAB racing in northern centres, such as Rockhampton, Townsville & Mackay, in response to the restructuring of the regional non-TAB racing program. Turner emphasised: "While we understand that emotions are running high with those most affected by the proposed changes, the intention of Queensland Racing to pursue structural change for the benefit of the wider industry was reinforced. We have listened to the issues raised by the clubs, & the Board will consider their concerns before the wagering program is settled by the end of March." (Feb 20) Major Ice Storms Disrupt Kentucky Breeding Season Many breeding farms have been “severely impacted” by the major ice storms that have swept across Central Kentucky since the weekend, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Telephone & electrical services were cut off & widespread fallen limbs & up-rooted trees made it hard for vans & other vehicles to gain access to many properties. Swinebroad-Denton postponed today’s auction of Romanoaks Farm near Versailles in Kentucky. "We could not have picked a worse day to have this auction," said Swinebroad-Denton's Walt Robertson. "It is devastating, but we will get through it. There is damage anywhere there are trees." Keeneland also cancelled programs on Feb 16, 17 & 19; spokesman Jim Williams noted: "Every tree on the grounds has been damaged.” At Ashford Stud near Versailles, farm manager Dermot Ryan said: "We are using generators for electricity to the office, breeding shed & foaling barn. We have also gotten some generators for some of the houses on the farm. There is a lot of damage to trees. But we just go on with it." At Overbrook Farm near Lexington, Ric Waldman said tree damage was significant & electricity was off for about 5 hours on February 15; on February 18, there was still no electrical service to the breeding shed. Several breeding sheds were forced to close, among them Walmac & Spendthrift. Kerry Cauthen of Walmac said one mare was covered February 17, but otherwise the shed was closed until February 19. The breeding shed at Spendthrift was closed on February 16 & 17 because the farm's roads were impassable due to downed trees. On-going transportation problems have resulted in little or no activity at some farms. "We bred the first mare today," said Mark McLean at Crestwood Farm yesterday. "The first day the breeding shed was open, nobody showed up because nobody could get out." McLean added the farm was unable to receive calls after the storm because there was no telephone service. "The damage is pretty major," McLean said of the ice's impact on the farm's mature trees. At Hopewell Farm near Midway in Kentucky, Rick Trontz said: "We missed a couple of mares when there was no travel. But the breeding shed is now open. If someone wants to come we're breeding; we just don't want anyone to take chances getting here." Trontz added there was extensive damage to trees on his property & some staff who did not have electrical service or heat at their residences elsewhere in Central Kentucky were being housed in the farm's guest house, which was being powered by a generator. (Feb 20) Godolphin 2003 Seven Stars Competition The 2003 version of the world's greatest free-to-enter on-line race tipping contest, the internationally popular Godolphin Seven Stars Competition, starts again in March. Last year’s winner was Australian Rod Fulton from Tasmania, ahead of place-getters from Yugoslavia, Japan, Ireland & the United Arab Emirates; in all nearly 100,000 racing enthusiasts from 161 countries took part. First prize in 2003 is US$100,000 plus 2 first-class return air tickets to the Dubai World Cup & accommodation in one of the world's most amazing hotels, the 7-star Burj Al Arab; 2nd-5th place-getters win US$50,000, US$30,000, US$15,000 & US$5,000. Contestants simply select 7 Godolphin horses to represent them during the 2003 season. The horses then earn points according to their performances on race-tracks around the world. This year there's also an extra bonus if one of a contestant’s 7 horses turns out to be Godolphin's 100th Gr1 winner (the stable is currently on 95). The 2003 Seven Stars Competition will be open for entries from March 1 to March 28 via the Godolphin website. (Feb 20) ‘Positive’ EPO Tests In Texas & New York Erythropoietin, the substance commonly known as ‘EPO’ & banned by every racing jurisdiction in the US, has turned up in horses racing at both Sam Houston Race Park in Texas & Aqueduct in New York. However Texas Racing Commission Executive Secretary Paula Flowerday told The Dallas Morning News there would be no punishment for horsemen associated with 6 positives at Sam Houston on January 16-17. "We’re trying to get a handle on this & let owners & trainers understand what this is," said Flowerday, who noted the current test only identifies the presence of antibodies associated with EPO & not the drug itself. New York’s testing process is similarly a trial run. Dr George Maylin of the state’s racing laboratory at Cornell University told Daily Racing Form a "small percentage of horses" had tested positive under the experimental program, but formal action would have to wait "until the dust settled." (Feb 20) Came Home Covers First Mares US track star Came Home, whose US$40,000 fee is the highest for an incoming stallion this season, covered his first 2 mares at William Farish's Lane's End Farm in Kentucky last Friday. The 4YO son of Gone West was bred to Mimi's Golden Girl & Tis Michelle. "He did great, like a young pro, very workman-like," farm manager Mike Cline told bloodhorse.com. Mimi's Golden Girl, a 7YO by Seeking The Gold, is the dam of one foal, a Giant's Causeway yearling colt. Tis Michelle, an 18-year-old stakes-winning daughter of Native Charger, is the dam of 7 registered foals, including Gr1 winner K One King. Came Home (produced from the Clever Trick mare Nice Assay) was a Gr1 winner as both a 2YO & 3YO, totalling 3 Gr1 victories & US$1.8 million prize-money. (Feb 20) Icecoldbeeratreds Euthanized After Breaking Shoulder Mike Pegram's uniquely-named Icecoldbeeratreds, winner of the Gr2 Del Mar Futurity & 2nd in the Gr1 Champagne Stakes, has been euthanised after suffering a broken shoulder while galloping at Santa Anita. "He was coming back from a lay-off & just took one of those bad steps galloping on the training track & shattered his shoulder," trainer Bob Baffert told bloodhorse.com. "The vets say horses coming back from a long lay-off are prone to cracked shoulders. It's really sad." A son of In Excess (out of Guilded Times, by Crafty Prospector) Icecoldbeeratreds won 3 of his 5 starts last year & was training for the California Cup when surgery to remove a knee chip forced him to the sidelines in late October. He was named champion California-bred 2YO male of 2002 by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. His memorable name comes from Red Tracton's bar & restaurant located across the street from the Del Mar racetrack. (Feb 20) Halory Hunter Arrives At McMahon Of Saratoga US Gr2 winner Halory Hunter (Jade Hunter-Halory, by Halo) has arrived at Joe & Anne McMahon's stud McMahon Of Saratoga Thoroughbreds to stand the 2003 American breeding season, reported bloodhorse.com. Rick Pitino, high-profile basketball coach for the University of Louisville (whose Celtic Pride Stable raced the son of Jade Hunter) is the majority owner in the 8YO stallion. A US$135,000 Keeneland 2YO sale purchase by trainer Nick Zito, Halory Hunter compiled a record of 3 wins, 2 2nds & 3 3rds from 10 starts. The wins included the 9-furlong Gr2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland & placings included the Gr1 Florida Derby, Gr1 Fountain Of Youth Stakes. He also finished 4th in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby behind Real Quiet. A fractured foreleg during a workout for the Gr1 Preakness Stakes ended his racing career. He began his stud duties at William Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles in Kentucky, & stood the 2002 season in Iowa. (Feb 20) Churlish Charm Retired To Irish Stud British Gr2 winner Churlish Charm has been retired to stud in County Galway in Ireland, reported racingpost.co.uk. The 8YO, a 5-time winner up to 14 furlongs for trainer Richard Hannon, defeated a field of the UK’s best stayers in the 1999 Yorkshire Cup; behind him that day were subsequent Gr1 winners Arctic Owl & Yavana’s Pace, as well as Pattern scorer Persian Punch. Bred by Gainsborough Stud Management, Churlish Charm is by Niniski out of the Blushing Groom mare Blushing Storm (who ran 3rd in both the Ribblesdale Stakes & Lancashire Oaks). (Feb 20) Cheveley Boasts Medicean Colt & Filly Meanwhile UK icon Cheveley Park Stud is “turning out new foals with the efficiency of an assembly line”, reported racingpost.co.uk. Following the birth of 21 home-bred foals within a very busy fortnight, a colt & a filly from Medicean’s first crop arrived last week. Listed winner Embraced (by Pursuit Of Love & from the family of Islington) gave birth to the filly. Fearless Revival (dam of Cheveley Park’s star stallion Pivotal) produced the colt. Cheveley managing director Chris Richardson commented: “This quality colt is, in my opinion, another cracker.” Pivotal & his new stud mate Kyllachy are both fully booked for 2003, with 100 outside mares each; a few nominations are still available for Medicean this season. (Feb 20) UK Tattersalls Appoints South-East Asian Representative Britain’s Tattersalls sales company has appointed Australian-based consultant Rodney Rae as its representative in South East Asia. Rae, 37, is managing director of Melbourne-based Thoroughbred Racing Bureau, which specialises in racing & bloodstock consultancy through Australia & South East Asia. He has worked in the Australian racing industry since 1984, including 7 years with the Victoria Racing Club & 2 years as Racing Manager for the Western Australian Turf Club, before founding the Thoroughbred Racing Bureau in 2000. Rae commented: "I am immensely looking forward to working with Tattersalls in South East Asia. Racing & breeding throughout the region continue to thrive, & with Northern Hemisphere horses very much in demand, we will be looking to continue raising the profile of Tattersalls in South East Asia." Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony added: "Rodney brings a wealth of experience to his new role for Tattersalls. South East Asia is a mixture of established & fledgling markets & we have long felt the need for direct representation in the area to complement our existing promotional activity." (Feb 19) Betting Exchange Debate Hots Up Leading turf columnist Ken Callander ramped-up the current betting exchange debate in this morning’s Daily Telegraph with his provocative suggestion: “If Australian racing is so worried about losing high rollers to the English betting exchange Betfair, why doesn’t it set up its own betting agency? Why not think positively, not negatively? Let’s be proactive. A well-credentialled Aussie betting exchange, backed by the race-clubs, would have a lot better chance of succeeding than a Pommy one. It could also appeal to average punters & not just big-time players. . . It might cost a 6-figure sum to set up a rival, but an Aussie exchange could be up & running in a matter of weeks. . . The whole project could become a plus for Australian racing instead of another hurdle.” (Feb 19) St George Stakes Extension Attracts 7 More Runners The 24-hour extension of the nomination deadline for Saturday’s $200,000 Gr2 St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield by the Melbourne Racing Club has resulted in another 7 entries, talking the field to 10. (Feb 19) Larry Cassidy To Stay In Singapore Former Sydney jockey Larry Cassidy has had his permit to ride in Singapore extended a further 6 months, beginning on February 17, reported racenet.com.au. Cassidy, 32, started riding in Singapore last April & landed over 40 winners in 2002, including Smart Bet in the Emirates Singapore Derby. (Feb 19) Waterhouse’s $950,000 Colt Reveals Trial Speed The Gai Waterhouse stable revealed the potential ability of its unraced blue-blood 2YO Untouchable at yesterday’s Rosehill barrier trials. The Danehill colt, purchased for $950,000 by Darley Stud at last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, won a 900m trial by over 5 lengths in 53.39secs – even faster than the older horses in other trials. Tulloch lodge racing manager Steve Brem told The Daily Telegraph: “We unveiled a horse who I think made everyone sit up & take notice. He looks destined to be a worthwhile commodity.” (Feb 19) Channel 7 Magic Millions Race Day At Morphettville South Australia’s richest race, the $400,000 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic, takes place at Morphettville Racecourse today. The meeting preludes the Adelaide yearling sales which start at 6pm, after the 9-race program has concluded. MM co-owner Gerry Harvey & leading Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse are guest speakers at the SA Jockey Club’s official luncheon. The feature race has attracted a field of 16 runners, including starters from the high-profile stables of Lee Freedman, Gai Waterhouse, Tony McEvoy & John Hawkes. Favourites are likely to be Lindsay Park’s unbeaten Fragmentation & Damien Oliver’s ride Resolved. (Feb 19) NZ Filly Wins US Gr2 Mile Former top New Zealand filly Final Destination has repeated her recent first-up Californian success by winning a Gr2 mile race for mares at Santa Anita, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The O'Reilly filly, who won the NZ One Thousand Guineas & Bayer Classic as a 3YO last season for Wayne & Vanessa Hillis, carried equal top-weight to victory for new Amwerican owner Edmund Gann, a client of leading US trainer Bobby Frankel. Frankel previously prepared former leading NZ filly Happyanunoit to win several US races up to Gr1 level. Final Destination is following closely in those foot-steps. (Feb 19) US Gr1 Summary Meanwhile in the latest American Gr1 races: Patrick Valenzuela rode favourite Starrer to victory over You & Rhiana in the US$200,000 Gr1 Santa Maria Handicap for 4YO & older mares over 8.5 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. "I was very lucky to keep her calm in the first part of the race, because she was very keen to go on," Valenzuela told bloodhorse.com. Starrer, a 5YO daughter of Dynaformer, has now won 5 of her 19 starts for owner George Krikorian & trainer John Shirreffs. Starrer ran 4th in the US$2 million Gr1 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Arlington Park in October & then romped to a 5-length victory in the Gr2 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park in December. You (winner of four Gr1 races as a 3YO in 2002) also was having her first start of 2003 for leading trainer Bobby Frankel & owner Edmund Gann. And Jerry Bailey piloted Man From Wicklow to a 5-lengths win over Just Listen & Sardaukar in the US$100,000 Gr1 Gulfstream Park Breeders Cup Handicap for 3YOs & up over 11 furlongs on turf. Owned & trained by Richard Violette, Man From Wicklow has finished in the placings in 5 of his last 6 starts (all stakes races). (Feb 19) Queensland Country Racing Protest Growing Following last Sunday’s meeting at Miles “to try & save Queensland country racing”. organised by apprentice jockey Fiona Critch, a new group called the Country Racing Revolution has been formed. CRR will hold its first public meeting this Sunday (February 23) at Burgess Park in Gatton reported racenet.com.au. Dr Tony Fitzgerald (chairman of Esk Jockey Club & board member of the South-East Queensland Racing Association) was elected chairman of the Country Racing Revolution at last Sunday’s meeting. He explained this weekend’s Gatton meeting will “have several guest speakers to look at the impact on all areas that will affect local communities, from the economic side to the social side of things. We need maximum support from all to assist in reversing the latest draft reforms by Queensland Racing. This is our only shot.” (Feb 19) Big Weekend For Arrowfield’s Dehere It’s been a big week for Arrowfield Stud stallion Dehere. Last weekend among his offspring in Australia: Natural Blitz ran an eye-catching 4th in the Gr1 Cadbury Australian Guineas at Flemington; & weight-for-age star Defier produced an impressive ‘between-races’ trial at Rosehill Gardens. Meanwhile at Fair Grounds in New Orleans Dehere’s 3YO daughter Belle Of Perintown scored a run-away 8 lengths victory in the US$150,000 Gr2 Silverbulletday Stakes, reported racenet.com.au. It was the first graded stakes win for Belle Of Perintown (Dehere-Hot Match, by Mr Prospector) & the 2nd consecutive winner for Dehere in the Silverbulletday Stakes following the 2002 win of US boom filly Take Charge Lady (who won both the Silverbulletday & Fair Grounds Oaks on her way to becoming an Eclipse Award finalist). Co-owner Jamie Schloss told bloodhorse.com: “We actually think this filly looks a lot like Take Charge Lady." And trainer Eddie Kenneally added: "She was unbelievable, fantastic." It was the 3rd win from 9 starts for Belle Of Perintown, a US$50,000 purchase at the 2001 Keeneland September Yearling Sale who is out of the unraced Mr Prospector mare Hot Match (a daughter of Gr1 winner Jeanne Jones, byNijinsky). Inturn Jeanne Jones (winner of 6 races & US$694,000) is a half-sister to Alanbridge Stud’s promising Chief’s Crown stallion Beautiful Crown. Jeanne Jones won the Gr1 Fantasy Stakes & was nosed out of the 1987 Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies by Epitome (by Summing), who became the dam of Westbury Stud's highly regarded Mr Prospector stallion Faltaat (sire of current NZ champion sprinter Tit For Taat). (Feb 19) And Big Month For Stud-Mate Hussonet Meanwhile Arrowfield’s decision to purchase Chile’s champion stallion Hussonet (Mr Prospector-Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) has paid immediate dividends, with 2 stakes winners in North America in the last month & the emergence of the best 2YO colt in Chile for this season. Returning to the track after an enforced lay-off with injury, Amerman Racing Stables' 6YO mare Printemps (Hussonet-Wrist, by Worldwatch) won the Listed Paseana Handicap at Santa Anita. Hussonet followed up with the win by Seinne (Hussonet-White Lady, by Worldwatch) in the Listed Tanforan Handicap at Golden Gate Fields. Both Printemps & Seinne are out of mares by former champion Chilean sire Worldwatch. What makes that significant for Australia is that Worldwatch is by Nijinsky (a son of Northern Dancer) out of the family of Danehill, making him a close genetic relative of the champion Australian sire. “The fact that he has appreciated Worldwatch mares, who is bred so similarly to Danehill, bodes well for his career here in Australia, ” said Arrowfield’s Byron Rogers. The regally bred Hussonet is a son of the legendary Mr Prospector out of Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Sacahuista. His first crop earned him 1998 champion 2YO sire of Chile; he was also champion 2YO sire in 2002 & has stood on top of the General Sires List for the past 3 years. Hussonet arrives in Australia in early March & his fee will be $24,750 (inc GST). (Feb 19) Glenlogan Park Leads Sprinting Pack Three of the world's best sprinters of 2002 (according to their assessments in the International Classifications) were Queensland’s Show A Heart & Falvelon, & HK star All Thrills Too. All were sired by Australian-bred stallions who stood in Queensland but died before they had runners - & who have close associations with the Jon Haseler’s Glenlogan Park Stud at Innisplain near Beaudesert, reported racenet.com.au. Both Falvelon (by Alannon) & All Thrills Too (by St Covet) were sired at Glenlogan Park & Show A Heart (by Brave Warrior) started his career as a stallion at the stud last season (with a book of 122 mares, of whom at least 120 are in foal). Show A Heart is to have Falvelon alongside him at Glenlogan Park next season - among 5 Australian bred high class performers in “an arrangement that is to give the stud one of the greatest reservoirs of local talent at the one stud” in local breeding history. The others Our Maizcay & newcomers Shot of Thunder (by champion American racehorse & sire Thunder Gulch) & Danehill product King Of Danes (who followed a brilliant juvenile season in Australia by becoming a leading sprinter in Hong Kong). A three-quarter brother to Danehill filly Rose O'War & from a stakes-placed daughter of champion filly Savana City, King Of Danes finished 3rd in the first of the 2 Gr1 HK International Sprints won by Falvelon. Shot of Thunder earned prize-money in 6 Gr1 races in Melbourne, Sydney & Perth (including a Toorak Handicap victory) & is from the Nijinsky grandaughter My Brilliant Star (winner of the AJC Oaks, runner-up in the STC Ansett Australia Stakes & SAJC Australasian Oaks, & 4th in the Queensland Oaks). (Feb 19) Trans-Tasman Double For Casual Lies Prolific sire of stayers Casual Lies posted a trans-Tasman double on the weekend with horses bred by New Zealand's Windsor Park Stud. In Australia, the Paul Perry-trained 6YO gelding Matter Of Honour (half-brother to dual Australian Horse-Of-The-Year Might And Power) made it back-to-back wins with an all-the-way victory in the $150,000 Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. In New Zealand, Windsor Park-bred & owned 6YO mare Fairy Tipsy recorded her 5th win for Matamata trainer Mark Walker. Walker told thoroughbrednews.co.nz that Fairy Tipsy (who is in foal to Volksraad) will now be set for the Gr3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on March 15. (Feb 19) Volksraad Dominates NZ 2YO Lists Meanwhile “it is hard to remember one sire having dominated 2YO racing in NZ in the manner which Volksraad has done this season,” declared thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Katana's weekend win in the Gr2 Bank Of New Zealand Breeders' Stakes at Matamata “capped a marvelous run by progeny of the resident Windsor Park Stud sire.” Volksraad has been represented by the winners of 8 NZ 2YO races this season. The others have been Phoenicia, Eftee One, Mohawk, Captain's Command, Sarah Little & Fore Ella. He has also been represented by the 4-times stakes placegetter Shadowfax Babe. As for Katana, following last weekend’s win trainer Paul Moroney said the “probable next target” will be the Gr1 Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 5. (Feb 19) Cicerao Notches HK Gr1 Winner The profile of New Zealand-bred horses in Hong Kong received its latest boost with the win by Self Flit (by Cicerao) in the prestigious HK$8 million (A$1.752 million) Gr1 HK Classic Mile at Sha Tin. The Ivan Allan-trained 4YO duly recorded his 4th win in only 9 starts in HK. Allan owns Self Flit’s sire, Irish-bred Cicerao, who stands at Bevan Higgins’ Grasslands Stud in Cambridge & was a dual Listed winner for English trainer Henry Cecil in 1994. Allan believes Self Flit is ideal material for the prestigious HK Derby (2000m) on March 23. “I believe he will get the Derby trip, as there is plenty of stamina on both sides of his pedigree,” he told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Self Flit’s dam Pretext (by Pre Catelan) was sold as a yearling by her breeder, Cambridge bloodstock agent Stuart Hale. And Pretext’s half-brother was Bundy Lad (by Karioi Lad), also bred by Hale, who won 10 races including 3 Gr2 races in Australia: the Bill Stutt Stakes, JJ Liston Stakes & Memsie Stakes. (Feb 19) Irish Incentive For Overseas Runners Horse Racing Ireland has announced a €1,0000 (A$1,840) ‘travel allowance incentive’ payable to all oversees runners who finish out of the prize-money in Irish Pattern & Listed races. HRI director of racing Jason Morris commented: “This tremendous incentive, coupled with Ireland’s enhanced black-type program & attractive prize-money, should encourage greater overseas participation in Ireland’s major races. Increased international competition will add to the quality of our races & provide extra excitement for racegoers.” (Feb 19) 3-Horse Field In St George Stakes Fiasco An embarrassed Melbourne Racing Club has been forced to extend the nomination deadline after only 3 horses entered for Saturday’s $200,000 Gr2 St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield. The 3 nominations are all top quality – last year’s Caulfield Cup 1st & 2nd place-getters Northerly & Fields Of Omagh, plus AJC Derby winner Don Eduardo – but most of Australia’s other genuine weight-for-age middle distance horses are already aiming at the Sydney autumn carnival instead. MRC racing manager John Faulkner told The Daily Telegraph the race would definitely go ahead, even if there were no more entries: “We’re obliged to run the race.” But Northerly’s trainer Fred Kersley declared: “It’s crazy. I hope they get more than 3. It’s not going to be really competitive, it’s going to be like track-work.” (Feb 18) Racing Victoria Will Help Ascot Recruit Aust Horses Meanwhile Racing Victoria's Mark Player has “welcomed the opportunity to assist the recruitment of Australian horses for England's Ascot racing carnival in July”, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Northerly & Defier have been listed among the targets for Ascot's racing director Nick Cheyne who arrives for a 4-day visit tomorrow. Player said the English interest in Australian horses was "a very good thing" & would be mutually beneficial to both countries. International racing executives have assisted Racing Victoria in the past when searching for overseas horses to contest the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup & Cox Plate. "We are always pushing the barrel to get international horses down here & it would be good for our racing if we could get horses from Australia going up there," Player said. "We will try to steer Nick in the right direction & facilitate a process where he can talk to trainers & other people who may be able to help in the longer term." The $2 million King George And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2400m) is likely to create most interest with local trainers. It is a listed World Series race (as is the Cox Plate) & has been won by champions Lammtarra, Daylami, Montjeu & Galileo. (Feb 18) NZTR Investigating McAnulty Comments Chief racecourse inspector John McKenzie “has confirmed that an investigation is taking place into comments made during a live” NZ Trackside Television interview between presenter Steve Davis & High-profile owner Rob McAnulty. The interview, which took place at Saturday's Matamata meeting, concerned the weighting of NZ Mercedes Derby winner St Reims in a 3YO race on the Matamata program. McKenzie told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “I can confirm that a NZ Thoroughbred Racing investigation is taking place as a result of information given to us." (Feb 18) Ashwell Farm Selling Entire Foal Crop ‘On-Farm’ In a revolutionary move, New Zealand’s Ashwell Farm principal Ray Knight announced he will sell his “entire 2002 foal crop in an on-farm sale, modelled on the same format used so successfully in Japan.” NZ Bloodstock’s Nikki Reed explained: “This format sees the foals offered for sale still on their mothers.” Knight has traditionally sold his best weanlings at NZ Bloodstock's National Weanling & Broodmare Sale in May. The Ashwell Farm Foal Sale will however be conducted by NZ Bloodstock on Sunday March 9. Reed added: “The foals will be weaned by Ashwell Farm immediately after the sale & be available for delivery 14 days later. And in a further goodwill gesture to buyers, Ashwell Farm will insure the foals at its cost through NZ Bloodstock Insurance, for the weaning period.” Knight commented: “This sale gives Ashwell Farm an opportunity to show our stallions, present the very impressive first crop foals by our resident sire D'Cash, host & entertain loyal clients &, of course, present our entire 2002 foal crop for sale, in their home environment." Resident Ashwell Farm sires include Shinko King, Kingfisher Mill, Charming Life & D'Cash. (Feb 18) Sydney Barrier Trials Up 46% In 4 Years Racing NSW announced the Racing Review Panel has “completed its findings into concerns over the number of barrier trials being conducted in the Sydney metropolitan area.” The statistics show “a significant increase in the number of trialers in a relatively short period” (up 46% in 4 years). At the same time metropolitan race fields have experienced an 8% decline. Despite these figures, the report discloses “there is no evidence to say that, by reducing the number of barrier trials, there would be a marked increase in the number of starters.” The official press release added: “It is also worth noting that the average number of runs per horse per annum in the metropolitan area has changed little.” (Feb 18) Racing NSW Announces 20% Insurance Premium Rise Meanwhile the Board of Racing NSW announced yesterday that it had been “forced to raise insurance premiums within the industry by 20%” & would apply ” to all activity charges commencing on 1 April 2003.” The increase will also apply to base fees & race club employees commencing on 1 July 2003. “Significant factors” behind the increase included “a major global reduction in equity markets, which affects the Fund's revenues & reserves, as well as changes to legislation, causing a major influx of claims & a rise in payments.” Racing NSW chief executive officer Merv Hill commented: “Racing NSW recently received its regular 6-monthly independent analysis of the entire insurance fund &, after considering the report, the Board agreed to recommendations that an increase was warranted in view of the general prevailing circumstances. The recommendation was for an increase between 20-30% & the Board took the conservative option of a 20% premium increase. This increase reflects what is happening in the worldwide marketplace. The Board will continue to monitor very carefully the operations and finances of the Fund and is reviewing insurances generally with the aim of ensuring that the racing industry gets the best possible deal in what can only be described as very difficult and exceptional circumstances." (Feb 18) Polar Helps Success Express Lead Juvenile Sire Winners Exciting filly Polar Express provided her sire Success Express with his 10th individual 2YO winner this season at Rosehill on the weekend. As a result Success Express is currently leading juvenile sire by winners for the season. He is also 5th in the juvenile category by earnings & second leading sire (behind Danehill) in the all age statistics for the most number of winners (55), reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Polar Express is owned by former Queensland breeder Peter Moran, now located at Chatswood Stud at Seymour in Victoria. The current crop of 2YOs by Success Express were sired when he stood at Moran's Noble Park Stud in Queensland. Polar Success was bred by Magic Millions owner Gerry Harvey at his Baramul Stud in the NSW Widden Valley & sold at Magic Millions winter sale for $32,000. Success Express (himself a Gr1 winner of the US Breeders' Cup Juvenile) has sired 293 individual winners of more than $21 million prize-money. Among his 26 stakes winners are 7 Gr1 winners including Mossman, who now stands at Noble Park & will have his first crop 2YOs racing next season. (Feb 18) Sale Mare Offers Strong Dane Ripper Links One interesting lot at Friday’s Inglis Summer Sale at their Newmarket stables at Randwick is the mare Our Little Juliet, listed by Newcastle motor dealer Ken Delforce under the banner of his Kendel Park Stud. The mare is by Romeo, a prematurely deceased Bletchingly sire used sparingly at Kendel Park. Romeo is a brother to Ann Juliet, the grandam of Murphy's Blu Boy & a close relation to Red Express (the Gr1 winner who produced Danehill’s champion Dane Ripper). As the Romeo mare on offer is carrying a foal by Kendel Park's Sedaka (a half-brother by Danehill to Lonhro) it will have close blood ties on both sides with Dane Ripper, noted racenet.com.au. (Feb 18) Baerami’s New Website Features Honours List Baerami Thoroughbreds (owned & managed by Paul & Petajane Higgins since 1994) has launched a new website (www.baeramithoroughbreds.com). It features details of their current stallion line-up, including Honours List (2002 service fee $8,250: $7,500 + GST) who boasts UK wins in the Gr3 Railway Stakes over 6 furlongs at The Curragh & Maiden Stakes over 7 furlongs (by 7 lengths) at Gowran Park, as well as a 2nd in the French Gr1 Prix de la Salamandre over 7 furlongs at Longchamp & a 3rd in the French Gr1 Grand Criterium over 8 furlongs at Longchamp. Baerami is located half-way between Widden Valley & Jerry's Plains in the heart of the NSW Hunter Valley's best horse breeding country. (Feb 18) Winning Run Continues For Eliza Park & Desert Sun Star NZ 4YO sprinting mare Egyptian Raine continued the phenomenal run of success for Eliza Park Stud & Sunline's sire Desert Sun when she took out the $250,000 Gr2 Swettenham Stud Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on the weekend. Desert Sun (by Green Desert) stood for 5 years at Ra Ora stud in NZ prior to his shift to Eliza Park. In additon to Sunline, he has now produced a further 13 stakes winners & totalled prize-money over $20 million; interestingly 12 of Desert Sun’s 14 stakes winners have been fillies, reported racenet.com.au, including his 3 Gr1 winners (Sunline, La Bella Dama & Egyptian Raine). Egyptian Raine claimed the prize scalp of NZ’s champion sprinter Tit For Taat in the Gr1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day, before finishing runner-up to that speedster in the Gr1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on January 25. Egyptian Raine has started 20 times for 7 wins, 6 seconds & 2 thirds. In the bargain of a lifetime, trainer & part owner Kenny Rae outlaid just $300 for Egyptian Raine’s dam Egyptian Queen (by Karioi Lad, in turn by former legendry Widden Stud stallion Vain) at a mixed bloodstock sale when carrying Egyptian Raine. (Feb 18) Hoeberg Boosts Prospects For Easter Broodmare Sale Last weekend’s 3rd at Rosehill in the Listed Triscay Stakes at Rosehill (under top weight of 61kg), ensured blue-blood 5YO mare Hoeberg (Maroof-Petrava, by Imposing) remains one of the star offerings listed for the Inglis Australian Select Weanling & Broodmare Sale in Sydney on April 27-30. Trainer David Payne is currently aiming Hoeberg at the Gr1 Coolmore Classic. The multiple Gr1 winning mare in South Africa will especially attract the attention of the international buying bench, with her previous track record boasting a win in Singapore’s Gr3 Chairman’s Trophy & a 3rd in the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes. Hoeberg's dam (NZ Pencarrow Stud owned Petrava) was herself a multiple Gr1 winning champion in South Africa. Apart from Hoeberg, she has left champion South African sire Jallad (by Blushing Groom) as well as 3 other winners; her second dam Silver Liner (by Sovereign Edition) was a Gr1 winner of the NZ ARC Railway Handicap among 10 career victories. David Ellis purchased Petrava’s latest yearling, a Carnegie colt, at the recent NZ Bloodstock Premier Sales for NZ$100,000 (A$93,000) for his booming Te Akau Stables operation. (Feb 18) Perugino’s Big Return On Investment When the field of frisky 2YOs lined up for Melbourne’s recent Inglis Premier race at Flemington, 25% were sired by Perugino (Danzig-Fairy Bridge, by Bold Reason), including runner-up Fresh Boy (Perugino/Sibilienne). Perugino’s 2nd crop of Australian-bred 2YOs only hit the racetracks this spring, after a 3-year absence. His first crop included Testa Rossa, Sudurka & Tickle My. As racenet.com.au noted: “The high esteem in which Perugino is held was vindicated at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (February 10-11) with 12 of his youngsters averaging an impressive $48,600 - a nice profit at a 2002 service fee of only $13,200.” Topping the list at $115,000 was his colt from Rubiton mare Edna Valley, while his son from Apache Gold was the highest priced colt sold on the opening day at $100,000. Perugino's fillies sold equally well, with his daughter out of Bletchingly mare Jade Court attracting $70,000. A three-quarter brother to legendary Sadler’s Wells, Perugino stands at Collingrove Stud at Nagambie in Victoria. (Feb 18) Olympus Promises Bright Future For Alanbridge Rosehill’s impressive 2YO winner Olympus “has all the credentials to be a major factor in the Golden Slipper Stakes” predicted racenet.com.au. His sire Danehill has produced 5 Slipper winners in the past 9 years, while trainer Clarry Conners has led in the winner 4 times. If he makes the grade Olympus could be destined for a stud career at Alanbridge Stud, property of part owner-Andrew Bowcock at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley. Alanbridge paid $235,000 for Olympus at the 2002 Easter Yearling Sale (& he is now raced by a partnership comprising Bowcock & wife Lasca, Choisir's breeder Ross Daisley, NSW Breeders' Association committeeman Russ Lazarus, popular owner Wilf Mula, Green Hills Lodge Syndicate & trainer Clarry Conners’ Victory Lodge Syndicate). He is the second foal of unraced Metal Of Honor (an imported daughter of Mr Prospector’s runaway US Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner Conquistador Cielo). Metal Of Honor is a half-sister to True Hero (by The Minstrel) who won the Gr3 Sandown Classic Trial Stakes. Imported to Australia by Emirates Park, True Hero now stands at Craiglea Stud in Queensland; the son of UK Epsom Derby winner The Minstrel has sired stakes-placed winner Snow Hero (also trained by Conners). Olympus’ grand-dam Badge Of Courage (byWell Decorated) is a half-sister to Known Fact, Tentam, Terete Tamtent & stakes winning filly Secrettame (dam of Gone West & his full brother Lion Cavern, whose first crop of yearlings produced at Lynden Park Stud sell this year). Badge Of Courage is also a half-sister to Taminette (dam of champion filly Tappiano & top class sprinter A.P. Jet). And Yearling Sale hawks take note: Metal of Honor’s yearling filly by Red Ransom will be offered by Lincoln Farm at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. (Feb 18) Danehill Battling To Catch Serheed The win by Olympus also adds spice to the battle between Danehill & Serheed for the Australian Sires title. Indeed “the young colt that has faced the starter twice may hold the fate of his sire’s chances of winning a 7th Australian Sires title, as Danehill tries to reel back the $1 million he currently trails Serheed,” declared racenet.com.au. The Platinum Scissors victory in the AJC Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick last October remains Danehill’s lone Gr1 winner so far this season. With 9 stakes winners, Danehill is 3 ahead of the up-and-coming Encosta De Lago with 6. Danehill is also equal with Rubiton for number of stakes wins with 11; however Rubiton has Fields Of Omagh, Rubitano & Innovation Girl currently on the big race trail. In addition Serheed’s champion performer Northerly is now back chasing the big autumn purses, signalling that Danehill will have his work cut out pegging back Serheed’s prize-money lead in the sires premiership. But a few major 2YO wins by Olympus could change all that. (Feb 18) Volksraad Heading For 2nd NZ Sires Title Meanwhile leading New Zealand sire Volksraad is heading towards his 2nd successive NZ Sires premiership following Katana’s win in the NZ$70,000 Bank Of NZ Stakes at Matamata. Volksraad mare Foxy Blonde helped the cause by winning 2 stakes races in 7 days: the Listed James Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui & then the Gr3 White Robe Lodge Handicap at the same track. (Feb 18) Latest Golden Slipper Betting Market The latest betting market from leading bookmaker Bill Hurley on the Gr1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on April 12, published by The Sydney Morning Herald, is: 15-4 Secret Land; 8-1 Hasna & Kusi; 11-1 Halibery; 12-1 How Funny & Niello; 13-1 Polar Success. (Feb 18) Early TAB Doncaster Betting Market And the NSW TAB’s ‘fixed odds’ long range betting market for the $2.5 million Gr1 San Miguel Doncaster Handicap at Royal Randwick on April 19 (Easter Saturday) is: 11-2 Defier; 8-1 Excellerator; 8-1 Lonhro; 12-1 Fields of Omagh; 14-1 Delago Brom & Thorn Park; 16-1 Dash For Cash; 20-1 Carael Boy, Royal Code & Boreale; 25-1 Hey Pronto, Cent Home, Gordo & Ha Ha; 33-1 Chairman’s Choice, Pernod, Republic Lass, Crawl, Shogun Lodge & Innovation Girl; 40-1 Kingsgate, Benarrivo, Lord Essex, Clangalang, Grand Armee & Cognac Trader. (Feb 18) Xaar Attracting Shrewd Interest Darley Stud’s former champion juvenile Xaar finished just behind Collingrove Stud’s new boy Bianconi (6 yearlings sold at average $55,000) for the leading-first-season-sire-by-avereage title at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Xaar had 6 yearlings fetch an average $51,833. Highest individual among them was $90,000 for a bay colt from the Danehill mare Take To The Hills, purchased by Victorian trainer Rick Hore-Lacy. Inglis bloodstock consultant Tara Madgwick noted: “Xaar has been a quiet achiever at the sales so far, his progeny finding a good market while not generating the headlines of horses such as Fasliyev, Catbird & company. He has some lovely types for Easter, including a colt from former champion sprinter Special & a filly from the good producer Startling Lass (dam of Shovhog & Shovoff.” (Feb 18) End Sweep’s First Southern Hemisphere-Bred Winner Meanwhile Sarah Vee, an $85,000 purchase from the Inglis Easter Sale last year, became the first Southern Hemisphere-bred winner for End Sweep when she romped home at Ellerslie in New Zealand for the Mike Moroney stable. Bred at Coral View Lodge Stud, the filly is from the stakes-winning Canny Lad mare Captivating. (Feb 18) Inglis Graduates Continue Hong Kong Romp In Hong Kong, Inglis sale graduates landed 5 races at the weekend’s Sha Tin meeting. Boom son of Danehill, the Tony Cruz-trained 3YO Lucky Owners (2001 Easter sale purchase for $350,000) made it 2 starts for 2 wins. Win Hunter (2001 Sires’ Produce sale purchase for $60,000) from the John Moore stable notched the first HK win for his sire Lion Hunter, another son of Danehill. The other Inglis graduate winners were: Lucky Lad (2000 Easter sale purchase for $100,000); City Fortune (1997 Breeze-Up Sale passed-in $70,000); & Optic Chief (1999 Easter sale purchase for $275,000). (Feb 18) Victorian Smiles At Inglis Premier Sale Meanwhile the final results for the recent Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale proved a real vote of confidence for the Victorian stud industry. Blue Gum Farm’s quartet Rubiton, Encosta de Lago, Last Tycoon & Umatilla generated $2.2 million. And the Collingrove Stud team - Danehill Dancer, Perugino, Scenic, Rory’s Jester & American new recruits Bianconi & Favorite Trick - also contributed $2.2 million. General Nediym (who stood the 2000 season at Eliza Park) weighed in with 14 yearlings selling for $586,000. And Chatswood Stud’s Bubble Gum Fellow (a son of the mighty Sunday Silence) had 12 yearlings total $524,000. Inglis marketing manager Melissa O’Gorman summed up: “Combined, these well received Victorians accounted for close to 40% of the gross. Add to that a strong selection of top quality Victorian-bred yearlings by Hunter Valley-based sires & it’s not hard to see why the locals were smiling at Oaklands.” (Feb 18) Victorian Breeders Gloat After Guineas Day There’s obviously a buoyant mood around Melbourne breeding & racing circles at the moment. Following Delago Brom’s emphatic weekend victory in the $500,000 Gr1 VRC Cadbury Guineas, Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria executive officer Richard Andrews declared: “Victorian sired horses have covered themselves in glory, on a day where the best 3YOs in the land wrestled each other for the Guineas & the chance to go to stud at the end of their careers as a Gr1 winner.” Andrews noted: Blue Gum Farm “really shone . . . filling 1st & 2nd on the dais, & both by favourite sons of Victorian race goers. Encosta De Lago, who thrilled crowds with his wins as a 3YO, now has his first Gr1 winner thanks to the stunning performance of Delago Brom.” Blue Gum recently confirmed the champion stallion would remain in Victoria for the 2003 breeding season “with Gr1 mares lining up down the Hume Highway to get to this quality individual.” And runner-up Tycoon Ruler is a son of Last Tycoon “now in the heyday of his Australian stud career, this evergreen stallion leaves us with the memories of horses such as Mahogany who won everything from 1200-2500m, including the VRC Cadbury Guineas.” Not to be out done by his paddock mates, another of the Blue Gum team Umatilla “wasn’t to be left out of the fun after Umaris made it 3 wins from 5 starts” in a quality 3YO fillies race. Andrews also noted Collingrove Stud celebrated with the smart 2YO Rosarino (a daughter of Perugino) winning the Listed Talindert Stakes. Another Victorian stallion Encores (Greta West Stud) won the program’s 1800m event with Leather Lane. And Andrews added that Eliza Park’s champion stallion Desert Sun collected the Gr2 SAJC Swettenham Stud Stakes via the services of smart mare Our Egyptian Raine. Finally “to complete a terrific day for Victorian stallions, Racer’s Edge gelding Si Senor (Chatswood Stud) collected the Gr3 event at Morphetville.” (Feb 18) Patience Pays Off For Hughes & Hoffelner Along with the exultation of watching their 3YO colt Delago Brom win the Gr1 Australian Guineas at Flemington, trainer Tom Hughes & owner Otto Hoffelner “could be excused for feeling a degree of self-satisfaction” observed racenet.com.au. Back in 1994 the pair purchased a bay Sir Tristram colt at the New Zealand National sale at Trentham. Named El Qahira, he had just one start (finishing 2nd to On Our Selection in the VRC Lord Cardigan Hcp over 1000m at Flemington as a 2YO). Hughes had a huge opinion of El Qahira (who raced in the ownership of Hoffelner & Steve Bennett) but an injury meant the colt never raced again. However he was a son of dual Gr3 winning mare Pheroz Jewel & his unraced half-sister Pheroz Fantasy is the dam of Super Impose (winner of 17 races, $4.276 million prize-money & 8 Gr1 races). Despite almost no staud support except from his owners & trainer, El Qahira managed 4 named foals from his 1st crop, 8 from his 2nd & 8 from his 3rd. But the 3rd crop grabbed attention via the deeds of filly Alcove (4 wins including Gr1 AJC Oaks, Gr1 STC Ansett Australia Stakes, Gr3 MVRC Stocks Stakes & 2nd in the Gr1 VATC Caulfield Cup, Gr1 WATC Fruit 'n' Veg Stakes, Gr2 VRC Wakeful Stakes & .Gr2VATC Quick-Eze Stakes, as well as 3rd in the Gr1 STC Ranvet Stakes, Gr2 VRC Kewney Stakes & Gr2 Craiglee Stakes); Harkaway (Gr3 SAJC National Stakes & Gr3 McKay Stakes); Viminaria (Gr3 SAJC Swettenham Stud Stakes); & Brompton Cross ( Gr2 VRC Edward Manifold Stakes & Listed VATC Tranquil Star Stakes). El Qahira suddenly became a sought-after stallion; but, after serving 111 mares in 1993, El Qahira equally suddenly died on Boxing Day. In total he sired 149 runners for 101 winners, including 11 stakes-winners & 8 stakes-placed. Bred by Steve Bennett but owned by the Hoffelner family, Brompton Cross’s first named foal was triple Melbourne winning filly Brompton’s Girl (a daughter of Kilora Stud’s Sadler’s Wells stallion Runyon). She then foaled an unraced filly by Encosta De Lago named Bromlago, before producing Delago Brom (who has now started 10 times for 4 wins & 2 2nds). (Feb 18) Gr1 Bonanza For Class Of 1997 Encosta De Lago is the 3rd stallion who commenced stud duty in 1997 to sire their first Australian Gr1 winner in recent weeks, noted racenet.com.au. He follows Widden Stud’s Anabaa (sire of Orr Stakes winner Yell) & Collingrove Stud’s Danehill Dancer (sire of Lightning Stakes winner Choisir). “In fact it looks to be an exceptional crop of stallions that commenced stud duty that year. The Woodlands pair Strategic & Octagonal, Willow Bend Stud’s Clang, Yarraman Stud's Spectrum, Emirate Park’s Secret Savings & Darley Stud’s Carnegie have all sired Gr1 winners in their firtst 3 crops to reach the racetrack.” (Feb 18) Moonee Valley Asian Race Night On Thursday March 6, Moonee Valley Racing Club will conduct an Asian Race Night. The MVRC, through its involvement in the World Series Racing Championship, has strong ties with Asia & the development of Asian Race Night is a “strategic initiative to strengthen relationships with the Asian region & the local Asian Community.” Moonee Valley proudly hosts the only southern hemisphere leg of the WSRC: The Carlton Draught Cox Plate. Within the Asian region, WSRC is represented by the Japan Cup, Singapore International Cup & Hong Kong Cup. The Asian Race Night will feature: Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne demonstration of Long Dragon dance 8 lion dancers on the racetrack between races Martial arts displays Cultural music & dance, representing different regions of Asia Tourism displays Chinese art demonstrations Asian food stalls Fund-raising dinner in the Committee Room (net proceeds benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation). (Feb 18) US Racing Legend Johnny Longden Dies At 96 Johnny Longden, the only person in US racing history to win the Gr1 Kentucky Derby as both a jockey & trainer, has died on his 96th birthday at his home in California, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Born in England in February 1907, Longden won his first race in 1927 in Utah. He swept the US Triple Crown in 1943 with Count Fleet, owned by Mrs John Hertz. Only 3 years after retiring as a rider to become a trainer, he came close to winning the 1969 Triple Crown with Majestic Prince; the son of Raise A Native won the Kentucky Derby & Preakness Stakes, but ran 2nd in the Belmont Stakes to Arts And Letters & never raced again. Longden was USA champion jockey in 1938, 1947 & 1948. He won the Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap 4 times, Gr1 Hollywood Gold Cup 4 times, Gr1 Santa Anita Derby 5 times & Gr1 Hollywood Derby 5 times. But his most memorable ride at Santa Anita — “one of the most famous in the sport's history” — came in the 1966 Gr1 San Juan Capistrano Handicap aboard George Royal. Aged 59, Longden was riding the last race of his career. Known as "The Pumper" for his aggressive riding style, he got George Royal home at 8-1 before a huge, emotional throng of 60,792 fans. The race has been subsequently voted the greatest moment in Santa Anita history. Longden, elected to the US Racing Hall Of Fame in 1958, retired with a then record 6,032 riding victories. (The record was eventually broken by Bill Shoemaker, whose mark was in turn eclipsed in 1999 by Laffit Pincay junior.) (Feb 18) U$3.3 Million Colt Debuts At Gulfstream Newfoundand, a US$3.3 million purchase at the 2001 Keeneland September yearling sale & a 2003 Triple Crown nominee, finished 6th in a field of 8 in his US racetrack debut over 6 furlongs at Gulfstream Park on the weekend, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The son of Storm Cat recorded his lone win in 5 starts at Fairyhouse in Ireland last May, before finishing 4th to stablemate & eventual Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile 3rd-place finisher Hold That Tiger in the Gr3 Railway Stakes at the Curragh in June. Newfoundland had been campaigned in England & Ireland by trainer Adian O’Brien for owners Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; in the US he is now racing for trainer Todd Pletcher & owner Sumaya US Stables. Bred in Kentucky by Watts Humphrey, Newfoundland is out of the multiple Gr1-winning Deputy Minister mare Clear Mandate, who is out of the Gr1 winner Dream Deal. He was consigned to the Keeneland sale by Lane’s End. (Feb 18) Top UAE Jockey Durcan Out With Broken Leg Ted Durcan, champion jockey in the United Arab Emirates for the last 2 seasons, will “probably miss the remainder of the current UAE racing season (including the Dubai World Cup program) after suffering a broken leg in 2 places in a training accident” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The jockey was kicked by a horse during morning training at Zabeel Stables & underwent surgery the same afternoon. Number one rider for leading owner Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum, Durcan is currently 4th on the 2003 Emirates Racing Association jockey standings with 18 victories. Durcan won the US$2 million Dubai Duty Free Stakes on the 2000 World Cup program with Sheikh Rashid’s Rhythm Band. He had been expected to ride State Shinto in this year’s World Cup. (Feb 18) Sheikh Mohammed Wins Dubai Endurance Race Meanwhile Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who oversees the international Godolphin Racing stable, has briefly switched equine sports & ridden to victory in an 89-mile endurance race in Dubai which drew 47 riders from around the world, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The Minister Of Defense for the United Arab Emirates completed the course aboard Al Sha’afar, a 15-year-old gelding, in just over 6 hours (an average speed of 13 miles-per-hour). "The race was very tough, with the weather very hot," Sheikh Mohammed said. "In such a climate, you need experienced riders to ensure the horse & its welfare is protected. Endurance riding is part of our heritage & our forefathers have been practising equestrian sport since time immemorial." Jesus Manuel Berna of Spain & Jaber Bittar of Brazil vied for the early lead in the race, with Berna eventually finishing 2nd. Bittar’s horse did not finish the race & only 10 of the original starters completed the race. (Feb 18) Darley Develops Racing & Breeding Training Course On another front, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid all Maktoum’s international Darley breeding organization has created a new training course, called ‘Flying Start’, for students aspiring to careers in racing & breeding. The program, which will begin in August, will consist of a 2-year curriculum at Darley’s farms in Kentucky in the US, Newmarket in England, County Kildare in Ireland, Dubai & the Hunter Valley in Australia. Darley will choose 8 students for the initial program. "Sheikh Mohammed is utterly convinced of the power & necessity of top-class education in all walks of life," said Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock adviser John Ferguson. "To thrive, the world’s racing & bloodstock businesses require professionals of the highest caliber. We hope that Flying Start will be able to fast-track those with the passion & commitment to get to the top of what is a demanding, but hugely rewarding, industry." (Feb 18) South African Gr1 Winners There were 2 Gr1 events in South Africa last weekend. Dynasty (ridden by Karl Neisius & trained by Dean Kannemeyer for the Fieldspring racing syndiate) streaked home by 7 lengths in the Gr1 Graham Beck Wines Cape Derby over 2000m at Kenilworth in Cape Town. Gingko Tree was runner-up & the Oppenheimer-owned Hilti 3rd. Dynasty, a son of Fort Wood, was bred by Mary Slack's Wilgerbosdrift Stud & is out of the Commodore Blakes mare Blakes Affair. He is a full brother to Gr1 Gold Cup runner-up Sequoia. And Legality (trained by Robbie Sage & ridden by ‘Lucky’ Houdalakis) defeated the country’s best fillies in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes (1 mile) at Turffontein. Favourite Raining Roses finished 2nd. Sage noted Legality is “preparing for the Gauteng Spring season Triple Crown for fillies & this was meant to be a preparation gallop.” Legality was bred by the Hyjo Stud. (Feb 18) O’Brien & Piggott Top UK ‘Racing Greatest’ Poll Legendary UK trainer Vincent O'Brien, international superstar jockey Lester Piggott & high-profile Arab owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum have filled the top 3 places in UK Racing Post's 100 Racing Greats poll on who has had “the greatest influence on the sport in Britain & Ireland over the last 400 years.” O'Brien, who retired from training in 1994 after 51 years (during which he saddled the winners of virtually all the major flat & steeplechase races), was the clear winner with 29% of the telephone & e-mail vote. Piggott (O'Brien's one-time stable jockey) was 2nd with 21%, while Sheikh Mohammed attracted 12% of the vote. (Feb 18) First Foal By Luftikus The first reported foal by US Gr3 winner Luftikus was born to Cash The Check at Naylee Farm in West Virginia. "She’s a quite attractive filly, very correct, with a white stripe down the center of her forehead," Naylee Farm owner Rene Moore told thoroughbredtimes.com. "She’s a big filly, especially for this mare, because the mare isn’t that big." A 7YO Kentucky-bred son of Meadowlake, Luftikus won the 2000 Gr3 Lone Star Park Handicap & 2000 Tokyo City Handicap at Santa Anita Park, where also recorded a runner-up finish to General Challenge in the 2000 Gr2 Strub Stakes. Overall, Luftikus won 5 races in 10 starts for owner Stronach Stable. He is out of the winning Conquistador Cielo mare Andora (a daughter of multiple Gr1 winner Sabin) & is a half-brother to stakes winners Diversa & Sensitivity. Luftikus stands at Taylor Mountain Farm near in West Virginia. A 6YO daughter of Summer Squall, Cash The Check has produced 4 other foals, including the winning Two Punch filly Cash Machine. Cash The Check will be bred back to Gr1 winner Yonaguska. (Feb 18) First Foal By Deputy Warlock Born In Puerto Rico The first reported foal by Deputy Warlock, was born to Azucar Y Especie at Haras Santa Isabel near San Juan in Puerto Rico. "The foal is a nice, beautiful filly," Haras Santa Isabel president Enrique Ubarri told thoroughbredtimes.com. A 6YO son of Silver Deputy, Deputy Warlock won 3 of 16 starts, including the 1999 Cradle Stakes at River Downs & 1999 Hawthorne Juvenile Stakes for owner Select Stable. Out of the unplaced Forty Niner mare Date Stone, Deputy Warlock stands at Tee-N-Jay Farm in New Jersey. An 8YO unraced daughter of Unbridled, Azucar Y Especie is out of the winning Family Doctor mare Doctor Black. She is from the family of top Puerto Rican performer Moment Of True. Azucar Y Especie will be bred back to Billions, a 6YO winning son of Deputy Minister. (Feb 18) Cameron Leaves Aquanita For Macau Aquanita Racing stables announced its Flemington-based trainer Russell Cameron has accepted an opportunity to train in Macau & will leave in April. Cameron joined Aquanita in May 1998 (moving from Adelaide to take up the Melbourne training role) & has subsequently won 5 Gr1 races. In the last month alone, he has won 8 races from just 25 starters for Aquanita. Following an approach from the Macau Jockey Club, Cameron said he felt that, if he declined this opportunity, his ambition to train overseas might never come to fruition: "It has always been a long held ambition of mine to have a crack at racing in Asia & this opportunity allows me to do so. During my 5 years with Aquanita I have learned a lot, not only about training horses but importantly about better ways to operate a business. I believe this knowledge will stand me in good stead to make a success of the new challenge & the Aquanita connection has been an integral part in my gaining a licence in Macau. I cannot speak highly enough of the team at Aquanita Racing. They gave me my start in Melbourne with access to high quality horses & a band of loyal owners. I will be very sorry to leave that trust & loyalty behind.” Aquanita chairman Peter Howell commented: "We will now be able to rely on the skill of Russell to identify horses & owners who are keen to race throughout Australia, which will bring a new dimension to our business & offer both our existing & potential clients even greater opportunities." Aquanita’s main operation will now be run by Robert Smerdon (who will take up a major presence at the Flemington headquarters of Aquanita), while the up-and-coming Dan O'Sullivan will also be spreading some of his Caulfield operation & training team as well. Aquanita Racing trains over 200 winners each season. (Feb 17) Britain Chases Aust Horses For Ascot Australia‘s elite racehorses “are being actively chased to compete” at Britain’s historic Royal Ascot carnival in July. Royal Ascot’s director of racing Nick Cheyne will fly into Melbourne on Wednesday for a 4-day visit seeking to attract horses like Notherly, Defier & some of our better sprinters to the northern hemisphere. “There are a few trainers we would like to talk to,” Cheyne told The Daily Telegraph. “Obviously Northerly is one horse we are interested in. We would also like to talk to Guy Walter about Defier.” Cheyne will liaise with Racing Victoria’s Mark Player. “We have seen our horses come down to Australia to the Melbourne Cup & Cox Plate & we could get some sort of reciprocal arrangement going,” Cheyne said. “We would like to find out if people would be genuinely interested in travelling & what inducements would encourage them to travel, whether it’s prize-money or travel expenses or whatever. For us to have an Australian runner would be unbelievably exciting.” (Feb 17) Freedman’s Formal Complaint About Watered Tracks Leading trainer Lee Freedman intends to lodge a formal complaint to Racing Victoria about “tracks being watered after acceptance time”, reported appracingandsports.com.au. Freedman's action comes after the Sandown Lakeside track, which has been praised by trainers & jockeys since its opening last month, had its first hiccup when 2 riders complained about their mounts slipping on the home turn in the 1st & 3rd races yesterday. After the 3rd race, stewards ordered work be done on the track. (Jockey Brett Prebble said his mount Rent And Rhythm had slipped on the home turn in the 1st race & jockey Brendan Fenech said Saints Union slipped in the 3rd race.) Acting chief steward Terry Sharp, fellow steward Bruce McGinley & senior jockeys Danny Brereton, Nash Rawiller Z& Danny Nikolic inspected the track before the all-clear was given for the meeting to continue. That followed use of a “slicing harrow to de-thatch & aerate the area where the horses slipped on the turn”. The track was harrowed 100 metres either side of the area. Melbourne Racing Club course manager John Green said the area in question was an isolated 10 square metre area out of 15,000 square metres of turf laid on the Lakeside track. Green confirmed the track had been watered (3mm) on Saturday but "drizzly rain (2mm) this morning" didn't help the situation. "I am happy with the length of grass, but the problem is more that it is in too good a nick & the horses aren't breaking through it," Green said referring to the lush cover of grass that held the moisture after the morning rain, causing the 2 horses to slip. "We expected teething problems & these are the only instances of slipping in 4 meetings. It is embarrassing, but we will take steps to rectify it & modify work practices to ensure it won't happen again." Freedman believes watering tracks after acceptance time is too close to the race meeting: "The policy needs to be changed & I am surely not the only trainer that has that view. If I had a horse who didn't handle dead tracks, it had no chance on Saturday (at Flemington). I have always held this view, it is not just what's happened in the last couple of weeks." (Feb 17) Female Apprentice On Life Support After Fall Apprentice jockey Kaylene Gillman remains on life support in a serious condition in Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital, following a dramatic fall at Broadmeadow on Saturday. Gillman's mount Garfish (trained by her master Noel Mayfield-Smith) fell rounding the turn & Gillman suffered head, shoulder & leg injuries. (Feb 17) HK Permits For Prebble, Walker & Cahill Meanwhile the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Licensing Committee officially granted riding permits (from March 16-June 30) to prominent Australasian jockeys Brett Prebble, Michael Walker & Michael Cahill at its meeting last Friday. It also granted extensions of exisitng licences (up to June 30) to jockeys Eric Legrix, Anton Marcus, Eric Saint-Martin, Glyn Schofield, Craig Williams & Olivier Doleuze. Prebble, 25, was champion Victorian apprentice 3 consecutive seasons & has won the Victorian Jockeys Premiership twice in the last 3 seasons; he has ridden over 1,000 career winners (including 115 at Group level). Prebble previously rode in HK representing Australia at the 2000 International Jockeys' Championship (finishing runner-up) & as rider for Tests Rossa in the 2000 HK Mile. Walker, 18, has been champion NZ apprentice 3 times in just 4 years of riding. He holds the record for most wins by an NZ rider in a season (182) & has totalled 507 career winners including 6 Gr1 victories. As well as NZ, he has ridden winners in Australia & Singapore. Cahill previously held a HK jockey licence during the 2001-02 season & most recently from 1 July-15 December 2002, & notcheds 18 HK winners. (Feb 17) Delago delivers Encosta’s First Gr1 Win Delago Brom delivered sire Encosta de Lago his first Gr1 winner when he sizzled down the outside in a last-to-first burst to win the the $750,000 Gr1 Cadbury Guineas (1600m) at Flemington, defeating Tycoon Ruler & Thorn Park. Trainer Tommy Hughes snr, who has been a major supporter of Encosta de Lago (a son of Fairy King), trains Delago Brom for the Otto Floors Syndicate, managed by Otto Hoffelner who bred the bay colt out of El Qahira mare Brompton Cross. Hughes also trained both El Qahira (a son of Sir Tristram whose career was cut short after just one race start) & Brompton Cross, who won the 1993 Tranquil Star Stakes at Caulfield & Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington. Delago Brom’s winning jockey Patrick Payne also rode Brompton Cross in those earlier victories. (Feb 17) 3-Way Thriller In HK Gr1 Classic Mile Meanwhile in a thrilling 3-way bob-of-the-heads finish in Hong Kong, Self Flit (trained by Ivan Allan & ridden by Eddy Lai) just pipped odds-on Irish favourite Bowman’s Crossing & the John Size-trained Gift (formerly Danavon in New Zealand) to win the HK$8 million (A$1.752 million) Gr1 HK Classic Mile at Sha Tin. It was Self Flit's 4th win from 9 starts & he has never finished out of the top 3. The winner carried personal significance for trainer Allan, who owned Self Flit's sire Cicerao (a dual Listed winner for Henry Cecil in 1994) & he previously trained his half-brother Quick Speed to finish 2nd in the Gr2 HK Queen Mother's Cup. The high quality field included 13 horses which had previously won or placed in Stakes races internationally. (Feb 17) Trust N Luck Takes US Gr1 Fountain Of Youth Stakes And in the US, Trust N Luck (a son of Montbrook) demolished a field of 8 of America’s top 3YOs to win the US$200,000 Gr1 Fountain Of Youth Stakes (8.5 furlongs) by over 5 lengths at Gulfstream Park. The Fountain Of Youth is North American racing’s traditional first-step for the leading 3YO contenders on the road to the Kentucky Derby & US Triple Crown – and this year, with 2002’s undefeated 2YO champion Vindication off the scene with a strained ligament, the field had seemed wide open. But Trust n Luck (ridden by Cornelio Velasquez) “left his rivals in his wake” as he repeated his front-running 11-length triumph in the What A Pleasure Stakes at Calder Race Course in December, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Trust N Luck has won 3 of his previous 4 starts, & overall has totalled 5 wins & 2 placings in 9 career starts. Trust N Luck is out of the winning Dahar mare Bold Burst & is a full brother to multiple stakes winner Grand Veranda. "I know this horse is very good. I was real confident," trainer Ralph Ziadie told Associated Press. (Feb 17) The Ultimate Form Guide Talk about a race where the form proved faultless: Consider the humble $7,000 Class 2 event at Tamworth on January 24, where the victor covered the 1400m in a sizzling 1.22.47. Boy was that a tip! Winner Green Danzig (Desert Style-La Twig) duly won its next start at Doomben. Second home at Tamworth was Instinctively (Distinctly North-Lean), who won at Walcha at her next start. Third home was Orchid Spray (Brocco-Grant My Wish), who won at Quirindi at its next start. Fourth home was Prime Access (Access-A Little More), who finished 2nd at Muswellbrook at its next start. Fifth home was Midnight Maid (Entrepreneur-Midnight lady), which won at Port Macquarie at its next start. And 7th home was Ukraine, who ran 3rd at his next 2 runs (at the juicy odds of 50-1 & 20-1). If only all races ran this true to form. (Feb 17) Smart Bet Wins Singapore Horse-Of-The-Year Smart Bet, “hero of the S$800,000 (A$782,000) Emirates Singapore Derby & S$1.25 million (A$1.22 million) Singapore Gold Cup”, has been officially named Singapore’s 2002 Horse-Of-The-Year reported appracingandsports.com.au. The Cossack Warrior 4YO is owned by a partnership managed by Singapore businessman Lim Chong Sam & trained by Malay horseman Mohammed Yusof. Smart Bet has won 11 of his 26 starts & earned S$2.18 million (A$2.13 million) in prize-money. Other category winners were: Pacific Prince (Champion Older Miler); Superb Effect (Champion Older Sprinter); Blizz Bless (Champion 4YO Sprinter); Palace Line (Champion 3YO); Malcolm Thwaites (Champion Trainer for the 6th time); Saimee Jumaat (Champion Jockey for the 5th time); Andrew John Sundradas (Leading Apprentice) & South African Fred Crabbia (Leading Owner). (Feb 17) Breeze-Up Section For Karaka May Sale New Zealand Bloodstock announced the 2YO category at its National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale in May will include a Breeze-Up section for the first time. The session will be named the Autumn 2YO Sale & will include sections for 2YOs which complete an official Breeze-Up, while still offering sections for those which do not breeze-up or remain unbroken. The main catalyst for the creation of a Breeze-Up section has been the recent decision by NZ Bloodstock to cancel it’s Singapore Ready-To-Run Sale. The Singapore Sale, which has been held annually in May for the last 3 years, has been cancelled for 2003 due to the stagnant economic conditions & depressed demand for young stock in Singapore at present. Bloodstock & marketing general manager Julia Naismith explained: "It really hit home to us during the recent yearling sales just how little buying activity is being generated from Singapore at present. We already have 19 2YOs that were purchased specially for the Singapore Sale, but we have decided it is just not viable to fly them up & run the sale in Singapore. The costs of running the sale up there are significant & we believe would be near impossible for us to recoup in the current climate in Singapore. We usually breeze our Singapore horses up & film them here in NZ before they travel, so we will do so again this year but offer them here in the Autumn 2YO Sale Session of the May Sale instead. In addition to the 19 Singapore Sale geldings, we will welcome entries from any vendor who wishes to participate in the 2YO Breeze-Up section. The Breeze-Up 2YOs may be tried or untried." The Breeze Ups are currently scheduled for Friday April 4 at Cambridge Jockey Club’s Training Centre. (Feb 17) Faltaat Leads NZ Black Type List The win by New Zealand sprint sensation Tit For Taat in the Gr1 Waikato Draught Sprint “cemented the position of his sire Faltaat as the leading sire in NZ for total Black Type races won by his progeny,” reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. “Faltaat’s progeny have now won 8 Group or Listed races from incredibly only 18 runners this season.” Faltaat stands at Karaka’s Westbury Stud & his other stakes-winners this season have been Sedecrem & Rosina Lad. (Feb 17) Latest Betting Exchange Warning Australia’s pre-eminent business magazine Business Review Weekly has surveyed the outlook for the gaming & wagering sector & warned: “Internet-based betting exchanges, which allow punters to bet directly with each other without using a betting agency, are revolutionising the gambling industry worldwide. If the concept takes off, it could weaken the profits of some of Australia’s biggest gaming companies.” (Feb 17) Gold Coast Premier Yearling Sale Magic Millions Gold Coast Premier Yearling Sale is set for its Bundall complex on Sunday March 2. Among the interesting lots catalogued: Orpen-Laughable colt Knowledge-Lequilla colt Commands-Once Upon A Crime colt Belong To Me-Palmyra Bay colt Xaar-Pekinoise colt Greenlander-Platinum Lass filly King’s Theatre-Quizas colt Victory Note-Rory’s Twig colt Greenlander-Rose Of Dudley colt Commands-Sad colt Strategic-Shecky’s Option filly Eternity Range-Star Merchant colt Lion Hunter-Supermarket colt Kenny’s Best Pal-Tropine Queen colt Catbird-Wake Me Not colt End Sweep-Winning Walk filly General Nediym-Aussie Scupltor colt Canny Lad-Catriona filly Piccolo-Chesapeake colt Lion Hunter-Counterfeit Coin colt Telesto-Cure filly Northern Drake-Etoile D’Amore filly Nediym-Glamour Heights filly Spectrum-Hi Raffin colt Commands-Hula Guest filly (Feb 17) Goffs & Tattersalls Settle Sale Dates Dispute Waring UK sales companies Goffs & Tattersalls have made peace over the changing dates of major sales in Ireland, reported racingpost.co.uk. “A deal struck by the 2 parties, means Tattersalls (Ireland) Fairyhouse September Yearling Sale will revert to its original dates of September 16-18.” It had been moved to the following week when Goffs decided to switch its principal yearling sale – the Orby – from its traditional October date to clash with Fairyhouse. Goffs’ Orby & Challenge Sale are on September 23-25. In a joint-statement, Tattersalls (Ireland) chairman Edmond Mahony & Goffs managing director Matt Mitchell said: “We’re pleased to have resolved any outstanding issues.” (Feb 17) New Mexico Breeders Hit ‘New Revenue’ Jackpot Breeders in the American state of New Mexico have struck gold: between 1999 & 2002, the number of mares covered in the state has increased by 72%. “At a time when many people involved in the thoroughbred industry are scratching their heads & wondering what to do next, breeders in New Mexico are ramping up, posting vigorous increases in the state-bred program”, reported bloodhorse.com. According to US Jockey Club figures, 817 mares were covered in New Mexico in 1999, rising to 1,131 mares in 2000, then rising again to 1,217 in 2001 & increasing yet again to 1,403 in 2002. The up-swing is the direct result of ‘new industry revenue’ generated from slot machines installed at the state's 4 racetracks (Downs at Albuquerque, Ruidoso Downs, Sunland Park & Sun Ray Park) in 1999. The money has increased purses & padded the already successful breeders' incentive program. (As an example, the average purse at Sunland Park shot up from pre-1999 lows of US$1,500 to an average US$12,000, with state-breds running for an average US$6,000 per race more since the installation of slots.) New Mexico Horse Breeders Association executive director Anna Fay Davis enthused: "Each year there has been a change. Several breeding farms have been refurbished & are now back in business, & the past several years has provided an opportunity for people to revamp their facilities. A lot of stallion farms are coming back to life & new mares are moving into the state at a consistent rate." And the rewards of expanded gaming are drawing in new breeders. The 1,107-member NMHBA recorded an 11% increase in membership from 2001 to 2002, as well as a 30% increase in horse registrations; broodmare registration increased 35% over the same period & stallion registration rose 32%. Long-time New Mexico owner-breeder Michael Weatherly summed up: “The introduction of slot machines has given the state an opportunity to rejuvenate the industry & improve the overall racing, breeding & sales product. Our simulcast signal is going out to more tracks. More & better horses are moving in to both race & breed. We have sons of Storm Cat & Phone Trick moving in; genetically the landscape of New Mexico has changed. Young stallions have the opportunity to prove themselves here." (Feb 17) Media Puzzle’s Return Melbourne Cup Plan Despite suffering a headline-grabbing leg injury in track-work (forcing his withdrawal from the Dubai World Cup program & a return to Ireland for “treatment & recuperation”) 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle “is expected to make a full recovery.” The Daily Telegraph reported trainer Dermot Weld “maintains he is still hopeful of bringing Media Puzzle back for a second successive Melbourne Cup later this year.” (Feb 14) General Nediym Duo Top Premier II Two yearlings by leading first crop sire General Nediym topped yesterday’s inaugural Inglis Premier II Yearling Sale at Oaklands in Melbourne. Robbie Griffiths & Chefs On The Run syndicate (who purchased 5 yearlings in all) paid $47,500 for a chestnut colt by General Nediym (offered by Yallambee Stud as agent) out of winning Zephyr Bay mare Azzetta. Sharing top honour at $47,500, Lauriston Thoroughbreds bought a bay colt by General Nediym out of unraced Twig Moss mare Born To Thrill; the colt’s 2nd dam Thrills (by Military Plume) is a sister to Military Belle (dam of General Nediym). Robbie Griffiths also paid $40,000 for a bay filly from the first crop of US Horse-Of-The-Year Favourite Trick out of Lady Ambassador (by Twig Moss). Among the others: a Perugino-Miss Clayton colt was sold for $40,000; & a Dangerous-Ravager filly went for $32,000. (Feb 14) Inglis Premier II Yearling Sale Summary The average at yesterday’s inaugural Premier II Yearling Sale was $15,246 & gross $1,021,500 on 67 yearlings sold. “The excellent result augers well for this new initiative to be developed further & for this sale to become a regular fixture on the annual sales calendar," said Inglis marketing manager Melissa O’Gorman. Inglis associate director & Melbourne manager Peter Heagney introduced the Premier II session as a result of record nominations for the Premier Sale. Vendors who were unable to have yearlings accepted for Premier I were invited to nominate for either the Premier II or Autumn Yearling Sale. Heagney summed up: “It was encouraging to see the enthusiasm of buyers here at Oaklands, with strong demand on the more forward colts & fillies. I was delighted for those vendors who supported this sale, as results exceeded our expectations. Today was the ‘icing on the cake’. The Premier I result was outstanding & I could not be any happier with today’s results.” (Feb 14) Mr Henrysee Heads To Kentucky Mr Henrysee, sire of Gr1 winners Mr Innocent & Victory Vein “jets out of Melbourne on Sunday for Kentucky where he will have a belated stallion season at the Domino Stud of his owner Ken Jones junior" reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The 14-year-old stallion is a son of Mr Prospector & Jones “decided to use him with a dozen of his better American-based broodmares, & hopes to attract outside attention at the same time.” (Feb 14) Inaugural Meeting Of Queensland Racing Stakeholders A very big, very public & potentially very bloody brawl is now looming within the Queensland racing industry. The inaugural meeting of Queensland’s Racing Industry Participants Group was held yesterday at Doomben Racecourse to discuss “the future of the industry & issues presently affecting the 3 codes of racing.” The Queensland Trainers Association put forward a proposal to call a public meeting of all its members & non-members “with an aim to seek support from the State Government to avert the crisis currently confronting the Racing Industry.” The meeting (to be held at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Monday 24 February) will be attended by representatives of the Queensland Racehorse Owners & the Queensland Jockeys Associations. The Racing Industry Participants Group comprises representatives from the Australian Services Union, Queensland Trainers Association, Bookmakers Association, Queensland Racehorse Owners Association, Australian Workers Union, Australian Trainers Association Queensland Branch, Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance, Queensland Jockeys Association, Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland, Breeders Owners Trainers & Reinspersons Association, & Queensland Harness Racing Owners Association. (Feb 14) Big Owner Returns 3 Horses From Calder Sale Meanwhile a very public brawl has already erupted in the US breeding industry following the dramatic news that Mike Gill, current leading owner at Gulfstream Park & buyer of 32 lots worth US2.9 million at last week’s OBSC Calder selected 2YOs-in-training sale, has returned 3 of the juveniles. They include the sale’s 4th-highest priced horse, a gray colt by Silver Charm bought for US$360,000. "The Silver Charm colt had chips," Gill told thoroughbredtimes.com. "If they tend to get chips early like that, they tend to be prone to them later on.” The others returned to their consignors were a colt by West Acre out of Taunting (by Stay The Course) purchased for US$50,000 & "about a US$50,000 purchase, a less significant horse," Gill revealed without further identifying the 3rd horse. OBSC general manager & director of sales Tom Ventura also declined to identify the other horse, insisting: “It is company practice to keep the matter between the buyer & seller.” While other prominent sales in North America have conditions of sale that require consignors to place radiographs in a sale repository, OBSC conditions do not make reference to a repository. According to a portion of the 7th condition of the sale: “Any horse which has an injury to or disease of the bone structure, which in the opinion of the examining veterinarians will materially affect its racing soundness, must be so announced or be subject to return to consignor." (Feb 14) Gold Coast Premier Yearling Sale Magic Millions Gold Coast, Inglis Classic Sydney, New Zealand Karaka, Inglis Premier Melbourne, Magic Millions Adelaide . . . The Australasian Yearling Sale series continues next month with a return to Queensland for the Magic Millions Gold Coast Premier Yearling Sale at its Bundall Complex on Sunday March 2. “In 2002, this sale recorded an incredible 61% increase in average,” noted MM marketing & media manager Annie McDonald. “And Regimental Gal, winner of the 2003 $1 million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2YO Classic race was astutely purchased at the 2002 Gold Coast Premier Yearling Sale by Toowoomba trainer Shaun Dwyer for a meagre $16,500. Regimental Gal has returned her connections over $700,000 to date.” McDonald also advised the Queensland Owners & Breeders will host a function on the Saturday night prior to the sale. (Feb 14) $129,000 Hasik Tops Final Day At Goffs Meanwhile Sir Michael Stoute’s 4YO Windsor maiden winner Hasik topped the final day of Goffs February Sale in the UK. The Ashkalani colt was purchased by Martin Cullinane for E70,000 (A$129,000) & is a product of the Aga Khan’s breeding, out of Hasainiya with whom John Oxx won the Trigo Stakes. Cullinane told racingpost.co.uk: “I have bought the colt for 2 Galway businessmen who like his pedigree & are going to send him to Michael Cunningham. I thought he was a nice horse with a nice temperament, & the fact that he is already a winner is a plus.” Overall, the price was more than twice the next highest & the general level was far below the previous 2 days; over the 3-day sale the average was down 21% on last year & the aggregate down 20%. (Feb 14) Waterhouse & Hawkes Reply To Critics Gai Waterhouse & John Hawkes have rebutted criticism that their domination of Sydney racing is “boring”. (Currently Waterhouse leads the Sydney trainers premiership with 97 wins, ahead of Hawkes on 82.5, with Bob Thomsen & Guy Walter a very distant 3rd with just 18 wins each.) Waterhouse told The Daily Telegraph: “I don’t see it as a problem at all. It’s not like John & I were just given the horses to train. We have both got to where we are through sheer hard work & dedication. It didn’t just happen.” And Hawkes told The Sydney Morning Herald: “It’s tall poppy stuff. I’m not worried about it. Gai & her staff are working really hard, & me & my staff are working just as hard, if not harder. I just like winning races.” (Feb 14) 2003 Plans For Sulamani, Volponi, Azeri & Medaglia d'Oro Around the globe, racing plans have been announced for a number of the world’s best horses: Sulamani: the winner of the the 2002 Gr1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) & 2nd to Marienbard in the Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October, is being aimed by new owner Godolphin Racing at the Gr1 Dubai World Cup on dirt at Nad al Sheba racecourse on March 29. The 4YO son of Hernando (bred & previously raced by the Niarchos family) will make his 2003 debut in the Gr2 Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum Challenge Round III at Nad al Sheba on March 8, Godolphin Racing manager Simon Crisford told thoroughbredtimes.com. Following the World Cup, Godolphin will aim Sulamani at Britain’s Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes & Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, followed by a race on the Breeders’ Cup program at Santa Anita Park on October 25. Volponi: US Racing-Hall-Of-Fame trainer P.G.Johnson has mapped out an 8-race campaign for Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Volponi, aimed at preparing the 5YO son of Cryptoclearance for a defence of his title in North America’s richest race. Volponi has not raced since winning the US$4 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Arlington Park last October. "He’s been right here with me at Belmont & you’ll probably see him back around May," Johnson told thoroughbredtimes.com. Azeri: the US Horse-Of-The-Year is scheduled to make her 5YO debut in the US$500,000 Gr1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 5. Trainer Laura DeSeroux told bloodhorse.com: "She is absolutely jumping out of her skin. She looks fantastic, she's healthy & she's rarin' to go. She'll have her first full-scale workout as soon as the weather co-operates." Azeri has not raced since winning the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Distaff by 5 lengths at Arlington Park in October. Medaglia d'Oro & Milwaukee Brew: Milwaukee Brew is set to defend his title for owner Frank Stronach & trainer Bobby Frankel in the US$1 million Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 1, but with war drums in the Middle East beating loudly, Frankel could add Strub Stakes winner Medaglia d'Oro (primarily aimed at the US$6 million Dubai World Cup on March 29) to the mix. Frankel told bloodhorse.com:”We'll play it by ear. The situation in the Middle East definitely is a factor. So he's also training for the Santa Anita Handicap.” Moon Ballad: Godolphin's UK Derby 3rd & Dubai Champion Stakes runner-up is now aiming directly at the US$6 million Dubai World Cup, following his brilliant win last night in Round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge over 9 furlongs on dirt at Nad Al Sheba; Frankie Dettori rode the Singspiel 4YO. Victory Moon: South African-bred Victory Moon won the US$250,000 United Arab Emirates Two Thousand Guineas last night at Nad al Sheba (defeating 6 Godolphin Racing runners nominated for the American Triple Crown races) & trainer Michael de Kock told thoroughbredtimes.com: “The UAE Derby (on the March 29 Dubai World Cup program) is, & always has been, Victory Moon's main goal." Victory Moon carried 126 pounds (including jockey Wayne Smith), giving 9 pounds to each of the Godolphin horses. A son of Al Mufti (out of Dancing Flower, by Dancing Champ) Victory Moon is undefeated in 3 career starts, including a 9-length romp in the Al Nakhlee Stakes on December 26 at Nad al Sheba. Bred by Litchfield Stud, the bay colt is a half-brother to Gr1 winner & 2002 South African champion stayer Kelly & stakes winner Flame. Hard Buck: US trainer Ken McPeek has added Brazilian Gr1 winner Hard Buck to his stable & is considering the son of Spend a Buck for the $2 million Gr2 United Arab Emirates Derby on March 29 reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Hard Buck won his final 4 starts in Brazil, including the Gr1 Linneo de Paula Machado on the turf at Gavea in October. Precision: Last December’s Hong Kong Cup winner is among 14 entries for the HK$8 million (A$1.752 million) Gr1 HK Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on February 23, the 2nd leg of HK's Triple Crown series. The grey 5YO, trained by David Oughton, will be re-united with jockey Mick Kinane. (Feb 14) Tranquility Lake’s First Foal To Storm Cat Multiple US Gr1 winner Tranquility Lake has given birth to her first foal at Diamond A Farms in Kentucky. The colt is by 2-time leading sire & 1985 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Storm Cat. "We’re all very excited about this colt," the foal’s owner/breeder Martin Wygod told thoroughbredtimes.com. "He’s doing very well & the mother’s also doing well." An 8YO daughter of Rahy, Tranquility Lake (out of the stakes-placed Danzig mare Winters’ Love) won 11 of 27 starts including the 2000 Gr1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita Park, 1999 Gr1 Gamely Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park, 2001 Gr2 Clement Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar, Gr2 Santa Barbara Handicap at Santa Anita, Gr3 Wilshire Handicap at Hollywood Park & 2000-2001 back-to-back wins in the Gr2 Palomar Handicap at Hollywood Park; she was runner-up in a further 5 Gr1 races. Storm Cat stands for US$500,000 at Overbrook Farm near Lexington. (Feb 14) Rings A Chime First Foal To Kingmambo Rings a Chime gave birth to her first foal, a filly by Kingmambo, at Stonerside Stable in Kentucky reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A daughter of Metfield, 6YO Rings A Chime won 4 of 13 starts, including the 2000 Gr1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland Race Course & the 1999 Bay Meadows Lassie Stakes. Out of the stakes-winning Red Ryder mare Outofthebluebell, Rings a Chime was purchased for US$800,000 at the 2002 Keeneland January mixed sale by Stonerside Stables. Rings A Chime will now be bred back to Storm Cat. Sire Kingmambo (a 13-year-old son of Mr Prospector) won 5 of 13 starts, including England’s 1993 Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes, & France’s Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas), Gr1 Prix du Moulin de Lonchamp & Gr1 Prix Djebel. Out of the champion Nureyev mare Miesque, Kingmambo is a half-brother to East Of The Moon & stands for US$200,000 at Lane’s End in Kentucky. (Feb 14) Put It Back’s First Foal The first foal by US graded stakes winner Put It Back was born at Bridlewood Farm near Ocala. The filly is also the first foal out of the unraced Katowice mare Fault Finder. "She’s a chestnut filly, very strongly made," Bridlewood Farm general manager George Isaacs told thoroughbredtimes.com. "She’s a very speedy looking individual." A 5YO son of Honour And Glory, Put It Back notched 5 wins in 7 career starts including the 2001 Gr2 Riva Ridge Stakes at Belmont & the 2001 Best Turn Stakes at Aqueduct. The only winner of 2 foals to race out of the winning Exuberant mare Miss Shoplifter, Put It Back is from the family of The Tender Track & Emailit. (Feb 14) UK Jockey Club To ‘Hand Over’ Racing Regulation The historic UK Jockey Club has “signalled the end of an era as it outlined a framework under which its 250-year-old responsibility for regulating horseracing would be transferred to a new & ‘independent’ company,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Under its proposal, the regulation of British racing would be delegated to a body run by a board of 4 independent directors, but with 2 Jockey Club nominees & a number of executive directors. Present Jockey Club staff & officials “who play their daily part in racing's safe running will transfer to the as yet unnamed new company.” The Jockey Club announced that it saw the changes as “part of a long-established evolutionary process”, & believed the “creation of a more independent & accountable body would address much of the stinging criticism that came its way” in the wake of last year’s 2 controversial BBC television investigations on the Panorama & Kenyon Confronts programs. (Feb 14) Trainer Pico Perdomo Becomes Bloodstock Agent Veteran Southern California trainer Pico Perdomo, who trained Gourmet Girl to US Eclipse Award honors in 2001, is leaving training to become a bloodstock agent. Perdomo, 60, who was 5-time leading jockey in his native Uruguay before moving to the US in 1970, told thoroughbredtimes.com: "I've been doing this since I was 12 years old & want to do something different. I already have an office in Argentina & will work here, there & in Brazil & Chile. I know everybody there & know what type of horses fit here. I already sent some horses from Argentina to Macao. I spent my first 30 years in Uruguay, mostly as a jockey. I spent my second 30 years here as a trainer. Maybe I will spend my next 30 as a bloodstock agent." (Feb 14) Dittman Selling Gold Coast Training Complex Meanwhile former champion Australian jockey Mick Dittman is selling his Derry Park training complex at Canungra on the Gold Coast hinterland. Dittman, who made a riding comeback in Macau earlier this month, told The Daily Telegraph “family reasons” were behind his decision to place the property (which he has been building for 4 years with partners Jamie Pickering & a Singapore businessman) on the market. The complex consists of 33 hectares, a 1600m grass training track, a 1400m sand track, 16 stables, office manager's flat & 4-bedroom 2-storey house, plus 8 large spelling paddocks with 2 dams & 3 bores. Dittman's decision to sell effectively puts his future training career on hold. "I'm not sure if I want to train or ride & at the moment I'm riding," Dittman said from Macau. "It's mainly family reasons for selling. My son Luke boards at school &, being so far away, it's a bit hard on Maureen (his wife)." Pickering added: “It still may be the case that Mick trains from there if we don't get a reasonable offer. It's taken us nearly 4 years & more than $2 million to do the project." (Feb 14) Oliver Will Ride Another 5-10 Years And current leading Australian jockey Damien Oliver, who has accepted a 3-month contract to ride in Japan later this year (mainly for big owner Katsumi Yoshida), told The Daily Telegraph: “I’d like to ride for between 5 & 10 more years. After that I’d be pretty relaxed. There is no senior jockeys’ circuit planned is there?” (Feb 14) WA Apprentice Making Good Recovery West Australian apprentice Michael Molloy, 20, seriously injured during track-work at the Perth stables of Fred Kersley, is “walking & talking, just a fortnight after his life was in the balance” reported appracingandsports.com.au. Molloy was taken to the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in a critical condition & did not begin his recovery until a fortnight after the fall, when medical staff brought him out of an induced coma. His father Eric Molloy revealed the family had received great news – that Michael would soon be “out of hospital & in a rehabilitation centre. So that is fantastic stuff. Michael still has a long way to go, but he is walking, talking & recognising everyone. It's quite amazing, really, considering where we were a fortnight ago. (Feb 14) Bookies Offered ‘Incentive’ To Display Early Odds The Sydney Turf Club has “offered an incentive” to encourage bookmakers to display betting odds earlier for races at Canterbury Park. The reward is a permanent central bookmaking stand (currently bookies rotate to a new stand each race meeting, from one end of the ring to the other). “All Rails bookmakers were sent a letter” asking if they would post their odds 30-35 minutes before a race, reported The Daily Telegraph. (Feb 14) Horse Industry ‘Draft’ Code Of Practice The draft of the Horse Industry Code of Practice (initiated in response to the public liability insurance crisis) is available for public comment. The Australian Horse Industry Council is conducting the project with the assistance of Federal Government funding. As well producing a Code of Practice, the project will also deliver seminars & material to assist industry groups improve their risk management. Closing date for submissions is February 19. (Feb 14) Warrnambool Cup’s New Sponsor Warrnambool Racing has announced that Savings & Loans Credit Union will sponsor the Warrnambool Cup for the next 3 years. The race will be formally known as the Savings & Loans Credit Union Warrnambool Cup, held each year on the first Thursday in May. Savings & Loans (which already has 18 branches in SA & the NT) will open its first Victorian branch at the Gateway Plaza in April & the Cup sponsorship coincides with its move into the region. (Feb 14) $1.34 Million Filly Wins On Debut Breeding blue-blood Shower Of Roses, the Gai Waterhouse-trained 3YO who cost Eduardo Cojuangco's Gooree Stud a record NZ$1.45 million (A$1.34 million) at the Karaka Yearling Sales, won her racetrack debut at Sydney’s Canterbury Park yesterday. Shower Of Roses is by NZ’s champion sire Zabeel out of Marquise, the Gr1 winning daughter of Eight Carat (whose family includes Octagonal, Mouawad, Diamond Lover, Kaapstad, Don Eduardo, Tristalove & Viking Ruler). Steve Brem, stable manager at Waterhouse’s Tulloch Lodge told The Daily Telegraph: “As long as she keeps taking her steps, the world is her oyster. She looked pretty impressive today & she won’t disgrace the family. Obviously she’s coming in at the right time for the fillies races at the autumn carnival – maybe the Oaks or the Derby, she’s good enough.” (Feb 13) Octagonal Debutant Also Wins On Debut Co-incidentally Woodlands Stud’s Huit made it an Eight Carat quinella in the same race as Shower Of Roses. Huit is a daughter of Eight Carat’s leading stakes winner Octagonal. And on the same day in an adjacent state, Octagonal also had an impressive debutant at Doomben when the John Hawkes-trained Aine (Octagonal-Ausmart, by Star Way) won a maiden handicap over 1350m, reported racenet.com.au. Aine is the 4th foal of 1994 Gr2 SAJC Sedgwick Classic & AJC’s Listed Emmancipation Stakes winner Ausmart (a daughter of 1983 NZ Oaks winner Aulyn). (Feb 13) $1.5 Million Filly’s First Start Meanwhile yesterday’s 2YO Maiden (1200m) at Balaklava (worth just $4,120 to the winner) also attracted plenty of keen breeding eyes, focussed on the racetrack debut of the Tony McEvoy trained La Boisselle (Danehill-Sommes Sound) - the highest priced yearling filly sold at auction in Australia when purchased at the 2002 Inglis Easter Yearling sale in Sydney $1,500,000. The filly duly finished 2nd. La Boisselle is a half-sister to Assertive Lad (1999-2000 champion 2YO & 2000-01 champion Australian Miler) & Assertive Lass (a dual Gr1 winner). (Feb 13) Regal Shot To Monomeith Stud Former sprinter Regal Shot will stand at Victoria’s Monomeith Stud for the 2003 breeding season reported racenet.com.au. The bay son of Gr1 Oakleigh Plate winner Clay Hero started 18 times for 5 wins, 3 2nds & 2 3rds (including a win in the Listed Sir John Monash Stakes over 1000m at Caulfield & a 2nd behind Mistegic in the Gr2 Schweppes Stakes over 1000m at Moonee Valley). His sire & brilliant sprinter Clay Hero (a son of Vain’s gifted son Proud Knight) won 8 of his 20 starts including the 1989 Gr1 VATC Oakleigh Plate, Gr2 MVRC Moir Stakes & Gr3 SAJC Lightning Stakes. To date Clay Hero has sired 180 winners from 287 starters for earnings of $13.2 million. Regal Shot’s dam Baloctane is a 6-times winning daughter of champion galloper Balmerino. Her dam Octane is a half-sister to Gr1 Avondale Cup winner Trocane from a daughter of Easter Rock. (Feb 13) US$250,000 Distorted Humor Share Tops Stallion Access Sale A share in Distorted Humor, who topped the 2002 North American freshman sire list, sold for US$225,000 to top the Stallion Access February sale of ‘seasons & shares’ at the Fasig-Tipton Newtown Paddocks in Kentucky. Stallion Access does not reveal the names of buyers, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Distorted Humor, a 10-year-old son of Forty Niner out of the Danzig mare Danzig’s Beauty, stands for US$20,000 at Kenny Troutt & Bill Casner’s WinStar Farm near Versailles in Kentucky. He has sired 19 individual winners from 42 starters, including Gr1 winner Awesome Humor, Gr2 winner Humorous Lady & stakes winners Crackup, Funny Cide & Rinky Dink. Meanwhile top price for a 2003 ‘no-guarantee’ season was US$70,000 for a season to Unbridled’s Song, the 10-year-old son of Unbridled who stands for US$100,000 at Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville in Kentucky. Two ‘no-guarantee’ seasons to Danzig were listed as ‘not sold’ on bids of US$122,000 & US$125,000; another to Seeking The Gold was listed as ‘not sold’ for US$160,000. Both stallions stand privately at Claiborne Farm near Paris in Kentucky. Overall, Stallion Access reported sales on 22 of the 41 no-guarantee seasons offered. (Feb 13) Timely Tip For Adelaide Sale The all-the-way win by promising 2YO filly Fragmentation at Morphettville last weekend provided a timely tip for next week’s Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Fragmentation (Snippets-Southern Sprinter) was purchased by Mark Pilkington for $90,000 at the 2002 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale & is now trained by Tony McEvoy of Lindsay Park Racing Stables. MM marketing & media manager Annie McDonald noted: “The half-sister to Fragmentation will be offered by Ducatoon Park at the Adelaide Sale &, being by hot young sire sensation Commands, she is sure to conjure competitive bidding.” (Feb 13) Sportingbet To Sponsor Perth Magic Millions Race Meanwhile Magic Millions announced that Sportingbet Australia will be the major sponsor of its 2003 $105,000 Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic race. The ‘incentive race’ for graduates of the previous year's Magic Millions Perth sale will be run on Saturday March 8 in association with the Malayan Racing Association Raceday at the Western Australian Turf Club in Ascot. The Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale then follows at the Belmont Park Sale Complex on March 11, 12 & 14. Magic Millions’ Annie McDonald said: “Magic Millions is proud to have Sportingbet Australia on board for the 2003 Perth 2YO Classic Race. Sportingbet Australia - based in Darwin with a global annual turnover of more than $3.5 billion - is part of the world's largest telephone & internet bookmaking company.” (Feb 13) Seamer Returns To Brisbane Melbourne Cup winning jockey Scott Seamer will return to regular riding in Brisbane this weekend “after aborting plans to base himself in Melbourne.” The Daily Telegraph noted: “Seamer has given his manager Trevor Lanskey instructions to start taking rides in Brisbane on a regular basis after an extraordinary cold shoulder in the south.” Lanskey had only been able to get 5 rides for Seamer in the past 7 meetings in Melbourne. (Feb 13) Injured Jockey Shows Slight Improvement Jockey good news: apprentice Lonagan Milham has given the first signs that he is slowly coming out of his lengthy coma, reported Melbourne’s Herald-Sun newspaper. Milham “squeezed his mother's hand in a dramatic upturn in his condition.” Milham's master Peter Healey said the apprentice had opened his eyes for the first time since falling in a race at the Hanging Rock track on January 27. Healey confirmed: "There were some facial movements. He's moving, lying on his side & responding to his mother. " Milham was not expected to survive & this change of condition “has astounded doctors & family alike.” Lonagan's Manager Wes Hunter told Radio Sport 927 the youngster “is on the long road to recovery & has been taken off all pain killers. It takes 2 days for the morphine to come out of the system & doctors are looking at the next 48 hours as very important. However the prognosis is very good & this is an enormous improvement on the last few weeks." (Feb 13) Top Italian Jockey Demuro To Ride Japanese Star Meanwhile leading Italian jockey Mirco Demuro will fly to Japan next week for a 2-month riding stint – including the prized mount on current star Japanese Eagle Cafe. Demuro, 24, won 91 races in Japan during the last 3 years & in 2001 he set a record for a foreign jockey by winning 37 races. "I’m very proud to ride again in Japan, a 2nd country for me." Demuro (who has a retainer with Italian champion trainer Bruno Grizzetti) told thoroughbredtimes.com. Demuro will ride Japan Cup Dirt winner Eagle Cafe in the February Stakes at Nakayama racecourse on February 23. "Frankie Dettori rode him in the Japan Cup Dirt, but he can’t fly to Nakayama in time for this race, because the day before he has commitments with Godolphin in Dubai," Demuro explained. "So Teruya Yoshida asked me to ride Eagle Cafe & I’m very happy to get this call. Eagle Cafe is a very laid back sort, but he can run. If he performs well in the February Stakes, he will go for the Gr1 Dubai World Cup &, maybe, I can ride him in the richest race in the world." Demuro will then fly back home in time for the first classics of the Italian racing season, the Gr2 Premio Regina Elena & Gr2 Premio Parioli scheduled for Rome on May 1. "This season, I will split my time between Italy & Japan, looking for a new contract in HK next winter,” Demuro added. “I spent some beautiful time in California & a career in the US is still my dream, but I can’t leave Italy at this stage.” (Feb 13) Fallon Libel ‘Settlement’ With UK Newspaper And in Britain headline-plagued UK jockey Kieren Fallon has “reached a settlement” with London’s News Of The World newspaper, following an article last year allegedly linking him to Chinese Triads. The champion UK flat jockey had issued a claim for libel, but Fallon told racingpost.co.uk: "Everything is settled now, thank you very much." (Feb 13) US Gr1 Winners Manistique & Golden Ballet Produce Foals US Gr1 winners Manistique & Golden Ballet, both owned by Aaron & Marie Jones, have produced offspring at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky reported bloodhorse.com. Millionaire Manistique foaled a Forestry filly & Golden Ballet produced a Saint Ballado colt. Forestry stands at Taylor Made & Saint Ballado stood at the farm prior to his death last year. Manistique is now booked to Storm Cat & Golden Ballet to Taylor Made stallion Unbridled's Song. (Feb 13) Godolphin Cat Retired To Tee-N-Jay Farm Godolphin Cat, a US$500,000 purchase at the 2000 Keeneland April 2YOs-in-training sale, has been retired. The 5YO son of Storm Cat will stand the 2003 season at Tee-N-Jay Farm in New Jersey, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred in Kentucky, Godolphin Cat is by Storm Cat out of the stakes-placed Son Ange mare Lady Godolphin. He is a half-brother to stakes winners Sri Pekan, Dusty’s Command & Daylight in Dubai. (Feb 13) Kettle Won To Stand At Liberty Stud Meanwhile Kettle Won, a US Gr3-placed winner, will enter stud this season at Liberty Stud in New York state. It had previously been announced that the 7YO son of Colonial Affair (out of the stakes-placed Double Zeus mare Safe At The Plate) would stand his first season at Anstu Farm, advised thoroughbredtimes.com. Purchased as a 2YO by prominent trainer Todd Pletcher for US$370,000 & campaigned by Anstu Stables, Kettle Won registered 3 victories in 15 career starts, including a 2nd in the 2000 Gr3 Fort Lauderdale Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Kette Won is one of 4 winners produced by Safe At The Plate, a half-sister to champion sprinter & Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Safely Kept. (Feb 13) US Trainer Canani Targets Dubai Duty Free US trainer Julio Canani confirmed he is looking forward to his 4th trip to the United Arab Emirates in March for the Dubai World Cup program “even with the threat of war in Iraq”, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Canani is again targeting the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free on the turf at Nad al Sheba racecourse on March 29. His horse Ladies Din finished 5th in the 2000 Duty Free & then 11th in 2001, while Val Royal ran another 5th for Canani last year. This time Canani plans to start Gr3 winner Cayoke, a 6YO son of Always Fair who won 3 stakes in France before arriving in the US late last year. "Nobody knows what’s going to happen in Iraq, but I’m not really worried about it," Canani said. "I think Dubai is the safest place in the world. There’s no crime. And they don’t have any enemies. I feel very comfortable going there." Cayoke is no stranger to long-distance travel: he finished 3rd in the Gr1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October, then was purchased by Michael House & sent to Canani’s barn at Santa Anita Park. Cayoke’s first start for his new owner & trainer was in Hong Kong, where he finished 6th in the Gr1 HK Mile at Sha Tin in December. Upon returning to the US, Cayoke broke a 6.5 furlong track record at Santa Anita on January 16. Canani plans to start Cayoke in the US$400,000 Gr2 Frank Kilroe Mile Handicap at Santa Anita on March 1 before sending him to Dubai. (Feb 13) $200,000 For Sweet Emotion Tops Goffs February Mixed Sale The average was down, but the median rose by 20% during the first 2 days of Goffs February Mixed Sale in Britain. Among the notable sales: John O’Byrne paid top price of E110,000 (A$202,000) for UK winning mare Sweet Emotion (in foal to In The Wings). Consigned by Jackie Norris’s Jockey Hall Stud on The Curragh in Ireland, Sweet Emotion won the 1999 Wood Ditton & her previous Fasliyev yearling sold for 135,000 guineas. O’Byrne also paid E50,000 (A$92,000) for Lady Silver Hawk, a 7YO mare from Peter Molony’s Rathmore Stud. She is closely related to high-priced Shakespeare & is a half-sister to the Palace House Stakes 3rd place-getter Access Travel, but her big attraction is that she is due to produce one of the brilliant Mozart’s only crop. O’Byrne told racingpost.co.uk: “The Mozart offspring are going to be a scarce commodity.” Redpender Stud owner Jim Murphy paid E72,000 (A$132,000) for a Sinndar yearling out of Sweet Emotion consigned by Jockey Hall. Murphy commented: “He is a nice athletic horse with lovely scope to him & his sire was a marvellous racehorse, who fought every battle going & won them all. There will be no recession with his stock.” Dermot Cantillon bought 1990 Weld Park Stakes runner-up Spring To Light for E16,000 (A$29,000) & her Caerleon daughter Whisper Light (in foal to Definite Article) for E57,000 (A$105,000); both mares were sold by Moyglare Stud Farm. Cantillon explained: “I am buying for an Irish breeding partnership & I am influenced by Moyglare producing so many good racehorses.” Jessica Foster paid E45,000 (A$83,000) for Rathmore Stud’s 12-year-old mare Glenross (in foal to Spinning World), who has produced 3 winners including Italian Gr3 victor Su Tirolesu. Peter Doyle paid E46,000 (A$85,000) for Dos Talas, an American bred 4YO half-sister to Prix de l’Abbaye winner Imperial Beauty. He also paid E48,000 (A$88,000) for 4YO French filly Whassup, who is out of 1982 May Hill Stakes winner Bright Crocus. Doyle said: “Dos Talas is for an Irish breeder & she will visit a stallion at Coolmore. You don’t get a half-sister to a Gr1 winner very often. Whassup will also make a lovely broodmare. She is a gorgeous individual & is for an English breeder.” Philip Brady paid Seskin Stud E80,000 (A$147,000) for Forget Me Not (an unraced 3YO by Danehill Dancer) who is a half-sister to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Bachir & 3 other winners. Her dam Morning Welcome also has a 2YO by Docksider & a yearling by King’s Best, & these influenced the Holycross breeder to keep raising the ante. Brady explained: “It’s a pedigree in the ascendancy & it has it a bit going for it with these 2 still to come. I have bought the filly for myself & I will breed from her, although at this stage I don’t want to say who she is going to.” Seskin Stud also received E58,000 (A$107,000) from Bert Kerr for A Thousand Stars, a Danehill 3YO who was placed for Aidan O’Brien in a maiden last October; the filly is closely related to O’Brien’s Gallinule & Beresford Stakes winner Johan Cruyff. The bidding was done by David Nedbury, who travelled from Melbourne in 1982 to join Kerr & Co for 6 months; he married an Irish woman & has been with the firm ever since. Bert Kerr commented: “An Australian client gave us an order for a Danehill fily some time ago, because the stallion has done so well there but they are difficult to find. She now goes out to him & he will keep her for breeding.” Tom Monaghan of Kilcock paid E60,000 (A$110,000) for Italian Gr3 winner Kiris World (by Distant Relative from the family of Zilzal & Polish Precedent). Sir Edmund Loder’s Eyrefield Lodge Stud sold choicely bred Night Shift mare Nightlark (heavily in foal to John Oxx’s dual UK Derby & French Arc winner Sinndar) for E46,000 ($A85,000) to Loreto ‘Lollo’ Luciani, president of the Italian Bloodstock Breeders’ Association. The 9YO mare is a half sister to Overbury (2nd in both the Italian Derby & German Derby, before going to the US to win the Gr2 American Derby), who is closely related to Melbourne Cup & dual Irish St Leger winner Vintage Crop. Luciani confirmed: “She will stay in Britain to foal & be covered. I will then take her to my place near Rome, where I will breed her for the Italian market.” Brendan Bashford (acting for Terry McDonald of Jigginstown House Stud) paid E42,000 (A$77,000) to Lodge Park Stud for 4-time French winner Spend A Rubble. (Feb 13) Gold Coast Meeting Supports Red Cross & Bali Victims A race day in support of “Red Cross efforts to assist those affected by last October's bombings at Kuta Beach in Bali” will be held at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday. The club has invited a number of people who were injured, witness to, or directly affected by the events of that night, to attend a special boardroom luncheon to help highlight that “the relief effort is on-going.” Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Bill Millican said: "Like all of Australia, our club was shocked at this callous & senseless atrocity, & made an immediate pledge to assist the fund-raising efforts whenever & wherever possible. To that end, we have dedicated Saturday's race day as a fund-raiser for the Australian Red Cross Bali Appeal. The rehabilitation of many of those injured is really only just beginning. Many will require treatment for months & years to come, so it is important that the fund-raising continues unabated." Feature race on the program is The Bill Hardy Cup, in honour of the popular Southport Sharks AFL player who lost his life in Bali. All proceeds from a public collection during the day will go to the Red Cross Appeal. (Feb 13) Orientate’s Rave US Review Great news for Arrowfield Stud. Following the announcement champion US sprinter Orientate has been jointly purchased for stud duty by Kentucky’s famous Gainesway Farm & the Hunter Valley’s Arrowfield (which plans to shuttle him to the Southern Hemisphere for our breeding season) North America’s premier racing wire thoroughbredtimes.com has told the US breeding industry: “The success story behind this horse is in who is supporting Orientate.” It notes that, among the prominent US breeders who have sent mares to Orientate are Adena Springs, WinStar Farm, Mckee Stable, Richard & Bertram Klein, Sabine Stables, John Murphy, Bentley Smith,Ben Walden & Calumet Farm. The mares include Whiffling (a daughter of Wavering Monarch & dam of 1993 Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner Prairie Bayou & Gr2 winner Flitch) & US stakes winner Lady Blockbuster (a daughter of Silent Screen, dam of Gr3 winner Mellow Fellow). Gainesway’s director of sales Michael Hernon emphasised: “He’s doing very well physically. He’s gained 100 pounds since he’s been here. His transition from the top sprinter in the world to a stallion prospect has been very good. We intend to breed him to approximately 110 quality mares & he’s really getting a good reception.” Hernon said Orientate had attracted a “book of mostly speed-oriented mares” & noted Gainesway “stressed a mare’s physical presence as much as her pedigree when assessing who should be bred to Orientate”, a 5YO son of Mt Livermore who won the 2002 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint & 7 other US stakes events. "We’re bringing speed to the horse," Hernon said. "He’s a tall, quality, elegant horse with plenty of size & scope. We’re breeding him to precocious mares who are medium-sized, strong, mares. We feel that’s what fits Orientate best." (Feb 12) $260,000 For Red Ransom Filly: Inglis Melbourne Day 2 Sydney bloodstock agent David Lamond paid top price of $260,000 - highest bid at the Melbourne Premier Sale for at least 5 years - for a bay filly by Red Ransom out of Calemeo, by Tolomeo (presented Devon Park Stud at Lilydale) at Day 2 of the Premier Sale at Oaklands. Lamond told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “She was the best horse in the sale. She has outstanding length, a lovely jaw & a lot of presence. She has a solid pedigree & is a half-sister to a Gr1 winner.” Calemeo is the dam of Gr1 VATC 1000 Guineas winner Lady of The Pines. Lamond said the filly would be syndicated through his Sydney client base & trained by Ron Quinton at Randwick. Devon Park Stud also produced a chestnut colt by Gilded Time out of Calemoss, by Twigg Moss. From the same family as Lamond’s record-breaking filly, this colt was sold to Newcastle trainer Paul Perry for $160,000. Perry said he bought for the owners of last weekend’s Gr1 Lightning Stakes winner Choisir & thought the colt was an ideal horse for the 2003 Inglis Premier race at Flemington: “He is a nice horse, a lovely big, scopey, athletic horse. I quite like the Gilded Times as they seem to get up & go.” (Feb 12) $230,000 For Rubitano Full Brother Second top price at Day 2 of the Melbourne Premier sale was $230,000 paid by a representative of Muzzafa Yaseen (principal owner in the syndicate racing Platiumn Scissors) for a strong brown colt by Rubiton out of Mrs Soffel (making him a full brother to multiple Gr1 winner Rubitano). Yaseen, owner of the mare Shantha’s Choice (dam of Redoute’s Choice & Platinum Scissors) is an overseas-based clothing manufacturer who has had considerable success since his unheralded entry into the Australian racing & breeding industry. Redoute’s Choice stands at Arrowfield Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley & Yaseen still owns part of the young stallion. Among other buys, a bay colt by Encosta De Lago out of Lottey, by Bellotto (making him a half-brother to the Gr3 winner Gold Lottey) was sold to Ross MacDonald for $150,000. MacDonald said Brain Durren, a client of 30 years, would race the colt: “He is a nice athletic colt & he is going to grow.” (Feb 12) Inglis Melbourne Premier Summary: Average Up 12% Overall, the sale averaged $41,127 (up 12% on last year) with the aggregate $14,065,500 (up 18%) & an 80% clearance rate. Managing director Reg Inglis summed up: “The sale today was fantastic. We are delighted & congratulate everyone who has sold in it. It was a very satisfactory result, another strong performance for Victorian breeding.” (Feb 12) Last Grosvenor Yearling Goes Under Hammer One highlight of Day 2 at the Melbourne Premier Sale came when an emotional Fayette Park Stud principal David Benjamin lead the last yearling by his late & much-loved sire Grosvenor into the ring. “Dressed in splendid fashion for the occasion, with trousers quartered in Fayette Park’s pick & green colours,” according to thoroughbrednews.co.nz, Benjamin led the dark brown filly (out of Dolcezz, by Sir Silver Lad) around the ring while auctioneer Jamie Inglis read out the achievements of Benjamin’s past stallion. The price climbed to $62,500 before stopping to the telephone bid of Johanna Bruniges from Queensland. Warwick Farm trainer Ron Leemon, who stables 3 other horses for Bruniges, will train the filly; Bruniges runs a tipping service & broadcasts on radio stations 4BC in Brisbane & 2UE in Sydney. (Feb 12) Broodmare & Weanling Sale Returns To Easter Dates Meanwhile Inglis announced the return of the Australian Weanling & Broodmare Sale to its traditional Easter dates, immediately following the Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The decision follows “numerous requests from international buyers who attend the Easter Yearling Sale & find it difficult to return at a later date.” Managing director Reg Inglis said he consulted with a number of vendors who showed overwhelming support for the move: “Traditionally buyers would come to Sydney at Easter for the best in racing, yearlings & broodmares – in 2003 this tradition will be revived.” The new format will see the Select Sires’ Produce Yearling Sale on Sunday April 27, immediately followed by the Australian Select Weanling Sale & Australian Broodmare Sale on Sunday-Wednesday April 27-30. (Feb 12) Media Puzzle Out Of Dubai World Cup Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle is out of the Dubai World Cup. The 6YO gelding “pulled up sore after a training gallop in Dubai” with a “damaged tendon” & “could be out of action for 6 months” reported The Australian newspaper. Emirates Racing Association chief executive Les Benton confirmed: “The horse will be shipped back home to Ireland.” (Feb 12) Dubai Program ‘Unaffected By War’ Meanwhile a war in Iraq would not threaten the Dubai World Cup meeting at Nad al Sheba racecourse on March 29, Les Benton told The South China Morning Post newspaper. Some horsemen, particularly Americans, have raised questions about traveling to Dubai (which lies 860 miles from Iraq’s capital Baghdad) for the World Cup while the strong possibility of war exists. "Saying that a war in Iraq will make an impact on our meeting is like saying the Melbourne Cup (should be called off because there is a war in Indonesia," Benton said. "We are a long way from Iraq, the planes coming here don’t fly over it, & I would stick my neck out & say that there wouldn’t be a safer place in the world than Dubai." (Feb 12) Outta Here Aims At UAE Derby And in the US it has been confirmed that, after winning the US$500,000 Delta Jackpot Stakes in December, exciting 3YO Outta Here will shoot for an even richer score in the US$2 million UAE Derby at Nad al Sheba racecourse on March 29, reported thoroughbredtrimes.com. Outta Here is scheduled to ship from the Hollywood Park barn of trainer & co-owner Bill Currin to Gulfstream Park for a start in the Gr3 Palm Beach Stakes on the turf on February 21. From there, Currin will send the son of Dehere to Dubai for the 10-furlong UAE Derby. "He’ll get a couple weeks of training on that sandy track at Gulfstream, which should help him once we get to Dubai," Currin said. "He’s been invited to the Derby & I’ve already accepted." Regular rider Kent Desormeaux will travel to Dubai for the mount. Currin added he remains mindful of the threat of war in the Middle East as he prepares for his first trip to the United Arab Emirates: "Obviously, it’s a concern. But as a trainer, I can’t dilly-dally around & wait to see what happens over there. We’ve made our plans & if they have the race, we’ll be there." (Feb 12) Fairy King Prawn & Jeune King Prawn Retired Hong Kong champions Fairy King Prawn & Jeune King Prawn have been retired. Both raced for Philip Lau & were trained by Ivan Allen. Fairy King Prawn’s retirement follows concern expressed by HK Jockey Club Head of Veterinary Clinical Services Dr Chris Riggs & Allen that “the champion could suffer an injury if he raced again” reported bloodhorse.com. Fairy King Prawn underwent surgery in January 2002 to repair an injured suspensory ligament & splint bone. Fairy King Prawn, the Australian-bred gelded son of Danehill won 12 of 26 races & earned $7.8 million prize-money, was named HK Horse-Of-The-Year in both 2000 & 2001, as well as champion sprinter 3 times & champion miler twice. Tremon Thoroughbreds bred Fairy King Prawn in Australia. Meanwhile “negotiations are being finalized for Gr2 winner Jeune King Prawn to stand stud in Australia” reported bloodhorse.com. The 5YO son of Danehill won 8 of 12 career starts, including the Gr2 HK Champions Mile. Jeune King Prawn also was bred in Australia by Tremon Thoroughbreds. (Feb 12) Cherokee Run Mare Sells For US$270,000 Feathers, a broodmare prospect who was a graded stakes winner in Canada, brought US$270,000 to top the final session of Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's winter mixed sale in Lexington, reported bloodhorse.com. Pharmaceutical executive & Florida farm owner Eugene Melnyk purchased the 6YO daughter of Cherokee Run from Three Chimneys Farm (agent for Tooth & Nail Stable). Feathers was produced from the winning Rollicking mare Cool Chase, who is a half-sister to Italian champion Heart of Groom (by Blushing Groom). The sale concluded with 285 horses selling for an average US$11,091 (down 2.8% on last year). (Feb 12) John Varley Passes Away John Varley, one of the most popular men in Australian racing administration, passed away yesterday in Gold Coast Hospital following a heart attack. Varley, 67, was nicknamed ‘The Moth’ & is a former secretary/manager of the NSW provincial Wyong Race Club, on the central coast just north of Sydney. (Feb 12) Rodd Leaves For Fortnight In Dubai Last year’s leading Brisbane jockey Michael Rodd departs for Dubai today as part of the prize he won as leading apprentice in South-East Queensland. He will miss the next 3 Brisbane Saturtday meeting, reported racenet.com.au, & “will link-up with former Australian trainer John Sadler for a 2-week riding stint.” Rodd hopes to show his skills on the international stage at one of the 4 Dubai meetings scheduled while he is there. Last year Rodd rode successfully in New Zealand when he travelled there as part of the previous season’s apprentice prize. Upon his return from Dubai, Rodd heads straight to NZ for the Saturday March 1 meeting, where he reunites with Prized Gem - the mare on which he won last year’s Gr1 Brisbane Cup, Gr1 Kelt Capital Stakes & Gr2 Prime Minister’s Cup. (Feb 12) Queensland Strike Threat Angry racing industry licensees “will consider industrial action in a backlash against Queensland Racing's new Friday circuit”, reported appracingandsports.com.au. A meeting of industry licensees (including trainers, jockeys & owners) will be held at Doomben racecourse tomorrow to discuss the ramifications of new Queensland TAB dates for next season. Queensland Racing has just announced a major overhaul of Friday racing “which spells a bleak future, possibly extinction for some country clubs, who have been axed from TAB coverage.” Queensland Jockeys' Association president Richard Pratt confirmed industrial action had not been ruled out, after it was canvassed with other licensed bodies: "The non-acceptance from trainers & jockeys has been discussed, & I expect some sort of industrial action will be discussed at Thursday's meeting." Pratt said the QJA feared for the jobs of second-tier jockeys affected by the transfer of Friday country meetings to the city. Country trainers also have expressed concerns that they face losing owners & many of their stable horses if the proposal goes ahead. (Feb 12) Victorian Horse Disease Alert Horse handlers have been asked to “be alert for early signs of illness in their animals” under a new Victorian Government & racing industry plan. Known as Horse Alert Victoria, it is designed to combat the outbreak of serious horse disease. It sets out critical information about what horse industry participants need to do to prevent horse disease outbreaks & how to respond to them if they do occur. Mascot for the disease awareness campaign is horse called Spotty dressed in yellow with red polka dots. "Look, Check, Ask a Vet, is the message we want to spread as the key defence against emergency outbreaks of horse disease," said Victorian Racing Minister John Pandazopoulos. And Racing Victoria chairman Graham Duff added Horse Alert Victoria was the starting point of “what needs to be an on-going commitment to ensure the highest levels of awareness, prevention & responsiveness are in place.” (Feb 12) Century Continues Track & Stud Influence The influence Century “still wields on the breeding scene” was highlighted in the 2 Melbourne Gr1 events last weekend, reported racenet.com.au. Orr Stakes runner-up Fields Of Omagh & 3rd place-getter Innovation Girl are both by Century’s son Rubiton, while 5th place-getter (& former Gr1 Dubai Club Cup) winner Pernod is by Century’s other son Centaine. Meanwhile Lightning Stakes runner-up Spinning Hill is out of a Century mare, while the 3rd placed Azevedo is out of a Centaine mare & 4th placed Rubitano is by Rubiton. Earlier on the same program, the Listed Hyderbad Plate was won by Skewiff, which is out of a Century mare. And Century himself took centre stage at the Moonee Valley night meeting 2 days earlier, when his 9YO son Declare won the $50,000 Moonee Valley Festival Cup. Declare comes from Century’s final crop of 12 named foals born in 1993. Remarkably 4 of those foals are still racing, which racenet.com.au tagged “an indication of the durability & toughness of the stock produced by Century.” Declare (a $35,000 purchase at the 1995 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale) is the 3rd foal of racemare Bowled Lillee (which won 7 races on Melbourne metropolitan tracks); her 8th foal, a chestnut Lion Cavern colt, went through yesterday’s session of the 2003 Premier sale. (Feb 12) Sunline Inspires New Owner-Breeder It’s been an exciting start to 2003 for NZ owner-breeder Vicki Van Dorp: the first 2 horses she has raced are recent Melbourne winner Strawberry Affair (by Star Way) & Foxy Blonde (by Volksraad) who won the Listed James Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui last weekend. Van Dorp sold a chain of pre-school centres 4 years ago & pursued a life-long passion to become involved in horse racing by developing the 17-acre Truffle Downs at Karaka as a base for her small horse breeding operation. She told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing her career-change was inspired by the deeds of champion NZ mare Sunline: “When I saw how little Sunline cost & the amount of money she was winning, I thought I would try my luck. I realise horses like Sunline only come along once in a life-time, but if you are not involved you will never have any chance of getting one like her. I was an equestrian rider up until age 17 & horses have always been close to my heart." Foxy Blonde’s latest success was “my first black-type win as an owner & I’m thrilled about it. It’s certainly a great boost for her breeding career when I send her to stud." Van Dorp also owns a 2YO half-brother to Foxy Blonde, by Danske, who is unraced. (Feb 12) NZ-Bred Wins Malaysian Gr1 The Kashani 5YO gelding Xtherest collected another Malaysian Gr1 event when he took the RM500,000 (A$224,000) Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) at Selangor, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Xtherest demonstrated great versatility in winning the sprint feature; a month earlier he won the Gr1 Pertua Negri Gold Cup over 2200m. Xtherest (Kashani-Chantal Marie) was bred by Gordon Calder (former marketing manager of Windsor Park Stud) & Colin Wightman. (Feb 12) Elusive City Ignores UK & US Classics For French Target Meanwhile UK Gr1 juvenile star Elusive City is on course to make his 3YO debut in March, but long-term plans for the son of Elusive Quality do not include either the May 3 US Gr1 Kentucky Derby or UK Gr1 Two Thousand Guineas .Trainer Gerard Butler will instead point Elusive City to the Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) on May 12 at Longchamp, reported UK Racing Post. Prior to that, Elusive City will have 2 British starts (at Lingfield Park on March 14 & then either Lingfiled again on April 5 or the Gr3 Greenham Stakes on April 12 at Newbury). Last season Elusive City won the French Gr1 Prix Morny-Barriere in August at Deauville before finishing 3rd to Oasis Dream in the UK Gr1 Middle Park Stakes in October at Newmarket in his most recent start. (Feb 12) US$3 million Yearling Ochoco Retired To Stud Ochoco, who topped the 1999 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale at US$3 million, has been retired & will stand his first season at Jack & Cookie Root’s Oakhurst Thoroughbreds in Oregon, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 5YO son of Mr Prospector won 1 of 6 races for owners Aaron & Marie Jones & trainer Elliott Walden. Ochoco is out of the stakes-winning Cox’s Ridge mare Eaves. (Feb 12) Top US Trainer Returns 5 ‘Positive’ Ephedra Tests Top New York trainer Gary Contessa “is awaiting word on a ruling after at least 5 of his horses tested positive for the banned substance ephedra”, reported bloodhorse.com. The situation came to light when Aqueduct's leading trainer suddenly scratched all his horses following a meeting with stewards. Contessa claims traces of ephedra showed up in post-race drug tests due to an “over-the-counter herbal supplement he has used on every horse in his shed since the start of the year.” New York Racing Association stewards declined to comment on the matter, confirming only that there was “an investigation on-going”. (Feb 12) US Jockey Outed 6 Months Meanwhile jockey Donnie Meche has been suspended for 6 months following a race in Louisiana when his mount Clearing House, the long odds-on favourite, finished only 3rd. The New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper reported Meche violated the rule: "No jockey carrying a whip during a race shall fail to use the whip in a manner consistent with using his best efforts to win." Stewards found Meche also violated the rule: "No jockey mounted on any horse during a race shall willfully pull the reins, or do anything whatsoever that has the effect of diminishing the chance of the horse winning any race, whether such action on the part of the jockey is of his own accord, by instructions from the owner of the horse, or as a result of a conspiracy with any other person." (Feb 12) UK Tracks Record Highest Attendances Since 1989 Britain’s 59 racetracks last year recorded their highest average attendances since 1989, according to figures released by the UK Racecourse Association. The Grand National’s Merseyside course Aintree stretched its lead as Britain’s track with the highest individual average. Last year Aintree recorded average daily attendance of 29,688 (compared to 24,255 in 2000), comfortably ahead of Ascot & Cheltenham. Overall UK average crowds are up 5% compared to 2002 (comparisons are made with 2000 due to the blip caused by the ‘foot & mouth disease’ outbreak in 2001). And the last time the British courses broke the 5.5 million total patrons barrier was way back in 1959. Other tracks attracting good crowds include Chester, Cartmel, York & Goodwood. British Horseracing Board commercial director Nigel Smith told racingpost.com.au: “The increase to nearly 5.56 million visits is the first marked improvement for many years. It shows the ability of racing - particularly the racecourses - to bounce back from the low of foot & mouth in 2001. It’s all the more remarkable give that it has been achieved against the experience of other racing jurisdictions & many other sports, whose attendances are static or declining.” (Feb 12) ‘New Owner’ Day Provides Entry To Racing Fairytale ‘New Owner’ Promotion Days sometimes provide fairytale beginnings: just ask retired Irishman Kevin O’Sullivan. His very first runner Dizzy’s Dream (a son of Shernazar) blitzed the filed by 8 lengths to win his track debut last weekend at Leopardstown. Trainer Noel Meade told Irish Thoroughbred Marketing: "He was only broken in August & I thought he might be a bit green. But he is obviously very smart." O’Sullivan, who has retired to Ireland & is living in Dublin, attended an Open Day for potential owners run by ITM at the Curragh in July & took advantage of its New Owners Promotion (a scheme designed to assist new owners with their first venture into ownership). Dizzy’s Dream was purchased for just €15,000 (A$27,000) at the 2002 Goffs June Sale. (Feb 12) $115,000 Flying Spur Filly Tops Inglis Melbourne Day 1 Leading NZ bloodstock agent Paul Moroney paid top price of $115,000 for a bay Flying Spur filly (consigned by Arundel Farm Estate) from the unraced Star Way mare Sister St Klaire (a three-quarter sister to Gr1 winners Bonnanova, Telesto & Fraternity) on Day 1 of the 2003 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale at the William Inglis complex at Oaklands Junction. The blue-blood filly is from the family of champion European racemare Habibti & Broodmare-Of-The-Year Eight Carat, dam of Gr1 winners Octagonal, Mouawad, Kaapstad, Marquise & Diamond Lover, in turn dam of Tristalove, Don Eduardo, Antwerp (dam of Viscount) & Cotelele House (dam of Danewin). Moroney was leading buyer at the opening session, spending $355,000 on 4 yearlings. (Feb 11) Inglis Melbourne Day 1 Summary Overall 156 lots were sold on Day 1 of the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for a total $5,580,000. The average slipped marginally from last year’s $36,850 to $35,769, with unrealistic vendor reserves leaving a clearance rate of 73%. Figures would have been higher if a $155,000 bid (reserve was $160,000) had been accepted for a Marju colt (a three-quarter brother to HK Horse-Of-The-Year Indigenous). Top colt price was $100,000 paid by Tony Bott (currently redeveloping the former Motto Park Stud at Raymond Terrace north of Newcastle) for a chestnut son of Perugino (consigned by Collingrove Stud) out of the Melbourne winning Marscay mare Apache Gold. Among 6 lots at $90,000 each, were: an End Sweep-Northeast Sheila filly (consigned by Rangal Park Stud) bought by Pat Hyland; a Rory's Jester-Queen Kathleen colt (consigned by Newlands Thoroughbreds) bought by Tony Noonan; a Bubble Gum Fellow-Sardana filly (consigned by Chatswood Stud) bought by Tom Pettiona; a Xaar-Take To The Hills colt (consigned by Limerick Lane Thoroughbreds) bought by Rick Hore-Lacy; an End Sweep-Zest colt (consigned by Arrowfield Stud) bought by Paul Moroney; & a Second Empire-Another Omen colt (consigned by Riverslea Farm) bought by Henry Plumptre. (Feb 11) US Gr1 Winner Sold To Australians Good Journey, who finished 3rd to Domedriver in the 2002 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile in October, has been sold “for an undisclosed amount to Australian buyers”, trainer Wally Dollase told thoroughbredtimes.com. Good Journey, who is being set for the Gr2 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita Park on March 1, is scheduled to have 3 more starts prior to being sent to Australia for stud duty. In his most recent start, the 7YO son of Nureyev won the Gr2 Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park (for the 2nd time in his career) on November 30. Good Journey broke a 4-win racing streak when 3rd to Domedriver (beaten by only three-quarters of a length); prior to that he had scored impressive stakes wins in the Gr2 Firecracker Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Churchill Downs & the Gr1 Atto Mile Stakes at Woodbine. Good Journey won 7 of 15 career starts for his former owners, who include his breeders the Niarchos family’s Flaxman Holdings Ltd. Kentucky-bred Good Journey is one of 5 winners for European high-weight Chimes Of Freedom (by Private Accoutn) & is a half-brother to Gr1-placed stakes winner Aldebaran, stakes winner Tomiesue’s Indy & stakes-placed winner Sea Of Showers. He represents the immediate family of 1996 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner & sire Spinning World. (Feb 11) Size Sets HK Record For Fastest Training ‘Century’ Former Randwick trainer John Size has rewritten the Hong Kong record books, notching his 100th winner at Sha Tin. The ‘century’ came from just 532 runners (a strike rate of 19%) eclipsing the previous record of French trainer Patrick Biancone, who took 641 runners to notch his first 100 HK wins. Among other noted international trainers, John Moore registered his first 100 HK wins after 719 runners, Ivan Allan needed 783 runners, David Hayes 883 & Tony Cruz 904. Size has also tallied a huge place-getter ratio, with 63% of his runners earning prize-money cheques. (Feb 11) Qld Racing Revamps Friday Meetings Queensland Racing has proposed a controversial overhaul of Friday racing, resulting in several clubs losing vital TAB coverage. Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley announced: “The major difference in the 2003-04 dates is a proposal to trial a number of additional Friday TAB meetings at metropolitan & major provincial venues. We have recognised recent market research, undertaken by Sky Channel, that ranks Friday racing second in popularity to Saturdays." Sky Channel is in the process of switching its service from analogue to digital in mid-2005, providing coverage from racetracks that have compatible infrastructure in place. “Many of the clubs currently conducting meetings on the Friday circuit would be faced with major expenditure to upgrade equipment needed to meet Sky Channel's standards”, reported appracingandsports.com.au. Bentley noted: “They (Sky Channel) have advised us of minimum requirements in order to achieve cost effective picture transmission. That creates a situation where the Board has no choice but to propose major changes to the TAB schedule for Friday racing." Under the proposal, clubs such as Kilcoy, Esk, Beaudesert, Gatton, Dalby, Cairns, Bundaberg, Gympie & Warwick will conduct non-TAB meetings. TAB dates previously staged by these clubs have been allocated next season to Eagle Farm (3 extra meetings), Doomben (4), Ipswich (4), Gold Coast (4), Sunshine Coast (3) & Toowoomba (2). The draft also recommends Rockhampton receives 7 extra TAB meetings next season, Townsville 14 & Mackay 9. (Feb 11) Naheef Win Triggers Aust Interest Kerrin McEvoy's initial win in Dubai last week (aboard Godolphin's emerging star Naheef in the Al Rashidiya over 2000m) caught the attention of keen Australian breeding buffs. Naheef (Marju-Golden Digger) is now a 4YO & closely related to the 2YO Sunday Silence-Duelling Girl colt now named Keep The Faith, which was purchased by Darley Stud (an arm of Godolphin’s world-wide operation) for $1.2 million at the Inglis Easter Sale last year. To be trained by Tony McEvoy, Keep The Faith has not started yet, but won a barrier trial at Ballarat with the proverbial “head on his chest”. His dam Duelling Girl is a daughter of one of the world's greatest broodmares Carduel, as is Naheef's dam Golden Digger. The prepotent Carduel's half-sister Lucky Lucaya (Chief's Crown) is owned by Vinery Australia Stud & has a magnificent Thunder Gulch filly listed for this year’s Inglis Sydney Easter Sale. (Feb 11) Beasley Returns Early To Trackwork Top Sydney jockey Len Beasley, whose left leg was shattered in a race fall at Rosehill in November, has returned to trackwork a month ahead of the date originally scheduled by his doctors. Beasley, who rode slow work for Gai Waterhouse at Randwick yesterday morning, told The Daily Telegraph: “There’s no worry with the body at all. I just have to get my fitness back & lower my weight. It has been frustrating watching good horses go around. But I am safe &, at the end of the day, I only had a broken leg.” (Feb 11) Jockeys Put Heat On Australian Racing Board Meanwhile the Victorian Jockeys Association has plans to “propose a heat policy to the Australian Racing Board in which a race meeting would be called off due to extreme high temperatures” reported Melbourne’s The Age newspaper. The proposal follows the Hawkesbury meeting on January 30 where a horse collapsed & died after the 3rd race when temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celcius; Hawkesbury officials canceled the rest of the program following the horse’s death. Ross Ingles, legal adviser to the riders’ group, also expressed concern for jockeys in extreme heat “given the protective vests & helmets they must wear.” (Feb 11) Emirates Park Notches Inglis Race Double The win by $21,000 bargain Winestock (El Moxie-Philhal) in the $500,000 Inglis Premier (1200m) at Flemington completed a unique double for the thoroughbred breeding arm of the 2-state Emirates Park outfit: it supplied the respective winners of both the 2003 Inglis Sydney Classic & 2003 Inglis Melbourne Premier sales-related races. Winestock (purchased from the Emirates Park Victoria draft at last year’s Melbourne Premier Sale) emulated the victory of Secret Land in Randwick’s equivalent Inglis race last month. “The Inglis Premier win of Winestock was another outstanding result for the breeding program implemented by His Excellency Nasser Lootah”, noted Emirates spokesman Dr Shalabh Sahu. Besides being a son of the stud-owned El Moxie, Winestock is also from a daughter of Akaaber, a sire-son of Danzig imported by the stud’s principal soon after purchasing the outfit’s Murrurundi, NSW, headquarters in the late 1980s. Meanwhile Secret Land, the grey daughter of resident stallion Secret Savings, remains favourite for the Golden Slipper - a race in which she is likely to be opposed by Navaho Princess (by Danewin), His Excellency Nasser Lootah’s authoritative winner of the open juvenile event at Randwick on the weekend. Meanwhile trainer Terry O’Sullivan indicated he would probably aim Winestock at the $1 million Heroic Championship in Sydney during the week of the 2003 Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Winestock is the latest notable performer by the Mr Prospector-line stallion El Moxie, already responsible for Gr1 winners Alfa & El Mirada, as well as Gr1 place-getters Rainbow Bubbles & Haltemann. Progeny of of El Moxie currently in training also include last week’s Moonee Valley night racing winner El Moxie Boy. The Emirates Park 2003 resident stallions are: Danewin, Dexter, El Moxie, Polish Laughter, Secret Savings, Shagny, Snaadee, Tabkir & Urgent Request. (Feb 11) Choisir Earns Owners 2,500% Profit It was ironic that Choisir won the Gr1 VRC Lightning Stakes at Flemington on the same weekend as Winestock’s Inglis triumph. Choisir was purchased by Newcastle trainer Paul Perry at the 2001 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $55,000 & in 17 starts has never finished further back than 5th. The Danehill Dancer colt won last year’s $610,000 Inglis Sydney Classic &, despite always racing in top company, has now earned connections $1.4 million in prize-money. (Feb 11) Silver Arrow Series Starts For Sprinters NSW sprinter Choisir’s win in the Gr1 VRC Lightning Stakes makes him the early front-runner in Racing Victoria’s 2003 Silver Arrow series for the nation’s top sprinters. The 3YO picked up the maximum 6 points, followed by Spinning Hill (4), Azevedo (3), Rubitano (2) & Bel Esprit (1). Next race in the series is the $352,000 Gr1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on 22 February, followed by the Rosemont Estate Newmarket Handicap & finally the Australia Stakes. (Feb 11) Helissio On Top Of Second Crop List Meanwhile Helissio 3YO Azevedo’s 3rd place in the Gr1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington behind Choisir has helped keep his sire on top of the Australian second crop sires list, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. It was Azevedo’s second placing in a stakes race & has given Helissio his 2nd Gr1 performer in Australia from only 7 runners. The standout performer for the 5-time G1 winner has been Victoria Derby winner Helenus. (Feb 11) Latest Golden Slipper Betting Market Leading bookmaker Bill Hurley released his latest Golden Slipper betting market, with Gai Waterhouse’s Secret Land a clear favourite from stablemate Hasna & John Hawkes’ last-start winner Kusi. The market (following confirmation by trainer Mick Hicks that he has ruled out a Golden Slipper campaign for Murphy’s Blu Boy) is: 7-2 Secret Land; 8-1 Hasna &Kusi; 12-1 Niello; 14-1 How Funny; 16-1 Exceed And Excel, Halibery & Polar Success; 20-1 Legally Bay; 25-1 Aracena, Danbird, Dorky, Ra Sun & Spur Me On; 33-1 Freeze, Hammerbeam, Jewel Peak, Roedean & Shamekha; 40-1 Olympus & Tsuimai; 50-1 Charmview, Chosen Light & Merhoob. (Feb 11) Frisco View Lands Weekend Double With First Crop Queensland’s weekend racing proved a bonanza for stallion Frisco View (Mt Livermore-Heaven’s Nook) who stands at Clearvale Stud at Bylong in NSW. Wins by San Franfrisco (out of Spectacular Grey, by Spectacular Spy) on debut at the Gold Coast & by Hoot’s View (out of She’s A Hoot, by Virginia Privateer) at the Sunshine Coast took Frisco View’s first season record to 3 winners & a place-getter from just 6 starters so far this season, reported racenet.com.au. Hoot’s View had also won previously in Toowoomba, while the stallion’s other winner is Silk And Money (out of Seen Before, by Scenic) who won at Kembla & placed 3rd at Goulburn. And Frisco On Wings (out of Reel Wings, by Royal Reel) has been placed at all 3 starts (2 2nds at Coff’s Harbour & a 3rd at Ballina). Frisco View himself won 9 races from 6-8 furlongs in 19 race starts in America, including the Gr3 Breeders Cup Sprint Championship over 7 furlongs at Gulfstream Park. Frisco View’s dam Heaven’s Nook (by Great Above) won 3 races from 6-10 furlongs, including the Listed Gowran Park Trial Handicap; all 5 of the mare’s progeny to race have been winners. Frisco View stands at Clearvale Stud for $3,300 (inc GST). (Feb 11) Magic Millions Adelaide Sale & Channel 7 2YO Classic With the Australasian Yearling Sales series in full swing, next week brings the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale at the Morphettville Sale Complex over 3 days from February 19-21. The Sale also features South Australia’s richest race: the $400,000 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic (a ‘sale incentive’ race for Magic Millions graduates) run on the first day at the SA Jockey Club’s Morphettville track, & this year featuring the Channel Seven TV network as naming rights sponsor. (Feb 11) Lakewood Offers 9 From Last Distorted Humor Crop Lakewood Stud’s draft of 38 yearlings for the Adelaide Magic Millions sale includes 9 yearlings from the last Australian crop of leading 2YO sire Distorted Humor. Lakewood is also offering a half-brother to 2YO speedster Rinky Dink (2nd in Saturday’s Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield to take his record to 2 wins & 2 2nds in only 5 starts); the colt is by Brief Truce (sire of Diatribe, True Jewels, Gordo & Debrief) & his dam Peebinga Princess (placed in the Gr3 Swettenham Stud Stakes) has had 4 foals to race - all winners. Other stand-out Lakewood lots include: a Rubiton filly from a half-sister to the Gr3 placed Hello Boys; a Danzero filly from the stakes-winner In The Mist; & an Encosta De Lago colt from a half-sister to Oaks winner Mon Mekki. (Feb 11) Boost For NZ Autumn Yearling Sale Meanwhile New Zealand Bloodstock announced that “any yearling which was passed in at the recent National Yearling Sales (Karaka) will be offered free entry into the Autumn Yearling Sale in May.” The Autumn Yearling Sale will be held in conjunction with NZ’s major breeding & mixed sale - the National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale - scheduled on May 11, 12 & 13. NZ Bloodstock’s Julia Naismith explained: “We understand how difficult market conditions are at present, for vendors of yearlings at what is considered to be the middle-to-lower-end of the market. We want to help those vendors who invested in getting their yearlings to the National Sales, but ended up passing them in, to have another opportunity to offer their yearlings without a further entry fee. In considering the best timing for holding the Autumn Yearling Sale, we believe running it in conjunction with our National Weanling & Broodmare Sale presents the best opportunity for success. To gather a good buying bench for a stand-alone yearling sale of around 100 lots would be a tough task; but by running it at the same time as the big Weanling & Broodmare Sale, vendors should benefit not only from the extensive bench of local buyers, but also the number of Australian buyers who come over for this sale.” (Feb 11) Tit For Taat Aims For Singapore Champion NZ sprinter Tit For Taat, who notched his 5th Gr1 victory in the weight-for-age Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on the weekend, has his sights now centred upon the S$1 million (A$980,000) Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Sprint (1200m) at Kranji racecourse on May 17. Anne Herbert, wife of Tit For Taat’s Manawatu trainer Wayne Herbert, told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing that “next on the agenda” is the NZ$100,000 Gr1 Family Hotel weight-for-age at Otaki on February 20, but “the major focus is a 2nd trip to Singapore for the Krisflyer Sprint.” The 5YO gelding son of Faltaat "went to Singapore last year for the same race but nothing went right from go to whoa. He suffered from tying-up problems &, as a result, we changed his diet & he is fine now." (Feb 11) Size & Hayes Target Gr1 HK Classic Mile The Hong Kong Jockey Club has announced the 14 horses (plus 5 reserves) “with priority to run” in Sunday’s HK$8 million (A$1.75 million) Gr1 HK Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin. The field was culled from “an unprecedented 32 entries” reported the HKJC, “including 13 horses that had won or placed in Stakes Races internationally.” Bowman's Crossing, a juvenile winner in Ireland, heads the ratings, having won his last 2 races in Hong Kong (including a Premier Class event). Another prominent contender is the David Hayes-trained Elegant Fashion (a triple Gr2 winner in Australia, runner-up in the Gr1 AJC Australian Oaks & recent winner of her first HK start). The rapidly improving Dynamic Fun (graduate of the HK International Sale & trained by John Size) is bidding to make it 5 wins from as many starts. Others include: Kiddyland (placed in Gr3 company in France when he raced as Keramani); Gift (formerly Danavon in New Zealand & runner-up to Bowman's Crossing this season); & the formerly Irish-trained quartet of Jazz Beat (Gr1 placed in America), Beverly Green (formerly Masani, winner of the Irish Cambridgeshire), River Dancer (formerly Diaghilev, a Gr3 winner in France) & Surveyor (formerly Ahsanabad, twice placed in Gr3 races). Among the expatriate Australian trainers John Size has 3 contenders (Dynamic Fun, Gift & River Dancer) & David Hayes has 2 (Elegant Fashion & Beverly Green, plus reserve Equator Kid). (Feb 11) All Thrills Too Heads For Dubai Hong Kong Sprint winner All Thrills Too has been confirmed as a runner in the US$2 million (A$3.4 million) Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) on dirt at the Dubai World Cup meeting at Nad Al Sheba on March 29. All Thrills Too is scheduled to fly to Dubai on Thursday March 20. (Feb 11) Inglis Bargains Continue In Hong Kong Meanwhile Inglis sale graduates continue to reap extraordinary returns for their owners on Hong Kong tracks. Danehill’s 5YO son Dr More was purchased by Sydney bloodstock agent Anton Koolman for $260,000 at the 1999 Australian Easter Yearling Sale; his win in the Gr3 HK Centenary Vase took his prize-money haul in excess of $2 million. Similarly Medic Corps (a 2000 Scone sale bargain buy for just $8,000 from Widden Stud) has notched 3 wins in his last 4 starts to lift his prize-money tally to $600,000; Medic Corps is by Mukaddamah (the son of Storm Bird who shuttled to Australia for 5 seasons in the mid-1990s) from Given Thought, a half-sister to Hittite Glory (winner of a Newmarket Gr1 Middle Park Stakes). (Feb 11) Former Shuttle Stallion Lands Treble At Te Rapa The off-spring of former NZ shuttle stallion Housebuster were in great form at the 2-day Waikato International meeting. On the first day promising stayer Housemaster won first-up over 1400m, while last weekend his 4Yo daughters Maze & Winsome both scored impressive wins. Housebuster, a triple Gr1-winning grandson of Blushing Groom, shuttled to Haunui Farm in 1996 & 1997. Maze completed a hat-trick of wins with her barnstorming success in the NZ Bloodstock 2000, while Winsome showed she was ready for a lucrative autumn with her successful return to racing over 1200 metres. (Feb 11) Sydney Plans Confirmed For Honor Babe New Zealand trainer Katrina Alexander has confirmed Sydney autumn plans for her talented stayer Honor Babe (by Honor Grades). Honor Babe’s last-start win in the Marton Cup at Awapuni in January was her 4th win in succession. Alexander told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing that Honor Babe will trial at Pukekohe on February 25 & return to racing in the NZ$120,000 Gr1 Bloodstock Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on March 15. She will then head to Sydney in late March & make her Australian debut in a listed 1900m race at Rosehill on March 29. Her first major Sydney target will be the $500,000 San Miguel Chairman’s Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on April 19 & then possibly the Sydney Cup. (Feb 11) NZ Forums Begin On Working Party Report Three public forums to discuss the Working Party Report will be held this week in Palmerston North, Christchurch & Dunedin reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. A 4th forum is scheduled for Hamilton on 26 February. The NZ Racing Industry Board, which commissioned the Report, is presenting the forums “to brief industry participants & stakeholders on its recommendations & to consult on aspects which are relevant to the Racing Bill. Members of the 5-person Working Party will be on hand at each venue to explain their recommendations, answer questions & receive feedback from the industry.” Following the forums & the receipt of public submissions on the Report (due 3 March 2003) the RIB will decide: what, if any, recommendations in the Report are worthy of support; how much industry support there is for them; & whether they should be included in the Racing Bill. Forums details (beginning today) are: Tues 11 Feb, 2pm, Manawatu RC, Awapuni, Palmerston North Wed 12 Feb, 2pm, Canterbury JC, Riccarton, Christchurch Thurs 13 Feb, 11am, Otago RC, Wingatui, Dunedin Wed 26 Feb, 10am, Waikato RC, Te Rapa, Hamilton (Feb 11) Composure Takes US Gr1 Las Virgenes Epic After stumbling at the start of the US$200,000 Gr1 Las Virgenes Stakes for 3YO fillies, Composure (ridden by Jerry Bailey) ran down pacesetter & arch-rival Elloluv (ridden by Patrick Valenzuela) in the final strides to win the one-mile epic by a neck at Santa Anita Park. Composure was bidding to avenge her 4-length loss to Elloluv in the Gr1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes in December. "She gave away 3 lengths at the break by stumbling like that, but trainer Bob Baffert told me she does that sometimes," Bailey told thoroughbredtimes.com. "I know why now, because she breaks so hard the ground gets out from underneath her. After that, she was ready to get back into the race, but you don’t want to do it all at once. You want to take a little bit at a time. I thought she showed great courage to get up & win like that." Composure’s gutsy victory halted Elloluv’s 3-race winning streak. The next clash between Composure (a daughter of Touch Gold ) & Elloluv could come in the Gr1 Santa Anita Oaks on March 8. (Feb 11) Charismatic Filly Top Price At Fasig-Tipton Kentucky A yearling filly by dual classic winner & freshman sire Charismatic, who now stands in Japan, brought top price of US$64,000 on the first day of the 2-day Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale in Lexington, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Stoneway Farm bought the chestnut filly (out of stakes-placed winner Whitesburg Express, by Whitesburg). The youngster is a half-sister to Gr3 winner Highland Gold & stakes-placed winners Livermore Leslie & Fountain Square. Second top price was US$50,000 for a bay colt by central Kentucky-based shuttle stallion Gilded Time. The colt is the first foal out of the unplaced In Excess mare Estatically, a half-sister to Gr3 winner T.V. Of Crystal & stakes winner Oly Ogy. (Feb 11) Fallon Returns To Saddle From Alcohol Clinic Leading British jockey Kieren Fallon emerged from his high-profile 30-day stint in an Irish alcohol treatment clinic & made a low-key start to his year with 2 unplaced rides at Lingfield, reported racingpost.co.uk. It marked his first UK racecourse appearance since last November. Fallon said his emphasis during 2003 will be on “quality rides rather than quantity”. He added: “The target for me is to win the St Leger. It’s the only Classic I haven’t won. I will be looking forward to the big meetings more so than I have done before. And there is always Pat Eddery’s record of 11 UK jockey championships to go for.” (Feb 11) Scottish Tracks Receive Massive Prize-Money Boost British owners will be chasing massively increased prize-money in Scotland this year, with a record £5.435 million (A$15.28 million) on offer across the 5 tracks, reported racingpost.co.uk. That’s a 42% increase over 2002 across the Ayr, Hamilton, Kelso, Musselburgh & Perth racecourses. The result is an average prize-money boost per race of over 30%. (Feb 11) Irish Stallion Tax Exemption To Be Reviewed Stallion owners in Ireland will have to return details of their income from stud fees to the tax authorities in future, although this income will remain exempt from tax “for the time being”, reported racingpost.co.uk. Irish Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy has published the 2003 Finance Bill which contains “many provisions not mentioned in last December’s budget”, & the covering statement issued by the Department of Finance suggested “the stallion tax exemption is likely to be reviewed.” The statement said: “The Minister noted that in his Budget speech he said he would keep all tax incentives & expenditures under review.” McCreevy was criticised for not ending the stallion tax exemption in the Budget. It has been in existence since 1969 & has enabled Ireland to attract some of the best bloodstock in the world; but many of its critics argue it has outlived its original purpose & that some form of tax should be imposed. The Irish Times newspaper suggested the exemption could end “as early as 2005”. (Feb 11) Moree Cotton Cup Charity Race Day Moree’s annual ANZ Cotton Cup Charity Race Day will give farmers in the drought-ravaged NSW north-west a “reason to smile & don their finest despite the dust” on March 1, said Committee member Arthur Spellson. An initiative of the cotton industry, “aimed at giving something back to the local community”, the race day has raised more than $200,000 for local charities over the past 10 years. Beneficiaries of funds raised at this year's race day will include Moree's Fairview nursing home & hostel, the Moree & Garah branches of State Emergency Services & the Moree Scouts. The day will feature a 5-race program, as well as Fashions In The Field competitions for both males & females. Highlight on the track is the ANZ Bank Cotton Cup (1300m). (Feb 11) Oliver Signs 3-Month Japan Contract Leading Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver has “secured a lucrative 3-month contract” from the Japan Racing Association to ride in Japan following the Sydney autumn carnival. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Oliver told The Sydney Morning Herald. “There have been a few European riders who have been going regularly to Japan lately, but I think only Alf Matthews & Chris Munce from Australian have ridden there for any period of time, so it’s a great opportunity. I was keen to go for a similar stint last year, but I had a knee injury & decided to pass it up.” Oliver had previously ridden in Japan in 5 international jockey challenge races. (Feb 10) Betfair’s Aust Entry Monitored By Govt The NSW Department Of Gaming & Racing confirmed it scrutinised UK-based Betfair’s entry into Australian racing over the weekend, when the controversial betting exchange opened for business on Melbourne’s Gr1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield & Gr1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington. “We at the Department are closely monitoring what is happening on betting exchanges globally,” assistant director of racing Peter Baldwin told The Sydney Morning Herald. “Indeterminate numbers of punters out there laying horses enormously is potentially an issue of concern. Needless to say, the issues associated with racing industry funding are critical, as are threats that might be posed to current wagering operations if betting exchanges gain a foothold.” Baldwin noted the issue was “almost certain” to be on the agenda at a meeting of state Racing Ministers in Adelaide on February 22. The Sydney Morning Herald also noted: “Legal opinion is that NSW & WA players are committing a criminal offence partaking in that particular action (ie using Betfair).” The newspaper summed up: “Some figure it should be ignored. Just like the early days of Vanuatu?” (Feb 10) Hussonet’s Latest US Winner Good News For Arrowfield Arrowfield Stud’s decision to purchase an interest in Chile’s champion stallion Hussonet (Mr Prospector-Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) paid immediate dividends when Nelson Bunker Hunt’s Seinne (Hussonet-White Lady, by Worldwatch) overpowered last start Gr1 Hollywood Gold Cup winner Sligo Bay (Sadler's Wells-Angelic Song, by Halo) in the US$100,000 Tanforan Handicap at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, reported racenet.com.au. It was the 7th win in 23 starts for Seinne, who won the Gr2 Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita last year & finished runner-up in the Gr2 Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park in November. The blue-blood Hussonet is a son of Mr Prospector out of US Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Sacahuista. His first crop earned him 1998 Champion 2YO sire in Chile & he has topped the General Sires title there every year since. His 2003 Southern Hemisphere fee is $24,750 (inc GST). (Feb 10) Dehere’s Stakes Winner Adds To Arrowfield Spree Meanwhile at Caulfield the Mike Moroney-trained Feel The Noise won the Listed $75,000 JRA Stakes (1100) to became the 43rd stakes winner for Arrowfield Stud’s stallion Dehere. Coming the day after Arrowfield’s announcement that French Deputy will be joining its stallion roster this spring, Arrowfield “has effectively secured the 2 best sire sons of 2-time leading North American sire Deputy Minister available to breeders anywhere in the world” reported racenet.com.au. Dehere has sired Golden Slipper winner Belle Du Jour & middle distance star Defier from his 2nd Australian crop &, though Coolmore sold him to Japan, Arrowfield secured the southern hemisphere breeding rights from the JBBA. Meanwhile last year in the US Dehere’s outstanding 3YO daughter Take Charge Lady won the 7 races (including the Gr1 Ashland Stakes, Gr1 Spinster Stakes, Gr2 Alcibiades Stakes, Gr2 Fair Grounds Oaks, Gr3 Silverbulletday Stakes, & Gr3 Dogwood Stakes). At the end of the season Dehere finished 2nd to El Prado as leading North American sire &, with the absence of Danehill, the title of the most successful shuttle stallion standing in Australia. Dehere finished 8th leading sire in Australia last season & is currently in the top 5 this season. And Dehere was unlucky not to sire a stakes double at Caulfield: his 4YO daughter Special Grange (Dehere-She’s So Special, by Sound Reason) ran a fast-finishing 2nd in the Listed $75,000 Moduline–Hyderbad Plate (1200m). (Feb 10) Yell Downs Northerly In Gr1 Orr Stakes Comeback Jockey Darren Gauci & trainer John Hawkes took the $300,000 Gr1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield with 3YO Yell, leaving Australia’s weight-for-age champ Northerly charging home from the tail of the field into 4th place in his 2003 comeback race. The placings behind Yell were filled by top stayer Fields Of Omagh (ridden by Greg Childs) & favourite Innovation Girl. Fields Of Omagh & Northerly are now likely to clash again in both the St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield in a fortnight & the $1.25 million Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10. Meanwhile Hawkes' son & Melbourne foreman Wayne Hawkes said he was uncertain whether Yell would back-up in next Saturday's Gr1 Cadbury Guineas (1600m) at Flemington; another option for the Anabaa gelding is the Gr1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on March 1. The last 6 Orr Stakes have now been won by 3YOs: Special Dane (1998), Grand Archway (1999), Redoute's Choice (2000), Desert Sky (2001) & Barkada (2002). (Feb 10) Anabaa’s 5th Individual Gr1 Winner Yell’s weight-for-age Orr Stakes victory makes him the 5th individual Gr1 winner for his sire Anabaa, who stands the southern hemisphere season at Widden Stud. Anabaa is the now sire of 13 stakes winners from only 134 starters & boasts a strike rate over 20% stakes-performers-to-runners, with another 14 of his progeny stakes placed, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Anabaa's oldest Australian progeny are 4YOs. He has only been represented by 64 runners to date, of which 45 have won (70.3%). (Feb 10) Choisir’s All-The-Way Gr1 Lightning Stakes Victory Glen Boss rode Choisir to an all-the-way victory for Newcastle trainer Paul Perry in the $400,000 weight-for-age Gr1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) down the famous ‘straight course’ at Flemington. Second was last year’s winner Spinning Hill, ahead of the Helissio colt Azevedo, then favourite Rubitano & Bel Esprit. The victory was especially sweet Boss, who maintains Choisir should have won last year’s 2YO pinnacle, the Golden Slipper Stakes, instead of running 3rd (behind Calaway Gal & Victory Vein) after storming home in the straight from 2nd last. Perry is now likely to start the colt in the $350,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22 & the $1 million Newmarket Hcp (1200m) at Flemington on March 8. (Feb 10) Danehill Dancer Boost For Inglis Premier Sale Choisir’s Lightning Stakes victory gave his sire Danehill Dancer his first Australian Gr1 winner (& 2nd overall, the other being Where Or When in England). It ‘s a timely boost for the Inglis Premier sale beginning in Melbourne today, where the Collingrove Stud-based Danehill Dancer has 8 yearlings catalogued. (Feb 10) Encosta De Lago Winner Spotlights Inglis Draft And the win of 3YO gelding Titanic Jack in the $100,000 Gr3 WRC Autumn Stakes at Caulfield cast a timely focus on his sire Encosta De Lago, who has 19 progeny listed at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale this week. Titanic Jack (Encosta De Lago-Gold Tunic, by Stage Door Johnny) may now take his place, alongside another Encosta De Lago off-spring in Delargo Brom, in the Gr1 Cadbury Guineas at Flemington next Saturday. Encosta De Lago stands at Blue Gum Farm at Euroa in Victoria, with his oldest progeny 4YOs. (Feb 10) Blue Blood Placing At Randwick Meanwhile keen Sydney breeding eyes were focused on 2YO bay colt Superior Sateen (Danehill-Shantha's Choice) in the 1st race at Randwick. The full brother to Gr1 stars Redoute's Choice & Platinum Scissors managed to finish 3rd over 1200m at his 2nd start (he also ran 3rd over 1200m in his debut a fortnight ago). After that race, trainer by Gerald Ryan told racenet.com.au that Superior Santeen was "a cross between Redoute's Choice & Platinum Scissors. While he's a big, strong horse like the other pair, he's not the precocious, free-running type like Redoute's Choice or a long striding staying type like Platinum Scissors. But he's very strong in the hind quarters & tough. I think down the track he'll be a miler (1600m).” Like his big brothers, the colt is raced by his breeder Sri Lankan businessman Muzaffer Yaseen. (Feb 10) Winestock Takes Inglis Premier Brett Prebble rode Stawell trainer & part-owner Terry O'Sullivan’s gelding Winestock (El Moxie-Philhal) to victory in the $500,000 Inglis Premier (1200m) at Flemington. Winestock was a $21,000 bargain purchase at last year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. Fresh Boy (Perugino-Sibelienne) ridden by Patrick Payne) was 2nd & Alastro (Lacryma Cristi-Prav) ridden by Damien Oliver finished 3rd. (Feb 10) Super VOBIS Supports Melbourne Premier Sale The success of the Super VOBIS bonus scheme “will again underpin” the 3-day Melbourne Inglis Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands Junction beginning today, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. “Victoria's leading breeders & consignors have worked hard to make the Premier Sale the major source of horses eligible to participate in the lucrative Super VOBIS scheme. The vast majority of the 580 lots in the catalogue will sport the distinctive Super VOBIS logo.” This year’s Premier Sale has been extended to 3 days with the addition of the newly-created Premier II session on February 13. Recent graduates of the Premier Sale include brilliant sprinter Rubitano, weight-for-age star Fields of Omagh, class fillies Before Too Long, Lashed & Fuji Dancer & 2YO stars Ra Sun & Pinchbeck. The 2003 Premier Sale will feature more than 50 yearlings from stakes-winning mares & siblings to some 100 stakes-winners. (Feb 10) Wingrove’s Premier Yearlings Make Appeal Meanwhile Joe & Dara Vella’s Wingrove Park, at Romsey just 30 minutes outside Melbourne, is offering 4 well-credentialed yearlings at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale under the Erinvale Thoroughbreds banner: a filly by European Horse-Of-The-Year Peintre Celebre out of city winning mare Villa Igea (whose dam is a half-sister to the 5 time Gr1 winner Danewin); an eye-catching filly by King Of Kings (sire of star NZ 2YO King's Chapel) & proven broodmare What A Save (half-sister to 7 winners); a filly by in-form stallion Hurricane Sky (sire of HK Gr1 winner Grand Delight); & a big colt by beautifully bred Danzig stallion Bianconi (whose yearlings sold up to $180,000 at the recent Magic Millions sale) out of the stakes-placed mare Classic Lines (whose first 2 to race are winners). (Feb 10) Cooklsye & Cassidy Ride Winners In Singapore Expatriate Australasian jockeys Grant Cooksley & Larry Cassidy featured prominently at the Singapore Guineas meeting at Kranji on the weekend. Cooksley rode 2 winners & a 2nd placing, while Cassidy landed 1 winner, 2 2nds & 2 3rds - including 3rd in the feature event, the S$125,000 (A$120,000) 3YO weight-for-age Singapore Guineas. At the same meeting newly-arrived NZ jockey Vinny Colgan landed his first Singapore winner, just a week after beginning his Singapore riding contract. (Feb 10) Inglis Graduate Wins In Hong Kong Meanwhile the 4YO gelding Multidandy (a $200,000 purchase at the 2000 Inglis Easter Sale) bolted home by over 6 lengths at Sha Tin in Hong Kong. The son of Danehill is a half-brother to Blue Diamond winner Knowledge & is now racing for the Tony Cruz stable. (Feb 10) Tit For Taat Wins 5th NZ Gr1 Sprint New Zealand’s current champion sprinter Tit For Taat notched his 5th Gr1 victory in winning the Waikato Racing Club’s weight-for-age Gr1 NZ$100,000 Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. The 5YO son of Faltaat, trained by the husband & wife team Wayne & Ann Herbert, was ridden into the lead after only 300m by jockey Michael Walker & was then attacked in front from the 900m, but still managed to win comfortably from High Grove & Panatella. (Feb 10) Greene Street Takes NZ Gr1 Whakanui Stud Stakes Jockey Robert Hannam dashed 7YO Greene Street out to a 10-length lead at the halfway mark, the raced 5 lengths clear rounding the home turn & held on to win the weight-for-age Gr1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. The son of Zabeel gave trainer Noel Eales his 6th win in the Gr1 feature race, ahead of favourite Deebee Belle & Vega Sicilia. (Feb 10) Bramble Rose & Lafleur Vie For NZ Filly-Of-The-Year Meanwhile on the same program, super sire Zabeel also took the Gr2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Classic (2nd last race of NZ Bloodstock’s Filly-Of-The-Year Series) with Peter & Philip Vela’s 3YO filly Lafleur. Ridden by Leith Innes, Lafleur (Zabeel-Desert Lily, by Green Desert) edged out NZ Oaks winner Bramble Rose (by Shinko King) & Showgirl. The result has set-up an exciting final race in the series - Bramble Rose now has 20 points & Lafleur has 16 points - in the Gr2 $100,000 Fayette Park Championship Stakes at Ellerslie in March. (Feb 10) US Grading Committee Threatens 3YO ‘Downgrades’ Meanwhile the American Graded Stakes Committee has issued warning letters to racetracks that present nearly every Gr1 stakes for 3YOs, advising them that the races would be downgraded for 2004 unless field quality improves. Among the races that received warnings were the Florida Derby, Fountain Of Youth & Haskell Invitational Handicap reported bloodhorse.com. The three Triple Crown races & the Travers Stakes were not sent warnings. The letter stated in part: “the Graded Stakes Committee considers the graded race in question to rank within the lower echelon of that grade-level in its division, & the race may be a candidate for downgrading for the year 2004." Robert Kulina, vice president & general manager of Monmouth Park in New Jersey (which hosts the Haskell) commented: "I was just stunned - just shocked - to receive the warning. This just isn't a big event in the state, it's a big event across the country." Though champions Point Given & War Emblem won the last 2 editions of Haskell, the overall fields were weak said Steven Duncker, chairman of the American Graded Stakes Committee (which operates under the auspices of the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association). "While there's no question that Point Given & War Emblem were very good horses, they didn't face deep fields," Duncker said. "We look at a 5-year history of a race before issuing a warning letter. The last strong renewal of the Haskell was in 1998, when Coronado's Quest met Victory Gallop." Duncker added if warning letters are not sent, it cuts down on the ability of the committee to downgrade a race if warranted: “We sent warning letters to most if not all Gr1 races for 3YOs on the dirt, going long, to keep our flexibility open.” (Feb 10) Paolini Targets Dubai, Singapore, HK & US Germany’s reigning Horse-Of-The-Year Paolini has joined trainer Andreas Wohler’s team in Pisa in Italy for winter training. Wohler plans to run Paolini in the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free on the Dubai World Cup undercard at Nad al Sheba on March 29, before sending him to Asia for the HK Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup & Singapore Gr1 International Cup reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The German trainer followed a similar road 2 years ago when he sent his Gr1 winner Silvano to Pisa before the son of Lomitas captured the Singapore Cup, Queen Elizabeth II Cup & US Gr1 Arlington Million. Paolini won the Gr1 Gran Premio di Milan in June 2001, before last year finishing 2nd in both the International Cup & Hong Kong Cup & 4th in the Arlington Million. Overall, Paolini has 4 wins & 7 placings in 19 career starts for owner-breeder Carde Ostermann-Richter. (Feb 10) Ipi Tombe Sets Course Record in Dubai Ipi Tombe, the champion filly trained in South Africa but bred in Zimbabwe, burst into calculations for the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Duty Free or possibly the US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup after her devastating win in a new 1-mile course record at the Nad Al Sheba track last week. The Manshood-Carnet De Danse (by Dance In Time) filly, who smashed the old record by over 2 seconds, was having her first start for her new US owners: the American-based Team Valor, Winstar Farm & Sunmark Partners. Team Valor president Barry Irwin told bloodhorse.com that Ipi Tombe (who has now won 9 of her 11 starts) would go to the US & train under Elliott Walden upon completion of her Dubai campaign. (She is racing in Dubai under the care of South African trainer Mike de Kock.) Immediately after the record-breaking run, Dubai World Cup chairman Les Benton issued an invitation to Ipi Tombe for the Dubai Duty Free; however “consideration will also be given to running her in the Dubai World Cup” on March 29. (Feb 10) Captain Squire Also On Track For Dubai Meanwhile Santa Anita trainer Jeff Mullins “is still pointing” Robert Bone & Jeff Diener's Captain Squire (who won the Sunshine Millions Sprint a fortnight ago) “to run in the March 29 Dubai World Cup despite the threat of war in the Middle East.” Captain Squire (who has notched 5 wins, 2 2nds & 2 3rds in 11 starts) is currently burning the training track & jockey Alex Solis told bloodhorse.com: “He’s going great. Just like a champion." The 4YO colt has been invited to both the Gr1 Golden Shaheen (6 furlongs) & the Gr2 Godolphin Mile; both are US$2 million races. "We're ready to do battle," declared Mullins. “We'll have to wait & see what develops, but as of now Dubai's our plan." (Feb 10) Adminniestrator Eyes Singapore Or Dubai However fellow California trainer Paddy Gallagher is deciding whether to miss Dubai & turn instead toward a Singapore raid for his Sunshine Millions Turf hero Adminniestrator. The California-bred son of Incinderator was being considered for Dubai's US$2 million Sheema Classic, but “will likely skip the event, thanks in large part to rising tensions in the Middle East & the possibility of war” reported bloodhorse.com. In that case, Adminniestrator would have his next start in the March 15 Gr2 San Luis Rey Handicap at Santa Anita or the Gr3 Singapore Classic on March 7 or the Gr1 Singapore International Cup on May 17. Gallagher summed up: "Dubai was the plan, but I don't know about that now. I haven't decided for sure yet." The 6YO gray Adminniestrator has 9 wins, 8 2nds & 3 3rds in 34 career starts. (Feb 10) Epsom Applies For ‘Fixed’ UK Derby Date Epsom racetrack has made a formal application to the British Horseracing Board to fix the date of the Vodafone Derby as the first Saturday in June. The intention is to “prevent future clashes with major European or World Cup soccer, which has been blamed for a dip in the race’s betting performance against the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002”, reported racingpost.co.uk. In the meantime, the Epsom executive & the British Broadcasting Corporation have agreed this year’s Derby will go off at the later time of 4pm (as the 5th race on the big-race card) in a bid to bolster TV viewing & betting interest in Britain’s premier Classic. Previously run on the first Wednesday in June, the Derby was moved to Saturday in 1995, & its place in the racing calendar has been set as the first weekend after June 1. As a consequence, it has been run as late as June 10 on 2 occasions since, & has suffered at least 3 damaging clashes with important Euro & World Cup matches. Epsom managing director Stephen Wallis said: “We’re safe for the next 3 years, but the date in 2006 would again be June 10, which is the opening day of the World Cup finals. We will do all we can to promote the Derby meeting, but anyone who seriously doesn’t think we will lose media space against the World Cup isn’t living in the real world.” For the first time since Racing Post began publishing annual details of Britain’s Top 50 betting races 10 years ago, the Derby lost 2nd place behind the Martell Grand National to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002. “A return to Wednesday is not on the agenda,” said Wallis, “but if we fix the date as the first Saturday in June, we’re certain of missing a clash with soccer, which has crept more & more into the summer months.” (Feb 10) European All-Weather Championship Confirmed The 4 courses in Europe which stage major Listed races run on all-weather surfaces - Cagnes-sur-Mer, Neuss, Lingfield Park & Jagersro - have joined forces to create a new series to be known as the European All-Weather Championship. The 4 Listed races in the series will offer a total of over £180,000 (A$) prize-money reported racingpost.co.uk. The Grand Prix de la Riviera Cote d'Azur starts the series on February 11 at Cagnes in France. It is followed by the Neusser Sandbahn Grand Prix at Neuss in Germany on February 23, then the Lingfield Bet Direct Winter Derby over 10 furlongs in Britain on March 15 at Lingfield & finally the Pramms Memorial on May 8 at Jagersro-Malmo. Arena (owner of Lingfield) director of racing Ian Renton said: "We are delighted to be involved. I hope this series can develop over the years & further help to increase the profile of horses running in the major all-weather races in Europe." There are 31 horses entered for the first leg at Cagnes, including 4 from England. (Feb 10) US Female Jockey Notches 1,000 Wins US jockey Mary Elizabeth Doser notched her 1,000th career win at Turfway Park on the weekend. "You don’t ever think you’ll get there," Doser told thoroughbredtimes.com. "This is really great. Things have just been falling into place lately." Doser began her career in 1986 & was previously leading apprentice rider at Ellis Park. The veteran jockey is the 14th female jockey to reach the milestone; the others are: Julie Krone, Patricia Cooksey, Patti Barton, Donna Barton, Cindy Noll, Diane Nelson, Dodie Duys, Rosemary Homeister junior, Vicky Arogon Baze, Vickie Warhol, Jill Jellison, Lillian Kuykendall & Lori Wydick. (Feb 10) Prescott Also Reaches 1,000 Wins And just one day after Mary Elizabeth Doser notched her 1,000th career win at Turfway Park, fellow US jockey Rodney Prescott accomplished the same feat at the same Kentucky track. Prescott told thoroughbredtimes.com: “This is a great feeling. I always thought I’d reach 1,000. Now I know I can reach 2,000." Prescott began riding in 1994, notching his first win at River Downs & finishing the year as leading apprentice at the Cincinnati track. (Feb 10) Argentine Champ Freddy Moves To US Multiple Gr1 winner Freddy, a top contender for Argentine 2002 Horse-Of-The-Year honors, has been purchased by Gary Tanaka & will continue his campaign in the US during 2003, reported thoroughbretimes.com. Although the 4YO son of Roy has been invited to run in the US$2 million Gr2 United Arab Emirates Derby on the Dubai World Cup program, he will not make the trip to the Middle East, new trainer Donald Burke said from his Hollywood Park base. Freddy arrived at Hollywood on January 22. Burke, who also trains 2002 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf 3rd-place finisher Falcon Flight for Tanaka, said he has no immediate targets for Freddy & “probably will not run him until July at Hollywood or perhaps later at Del Mar.” Freddy won 5 of 6 starts in his native Argentina; in his last 2 races, he won the Gr1 Gran Premio Nacional (Argentine Derby) in November & Gr1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini over older horses in December; in his 2nd career start last June, he captured the Gr1 Gran Premio Carreras de las Estrellas Juvenile, Argentina’s equivalent of the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Brazilian Antonio Gilberto Depieri, who owns Haras La Providencia, bred & raced Freddy prior to the sale. Purchase price was not disclosed, although South American reports indicated it was around US$800,000. Produced by the winning Lyphard’s Wish mare Folgada, Freddy is from the family of Villandry, a Gr3 winner in France who went on to greater success in the US, winning the 1992 Gr2 Long Island Handicap at Belmont Park & finishing 3rd in the 1993 Gr1 Santa Ana Handicap at Santa Anita Park. (Feb 10) Argentine Champion Cafetin Retired Meanwhile Cafetin, Argentina’s champion miler of 1999, has been retired due to recurring health problems. No decision has been made where the 7YO son of the Relaunch stallion Slew Gin Fizz will stand, although “he could be sent to Uruguay for stud duty” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Owner Luis Villamil, who also owns Slew Gin Fizz, has ruled out the possibility of standing Cafetin at his farm. (Slew Gin Fizz, who stood the 2002 Southern Hemisphere season at Haras Vacacion, is currently now standing at Ocala Stud Farm in the US.) Cafetin recorded 4 wins & 7 placings in 21 career starts, including the 1999 Gr1 Gran Premio Joaquin S. de Anchorena & Gr1 Palermo. Cafetin is out of the unraced Cipayo's mare Pretty Queen & is a half-brother to stakes-placed Full of Wood. (Feb 10) Grand Vitesse Named Uruguay Horse-Of-The-Year Argentine-bred Grand Vitesse, a son of Potrillon, has been voted Uruguay's 2002 Horse-Of-The-Year in a close vote over Uruguay Triple Crown winner Impaciente GG, top juvenile Palique & older handicap division leader Gran Contrafarsa reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Grand Vitesse won 8 races last year, 5 at Uruguay’s Hipodromo Las Piedras & 3 at San Isidro racecourse in Argentina (including the Gr1 Gran Premio Copa de Oro). In addition, the 4YO who was bred by Alvaro Vargas Lerena, finished 4th in last year’s edition of Argentina’s Gr1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, South America's most prestigious race. (Feb 10) JRA Revokes Trainer’s License Amid Selling Fraud The Japan Racing Association has revoked the licence of trainer Kotaro Tanaka for selling American-bred thoroughbreds to Japanese owners while portraying himself as the horses’ breeder. The JRA prohibits trainers from acting as breeders. An investigation revealed that Tanaka falsified horses’ breeding information & profited by manipulating data from overseas auctions, reported Japan Today. Tanaka began training in 1977 & he opened his own stable the following year. He has won 8 races considered Group events in Japan. (Feb 10) UK Jockey Association Denies Widespread Drug Use Following the revelation UK jockey Francis Norton had tested positive for cocaine, secretary of the English Jockeys’ Association Michael Caulfield has “vehemently denied that substance abuse is a common problem amongst British riders.” Caulfield told The Independent newspaper: "There have been several thousand tests on jockeys & the strike rate is incredibly low. So I wouldn’t lose sleep over accusations like that. Today there are double the amount of tests there used to be & the jockeys are comfortable with the system. It is completely random testing." Norton, who is based in Newmarket, is facing a 6-month suspension after the English Jockey Club confirmed the 32-year-old had a positive test for cocaine just prior to Christmas. Norton denies he used cocaine, saying “an exotic tea used for weight control” was the reason behind the positive result. Norton’s positive test comes 3 months after jockey Dean Gallagher was suspended for 18 months for cocaine use. (Feb 10) South Africa’s Historic Gosforth Park Sold Racecourse & totalisator company Phumelela Gaming & Leisure has sold historic Gosforth Racecourse, east of Johannesburg, for approximately R20 million (A$4.1 million) reported South Africa’s news24.com. Additional racetracks have been built at Vaal & Turffontein racecourses, ultimately leading to closure of the Gosforth Park, which boasted a number of firsts, including the first photo-finish camera & computerized totalizator. (Feb 10) Thunderello To Stand At Walmac Thunderello, runner-up in the 2002 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, will enter stud at John Jones Junior’s Walmac International near Lexington in Kentucky for a fee of US$7,500, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Thunderello (who suffered a career-ending leg injury in the Gr1 Frank De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes in November at Laurel Park) had previously been announced to stand at Buck Pond Farm. But owner Charles Mady has now sold the son of Montbrook & the change of stud plan has followed. "Thunderello] offers breeders a complete out-cross to Northern Dancer & Mr Prospector," Jones said. "We are very pleased to stand this crack sprinter from the family of leading young sires Awesome Again & Storm Creek. Thunderello represents the leading branch of the Buckpasser male line & was recently given the co-highest International Classification of 120 pounds for 3YO sprinters of 2002." Bred in Florida by Four Horsemens Ranch, Thunderello is out of the In Reality mare On the Square & is a half-brother to stakes winners Ms Deep Pockets & Square Up The Bet. (Feb 10) Monarchos' First Foal Is A Filly Monarchos, who won the 2001 Gr1 Kentucky Derby for John Oxley in the second-fastest time, was represented by his first off-spring when the Seeking The Gold mare Compel produced a filly, reported bloodhorse.com. Bred by the Hancock family's famous Claiborne Farm, the filly is the first foal from Compel, who is a half-sister to Gr2 winner Conserve. Third dam is Canadian great Fanfreluche. Monarchos (Maria's Mon-Regal Band, by Dixieland Band) won the Derby in 1.59.97 & stands at Claiborne near Paris in Kentucky. (Feb 10) I Believe In You Delivers First Foal The first reported foal out of US Gr1 winner I Believe In You was born at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The filly is a daughter of 6-time Gr1 winner Giant’s Causeway. I Believe In You recorded 2 wins & 2 placings in 4 career starts, including the 2000 Gr1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes. A 5YO daughter of Pleasant Tap, I Believe In You is out of the winning Copelan mare I’ll Get There; notable members of her immediate family include Gr1 winner Is Your Pleasure. A 6YO son of Storm Cat, Giant’s Causeway finished 2nd in the 2000 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, in addition to his 6 English group wins. Giant’s Causeway stands for US$125,000 at Ashford Stud near Versailles in Kentucky. (Feb 10) Champion Perfect Sting Produces Awesome Again Colt Perfect Sting, champion US grass mare in 2000, produced her first foal, a colt by Awesome Again, at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs in Kentucky. "Both colt & dam are doing very well," Adena general manager Dan Hall told thoroughbredtimes.com. "He’s a very good sized foal." Perfect Sting won 14 of 21 races, including the 2000 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Hall said Perfect Sting would be bred to El Prado in the 2003 season. Both Awesome Again (sire of multiple Gr1 winner Toccet in his first crop to race) & El Prado (sire of multiple Gr1 winner Medaglia d’Oro) stand at Adena Springs Kentucky. (Feb 10) Dam Of Silverbulletday Euthanised Rokeby Rose, dam of dual champion Silverbulletday, has been euthanized at Highclere Farm near Lexington in Kentucky due to the infirmities of old age, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. She was 26 & will be buried under a ceremonial headstone near the farm’s office where Killaloe (dam of 5 stakes winners, including Fappiano) is also buried. Rokeby Rose produced 14 foals, 10 of whom have started with 8 winning for progeny. Silverbulletday was her best foal, winning 15 of 23 races (including 5 Gr1 events among 14 stakes victories) & collecting a pair of US Eclipse Awards as champion 2YO & 3YO filly. Other siblings include Kerfoot Corner (a stakes-winning gelding by Danzig who set a 1-mile track record at Colonial Downs) & the winning Time For A Change filly Garden Secrets (who went on to produce 2001 Gr1 Acorn Stakes winner Forest Secrets). Rokeby Rose herselfwon 7 of 19 races (including 1981 Gr2 Flower Bowl Handicap). She is by champion Tom Rolfe out of the winning Quadrangle mare Rokeby Venus (who also produced stakes winners Split Rock & I Mean It. (Feb 10) US Medication Consortium Seeks Uniform Policy Members of the US Racing Medication & Testing Consortium have met in Atlanta & laid the ground work for developing uniform policies on “prohibited practices, disciplinary procedures & penalties regarding the use of medications & methods in connection with selling, training & racing horses” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Consortium members finished several sections of such a policy & submitted it to the joint model rules committee of the North American Pari-mutuel Regulators Association & the Association of Racing Commissioners International. (Feb 10) Arrowfield Secures Trio Of Champions Arrowfield Stud announced the acquisition of 3 world class stallions to stand at their Scone-based breeding operation in the 2003 Southern Hemisphere season. They are: Orientate (2002 World Champion Sprinter); Hussonet (Mr Prospector’s dominant stud son); & French Duty (one of Japan’s most valuable stallions). “The vitally important aspect of our new stallions Hussonet & Orientate is that they are totally free of Northern Dancer blood,” said Arrowfield boss John Messara. “They’re gorgeous individuals & are both from sire lines which have nicked well with Northern Dancer. So they’re going to be very helpful to breeders in Australia where Danzig blood is predominant. Our third new horse French Deputy is the most valuable Japanese-based stallion to come to Australia so far, is proven on the international stage & is from a sire line that has tasted success in Australia. We’re very lucky to have access to such an animal.” These developments will give the Australian-owned Arrowfield Stud a powerful stallion roster comprising both local & international bloodlines. Arrowfield, renowned as an original owner of Danehill, stands his best-known sons at stud in Australia, in Flying Spur, Danzero & Redoute’s Choice. (Feb 7) Orientate: Arrowfield-Gainesway Joint Venture Orientate (Mt Livermore-Dream Team, by Cox’s Ridge) has been purchased in a joint venture between Arrowfield Stud & famous Kentucky-based farm Gainesway. The stallion will shuttle between the 2 farms from 2003, following his retirement from racing after his Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory last October. Named 2002 World Champion Sprinter on the International Classifications, Orientate is the first Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner to enter stud in Australia. A brilliant winner of the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint & Gr1 Forego Handicap, Orientate won 10 of 19 starts from 6-8 furlongs on both dirt & turf. He finished his career with an undefeated streak of 5 sprint stakes races. Arrowfield’s John Messara said: “I am thrilled with the acquisition of Orientate. This is a horse for the times in Australia. He has got everything that we look for, & most importantly, he will provide the out-cross which has succeeded so well with the Northern Dancer blood now prevalent in this country.” Orientate will stand in Australia for $33,000 (inc GS & in the US at Gainesway this season of US$25,000. (Feb 7) Arrowfield Buys Hussonet 100% From Chilean Owners Hussonet (Mr Prospector-Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) is - and has been since 1998 - a Champion Sire, providing remarkable figures of 24% stakes winners-to-runners, including 12 Gr1 winners & 10 individual Champions & stakes winners in both the Northern & Southern Hemisphere. Having won or placed in all his 6 starts, he retired after an injury & was sold to stand at Haras de Pirque in Chile - where he stamped himself an exceptionally dominant stallion, being named Champion 2YO Sire of Chile with his first crop in 1998 & going on to win the General Sires title every year since then. In 2002 he commanded the highest fee of any stallion ever to stand in Chile & served the largest book (146 mares) of any commercial stallion standing in Chile. His 10 Champions include 2000 Champion Chilean 3YO Filly Printemps (who has since gone to America to win at Gr2 level & place in a Gr1 behind US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri), Gr2 winner Seinne (who has also won Gr2 races in California) & Wild Spirit (Champion Chilean 3YO filly of 2002, who recently relocated to Bobby Frankel’s stable in California to race in North America in 2003). Arrowfield has purchased 100% of Hussonet from his Chilean owners & the stallion will arrive at Arrowfield in early March after being in quarantine in California. His 2003 Southern Hemisphere fee will be $24,750 (inc GST). (Feb 7) French Deputy: Arrowfield-Shadai Shuttle Agreement French Deputy (Deputy Minister-Mitterand, by Hold Your Peace): By arrangement with Shadai Stallion Station, Arrowfield has signed an agreement to shuttle the internationally successful stallion to Australia. French Deputy was a brilliant racehorse, winning 4 of 6 starts. As a 2YO he won at Hollywood Park in devastating fashion, winning by 5 lengths & running 6 furlongs in a blistering 1.08.84 (just 0.6 seconds off the best time posted at Hollywood Park that year for a horse of any age). As a 3YO he won his first 2 starts by a combined 13 lengths & then trounced top racehorse & now leading sire Mr Greeley by 4 lengths in the Gr2 Jerome Handicap G2 in 1.33.53 (the fastest mile recorded at Belmont Park that year) posting a Beyer Speed figure of 119 (the highest figure awarded to any 3YO in 1995). With his oldest progeny now just 6Y, French Deputy finished in the top 20 Active Sires in North America in 2002 & has sired 16 stakes winners, 3 at Gr 1 level (including Japanese Champion 3YO colt Kurofune & US Eclipse Award winning Champion Older Male Sprinter-Miler Left Bank). French Deputy’s stud fee in Japan last season of ¥10m (A$150,000) is testament to his worldwide popularity. “French Deputy is a magnificent looking stallion, who gets very good looking horses that can really run. On what he has achieved in the Northern Hemisphere, he will get progeny that will be very well suited to Australia &, importantly, will be very well liked by yearling buyers,” said John Messara. French Deputy will stand at $44,000 (inc GST). (Feb 7) Danehill Bonanza For Pencarrow Stud NZ breeders Peter & Philip Vela announced the purchase for their Pencarrow Stud of 20 broodmares, from Coolmore Stud Ireland, in foal (in southern hemisphere time) to the world’s most sought after sire Danehill. With Danehill no longer shuttling to the southern hemisphere, Peter Vella said Pencarrow, near Cambridge, viewed this “as a wonderful & unique chance to add some top quality international broodmares to its already very select broodmare band.” The mares will all foal in NZ after agreement was reached with the NZ Ministry Of Agricultural & Fisheries on the establishment of a quarantine station near Pencarrow Stud. They are due to arrive in Z within the next week. Pencarrow already boasts mares such as Coutet (dam of Gr1 AJC Epsom Handicap winner Allez Suez); Desert Lily (sensational pedigree by Green Desert-Habibti; Petrava (5 times Gr1-winning mare & dam of 3 time Gr1-winning filly Hoeberg & of Champion South African Sire Jallad);Riverina Charm (4 times Gr1 winner, dam of NZ Filly-Of-The-Year Sarwatch); & Romanee Conti (winner of the HK International Cup, dam of outstanding racemare Etheral). Added to these are recently retired mares Etheral (winner Gr1 Melbourne Cup, Gr1 Caulfield Cup, Gr1 STC BMW Stakes & Gr1 Queensland Oaks); Grand Echezeaux (winner Gr1 SAJC Australasian Oaks); Chimeara (Group-placed daughter of Danehill-Tristalove); & Sarwatch (multiple Gr winning NZ Filly-Of-The-Year); plus mares by Sunday Silence & Nureyev. (Feb 7) NZ Targets Korea & Philippines New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing will launch a major campaign to encourage emerging markets such as Korea & The Phillippines to the Karaka sales next year. In a post-Karaka sales interview NZTM chairman Joe Walls said the challenge for the whole NZ breeding industry is to guarantee more buyers in the NZ$5,000-$20,000 range at next year’s sales series. "What will be required is to turn that interest into real dollars at the sales next year," Walls said. "Both Korea & The Philippines have the potential to become very worthwhile markets at future yearling sales in NZ.” (Feb 7) Queensland Racing Confronts ‘Major Financial Hurdles’ Queensland Racing had many hurdles to overcome before it became viable, chairman Bob Bentley told yesterday’s annual meeting. But the “Board of Queensland Racing will be strategically placed to take a strong case for additional funding to the State Government by the end of the year.” In a controversial speech, Bentley noted: “The Government will not listen to a divided industry making little attempt to rein in costs. The case for funding needs to be made on the back of substantial progress towards change & restructuring, & be properly researched and documented. Our submission needs to demonstrate that the industry is cohesive & efficient, & that any additional funding that may be provided by the Government will be used effectively to generate an economic return to not only the industry but to Queensland as well through jobs & wagering growth.” Among the most controversial issues he noted: "Our performance relative to other States has shown that there are too many non-TAB meetings with poor field sizes, & too many TAB meetings where cost of product delivery far out-weighs the revenue return. The limited resources we have are being spread too thinly, with Queensland having the lowest average prize-money-per-meeting in Australia." (Feb 7) Queensland Country Racing Facing 40% ‘Decimation’ Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley & chief executive Jeremy Turner faced lively questioning at the end of yesterday’s annual meeting, particularly on proposals to drastically cut country meetings & on redevelopment or closure of Brisbane's 2 major tracks at Doomben and Eagle Farm. The Australian subsequently reported Queendsland country racing “faces decimation if the Queensland Racing Board goes ahead with plans to slash 40% of non-TAB meetings.” Noting Bentley’s “tough stance” that “too many small meetings were falling over & were a drag on the industry’s finances”, the newspaper quoted Queensland Regional Racing head Sandra Booker responding that “such a high percentage cut would destroy country racing. A 40% cut would ruin racing, especially for many clubs in the wesatern part of the state.” Booker revealed the QRRC would meet next week to finalise its submission to Queensland Racing on the viability ofd race clubs. She said the QRRC accepted there needed to be rationalisation, “but it should be capped at 25%. It’s all very well for people sitting in city offices looking at sets of figures, but they don’t take into account the socio-economic advantages race meetings are to country towns. We understand there has to be some form of ractionalisation. But it doesn’t have to be so drastic. If it is, it will kill the industry.” (Feb 7) No More Reductions To NSW Country Meetings Meanwhile the NSW Country Racing Council has guaranteed NSW country clubs “there will be no further reduction in race meeting for the next 3 years.” CRC chief executive Brian Judd told The Daily Telegraph: “The Council is of the view 291 TAB meetings & 257 community meetings is the base number of meetings for country NSW. Any further reductions would restrict the opportunities for participants & the public. The Council also believes it can adequately fund a total of 548 meetings in the immediate future, providing suitable returns to participants & providing more certainty to race clubs with their meeting schedule.” (Feb 7) Figurers Up At UK Tattersalls February Sale Hedsor Stud's Tim Lock paid top price of 50,000 guineas for the 5YO Classic-placed mare Miss Meltemi at the UK Tattersalls February Sale. The Gr1 Oak's d'Italia 3rd was offered carrying to Champion older miler Dansili (who stands at Prince Khalid Abdullah's Banstead Manor Stud outside Newmarket). The daughter of Miswaki Tern (whose dam Blu Meltemi was also placed in the Oak's d'Italia) was offered by leading consignor Jamie Railton & and was a record price for a broodmare at the February Sale. Second highest price (& top for a filly-in-training) was 38,000 guineas paid for the 3YO filly Black Belt Shopper. Consigned from Barry Hills' Faringdon Place Stables, the daughter of Desert Prince (out of the Unfuwain mare Koumiss) had been placed in the Listed Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract last year & was purchased by bloodstock agent Jill Lamb on behalf of an undisclosed British breeder. At the conclusion of the Sale, Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony summed up: " It is always good to start any year on a positive note, & bearing in mind the prevailing global uncertainties, we would have to be pleased with the Sale. The catalogue was larger than last year & had greater strength in depth, which has attracted solid domestic demand as well as buyers from throughout Europe & further afield. As ever the quality lots have had no shortage of admirers, but most importantly for a Sale of this nature, we have seen realistic reserves rewarded by a good clearance rate. There have been more than double the number of 5-figure transactions than at this Sale last year, & the top price of 50,000 guineas was also a record for a mare at the February Sale, which bodes well for the long term future of the fixture." (Feb 7) Pressure On Aust Govt Re GST Problem Australia’s Federal Government remains under pressure to solve the on-going crisis in the breeding & training industry caused by GST on horse exports. Under the GST rules, horses porchased at sales must be exported within 60 days or 10% GST applies. This has led high-profile overseas buyers to threaten publicly either to boycott Australian yearling sales or take their horses to other countries for breaking-in & pre-training. Shadow Minister for Trade Craig Emerson told The Daily Telegraph: “Either way the GST is stifling exports & costing the jobs of Australian stable hands & horse-breakers. Many of these are low income workers.” (Feb 7) Darbonna Relocates To Razorback Value Danzig sire Darbonn is relocating to Razorback Stud at Menangle on Sydney’s south-western outskirts for the 2003 season. Darbonne’s progeny recently strung together 6 winners in a 7-day period: Jan 19: Taibonne, Bathurst mdn 1000m Jan 23: Queen Mai, Rockhampton cl1 1500m Jan 24: Junkets, Townsville cl3 1300m Jan 25: Rapadama, Toowoomba cl1 1212m Jan 25: Cocktail Shaker, Toowoomba 2YO mdn 1012m Jan 25: Darbear, Mackay cl2 1050m Darbonne has now sired 30 winners in Australia & Asia & his progeny are showing the benefits of being given time to mature. Out of a half-sister to US Gr2 winners Finality & Stolen Beauty, Darbonne proved a top class racehorse in Dubai as well as notching a 3rd in the prestigious Gr1 Leopardstown Phoenix Stakes. (Feb 7) McEvoy’s First Dubai Winner Victorian jockey Kerrin McEvoy has ridden the Marju colt Naheef to victory to record Godolphin’s first Dubai winner of the year. McEvoy has joined Godolphin stable regular jockeys Frankie Dettori & Richard Hills during his 6-week stint in Dubai. (Feb 7) Top Country Apprentice Joining Quinton in Fortnight Boom Tamworth apprentice Mitchell Bell, who has out-ridden his ‘claim’ in the NSW country, will join the Randwick stables of former champion jockey-turned-trainer Ron Quinton within the next 2 weeks. Quinton told The Sydney Morning Herald: “I’ll be pleased to have him on board. He has done well in the country. Now it’s time for him to take the next step, down in the big smoke.” Bell has ridden 27 winners this season from 184 rides. Quinton (who won 8 Sydney jockey titles) has had previous success with top country apprentices Hugh Bowman & Mitch Newman. (Feb 7) John Meagher Dominates Kranji New Year While John Size blitzed the Chinese New Year meeting in Hong Kong, fellow Australian trainer John Meagher continued his high-level impact on Singapore racing with 4 wins at the special Chinese New Year meeting at Kranji, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer paid tribute to his family & staff for the contribution they have made to his Singapore success: “I’m very lucky to have such a good team behind me, with my 2 sons Chris & Daniel, as well as Andrew (senior track rider, formerly Warrnambool apprentice Andrew Kermond) & I’ve enjoyed a very good association with both KB Soo & Terry Ong (local jockeys).” Meagher’s stable boasts an international clientele that includes Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman Ronald Arculli, British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill & Moonee Valley committee member Emma Boling, as well as leading local owner Lim Siah Mong (who won 36 races at Kranji in 2002). (Feb 7) Fine Follows Betting Ring Brawl Victorian stewards fined Sportscolour employee Robert Jackson $1,200 & licensed bookmaker Daryl Foy $500 after an altercation between the pair in the betting ring at Warracknabeal last weekend. Jackson was found guilty of a charge of improper conduct “that whilst in the betting ring he assaulted Foy by striking the bookmaker with a clenched fist”. Foy was found guilty of the same charge for “elbowing Jackson to the upper region of the body”. (Feb 7) Jockey Appeal Raises $345,000 The ‘Sportsman’s Night’ held at Caulfield racecourse helped boost the fund for the family of the late jockey Mark Goring to $345,000. Racing Victoria chairman Graham Duff thanked the hundreds of people who gave goods, services, cash & their time to achieve the outstanding result. "The support for Emma (Goring’s wife) & the children has been extraordinary," Duff said. “The appeal & function has not just been a case of the racing community looking after one of its own – this has been a response from the community as a whole. The generosity of so many people and the commitment to the cause created such a wave of goodwill that it was almost impossible to stop.” (Feb 7) Beautiful Crown Double In Aust & America With winners at Doomben & Santa Anita, Alanbridge Stud’s Beautiful Crown had a big week, reported racenet.com.au. Corona Classic (Beautiful Crown-Enduring Classic, by Fast Gold), one of just 28 foals left by Beautiful Crown from his 2 seasons at stud in the US, ran away with the feature race at Santa Anita (a US$56,000 8.5 furlong claiming event for California-breds). It was the 2nd win in 11 starts for the 4YO gelding. The son of Chief’s Crown is also having US success with Crown Connection (winner of 5 races & stakes-placed in the Listed Princess Of Palms Handicap). The oldest Australian born progeny of Beautiful Crown are 3YOs & include Tom Coureuse (first Australian winner for Beautiful Crown when successful for Clarry Connors in a 2YO handicap at Rosehill Gardens in October 2001, who’d also earned black-type when 2nd behind Snowland in the Listed Canonbury Stakes at Randwick & later placed 3rd behind Pillaging in the Gr1 VRC Sires Produce Stakes). Meanwhile in Queensland the Roy Dawson-trained 2YO filly Crowned Lady notched a victory at Doomben last weekend. Beautiful Crown was a speedy racehorse himself, winning 6 of 14 starts & was stakes-placed in the Listed Harry Henson Stakes at Hollywood Park. His dam Beautiful Glass (by Pass the Glass) was a top sprinter in the US, winning 6 of her 7 starts (including the Gr3 El Encino Stakes). (Feb 7) Arrowfield’s Hong Kong Boost It was also a good week for Arrowfield Stud’s stallions Flying Spur & Hurricane Sky, who produced the quinella in the first leg of the Champion Sprint Series in Hong Kong. Grand Delight (by Hurricane Sky) won the HK$4.5 million Gr1 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy by a length from Firebolt (by Flying Spur). “Like Snippets before him, Flying Spur is starting to hit his straps in HK which opens up a great buying bench for his colts,” said Arrowfield’s John Messara. “The top priced colt at the recent Inglis Classic Sale is headed to HK, as are his two $100,000 plus colts from the recent Karaka sale. The Flying Spur colts seem to adapt well to HK racing, & with Danehill no longer readily available, there is a void to be filled. Hurricane Sky hasn’t had enough runners in HK, but a result like this will ensure that his progeny continue to gain interest in the region.” (Feb 7) NZ Gr1 WFA Double At Te Rapa Tomorrow’s Waikato Racing Club meeting at Te Rapa features the cream of current New Zealand track stars competing in 2 of NZ’s premier weight-for-age Gr1 events. The Gr1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes (2000m) boasts a field including Travellin’ Man, Burton, Perceptible, El Duce, Greene Street, Lord Mighty Mellay, Doyle, Deebee Belle, Kazz, Blackrock College, Sursum Corda, Zirna & Venus Was Her Name. And the Gr1 Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) features current weight-for-age champ Tit For Taat up against Mabuz, Rosina Lad, Able Attempt, Distinctly Secret, Prized Gem, Let’s Planet, Hello Dolly & Curvy Girl. (Feb 7) Bramble Rose Targets Filly-Of-The-Year Series Meanwhile on the same program, NZ Oaks winner Bramble Rose will attempt to move to the top of NZ Bloodstock’s Filly-Of-The-Year Series in the Gr2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Classic (2nd last race of the series). She is currently 2nd on 16 points, 3 behind The Jewel (who is now spelling & therefore unable to increase her tally). Among Bramble Rose’s opponents will be the next 2 fillies on the table, Volksini & Lafleur (who have 10.5 & 8 points respectively). NZ Oaks 3rd place-getter Lady Annaliese is also in the line-up. (Feb 7) Te Akau Dancer Retired Te Akau Racing Stables prolific NZ winner Te Akau Dancer (by Lowell) has been retired. The 8YO grey had his last start when he finished 4th in the NRM Timaru Stakes at Riccarton on January 24. "He has been a fantastic performer for us over the years, but his feet have been giving him a bit of trouble so we did the decent thing & retired him," trainer Mark Walker told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. In a career spanning 75 starts, Te Akau Dancer won 14 races & registered another 13 second-placings; he also finished NZ’s 2 biggest handicap sprints, the Gr1 Railway & Gr1 Telegraph Handicaps. Te Akau Dancer will return to Te Akau’s Matamata base, where he will be used in the education of young horses & as a lead horse. (Feb 7) Te Akau Tops NZ Prize-Money Table Meanwhile the latest statistics from NZ Thoroughbred Racing underline the fantastic run by horses from Te Akau Racing Stables. After the brilliant NZ Mercedes Classique win by King's Chapel, the prize-money tally for Te Akau’s Mark Walker-trained runners stands at NZ$775,442 for the season. Backing that impressive total is a strike rate of 1 win per every 4.85 starts (165 starts this season have produced 34 wins, 19 seconds & 14 third placings & Walker is currently 5th on the NZ trainers' premiership). "It's great when things fall into place & everyone involved in the operation is getting due reward for the all the work they have put in," the 30-year-old trainer told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. (Feb 7) Symboli Kris S Named Japan’s Horse-Of-The-Year Symboli Kris S has been named Japan’s Horse-Of-The-Year & best 3YO colt, after a season which included 2 Gr1s, 2 Gr2s & prize-money of around $8.3 million, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Eishin Champ won the 2YO colt award; Peace Of The World won the 2YO filly; Fine Motion (a Danehill filly from a Troy mare) won the 3YO filly; best older hourse went to Manhattan Café; & best older filly or mare went to Diamond Biko. Of those winners 50% were by Sunday Silence (& so was best dirt horse Gold Allure). Tokai Point was awarded best horse by a home-bred sire (as Sunday Silence was bred in America); Admire Cozzene was best sprinter or miler; & Gilded Age best steeplechaser. The best trainer for races won, money won & training technique was Kazuo Fujisawa, taking his 8th national title (thanks to training Symboli Kris S he managed to accumulate prize-money of A$30million in 2002). Yutaka Take won all 3 jockey titles - races won, wining average & money earned - earning him the Grand Prize Jockey title for the 5th time. In 2002 he won 4 Gr1s, 1 Gr2 & A$45 million in prize-money. (Feb 7) Nayef & Mubtaker On Track For Dubai UK trainer Marcus Tregoning has issued “an upbeat report” on Nayef ahead of his tilt at the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba on March 29. The 5YO Gulch horse has not been seen on the track since winning the Juddmonte International Stakes at York last August. Nayef subsequently missed his intended late-2002 engagements after contracting a “low-grade respiratory problem”, but Tregoning is now “happy with his condition” reported racingpost.co.uk. The Kingswood House handler has sent Nayef to Dubai with stablemate Mubtaker (who is on course for a crack at the Dubai Sheema Classic over 12 furlongs on turf). "Nayef is just stepping it up a bit & I'm quite happy with the two of them," Tregoning told UK television program Attheraces. "At the moment it looks like Nayef will go for the World Cup & Mubtaker for the Sheema Classic (which Nayef won last year). That's the plan. I've got senior staff over there looking after the operation & usually, in the last few months up to the World Cup, I go every weekend, & I'll be starting that shortly." As a 3YO, Nayef won the Petros Rose Of Lancaster Stakes, Select Stakes, Royal Court Theatre Cumberland Lodge Stakes & Gr1 Dubai Champion Stakes; then as a 4YO his titanic battles with Golan provided 2 of last season's highlights. Tregoning believes more big prizes will be plundered with Nayef as he continues to mature: “Nayef is a very big horse. He stands over a lot of ground. The time off has really done him good & he's filled out a lot. I'm very hopeful for him this year & I think the signs are good." (Feb 7) Britain’s Top Sires On Parade At Tattersalls The British breeding season officially begins next week, & the UK National Stud offered breeders their traditional chance to view 16 leading British-based stallions at the National Stud Stallion Parade overnight, immediately prior to the start of the Tattersalls February Sale, reported racingpost.co.uk. Three of the group – including 2 Derby winners – recently returned to Britain from abroad: Allied Forces (first crop born in the US in 2000) has his first UK foals this year, while Benny The Dip (first US crop born in 1999) & Erhaab (first Japan crop born in 1996) now have their inaugural British yearlings. Erhaab won the 1994 UK Derby & Benny The Dip won the 1997 edition. Erhaab’s runners have won more than 350 races worldwide, while Benny The Dip’s first 2 crops to race have been off to a good start with several stakes winners (including last year’s smart Canadian 2YO filly Buffalo Jump). Among the new UK sires parading were leading juvenile Endless Summer, the very speedy Ishiguru, top-rated European sprinter Kyllachy, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes victor Summoner & Wellbeing (who defeated Arc heroes Marienbard & Sakhee in a 3-season career. Also on view were globe-trotting Allied Forces, Arkadian Hero (a classy 6-8 furlong performer with first foals this year), Bahamian Bounty (2 crops to race & among the first were stakes winners Berk The Jerk & Lady Links), Golden Snake (4-time Gr1 winner, also with first foals this year) & Silver Patriarch (UK St Leger hero who has his first 2YOs this season). Others on show were 1995 July Cup victor Lake Coniston (whose son Continent emulated that win last year & added the Prix de l’Abbaye) & distinguished miler Medicean (winner of the Celebration Mile in 2000 & the Eclipse & Lockinge Stakes in 2001, whose first foals are also hitting the ground this year) who has enjoyed the support of several fine Cheveley Park Stud mares. Beech House Stud residents Muhtarram & Mujahid, along with New England Stud-based Vettori, completed the parade. Muhtarram (whose first foals were born in 1997) won 2 Group 1s (the Irish Champion Stakes & Premio Presidente della Repubblica); he has sired 7 stakes winners to date (including last year’s Chester Vase victor & UK Derby 5th Fight Your Corner). Mujahid was the top-rated European juvenile in 1998 (rated 125 by Timeform after ending his season with victory in the Dewhurst Stakes); his first crop are now yearlings. Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Vettori was the leading first-season sire in France in 1999 (that crop was led by Hightori & Lady Vettori, both multiple winners & Group scorers in their juvenile seasons); Vettori has also sired US Gr2 turf winner Reine de Romance. (Feb 7) Keeneland Chiefs Meet Kentucky Farm Managers Calling the controversial decision to cancel the Keeneland July yearling sale “a difficult one”, Keeneland officials have addressed concerns of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club at a meeting in Lexington, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. "Through numerous conversations with farm managers & consignors, it was apparent that Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome had affected the availability of yearlings, & mature yearlings were just not going to be here this year," said Keeneland’s director of sales Geoffrey Russell. "MRLS has had a drastic effect & we don’t need to harp on that." Focusing on moving forward, Russell & Keeneland’s associate director of sales Thomas Thornbury, told the farm managers how the 2003 sales time-line would proceed. The September yearling sale, which will include yearlings from the abandoned July selected yearling sale, will have 2 closing dates: an early closing date of March 3 (for yearlings that ordinarily would be nominated for the July sale) & the traditional closing date of May 1. Russell said consignors would be notified by May 1 if their horses were accepted for the selected session. Russell added the future of the July sale is in the hands of consignors & buyers: “The design of the July sale is up to you all. The format is a blank page. We’re an arm of the breeding farm." (Feb 7) Gold Coast Chairman Calls For ‘Stronger Surveillance’ Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Bill Millican has “strongly urged” Queensland Racing to “strengthen stewards' surveillance of Gold Coast race meetings.” Millican’s shock public declaration continued: “I fear that continued innuendo & scuttlebutt can do nothing but harm the integrity of racing here. There is no point in the committee working hard off the track to promote record-breaking & highly-successful meetings, like the Magic Millions, if industry & public confidence is lacking in the product on the track." Millican said there were disturbing aspects of a recent inquiry into a controversial race at the Gold Coast that was now the subject of further investigation by the Board of Queensland Racing. He added: "Before I became chairman of this club I heard a lot of speculation about racing here. Since I took over as chairman the allegations have reached a very serious level. I have no proof of what is being suggested, but some of the identities who are coming to me are people of substance with no agendas, but a genuine concern for the direction that Gold Coast racing is heading. I have spoken today to Bob Bentley, chairman of Queensland Racing, expressing the concerns of this club & urging his Board to take the necessary steps to strengthen surveillance of our race meetings." (Feb 6) Volksraad Hits Lead On NZ Sires Table Defending champion Volksraad has hit the lead for the first time in this season’s New Zealand Sires premiership. Volksraad has jumped from 5th to take the lead from arch-rival Zabeel, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Volksraad’s progeny have now won NZ$742,408, a lead of more than NZ$65,000 over Zabeel. Volksraad was champion NZ sire last season for the first time. The year before, Zabeel pipped Volksraad after the pair went stride-for-stride over the final stages of the season. Volksraad gained the lead last weekend thanks to his promising 2YO fillies Shadowfax Babe & Eftee One, who finished 2nd & 3rd in the NZ$500,000 Mercedes Super Bonus Classique at Te Rapa. This season Volksraad is not only ahead on prize-money, but he is also the leading sire on stakes-winners, wins & winners. Volksraad is also currently 2nd on the NZ 2YO sires’ table. The Windsor Park resident sire has just completed a successful Karaka sales series, where his highlights included: highest price of NZ$260,000 for a filly from Field Nymph (a half-sister to dual Gr1 winners Field Dancer & Just A Dancer & to Gr3 winner Blanchard) progeny fetched more than NZ$2 million during the sales series sale average of NZ$75,928 in the Premier Session compared to NZ$45,444 last year a filly from Honeymoon Belle sold for NZ$82,500 in the Select Fillies Sale (4th highest price of the session) third leading sire by average in the Select Fillies Sale yearlings bought by top trainers & respected buyers Graeme Rogerson, Trevor McKee, Brian Mayfield-Smith, Bruce Elkington, Gai Waterhouse, David Ellis, John Wheeler, Paul Moroney, Paul O’Sullivan, Ray Coupland, John Sargent, Paul Harris & Richard Dee. (Feb 6) OBSC Calder: Montbrook Colt Sets US$1.2 Million Record Trainer Todd Pletcher, acting for the Irish bloodstock agent winning bidder Demi O’Byrne (in turn, buying on behalf of owner Michael Tabor) stunned the ring when he bid to US$1.2-million for a Florida-bred son of Montbrook (from the winning Cutlass mare Cut Class Leanne) at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company’s selected 2YOs in training sale at Calder Race Course in Miami. The price was an OBSC Calder record (surpassing the US$900,000 set by Max’s Buddy in 2001) & an OBSC record for any 2YO in training. The jet-black Montbrook colt also was the most expensive horse ever sold at auction by J. Michael O’Farrell’s Ocala Stud Farms. O’Farrell told thoroughbredtimes.com: “ You never figure you’ll sell one like that, but I knew a lot of people liked him. And I knew there was a handful of people who had the wherewithal to pay for it." (Feb 6) OBSC Calder: US$450,000 For Polish Numbers Filly Prominent US commercial buyer Eugene Melnyk purchased the Calder sale’s top-priced filly (& second highest overall price) when veterinarian Robert McMartin went to US$450,000 on his behalf for a New York-bred daughter of Polish Numbers. Consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables (agent for William Schettine) the filly is the 3rd foal of racing age out of the winning Exclusive Era mare Biogio’s Girl. McMartin told bloodhorse.com: “Phil Hronec (manager of Melnyk's Winding Oaks Farm near Ocala) picked out the horse because of her action displayed during her breeze-up. He loved her. So I came in & she vetted out wonderfully & Eugene decided this was the one for today." Among the other fillies, trainer John Ward (on behalf of John Oxley) paid US$260,000 for a chestnut daughter of Tale Of The Cat (a son of Storm Cat). "She was a good mover & she's from one of the good old families," Ward told bloodhorse.com. "I thought that was a reasonable price." The chestnut filly is out of the Mt Livermore mare Princess Harriet. (Feb 6) OBSC Calder: Godolphin US$400,000 For Doneraile Court Colt A colt from the first crop of Seattle Slew stallion Doneraile Court sold for US$400,000 to agent John Ferguson (on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Godolphin Racing) at the Calder sale. Ferguson told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Doneraile Court is a very well bred horse. And this colt is just a fine, big, athletic horse.” Ferguson added the dark bay or brown colt (out of the winning Copelan mare Future Guest, a half-sister to Gr2 winner Whata Brainstorm) would remain in Florida & most likely join Godolphin’s American-based stable with trainer Eoin Harty. (Feb 6) OBSC Calder: Select Starts ‘Anxious’ US Juvenile Season The OBSC Calder select sale kicked off the US juvenile auction season under what thoroughbredtimes.com described as “a heightened sense of anxiety over troubled economic markets & the possible threat of war in the Middle East.” The record US$1.2 million Montbrook colt (see above) helped offset what could have been sharp declines for the sale, which was hit with moderate decreases in gross (down 2.4%), average (down 4.9% to US$108,829) & median (down16.7% to US$75,000). OBSC general manager & director of sales Tom Ventura noted: "Undoubtedly there’s some uncertainty in the economy & world problems, & you never know how those things will affect a sale." Ocala Stud Farm’s J. Michael O’Farrell added: "The economic situation is not the greatest & everyone is talking about the political things going on. But at the same time, there’s more buyers here this year than I’ve seen the last couple years. I don’t know why that is." Many of the world’s most active public auction participants, trainers, owners or bloodstock agents were on hand, including John Ferguson, Demi O’Byrne, Buzz Chace, J.B. & Kevin McKathan, John Moynihan, Mohammed Moubarek, Dan Kenny, John Fort, Michael Gill, Mark Hennig, Steve Asmussen, John Ward, Elliott Walden, Michael Dickinson, Joe Orseno, Rick Violette & Linda Rice. (Feb 6) OBSC Calder: Gulfstream Owner Gill Splashes Out Apart from the Montbrook colt record, another factor that helped offset what could have been sharper declines at Calder was the presence of New England-based Mike Gill, the leading owner at the current Gulfstream Park meeting. Active at all ends of the market, Gill purchased 32 juveniles for a total US$2,904,000 & was easily the sale’s leading buyer. Gill, who “has already turned the Gulfstream Park meeting into his own personal playground with 31 winners from 96 starters a month into the season”, according thoroughbredtimes.com, “was essentially having his way” at the Calder auction. His buys included: a gray colt by Silver Charm purchased for US$360,000 (a half brother to stakes winner Concealed City & from the family of multiple graded stakes winner Trove); a dark bay colt by Northern Afleet for US$250,000 (the colt is out of Kathcarn, by Joanie’s Chief, & is a half-brother to stakes-placed winners McAlpin Road & Blushing Ballerina); & a dark bay filly by Saint Ballado for US$250,000 (she’s a half-sister to Gr3 winner Scottish Halo, is out of the Deputy Minister mare Scottische & is from the family of dual Canadian champion Victorian Queen, herself the dam of Gr1 winners Judge Angelucci & War And Peace). (Feb 6) Rock Of Gibraltar Attracts Multiple Gr1 Stud List Rock Of Gibraltar has been given “every opportunity to make a flying start to his stud career after being chosen as suitor to some of Europe's most valuable broodmares”, reported racingpost.co.uk. Retired to Ireland’s Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary, Rock Of Gibraltar (2002's world champion racehorse in last month's International Classifications following 7 consecutive Gr1 victories) has been rewarded with a book of mares that includes 8 Gr1 winners as well as the dams of 9 Gr1 victors. Among the top-flight winners “awaiting their date” with the son of Danehill are: Irish 1,000 Guineas heroines Marling & Tarascon; high-class international performers Borgia & Terre A Terre; Toujours Juste (dam of Terre A Terre) & the dams of Desert Prince, Lady Of Chad, Golan and top stayer Persian Punch. (Feb 6) Golan Attracts Top Book At Coolmore Meanwhile Coolmore Ireland’s other first season sire Golan (whose mother Highland Gift is one of those listed for an appointment with Rock Of Gibraltar) will cover a pair of Gr1-winning sprinters as part of his first book of mares. Successful in both the UK 2,000 Guineas & King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, Golan is to be visited by 2001 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Imperial Beauty & 2000 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup winner Pipalong. The dams of 4 Gr1 winners have also been engaged to be covered by the 5YO Spectrum stallion. Commenting on the books attained for both new inmates, Coolmore manager Christy Grassick told racingpost.co.uk: "We are very fortunate to have the last two 2,000 Guineas winners at Coolmore for 2003. They both have the looks, pedigrees & race records to make outstanding sires, & both are proving very popular with breeders." (Feb 6) Sydney ‘Queen Of The Autumn Carnival’ Award A joint initiative announced by the Sydney Turf Club & Australian Jockey Club STC will see Sydney’s champion 3YO filly or mare annually rewarded for their performances, commencing with the up-coming 2003 Autumn Carnival. A points system will operate over 17 specified Black Type filly or mare races this Autumn Carnival, with the winner crowned Queen Of The Autumn Carnival. STC chief executive Michael Kenny said: “It’s an exciting initiative by both the STC & AJC, & one that has a deserved place in the calendar. Most of the greatest Australasian fillies & mares start in a number of these Black Type races in the Sydney Autumn Carnival, which is renowned as the showcase of fillies & mares races in Australasia.” AJC chief executive Tony King added: “We thought it would be a thrill for the connections of the best performed filly or mare over the Autumn Carnival to be officially recognised by way of an annual trophy. We’ve been inviting princesses to spend a day at the races through our marketing campaign – now we can crown the Queen Of The Autumn Carnival on the track.” The series begins at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 15 February with the Listed Triscay Stakes & concludes on Saturday 3 May at Royal Randwick with the Gr2 Emancipation Stakes. The series includes: Feb 15: Rosehill - Triscay Stakes (Listed) 1200m Feb 22: Randwick - Light Fingers Stakes (Gr2) 1200m Feb 22: Randwick - Breeders Classic (Listed) 1200m Mar 1: Rosehill - Millie Fox Stakes (Listed) 1200m Mar 8: Randwick - Wiggle Quality (Listed) 1400m Mar 15: Warwick Farm - Surround Stakes (Gr2) 1400m Mar 29: Rosehill - Coolmore Classic (Gr1) 1500m Apr 5: Rosehill - Epona Stakes (Listed) 1900m Apr 12: Rosehill - Arrowfield Stud Stakes (Gr1) 2000m Apr 12: Rosehill - Queen Of The Turf Stakes (Gr2) 1500m Apr 12: Rosehill - Birthday Card Stakes (Listed) 1200m Apr 19: Randwick - Adrian Knox Stakes (Gr3) 2000m Apr 19: Randwick - Sapphire Stakes (Gr3) 1200m Apr 21: Randwick - P.J.Bell Stakes (Listed) 1200m Apr 26: Randwick - AJC Australian Oaks (Gr1) 2400m May 3: Randwick - Emancipation Stakes (Gr2) 1600m May 3: Randwick - James Carr Stakes (Listed) 1400m (Feb 6) Overall Karaka Average Up 3.7% With New Zealand’s National Yeraling Sales Series concluded at Karaka, NZ Bloodstock general manager of bloodstock & marketing Julia Naismith summed up: “The most positive outcome is we have proven beyond doubt that we can attract an extensive bench of thoroughbred buyers from all over the world to our sales. The buyers, particularly from Australia, were here en masse this year. We were quite overwhelmed by the feedback we received from countless international buyers, regulars & new faces, about how impressed they were by the whole event. The overall demand was very sound, with dollars distributed evenly across most drafts.” Overall average price increased 3.7% to NZ$48,696 (last year $46,942) for 970 yearlings sold. Naismith added: “Increasingly we are seeing the ‘flight to quality’ trend continuing where, in tight market conditions, the demand for quality just gets stronger.” (Feb 6) Inglis Graduate Wins In South Africa One 3YO colt with a big reputation to uphold is Laisse Passe, full brother to champion South African sprinter Laisserfaire. By Danehill from Procrastinate, the colt fetched $200,000 at the 2001 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale when knocked down to James Bester Bloodstock on behalf of prominent SA owner Sabine Plattner (who also raced Laisserfaire). The colt finished 3rd on debut just before Christmas & followed-up with an easy win over 1200 metres at Kenilworth last weekend. Inglis pedigree consultant Tara Madgwick advised: “Procrastinate visited Danehill again in the 2000 stud season & the resulting colt will be coming to the Australian Easter Yearling Sale.” (Feb 6) TOBA Plan For Race Series Linked To Breeders' Cup A committee of US thoroughbred owners “could be ready within weeks to reveal plans for what they have dubbed the Thoroughbred Championship Tour, a series of major races that would be televised throughout each season while linked to Breeders’ Cup divisions,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. However it also notes that “since a business plan for the Tour, which has been estimated could cost more than US $20 million (including bonus awards for owners, purse hikes & television costs) is not yet complete, there is no chance the event could begin this year.” US Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association chairman Gary Biszantz, who formed the committee working on the proposal, indicated the series could possibly begin in 2003 if it appeared financially feasible. But TOBA President Dan Metzger commented: "This year is out of the question. The earliest we could even start discussing a starting date is next year." Work on the Tour plan has been kept closely guarded. Consultant Richard Thalheimer, who is being assisted by former Turfway Park president Mark Simendinger in developing the business plan, said committee members decided not to publicly comment on substantive details, including finances. "It is really complex. We’re analysing lots of races," Thalheimer said. "I’m not sure when it will be done." Whether the proposal will be financially feasible remains a primary question for the committee, whose key members include John Phillips of Darby Dan Farm & Lexington bloodstock agent Reynolds Bell. "It’s a question mark & it still has to be addressed," TOBA president Metzger summed up. "But all the signs we’ve seen so far are positive. Nothing has been finalised yet. But hopefully, we can take the plan to the public within the next couple of weeks. There are always obstacles & issues. We’ll address those head-on & not skirt any of the issues." As outlined by Biszantz, the Tour would attempt to create a major league within US racing that would consist of about 7 key races in each of the 6 divisions that correspond to Breeders’ Cup races for runners ages 3 & up. Those races would receive purse increases & would be arranged, if racetracks co-operate, so that several could be broadcast nationally in a special US television program each weekend from May to November. (Feb 6) Grosvenor’s Final Chapter In Melbourne Fayette Park studmaster David Benjamin will “bid his farewells to his grand sire Grosvenor” at next week's Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Grosvenor's 17th & final crop of yearlings have been up for sale in Australasia this year & Fayette Park is taking 2 yearlings by the son of Sir Tristram to the Melbourne sale. "It's going to be sad - I think I will cry - when the last Grosvenor yearling goes into the ring at the Melbourne sale," Benjamin told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. "I will probably lead it into the ring myself for old time's sake. It is the end of an era as far as we are concerned. Grosvenor really made Fayette Park everything it is today. He paid for the place." Fayette Park's yearlings by Grosvenor entered in the Melbourne sale are: a filly by Divvy, making her a full sister to Elite Win (2 HK wins), a half-sister to 3-time winner Canny Deal & from the family of NZ Oaks winner Alacrity; & a filly by Dolcezza, a full sister to Abundantly (2 wins) & dam of Oriental Pearl. (Dolcezza won the Gr1 Canterbury Guineas & finished 3rd in the Gr1 VRC Oaks.) (Feb 6) Inglis Melbourne Premier Race: Order-Of-Entry Final acceptances close today for the $500,000 Inglis Premier Race (1200m) at Flemington on Sunday. Latest order of entry, with current prize-money totals, is: Ra Sun (General Nediym-Red Sundae) R.Griffiths $126,250 Pinchbeck (Gilded Time-Brass) R.Hore-Lacy $99,500 Roedean (Flying Spur-Queen Kathleen) M.Price $29,450 Arena Star (Spartacus-Centrullah) R.Griffiths $26,250 Neo (Perugino-Sharcest) M.Price $25,625 Son Of Spartacus (Spartacus-Just Delicious) T.McEvoy $24,140 Tycoon Miss (Last Tycoon-Gogo Doll) T.McEvoy $18,200 Winestock (El Moxie-Philhal) T.O’Sullivan $18,050 Fresh Boy (Perugino-Sibelienne) R.Lawson $16,250 Pietiner (Encosta De Lago-Old Soft Shoe) C.Alderson $16,000 (Feb 6) Fouradee Highlights Forest Glow For Bowness Stud Yesterday we noted the listing at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale of Flying Spur’s half-sister to Sydney sprinter Fouradee (winner of the STC Satellite Stakes & purchased at the 1999 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from Arrowfield Stud for $36,000, who has now returned connections $436,540 prize-money). Fouardee is by Forest Glow, a Star Kingdom male line sire which, notes appracingandsports.com.au, American Ken Jones sent to Australia from America in 1993 to stand at Yarraman park Stud at Scone. (Jones is best known in Australia as the owner of brilliant 2YOs Clan O’Sullivan & Catbird.) Forest Glow is now based at Bowness Stud at Young in NSW (though Yarraman Park has maintained its link with Jones by currently standing his Golden Slipper winner Catbird.) Forest Glow is by Green Forest, a product of Australian champion Noholme’s crack American sprinter Shecky Greene, from a stakes-winning daughter of Damascus. Forest Glow won 11 of 21 starts & was ranked top US turf sprinter as a 4YO. Fouardee, in turn, is from the Bletchingly winner Remember Pru (a half-sister to South Australian Oaks winner Gamine). His next dam Remember Century was a half-sister to top racehorse & sire Century, from a sister by noted Nasrullah sire Rego to Boeing Boy. (Feb 6) Harvey & Waterhouse At SA Luncheon Broombee & Baramul stud proprietor Gerry Harvey & leading Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse will be guest speakers at a special South Australia Jockey Club luncheon during the Channel 7/Magic Millions race day at Morphettville on Wednesday February 19. The event will also include a fashion parade, prior to the running of Adelaide’s richest race, the $400,000 Channel 7 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic. SAJC projects manager Andre Klein noted: “The 3-course lunch & 5-hour drink package is priced at just $78.50, which represents amazing value as it includes entry to the track on this feature race day.” (Feb 6) Victorian Super VOBIS: Latest Tables Racing Victoria’s Super VOBIS executive officer Stephen Bell advises that, in the 2002-03 Premiership Awards (for trainer, owner & breeder accumulating the most Super VOBIS bonuses): Current leading trainers are: Mathew Ellerton ($160,800); Rick Hore-Lacy ($153,400); Tony McEvoy ($135,400); Tommy Hughes ($90,600) & Mick Price ($69,600). Current leading owners are: Contract Racing ($89,800); James Matthews as manager ($57,000); Lorraine Morrissey as manager ($54,900); Rick Hore-Lacy as manager ($52,000); & Kingston Park Stud Syndicate ($45,900). Current leading breeders are: Contract Racing ($103,800); Vinery Australia ($64,000); James Matthews ($57,000); Lorraine Morrissey as manager ($54,900); & Des Pope ($53,000). (Feb 6) Citi Habit Looking For Stud Home New Zealand Hawke's Bay couple Graham & Isabel Roddick want to hear from “anyone who might be interested in offering a good home for stallion prospect Citi Habit”, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The Citidancer 6YO entire is a half-brother to champion galloper Rough Habit & was himself a dual Gr3 winner on the track (NZ Merial Mile & Brisbane Chairman's Handicap) as well as finishing 2nd in the Gr1 Brisbane Cup. "We have decided to retire him from racing after he suffered a minor tendon strain,” explained Isabel Roddick. “He is an easy horse to handle & is a lovely black horse." (Feb 6) Jade Robbery To Stand In UAE Gr1 winner & top Japanese sire Jade Robbery will stand his 2nd season at Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Emirates Farm in the United Arab Emirates. Liam O’Rourke, stud director for Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley breeding operation, told thoroughbredtimes.com Jade Robbery "did remarkably well" during his 1st season last year. Darley is expecting 54 foals to be born at the desert farm this season by Jade Robbery, a 16-year-old son of Mr Prospector who stands under a lease agreement with the Yoshida family’s Shadai Stallion Station in Japan. "We’ll have an even larger amount of mares to be bred to him this season," O’Rourke confirmed. Ranked among the leading Japanese sires from 1997-2000, Jade Robbery has sired 273 winners from 540 starters, including 11 stakes winners (led by Yamakatsu Suzuran, 1999 champion juvenile filly in Japan) & his progeny have earned US$84,868,095. Produced by the multiple Gr2-winning Nijinsky II mare Number, Jade Robbery is from the family of international leading sires Nureyev & Sadler’s Wells. Sheikh Mohammed began his desert breeding program in 2001 with 1994 American champion juvenile colt Timber Country (winner of the 1995 Gr1 Preakness Stakes). After being foaled in the UAE, the Timber Country crop (totalling 51 yearlings) was sent to Ireland to develop & "are just as good" as Sheikh Mohammed’s European or American-bred yearlings, O’Rourke said. Timber Country’s UAE-breds include a colt out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Grecian Slipper, a half-sister to multiple Gr1 winner Street Cry who has produced 2 Gr3 winners; a filly out of 1991 French high-weight & multiple Gr1 winner Kartajana; a filly out of Gr3 winner Destiny Dance, dam of UK Gr3 winner Dearly & a daughter of champion Althea; a filly out of Sanchez, a daughter of Gr1 winner Flamenco Wave & a half-sister to Gr1 winners Ballingarry, Aristotle & Starborough; and a colt out of the Vaguely Noble mare Nobly Lily, dam of 3 stakes winners including Simeon, 3rd in last year’s Gr1 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby). (Feb 6) US Trainer Hassinger Joins Godolphin Alex Hassinger, who trained champions Eliza (1992 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies) & Anees (1999 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile), has accepted a position with Godolphin Racing as an assistant trainer in Eoin Harty’s Southern California barn. Hassinger had his own stable of horses from 1992-2000, when he trained 103 winners from 755 starters. For the last 2 years Hassinger has worked as an assistant to Laura de Seroux (trainer of 2002 US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri). He will leave that post on February 11 to begin work with Harty. Hassinger told US Daily Racing Form he would spend March in Dubai “becoming familiar with Godolphin’s band of 2YOs” slated to race in Southern California. (Feb 6) US Recording Mogul Gordy Returns As Owner Berry Gordy Junior, founder of Motown Records, has returned to US racing as a partner in the imported British 3YO colt Just Wonder. Trained by Laura de Seroux, Just Wonder marks Gordy’s first venture into racing since he dispersed his horses in 1996. Gordy previously raced Alex The Great (winner of the 1994 Gr1 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap) & Gr2 winner Powis Castle. "I decided that I’d been away long enough," Gordy told US Daily Racing Form. "Plus, my sister Anna loves racing." Gordy was at Santa Anita Park on January 31 to watch Just Wonder, who was campaigned in France last year, win his American debut in a one-mile turf race. By Hernando out of the Capote mare Just Fly, Just Wonder has won 2 of 3 starts. A half-brother to German stakes winner Just Time, Just Wonder’s 3rd dam is champion sprinter My Juliet (dam of Gr1 winners Stella Madrid & Tis Juliet. (Feb 6) Japanese ‘More Accepting Of’ Foreign-Bred Horses Wins in major Japanese stakes races by foreign-bred horses last season have helped horsemen in that country “become more accepting of racing personalities, both equine & human, from around the globe” declared leading Japanese turf writer Toru Shirai in Baji Tsushin. Kentucky-breds Symboli Kris S & Eagle Cafe both captured Gr1 races in Japan in 2002 & Symboli Kris S won 4 Japanese stakes en route to earning Japan’s Horse-Of-The-Year & champion 3YO colt honors. Irish-bred Falbrav captured the Gr1 Japan Cup & Irish-bred Fine Motion won a trio of stakes during her 3YO champion filly campaign. "I should think this latest phenomenon is serving to dilute resistance to foreign-bred horses in the minds of Japanese horsemen & horse racing fans," Shirai said. "Opening up the classic races has brushed aside the only barrier. The more likely feeling now is one of familiarity or solidarity, regarding these foreign-bred horses as comrades fighting on the same battleground." (Feb 6) Shot Of Thunder Joins Glenlogan Park Stud Last start Gr1 Toorak Handicap winner Shot Of Thunder has been retired to stud at Glenlogan Park. The Thunder Gulch sprinter-miler (who defeated fellow Gr1 winners Scenic Peak, Umrum & Pernod over 1600m at Caulfield in the Toorak) will join fellow Gr1-winning new-comers Falvelon & King Of Danes, popular Show A Heart & Blu Tusmani (sire of current headline-hogger Murphy’s Blu Boy) at Glenlogan. Shot Of Thunder is out of the Gr1 AJC Oaks winning Nijinsky line mare My Brilliant Star. (Feb 5) Dittman Comeback In Macau Former champion Australian jockey Mick Dittman is set to make a comeback to race riding in Macau this weekend, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Dittman, who has not ridden for some time, rode in a barrier trial last Friday & immediately declared he was ready to resume race riding. After being granted a 3-month licence by the Macau Jockey Club, Dittman arrived in Macau about a month ago, but decided to delay his original February 1 start date by another week “to ensure he was in peak fitness & fully recovered from an old knee injury.” (Feb 5) Big Punter Applies For Sports Betting Licence Sean Bartholomew, “Australia’s biggest punter”, has applied for a sports betting licence in the ACT. “The application is in the mail,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “I will still be betting at the races, but I think there is some value in being a sports bookie. American sports particularly appeal to me.” The newspaper added: “Bartholomew, in his early 30s, is the punter who makes the biggest impact on the Sydney betting ring. A one-time on-course bookie, he plunges in tens of thousands on almost every race & has a bigger impact on betting than any other person.” (Feb 5) Paulson Dispersal Cancelled: Azeri Won’t Go To Dubai The court-monitored dispersal of horses owned by the Allen Paulson Trust, scheduled to include US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri, has been canceled “after parties in the dispute reached a settlement”, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. During the dispute, a court order kept the horses out of heavy training & Laura de Seroux (trainer of 18 of the 20 horses listed for dispersal) was unsure when the horses could return to serious work. Despite the fact Azeri had been nominated for the US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup on March 29, de Seroux confirmed: "I wouldn’t run her 1-and-a-quarter miles off a 3-month rest. When all this started, & she exited training, I knew the Dubai World Cup was immediately out of the cards." The headline-grabbing dispute arise after Eclipse Award-winning owner & breeder Allen Paulson died in July 2002. Principal parties in the resulting row over his racing empire were his widow Madeleine Paulson & his 3 sons from a previous marriage (Michael, Richard & Jim). Under the settlement, the horses that raced in the name of the Paulson Trust will continue to be owned by the 3 brothers, as will the breeding stock transferred to the Trust, including stallions Theatrical & Jade Hunter. Madeleine Paulson will retain other assets owned by her late husband, including Del Mar Country Club. "I'm very happy with the settlement & relieved this is all behind us," Madeleine Paulson told bloodhorse.com. "It's good that Allen's sons want to remain in the horse business. I hope they have as much luck as their father did." (Madeleine Paulson will continue to operate her own racing & breeding stable, numbering around 60 horses.) "It was an amicable settlement," added Michael Paulson. "I will be the sole trustee of the Trust & plan to continue the racing operation for the forseeable future. I'm not going to look back. It's part of my father's legacy to look forward & that's what I'll do. We plan to continue the successful operation that's been established. Of the businesses I've been involved in, there's been nothing like racing. It's infectious & I love the people involved in it. Everyone's heart is really in it." Michael Paulson noted the settlement is “subject fo final court approval”, which "we don't see as a problem." He said he hoped approval will come within 30 days. Until then, he explained, Azeri will remain “in light training at San Luis Rey Downs”, where she is stabled with Laura de Seroux. Azeri has won 10 of 11 career starts, including 7 consecutive stakes victories in 2002, culminating with a 5-length victory in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Distaff. (Feb 5) Innovation Girl Puts Focus On Rubiton Yearlings Innovation Girl’s emphatic 10th win (in the Gr3 Debonair Stakes at Flemington) has focussed attention on both her sire Rubiton & immediate realtives offered at up-coming yearling sales. Next week’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale boasts 15 Rubiton yearlings, described by Inglis marketing & public relations manager Melissa O'Gorman as “arguably the strongest ever draft of Rubiton yearlings presented at one sale”. That could be the recipe for some big results. (Feb 5) Magic Millions Adelaide Offers Innovation Girl 3/4 Brother Meanwhile Innovation Girl's 3-quarter brother (Rubiton/Voodoo Gleam) will be offered at the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale in the Wednesday night session on February 19 (following the afternoon running of South Australia's richest race at Morphettville, the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic). In all, 6 lots by Rubiton will be offered over the 3 sessions in Adelaide, along with 12 by Distorted Humor ( 2002 US Leading Freshman Sire) & “impressive representations of yearlings by freshman sires Saratoga Springs (Canadian-bred Gr1 winner), Tayasu Tsuyoshi (Japan Derby Gr1 winner & sire of Stakes-winner Nasdaq Power in Japan) & Centre Stalls (European-bred Gr1 placed performer)” said Magic Millions marketing & media manager Annie McDonald. (Feb 5) Innovation Girl’s Sister At Inglis Easter Sale And a full sister to Innovation Girl is sure to attract admirers at Inglis’s Australian Easter Yearling Sale beginning on April 22 in Sydney. Inglis’s Melissa O'Gorman confirmed: “The filly (Rubiton-Bright Gleam) was originally entered for the Premier Yearling Sale (in Melbourne next week) but the rise of Innovation Girl to her current standing as one of the nation’s finest 3YO fillies required a rethink on where her yearling sister would be best placed. Easter won out & Willow Park Stud as agent will prepare the filly for her breeder Trent Caruana, who has a small property at Somersby near Gosford.” Agent Les Young of Doncaster Bloodstock purchased Innovation Girl’s dam Bright Gleam for Caruana at the 2001 Inglis June Thoroughbred Sale in Melbourne for just $30,000. At that time the mare had yet to throw a winner & was offered in foal to Rubiton, with Innovation Girl’s yearling sister the result of that mating. Glenn Burrows of Willow Park Stud said he is thrilled to be putting the polish on such a marketable filly: “She’s got a great hindquarter & is very strong through the hocks – a lot like her sister really, from what I’ve seen, with that same Rubiton head & built for speed.” (Feb 5) Brother To Murphy’s Blu Boy At Gold Coast Sale Close relations to 2YO sensation Murphy's Blu Boy are also likely to attract increased attention at coming yearling sales. The yearling brother to Murphy's Blu Boy will be offered at the Magic Millions April sale at the Gold Coast by Mick Hicks, the Goondiwindi owner-trainer who bred both colts, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. However Hicks announced he has placed a $200,000 reserve on the Blu Tusmani yearling. "He is a bit small, but he has been out on grass & only came in from the paddock in the past 3 weeks,” Hicks said. “He is an October foal, while Murphy's Blu Boy was foaled in August.” Murphy's Arch, the 9YO dam of Murphy's Blu Boy, has been ‘dry’ for the past 2 years but Hicks doesn’t plan to sell her. (Feb 5) Murphy Relation Also At Easter Sale Meanwhile the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale will also feature a close relation to unbeaten Murphy’s Boy Blu. Prominent Scone breeders Senga Bissett & Ivan Woodford-Smith, owners of Ashleigh Thoroughbreds & formerly of Willow Park Stud & Agistment Farm, will offer a colt by Octagonal from Bletchingly mare Ann Juliet (grandam of Murphy’s Blu Boy), reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Ann Juliet was originally owned by Sydney Turf Club chairman Bruce McHugh, who won a maiden with her at Muswellbrook before sending her to stud & breeding Murphy’s Arch - the smart Archregent Queensland provincial speedster whose first foal is Murphy’s Blu Boy (a son of Glenlogan Park Stud-based Mr Prospector grandson Blu Tusmani). In 1994 Bissett & Woodford-Smith bought Ann Juliet at a Sydney mare sale for $11,000; her dam (the Sir Tristram Gr2 VRC Bloodhorse Breeders’ Plate winner Torn Monarch) is a half-sister to the dam of Sovereign Red Gr1 STC Orlando Wines winner Red Express (who duly provided 1997-98 Australasian champion racemare Dane Ripper, winner of 12 races including the Cox Plate, Australian Cup, Manikato Stakes & Stradbroke Handicap & prize-money of $3,151,833). Ann Juliet had a Nothin’ Leica Dane filly sell for $120,000 at the 2001 Inglis Easter sale. (Feb 5) Desert Prince Yearlings In Spotlight And with last week’s dual victories by his progeny Kusi in Sydney & Syrinx at Gr2 level in Adelaide, the two Desert Prince yearlings to be offered at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale next week & the further half dozen at the Inglis Sydney Easter Sale “will be greeted by a far more enthusiastic reception in the sale ring” predicted Inglis marketing & public relations manager Melissa O'Gorman. (Feb 5) Aust Racing’s Newest Millionaire ‘Bargain Buy’ sprinter Bomber Bill became Australia’s latest prize-money millionaire when he won the Gr3 SAJC Irwin Stakes at Morphettville. The Russell Cameron-trained 7YO gelding was originally purchased by Goodwood Bloodstock for just $31,000 at the 1997 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale & did all his early racing in Perth. He won 7 successive WA 2YO events (including the Gr1 WATC Karrakatta Plate) before transferring to Melbourne, where he followed in the footsteps of his grand-dam Special (the dominant ‘straight track’ sprinter of her era). Bomber Bill’s wins include the 2001 Gr1 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley, & 2002 Gr2 AJC Challenge Stakes & Gr3 AJC Liverpool City Cup at Warwick Farm. Bomber Bill was bred by Joe O’Gara at Tobermory Stud near Goulburn. By the stud’s own sire Air De France, he is the first foal of winning Alzao mare Lady Special. (Feb 5) Fouradee’s Half-Sister At Easter Sale Speaking of bargains: Randwick trainer Jim Lee’s classy sprinter Fouradee won the Listed STC Satellite Stakes ‘first-up’ for the 2nd year running. Purchased at the 1999 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $36,000, he has now returned connections more than 12 times their money, totalling $436,540 prize-money to date. His half-sister by Flying Spur is listed at the up-coming Australian Easter Yearling Sale. (Feb 5) Marju Yearlings Attract Keen Interest Following the strong showing in New Zealand last week by first season shuttle sire Marju’s progeny, the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale has 2 notable Marju colts scheduled to go under the hammer. And with Marju best known in this part of the world as sire Hong Kong’s champion racehorse Indigenous (& with a strong HK flavour in both colt pedigrees on their dam’s side), they are likely to attract major interest from Asian buyers. Carbine Lodge Thoroughbreds is offering a three-quarter brother-in-blood to Indigenous, by Marju from Sea of Diamonds. And Collingrove Stud (as agent) is offering a Marju colt from proven producer Good Looker (dam of HK racer Prime Witness, winner of $1.2 million & stakes-placed when 2nd in the Happy Valley Trophy). (Feb 5) Shovog Boost For Adelaide Magic Millions Draft Jewel Peak’s win at Rosehill was good news for Danehill’s freshman sire son Shovhog & Widden Stud, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Jewel Peak is from unraced Zoffany mare Zoffany’s Treasure from the first crop by Shovhog. And champion sprinter Luskin Star (winner of Sydney’s 1977 juvenile triple crown: Golden Slipper, Sires’ Produce Stakes & Champagne Stakes) is a three-quarter blood brother to Jewel Peak’s grandam Star Treasure (both by Star Kingdom sire Kaoru Star). Himself a top sprinter, Shovhog (out of one of Luskin Star’s most brilliant fillies Startling Lass) finished 2nd to Prowl in the1998 Golden Slipper, won 3 races & finished as a place-getter in the Blue Diamond Stakes, Blue Diamond Prelude, AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes, Illawarra Classic, VRC Chivas Royal Stakes & Tattersalls Roman Consul Stakes. Shovhog has 8 of his 2nd crop yearlings listed at the Adelaide Magic Millions Adelaide sale on February 19-21, including 3 from Widden. Meanwhile Jewel Peak has entered the Top 10 in Golden Slipper betting at 25-1. And Widden Stud’s Matt Rudolph noted: “Also in the Top 10 in betting for the race is Aracena at 16-1, another of Shovhog's impressive 2YOs to date, who has Vaindarra (2nd in the 1982 Golden Slipper behind Marscay) as his second dam.” (Feb 5) Inglis Summer Thoroughbred Sale Catalogues Catalogues for the Inglis Summer Thoroughbred Sale (at Newmarket in Sydney on February 21) are now available, featuring 133 mixed lots including 61 racehorses, 53 broodmares, 14 yearlings, 4 unbroken stock & 1 weanling. The sale features daughters of popular sires: Dr Grace, Luskin Star, Marauding, Night Shift, Star Way, Twig Moss & Zephyr Zip. There is also a “substantial reduction” of broodmares & yearlings from Kincsem Stud. The racehorse section includes: stakes-winners Go Bint & Maridpour, & metropolitan winners Caerleon Coast, Mirage Lover, Miner & Game Hunter. (Feb 5) Red Ransom Has 29 At Easter Sale Recent impressive wins by Halibery in Melbourne & Face Value in Brisbane highlighted the first-Australian-crop progeny of Vinery Stud’s shuttle sire Red Ransom. By leading international sire by Roberto, Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) was not only Champion US Freshman Sire in 1994, but is now the sire of 4 champions & 23 graded stakes winners around the globe, totalling prize-money in excess of $60 million. Red Ransom’s Northern Hemisphere stakes winners include: US Champion Grass Mare Perfect Sting; European Champion Intikhab (officially rated World’s Leading Older Horse on turf in 1998; European group winner & UAE Champion China Visit; Gr1 winner Bail Out Becky: & other group & graded stakes stars Trial City, Wandering Star, Sri Pekan, Comic Strip, Ekraar, Pico Teneriffe, Stay Sound, Upper Noosh, Crystal Symphony, Petrouchka, Rojo Dinero, Slew the Red, Think Red & Shining Hour. From his 8 crops of racing age, he has a remarkable 90 stakes Performers (17%). As a result, Inglis has reported keen interest in Red Ransom’s significxant draft for the Sydney Easter sale. Vinery Australia’s bloodstock manager Colm Santry noted: “We look forward to Inglis Easter with 29 yearlings from the likes of Burning Embers, Captiva, Compulsion, Danglissa, Fitting, Freckled Face, Humour, Ladybird Blue, Really Wild, Rose O'War, Rubitoff, Shizu, Stella Cadente & Sly Smile.” (Feb 5) Karaka Festival Sale Summary New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2003 Karaka Festival Sale concluded yesterday, with general manager of bloodstock & marketing Julia Naismith summing up: “We’ve finished with a reasonable outcome in current market conditions. Trying to rally interest at the lower end of the market is a challenge; but still, we’ve had 15 horses make NZ$20,000 or more at the Festival Sale & a number of vendors walked away very satisfied, particularly those with strong, mature looking colts that were in demand.” The Festival Sale average price was NZ$7,954 (last year NZ$9,698) & median NZ$5,500 (last year NZ$6,000). Top price of NZ$45,000 was paid for an Al Akbar-The Eye Opener colt, followed by NZ$40,000 for a Casual Lies-Kantuta colt & also NZ$40,000 for a Kingdom Bay-Tio Peony colt. (Feb 5) Magic Month For Ladner Australian-born breeder Larry Ladner, now based at Cambridge in New Zealand, has had a memorable month – both on the track & in the sales ring. He witnessed unbeaten star colt King’s Chapel (by King of Kings) win the NZ’s richest juvenile race, the NZ$500,000 Mercedes Super Bonus Classique, at Te Rapa last weekend. Ladner bred the chestnut King’s Chapel at his Norelands Stud, from where he also consigned a yearling half-sister by Fasliyev to last month’s Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale & sold her for a whopping $475,000. Unfortunately Ladner was able to breed only those 2 progeny from his English-bred broodmare Lower Chapel, as she died while foaling the Fasliyev filly in the spring of 2001. Ladner purchased Lower Chapel (a three-quarter-sister to former Ra Ora Stud shuttle stallion College Chapel) for $100,000 only months before she produced King’s Chapel. He then offered the colt at last year’s Karaka National Yearling Sales, & admitted to coming away disappointed with the NZ$35,000 top bid from Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis. Ladner told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "I knew he had sold under his value when Mark Walker (Te Akau’s trainer) commented as we walked away from the ring that he thought he would be outside their range, somewhere more like NZ$100,000. He had left a big impression on Mark & David when they inspected him, so good luck to them for following through." Norelands Stud (a showplace nursery just south of Cambridge established by Ngaire Fraser under the original name Pleasanton Stud) is on the market; but Ladner has no intentions of departing the NZ breeding scene. "My Sydney business partner wants out, so once that is settled I hope to set up on my own," he explained. "My wife Laura is a New Zealander & we both like it here." (Feb 5) Hustler & Cent Home Target Aust Prizes Top South Island 3YO Hustler (by Al Akbar) is heading to the North Island to take on NZ’s best weight-for-age gallopers before targetting Brisbane’s rich winter purses. Paul Harris, trainer of the NZ Two Thousand Guineas winner, confirmed to NZ Thoroughbred Marketing that Hustler’s next target is the Gr1 Family Hotel Weight-For-Age (1400m) at Otaki on February 20, followed by the Mercedes Tauranga feature on March 29 & then a “campaign at the Brisbane winter carnival. He will cross the Tasman on April 4 & make his first appearance over there in a 1400m race at Doomben on April 20. His other targets are the Queensland Guineas, Doomben 10,000 & Stradbroke Handicap.” Meanwhile Cent Home (by Lord Ballina) will cross the Tasman again this autumn for a Sydney campaign. Masterton trainer Jim Wallace said Cent Home will return to his stable in a fortnight (after working on the beach at Gisborne for the past 6 weeks) & resume racing in a 1000m sprint at Trentham on March 8. His Sydney autumn targets include the $400,000 Darley Stakes at Rosehill on April 5 & $400,000 NTG All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 26. (He finished second behind champion mare Sunline in the All Aged Stakes last year. (Feb 5) Wellington Cup Winner Eyes Melbourne Spring Meanwhile Wellington Cup winner Oarsman is making the most of a break from racing while connections finalise plans for his next campaign. Trainer Paul Duncan told thoroughbrednews.co.nz the gelding came through his Wellington Cup victory at Trentham “in excellent order” & has remained in the Cambridge area, spelling on Duncan's agistment property: "He took that race even better than the Auckland Cup. Within a couple of days of arriving home he was full of himself. But he is out for at least a month, possibly 2. Melbourne in the spring is his likely long-term goal, but I'm happy to leave the final decision up to his owners." (Feb 5) Walker To Represent NZ In Macau Leading apprentice Michael Walker has been nominated as New Zealand's representative for the 11th Macau Apprentice Jockeys' Invitation Race Meeting on Sunday May 11 – the 3rd successive year NZ’s champion apprentice has been selected to compete against riders from other members of the Asian Racing Federation. (Feb 5) Kinane Returns To HK For 6 Weeks Michael Kinane accepted an invitation to return to Hong Kong this month for a short 6-week spell. The Irish champion jockey has ridden in HK for 15 of the past 17 Irish winters & achieved a strike-rate over 10% & a tally of 157 winners. He will return to Ireland to take up his role as stable jockey to Aidan O’Brien in late March. (Feb 5) Sea Wave & Swallow Join UK New Sires There are 2 new sires to watch in Britain, reported racingpost.co.uk. Sea Wave (Sadler’s Wells-Three Tails, by Blakeney) has retired to Eastersnow Stud in County Meath. The full-brother to UK Derby 2nd & sire Tamure won 4 races over 10-13 furlongs for Godolphin, including the Gr2 Great Voltigeur Stakes & also placed 3rd in the Hong Kong Vase. His grand-dam Triple First won the Nassau Stakes & Sun Chariot Stakes. And Swallow Flight (Bluebird-Mirage, by Red Sunset) stands his first season at Ballykisteen Stud. He notched 7 victories in 5 seasons from 6-8 furlongs, including the Gr1 Attheraces Mile last April. (Feb 3) Champ Mercedes Ends Stud Duties North American champion, prize-money millionaire & Gr1 winner Mercedes Won has been retired from stud duty because of declining fertility, reported bloodhorse.com. The 17-year-old son of Air Forbes Won was donated to the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Following several fertility evaluations, it was determined that he suffered from testicular degeneration & the decision was made to retire him from breeding. Christopher Spencer bought Mercedes Won for just US$5,700 at the 1987 Keeneland September Yearling Sale & earned US$1,087,435 with him. Produced from the Roman Line mare Bye Bye Mercedes, Mercedes Won was Canada's champion 2YO male in 1988. Overall he won 12 races from 52 starts, including the Gr1 Florida Derby, Gr1 Hopeful Stakes, Gr2 Sanford Stakes, Gr3 Grey Stakes, Swynford Stakes at Woodbine, Crittenden Stakes & at Rochester Cup Handicap at Finger Lakes. Mercedes Won entered stud in Florida in 1992 & subsequently sired 6 stakes winners, including 3 champions in the Dominican Republic. (Feb 5) Hoolie to California Frank Tatman, who relocated his PB&J Farm operation from New Mexico to California, announced his stallion Hoolie has also made the move, reported bloodhorse.com. The 11-year-old Hoolie (Criminal Type-Sunshine Always, by Arts And Letters) is a Gr2 winner in New York. (Feb 5) West Nile Virus Detected In Aborted Foetuses Evidence of West Nile virus has been found in some fetal tissues tested during the rise in equine abortions associated with Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome over the past 2 years. As a result, the Lexington Disease & Diagnostic Center has increased its tissue tests as it searches for answers to the causes of MRLS , reported thoroughbredtimes.com. West Nile virus has not been known to cause abortions in mares. "To our knowledge, other states with higher exposures of West Nile Virus have not reported any association with equine abortions," said veterinarian Bill Bernard, president of the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners. The Disease & Diagnostic Center “is in the process of contacting referring veterinarians in regard to the West Nile positives in foetal tissue, to ascertain the vaccination & health status of the mares in question,” Bernard added. The center also has begun to perform more tests on aborted foetal tissue than included in previous routine screening. (Feb 5) Cheltenham Honors Long-Time Patron, The Queen Mother Cheltenham racecourse will memorialise the Queen Mother on Cheltenham Gold Cup day, March 13, with a bronze statue to be unveiled in the winner’s enclosure by Queen Elizabeth II. The head study, by sculptor Angela Conner, was commissioned by the Duke of Devonshire & will be displayed permanently near the Royal Box. The Queen Mother, who campaigned jump horses as well as flat runners, regularly attended the Cheltenham Festival, & opening day already features a race named for her: the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The queen, who recently took over her mother’s racing stable, will attend the festival for the first time since 1951. "Following the death of the Queen Mother last April, we invited people to suggest how best they would like Cheltenham to remember her," said Edward Gillespie, managing director of the racecourse. "Far & away the most popular idea was for there to be a statue.” (Feb 5) Size & Dye Land 4-Race $2.3 Million Bonanza Expatriate Sydney trainer John Size & jockey Shane Dye had one of their most memorable days in racing when they combined to win all 4 feature events on the Chinese New Year program at Hong Kong’s Sha Tin track yesterday in front of a massive holiday crowd of over 90,000. The 4 events were worth total prize-money of HK$10.4 million (A$2.3 million). In the HK$4.5 million (A$987,000) Gr1 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m), their stable star Grand Delight (a Gr1 winner in Australia when racing as Desert Eagle) claimed the first leg of the Champion Sprint Series from Firebolt & All Thrills Too (who had finished 2nd & 1st in December's Hong Kong International Sprint). Size & Dye also combined to win: the HK$2.3 million (A$504,000) Gr3 Centenary Vase (2000m) with Dr More; the HK$2 million (A$438,000) Chinese New Year Cup (1400m) with Century Star (who has won 7 from 10 starts for Size over the last 12 months); & the HK1.6m (A$350,000) Peach Blossom Handicap with HK Derby hopeful Dynamic Fun. (Feb 4) HK Betting Turnover Tops $255 Million On Single Meeting Meanwhile HK’s former champion jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz also landed 4 winners among the other events on the 10-race program to mark the first meeting of the Year Of The Goat, where the HK Jockey Club reported betting turnover topped HK$1.165 billion (A$255 million). Cruz’s quadrella moved him into 2nd place in the HK Trainers' Premiership, 14 behind Size but ahead of another Australian expatriate David Hayes. Reigning champion jockey Douglas Whyte rode 3 winners (including 2 for Cruz) to hold a 3-win break over Dye at the top of the Jockeys' Premiership. (Feb 4) On-Line Gambler Canbet Opening In UK Canbet, the major Australian on-line bookmaker with a strong North American customer base, is setting up part of its operation in Britain. Its proposed launch in April “will mark the first major success for the Government’s tax changes aimed at promoting the UK as a centre for global betting & gaming” reported UK Racing Post. Canbet has paid £1.4 million for a 2-storey office block on an IT business park at Fareham in Hampshire. A small staff has already moved in, & another 30 people will join shortly. Speaking from the firm’s Canberra head-quarters, executive director Michael Tomeny told Racing Post: “We’ve watched the circumstances unfold in England, & once your Government changed the 9% ‘winnings’ tax to a 15% tax on gross profits, we made plans to set up in the UK. We bet to low theoretical margins – 2% on major league baseball, 3.5% on grid-iron football – and our gross win is 2%. So the 15% gross profits tax gives us a big opportunity to be part of the consolidation that I am certain is going to take place in the global betting market." Tomeny, described as “an American who cut his teeth in the bookmaking industry in Las Vegas”, will visit Britain for the first time in around a fortnight, when he expects Canbet to have received its British bookmaking licence. Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, Canbet has a strong New Zealand association (it is 33% owned by Sky City, which operates an entertainment complex in central Auckland, as well as one in Adelaide, & is a major partner in 2 NZ casinos). Canbet’s bookmaking turnover increased by 44% in the last financial year, from $285 million to $410 million. (Feb 4) Kafataris Examines Sportodds Move Into Britain Meanwhile leading Sydney bookmaker Con Kafataris, who also operates his on-line betting agency Sportodds Australia out of Canberra, is “also in the UK negotiating for an expansion of his business in that country”, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. “Kafataris (who also has partnership interests in a sports betting agency in Perth) is keen to establish a base in England. He has been investigating the growth of the ‘betting exchange’ phenomenon that is rapidly becoming the most popular form of on-line betting on sports & racing, & is understood to be seeking a licence to establish a Sportodds agency in the UK.” (Feb 4) Sydney Hotelier ‘Mystery’ Buyer Of Murphy’s 49% Trainer Mick Hicks confirmed he has sold 49% of unbeaten 2YO Murphy’s Blu Boy in a deal negotiated by bloodstock agent David Lamond. New owner Brian Roddy is a friend of Lamond, “who received a phone call while from Roddy at the Karaka yearling sales in New Zealand last week,” reported racenet.com.au, “with the pair travelling to Goondiwindi on the weekend to cement the deal.” Roddy, who will race his 49% share in partnership with his brother Geoffrey, told Radio TAB: “It’s been an exciting week. We’ve been around racing all our lives & have raced a few scrubbers, but never a really good horse like this.” Roddy recently sold a hotel & said: “I had a few bob in the bank & decided to buy into the horse.” Hicks revealed Roddy paid close to $1 million for 49% of Murphy’s Blu Boy, but it wasn't the biggest offer on the table. (Feb 4) NSW Racing ‘Black Bans’ Late-Paying Trainers NSW racing authorities will “black ban” trainers with outstanding industry bills by rejecting their nominations. The NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board issued an edict giving trainers notice that those with amounts 3 months overdue under the Trainers’ Stakes Payment Accounts system will be on a nomination “black list” that will come into effect within 7 days, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The statement said time had run out for delinquent trainers “due to the mounting debt being carried by the NSW TRB. The TRB has acted as it believes there has been a lack of incentive for trainers to make their payments within a reasonable time.” The statement said the TRB had considered concerns expressed by the NSW branch of the Australian Trainers Association before deciding on a policy that requires accounts that were due by October 31 to be settled immediately. If trainers with outstanding accounts do not clear the debt their nominations will be refused pending settlement. A TRB spokesman said that at January 31 there were more than 100 NSW trainers with overdue accounts under the Stakes Payments system. (Feb 4) Trainer Fined $8,000 Over Pre-Race Blood Test Tooradin trainer Gareth Andrews was fined $8,000 by Racing Victoria stewards at the conclusion of the inquiry into Wild Sugar having an “irregularity in a pre-race blood test” at Caulfield last month. Stewards withdrew Wild Sugar from the Helenslea Handicap on January 11 as the analyst's finding showed “a TCO2 level greater than 36mmol/lt in plasma”. At the inquiry it was established the mare had been given a preparation containing alkalising agent carbolene by Andrews, the last treatment at 5pm the day before the race. Wild Sugar had been subsequently treated by veterinary surgeon Dr Marc Curtis with the authority of Andrews “by way of a naso-gastric tube with a preparation also containing alkalising agents at approximately 10am on race day.” Andrews was found guilty of Wild Sugar “having a prohibited substance detected in the blood sample at Caulfield” & fined $6,000; he was fined a further $2,000 for “having authorised his vet to administer treatment by way of a naso-gastric tube to Wild Sugar in the 24 hours prior to the Helenslea.” (Feb 4) ‘Pass-In’ Commission Abandoned At Inglis Sale William Inglis announced there will be “no pass-in commission on weanlings & broodmares at the biggest breeding stock sale in the Southern Hemisphere” at its Newmarket headquarters in Sydney on May 23, 25 & 26. Last year Inglis posted record results at the sale, with 66 mares fetching above $100,000 & 9 mares above $400,000. Inglis Insurance manager Wayne Aldridge confirmed international champion & multiple Gr1 winning racemare Hoeberg will be offered at this year’s Australian Broodmare sale, “among drafts from many of Australia & New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred studs.” Inglis also “anticipates increased entries for the Select Weanling Sale, which will feature the entire draft of weanlings from Lark Hill Thoroughbreds, including the Fasliyev half-brother to Caulfield Cup winner Diatribe. Many other leading nurseries have indicated their support for this important emerging market.” A new initiative by the firm “to preview the highlight mares on offer” involves a ‘preview document’ being distributed world-wide “to create strong international buyer interest in the sale.” Entries for the sale close on Friday February 28. (Feb 4) Coolmore’s Fasliyev Named ‘Hot-Shot First Season Sire’ Last week’s Karaka Sale certainly confirmed former top galloper & now Coolmore-shuttler Fasliyev as a boom first-season sire. Indeed aapracingandsports.com.au reckons the son of Nureyev “can claim a points victory as the hot-shot first season sire” following the initial round of Australasian 2003 yearling sales. Consider these results: At the Gold Coast Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast, Fasliyev returned the best average - $111,660 from 25 lots sold - among 20 outstanding new sires (including Redoute’s Choice, Stravinsky, Orpen & Catbird), led by his Lower Chapel filly purchased by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifah Al Maktoum’s agent Tim Boland for $475,000. At the Sydney Inglis Classic sale, Fasliyev produced one of the top 4 lots when his Sveldte colt was purchased by Sutton Grange Racing for $115,000. At the Premier sessions of the New Zealand National Sale at Karaka, his 6-figure sellers included a colt from Sulina for $NZ310,000 & a colt from Najaba for $NZ170,000. Leading trainers acquiring Fasliyev youngsters include Lee Freedman, Tony McEvoy, Gai Waterhouse, Tim Martin, Lee Curtis and John O’Shea. Fasliyev has another 7 yearlings listed at the up-coming Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale & 2 at the Adelaide Magic Millions Sale. (Feb 4) Orpen First Season ‘Bargain’ Sire Meanwhile another Coolmore shuttler Orpen has proven the ‘bargain’ freshman sire - having stood his first year in Australia for only $10,000. His progeny sold up to $120,000 at Magic Millions (4 lots averaged $76,250) & $NZ100,000 at Karaka (3 lots averaged NZ$92,500). On the track, Orpen won the premier French Gr1 juvenile sprint Prix Morny & was crowned Ireland's Champion 2YO of 1998; he is a son of Danzig’s dual Gr1 Breeders Cup Mile winner Lure, out of the Devil’s Bag mare Bonita Francita; & she is out of a half-sister to Northern Dancer & carries a rare 4 X 3 cross to Northern Dancer’s dam Natalma. (Feb 4) $1 Million Filly Due On The Track Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse will start Shower Of Roses (the $1 million filly by Zabeel out of Marquise) later this month. The three-quarter sister to Octagonal has won 2 barrier trials in Sydney recently & “is showing dash for a potential Oaks filly”, Gooree Pastoral Company's Andrew Baddock told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. (Feb 4) Racing NSW Confirms 3 Appeal Dates Racing NSW has confirmed dates for hearing 3 appeals at its Rosebery office: Jockey Allan Robinson will have an appeal against a “careless riding” charge heard on Wednesday 5 February. Trainer Wanda Ings will have an appeal against an “administration of a prohibited substance” charge heard on Thursday 13 February. Trainer Ken Callaughan will have an appeal against a “bring a racehorse to racecourse with prohibited substance in its system” charge heard on Wednesday 19 February. (Feb 4) Jockey Injury Updates Michael Molloy, 20, the WA apprentice badly injured when he fell from his mount at the Perth stables of trainer Fred Kersley has been taken off the ‘critical’ list. Molloy squeezed his father's hand & cried after doctors took him out of an induced coma, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Molloy suffered head injuries when he fell from a horse during a routine trot-and-canter session last week; he was subsequently taken to Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, where he has been in a critical condition. But a hospital spokeswoman said he improved overnight & has been taken off the critical list, although he remained in intensive care. Meanwhile 20-year-old Victorian jockey Lonagan Milham remains ‘critically ill’ with head injuries in the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne after falling from his mount in a race at Hanging Rock on January 27. (Feb 4) Hawkesbury Adds Trainer Incentive Hawkesbury Race Club is adding a further incentive to trainers who support their meetings at the picturesque club on the north-western fringe of Sydney. Directors have approved 2 ‘Lucky Door Trainer Race Days’ for Thursday February 27 & Thursday April 24. After each race, names of trainers who started a horse in the race will go into a barrel for a draw to win $2,000. The trainer must be on-course at the time of the draw & the race must have 8 or more runners. (Feb 4) Karaka Festival Sale Auckland’s Robbie Hewetson paid NZ$40,000 for a Casual Lies-Kantuta colt on the first day of the Festival Sale at Karaka yesterday, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The colt (offered by Nick & Anne-Marie King's Brighthill Farm at Hamilton, on behalf of Hataraki Farm) is from the family of Avondale Cup winner Shamrock & QTC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Mr Shannon, as well as NZ One Thousand Guineas winner Burletta & Bayer Classic winner Love De Tor. The colt will be trained by Paul O'Sullivan at Matamata. (Feb 4) Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Winter Average Down 39.5% Ha Pa Da, a 5YO winning daughter of Wekiva Springs, brought top price of US$35,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic winter mixed sale in Maryland. Sold in foal to Allen's Prospect, Ha Pa Da was produced from the stakes winning Danzig Connection mare Toots La Mae. Overall the sale’s gross revenue plunged 47.3%, the average fell 39.5% & the median was down 28.6% on last year, reported bloodhorse.com. (Feb 4) Evangeline Announces March 2YO Sale Meanwhile Evangeline Downs in Lafayette in Louisiana will conduct its first horse sale in the 39-year history of the track when it hosts a 2YOs-in-training sale on March 16. To promote the sale, Evangeline has added the US$75,000 Evangeline Downs Sales Stakes to its racing calendar on August 2 (horses participating in the 2YO Sale are eligible for the race). "It’s a great way to kick off our up-coming meet," general manager David Yount told thoroughbredtimes.com. "We wanted to make a commitment to the owners & breeders in this area, & those who have supported us over the years, that we believe racing & breeding in Louisiana is an investment worth making. Our expectations are that this will become an important event on the sales calendar, one which horse owners & breeders will point to." Don Stemmans will handle the sales portion of the event, which will begin with an under-tack show on March 15; the sale will start the following day. Evangeline’s racing begins on April 4 & runs through to September 1. (Feb 4) Bailey’s Dubai Choice: Congaree Or Medaglia d'Oro