NEWS UPDATES Storm Cat Tops US Yearling Averages For 6th Time Bernardini Tops US Weanling Averages Street Cry Tops US 2YO Averages Distorted Humor Tops US Covering Sires Hard Spun Tops US 1st-Crop Covering Sires Ghostzapper Tops US 1st-Crop Yearling Sires Tapit Tops US 1st-Crop 2YO Sires Paprika Magic Millions Favourite After Barrier Draw Magic Millions Field: Yearling Sale Prices Dittman Backs Whip Controls On Jockeys (more>>) Take a minute to visit our new Luxury Leisure & Lifestyle portal, the complete guide to all things luxury. INDUSTRY NEWS — JANUARY 2003 Dufficy Buys 10% Of Northerly Rod Dufficy, the former Sydney journalist who became one of Hong Kong’s most successful professional punters, has bought a 10% share in Australia’s champion galloper Northerly reported appracingandsports.com.au. Dufficy has invested heavily in bloodstock over the last 5 years, including Northerly’s dam North Bell who died last spring giving birth to a colt by Flying Spur; but that foal gave Dufficy the leverage to strike a deal with Northerly’s Kalgoorlie-based owners. Dufficy took 10% of Northerly in exchange for owners Ron Sayers, Peter Bartlett & Tony Patrizi accepting a 50% share in the Flying Spur colt. While Dufficy will benefit from any earnings Northerly can add to his current $8 million total this autumn, his investment has only a short-term life as the 6YO gelding has no breeding value. (Jan 31) Champ To ‘Trial’ In Perth Meanwhile Northerly will compete in a 4-horse 1800m “trial” between races at Ascot in Perth this weekend, which trainer Fred Kersley plans to use as a gauge in deciding whether the 7YO son of Serheed will then start first-up in the Gr1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield on February 8. "The trial is a critical one to his preparation," Kersley told Melbourne’s The Age newspaper. "It means we may still get there for the Orr, depending on how he gets through it & the availability of flights across." Northerly, who won his final 5 starts of 2002 (including three Gr1 events), has not raced since his 2nd successive victory in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October. Though Northerly is among the international stars invited to the Dubai World Cup on March 29, he is not expected to race overseas until the Gr1 Singapore International Cup at Kranji on May 19. (Jan 31) Fields Of Omagh Considering Singapore Classic Connections of Caulfield Cup runner-up Fields Of Omagh are “giving serious consideration to a hit-and-run visit to Singapore for the S$1 million (A$977,000) Singapore Classic over 1800m at Kranji on March 7, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The Singapore Turf Club has released its list of invitees for the Classic & fellow Australian star Northerly is not among them. (Northerly won the Caulfield Cup in October, beating Fields of Omagh by a short neck.) Bryan Martin, managing part-owner of Fields Of Omagh, said the absence of Northerly would give added weight to the possibility of his galloper going to Singapore for the March race: “His overall mission this campaign is the Singapore International Cup in May. After his return from winning with North Boy in Singapore last year, trainer Tony McEvoy has been loud in his praise of the Kranji track, the facilities & the efficiency of the operation there. He’s very keen to go there again. Now that we know Northerly won’t be going to Kranji in March, the Classic looks a much more serious option for us.” Fields of Omagh will return to Australian racing in the Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8. Greg Childs, a favourite with Singapore racegoers & the pilot of North Boy in last year’s Krisflyer Sprint (1200m), will partner Fields Of Omagh if he makes the trip. (Jan 31) Murphy’s Blu Boy ‘Minority’ For Sale After a week fielding offers up to $2 million “to buy the colt outright” for 2YO sensation Murphy’s Blu Boy, Goondiwindi owner-trainer Mick Hicks has decided he will part with almost half of his youngster but retain majority ownership of 51%, reported The Australian newspaper. Hicks reportedly rejected an outright offer of $2 million from a Queensland stud for the Blu Tusmani. However negotiations with that stud & others are continuing, with Hicks hoping to finalise a deal this weekend. "The offers have been overwhelming. I thank those people very much, but the horse will not be sold outright,” Hicks said. Meanwhile Murphy’s Blu Boy has firmed from 10-1 (prior to his sensational 7-length win last weekend) in to even money favourite for Melbourne’s Blue Diamond, & from 50-1 in to 9-2 second favourite for Sydney’s Golden Slipper. Mark Morrissey, form expert for leading bookmaker Colin Tidy, told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “He is the biggest firmer we have ever seen for a big race.” (Jan 31) Kafataris Warns Betfair ‘Ruinous’ To Bookies & TABs Contrary to some reports “Sydney’s biggest bookmaker Con Kafataris didn’t fly to London earlier this week to forge an alliance with the controversial English betting operation Betfair” reported The Daily Telegraph. Kafataris referred to his trip as simply a “discovery mission.” He explained: “I just wanted to see the Betfair operation working first hand. I have no plans to form an alliance with them or anything like that.” However Kafataris conceded that “if Betfair did expand its wagering operations into Australia, it could prove ruinous to both bookmakers & TABs.” (Betfair acts as a ‘middleman’, holding money from clients who can choose to act as either punter or bookie in any individual bet; Betfair simply takes 5% from whichever party is the winner.) (Jan 31) Pincay Lands 9,500th Career Winner Legendary US jockey Laffit Pincay Junior reached another milestone in his remarkable riding career when he rode Saxony to victory at Santa Anita Park to record his 9,500th career winner. Pincay, who celebrated his 56th birthday in December, told bloodhorse.com: "I'm feeling well now & I'm riding well now, so I don't really see myself retiring any time soon. As long as I'm doing well & enjoying it, I'm not going to retire." Pincay passed Bill Shoemaker's previous US record of 8,833 wins back in December 1999. (Jan 31) Another US Stakes-Winner For Favorite Trick Collingrove’s shuttle sire Favorite Trick logged another US stakes-winner when his son Hypnotist won the Feldman Stakes at Gulfstream Park last weekend (taking his tally to 5 wins, 2 2nds & 1 3rd). Jenny McAlpine advises Favorite Trick has now sired 14 winners, 2 stakes-winners & 3 stakes-placers from 32 runners in the US. (Jan 31) Hawkesbury Abandoned As Temp Reaches 46C Yesterday’s Hawkesbury race meeting was abandoned when the on-course temperature reached 46C. Three of the 7 programmed races were held, before Hawkesbury officials & stewards agreed conditions were too extreme to continue. Steward Philip Dingwall told racenet.com.au: "We believe that to keep racing in these conditions would not be in the best welfare of the horses. We have had a couple of runners pulling up with heat stress problems & it was decided that at 46C it was too hot to continue." (Jan 31) Racing NSW Proposes BOBS Changes Racing NSW chairman Tony Hartnell has tabled a proposal for consideration by stakeholders of the Racing NSW Breeder Owner Bonus Scheme (BOBS) for the coming season. Hartnell said: “BOBS is now bigger & better. After consultation with various industry groups, the Board has proposed improvements to BOBS for the coming season. We now await a response & comments from the various stakeholders before finalizing the terms and conditions. The scheme, in its first year, will be more complex than would ordinarily be desired. However, this is necessary as we phase out the old scheme & shift to a scheme which aligns the nomination of stallions with the covering season.” Changes include: stallion nominator bonus of 12.5%; inclusion of 2YOs; inclusion of all country TAB races; Group & Listed races excluded; aligning stallion nomination with the covering season; joint management committee comprising Board members & stakeholders. Remaining principles include: payment of one advertised service fee for nomination of stallions; payment of $660 fee for nomination of racehorses; bonuses paid on any win (excluding Group & Listed). (Jan 31) WA Jockey In Critical Condition As Melbourne apprentice Lonagan Milham remains in intensive care in hospital after a race fall, Radio Sport 927 reported young WA apprentice Michael Molloy fell in trackwork at Fred Kersley's property & was taken to hospital. What initially appeared to be a minor head injury was subsequently found to be “a fractured skull & bleeding from the brain” reported racenet.com.au, adding Molloy “has been put into a medically induced coma & is listed in a critical condition.” Brad Lewis from the WA Stewards advised: “Michael was operated on in the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital yesterday afternoon.” Molloy, 21, only recently resumed riding after a 2-year break; he is apprenticed to Kersley & had ridden 6 winners in recent weeks in country WA. (Jan 31) Jim Cassidy Returns At Rosehill Top Sydney jockey Jim Cassidy returns to the saddle at Rosehill tomorrow after 7 weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. “I’m feeling 100% fit, both physically & mentally, & can’t wait to get back,” he told The Daily Telegraph. (Jan 31) Last Race For Regal Kiss Pregnant mare Regal Kiss will attempt to bow out of racing on a high note in the $70,000 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville tomorrow. A brilliant winner of last year's Irwin Stakes, Regal Kiss is in foal to Giant's Causeway reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Trained at Morphettville by Leon Macdonald, the Royal Academy 4YO has won 6 races (including the Gr2 Reisling Slipper Trial at Rosehill, Listed Dequetteville Stakes & Listed Balcrest Stakes at Morphettville) & placed 4 times in 17 starts for prize-money in excess of $310,000. (Regal Kiss also finished an unlucky 7th, after being slow away & blocked for a run, in the 2001 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill behind Ha Ha.) (Jan 31) Might And Power On Parade At Bega Cup Former champion & 1997 Caulfield-Melbourne Cups winner Might And Power will parade for the crowd at this weekend’s Bega Cup (2100m) meeting programmed by the Sapphire Coast Turf Club on the NSW south coast. The gelding is now rising 10 years of age. (Jan 31) Sunline’s Strapper Joins Racing Victoria Sunline’s strapper Claire Bird has joined Racing Victoria in a “development role” beginning in March. Bird will visit TAFE classes across Victoria “with the aim of encouraging more young participants into racing.” (Jan 31) Aust Racing Hall Of Fame Nominations Australian Racing Hall Of Fame chairman Bryan Martin yesterday released nominations for induction to the 2003 Australian Racing Hall of Fame at the Adelaide Convention Centre on May 15. The 10 nominations in the ‘Trainer’ category are: Gai Waterhouse, John Hawkes, Lee Freedman, Jack Denham, Jim Houlahan, Richard Bradfield, Walter Hickenbotham, Frank McGrath senior, Geoff Murphy & Lou Robertson. Nominated in the ‘Jockey’ category are: Edgar Britt, Ron Quinton, Jack Thompson, Billy Duncan, Harry White, Pat Glennon, Ron Hutchinson, ‘Togo’ Johnstone, Jack Purtell & Bill Williamson. The ‘Horse’ category nominations include 20 racing legends: Ajax, Peter Pan, Gloaming, Heroic, Malua, Todman, Amounis, Chatham, Flight, Galilee, Octagonal, Better Loosen Up, Let’s Elope, Poseidon, Shannon, Sky High, Super Impose, Tobin Bronze, Vain & Wenona Girl. (Jan 31) Sandown Times Wrong The Melbourne Racing Club has accepted that sectional times electronically recorded at the inaugural meeting on the Lakeside track at Sandown last Saturday were incorrect. MRC racecourses manager John Green said the club had queried the sectional times with Sportscolour (which is responsible for the timing) as they “appeared to be much too quick”. Sportscolour spokesman Michael Mason confirmed the sectionals were "out of whack" due to changes to the track. Mason said Sportscolour was faxed the changes the day before the meeting, which wasn't enough time to make the necessary adjustments. "The times for the final 600m are out by a couple of seconds," he confirmed. (There will be another meeting on the Lakeside track on Sunday.) (Jan 31) Karaka Select Colts Average & Median Up Yesterday’s opening session at Karaka’s Select Colts Sale saw both average (NZ32,008) & median prices ahead of last year. “The middle market was particularly strong, with the median up from NZ$26,000 to NZ$30,000,” said NZ Bloodstock’s Julia Naismith. Westbury Stud’s in form stallion Faltaat figured prominently: top price of the session at NZ$100,00 was paid for a Faltaat-Crest Of Casitas colt; a Faltaat half-brother to Gr1 sprint winner Centre Crest (offered by rich Hill Stud) sold for NZ$100,000 to Queensland agent John Foote; & a Faltaat-Ever A Lady colt offered by Westbury was knocked down at NZ$65,000. Australian-bred first season sire Pins (who stands at Waikato Stud) also continued to attract attention: a Pins colt from good racemare Gypsy Soul (offered by Delahunty Farm) fetched NZ$65,000; & a Pins-Dare To Win colt (also offered by Delahunty Farm) was sold to Rogerson Bloodstock for NZ$65,000. Among the leading buyers trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson bought 14 lots for NZ597,000; John Foote took 6 lots for NZ268,000; Stuart Hale purchased 6 lots for NZ$193,500; Paul Moroney finished with 5 lots totalling NZ$184,500; & Kevin Myers bought 5 lots for NZ$135,000. Leading sires by average (3 or more sold) were: Marju with 3 sold for average NZ$60,333 (1st southern hemisphere crop); Faltaat with 6 sold for average NZ$51,083; Volksraad with 5 sold for average NZ$44,100; Pins with 5 sold for average NZ$43,400 (1st crop); & Cape Cross with 6 sold for average NZ$37,583. (Jan 31) Aust Racing Institute Success In Singapore Storm Racer “has overtaken his Malcom Thwaites-trained stablemate Eros as the flagbearing horse for the Australian Racing Institute in Singapore” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. In completing his all-the-way victory in the Barker Memorial last weekend, the Racer’s Edge gelding completed his 5th win from only 8 Singapore appearances & boosted his earnings to S$374,971 (A$366,429). The Australian Racing Insitute broke new ground late last year when it forged an agreement with the STC to become its “official training arm”, giving Singaporeans the opportunity to learn horse industry skills in the categories of trainer, assistant trainer, farrier, apprentice jockey, work rider & groom. Beginning in late 2000 under the direction of Joanne Hambrook, ARI (based at Murwillumbah in NSW) has sent 11 horses to Singapore, of which 10 have raced & won prize-money; they include 7 individual winners of 18 races & almost S$1 million (A$977,000) in stakes. Hambrook explained all horses are educated & pre-trained by students at the Institute in Australia. Some, like Storm Racer, have begun their careers in Australia before flying north. Other successful ARI horses in Singapore include 5-time winner Eros, Napoleon (3 wins) & Ginko Fire (2 wins). (Jan 31) Veteran Pacific Prince Tops $2 million Prize-Money Meanwhile former Perth racer Pacific Prince completed an amazing comeback at Kranji in Singapore, winning a S$100,000 (A$97,700) event over 1200m at his first run for 7 months reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The 9YO, who won 2 GR1 races in Perth & was placed in the 1998 Queensland Derby when racing as Summer Beau, joined the Singapore stables of Charles Leck as a 6YO. He has now raced 33 times in Singapore for 10 wins, 7 minor placings & earnings of S$1,422,635 (A$1,390,374) - and that’s in addition to the $862,000 he earned in Australia. (Jan 31) Superb Effect Sprints Into International Classification And Australian-bred Superb Effect, the fastest horse at Kranji, has “sprinted his way into the International Classification for the 2nd year running” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The Charles Leck-trained galloper was allotted 110 points by the international panel of handicappers, mainly on the strength of his slashing win in the Gr3 Kranji Sprint last July (carrying top weight of 59kg) & his 2nd to visiting Melbourne sprinter North Boy in the Krisflyer Sprint. (Highest allotment to a Singapore-based horse at 112 was shared by Singapore Derby & Gold Cup hero Smart Bet & Palace Line.) (Jan 31) HKJC Takes 6 From Karaka To International Sale The Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed it has secured 6 yearlings at NZ Bloodstock’s Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka for offer at the 2003 HK International Sale. The yearlings will now “be prepared in NZ, before shipping to HK for presentation at the International Sale” in December. The 6 purchases were: NZ$120,000 (HK$510,000) for a chestnut Pins–Expoeve (by Exploding Prospect) colt: from the first crop by Pins (a successful son of Snippets) who won 7 times between 1100m-2000m, including the Gr1 Cadbury Guineas & a treble of Gr2 events; the dam Expoeve is a winning half-sister to multiple Gr2 winner King Delamere (placed in the Gr1 Cox Plate) & her first foal to race Irish Crusader has won twice this year in Sydney & was a recent runner-up in a stakes race. NZ$180,000 (HK$765,000) for a Danasinga–Imposing Choice (by Imposing) colt: a full brother to Danamite (currently trained in HK & joint second on the 2000-2001 NZ 3YO Free Handicap after winning in Gr2 Avondale Guineas) who finished runner-up in both Gr1 Canterbury Guineas & Gr1 Rosehill Guineas before 3rd in the Gr1 AJC Australian Derby; half-sister is a Listed winner in NZ; sire Danasinga is having success with HK winners My Favourite, Wise Choice & Gift. NZ$160,000 (HK$680,000) for a Langfuhr–Lady Marita (by Lord Dudley) colt: sire Langfuhr is making impact in HK with just a handful of runners, notably Little Elephant, Opera Magic & Northern Magnate; dam Lady Marita (herself stakes-placed & a half-sister to Rouquin, a Listed winner & 2nd in the VATC One Thousand Guineas) is the dam of 6 foals to race, 5 of whom are winners. NZ$65,000 (HK$276,000) for a Volksraad–Prieur Way (by Star Way) colt: half-brother to Saintly Partners, winner of over HK$4.3 million from 23 starts in HK; sire Volksraad was champion NZ sire in 2001-2002 & has produced 20 stakes winners (including prominent HK performers Palette Natural & Desert Strike); dam Prieur Way won 8 times from 1400m-2100m, including a Gr3 event & a Listed Race. NZ$420,000 (HK$1.785 million) for a Danehill–Spell On You (by Irish River) colt: by multiple champion sire Danehill out of Spell On You, an Irish River mare placed as a juvenile in France; dam is a half-sister to Gr3 winner Malabar Gold & US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies place-getter Critical Factor; Spell On You has produced 2 winners from 3 foals to race in Australia & comes from the same family as dual US & French Gr1 winner Seattle Song & US Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Unbridled's Song. NZ$110,000 (HK$467,000) for a Kaapstad–Andra (by Zeditave) colt: by champion sire Kaapstad, a three-parts brother to champion runner Octagonal & sire of 41 stakes winners including HK Bowl winner Catalan Opening & several other HK winners; this is first foal from Andra, a Listed winner, a sister to Gr3 winner Zedamoss & a half-sister to Super Molly (winner of over HK$9.65 million from 23 starts including 9 wins & victory in the HK Gr3 Sha Tin Trophy this season). (Jan 31) US Stud Prepares For Jade Hunter Rush This week’s announcement that Azeri won US Horse-Of-The-Year has prompted John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm outside Lexington in Kentucky to “begin preparing for what officials believe will be a much busier season for the new champion’s sire Jade Hunter” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm manager Donato Lanni confirmed: "We’ve received a lot of calls & we hope that continues. He’s done quite a bit as a sire & this is something that will help people take note." Jade Hunter stands for US$10,000 & bred to 36 mares in 2002 — his first season at Hill ‘n’ Dale. (He began his stud career at Brookside Farm in 1989 & stood there, save 1 year in Japan, until relocating to Hill ‘n’ Dale for the 2002 season.) Jade Hunter has sired 702 3YOs & up, of which 466 have started & 315 have won (including 35 stakes winners). His progeny have earned US $26,994,100. "It’s pretty exciting. I hope Azeri runs another year," Lanni said. "She’s a tribute to Jade Hunter, because if you look at his progeny, you can see that he has a lot of success with a lot of different mares & various bloodlines." Lanni pointed to the Northern Dancer & Halo lines as 2 that were particularly successful for Jade Hunter: Azeri is inbred 5x3 to Northern Dancer while 3-time Gr1 winner Yagli is inbred 5x4; 1998 Gr2 Blue Grass Stakes winner Halory Hunter is out of the Halo mare Halory & is inbred 5x3 to Northern Dancer; & 1994 Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap winner Suka also is inbred 5x4 to Northern Dancer. (Jan 31) Triple Crown Series For Selangor Turf Club The Selangor Turf Club will begin its 2003 racing season on a spectacular note with a Triple Crown series carrying prize-money of 3.25 million Malaysian ringgits (A$1.46 million). “Malaysia’s top-rated performers are expected to participate in full force for these 3 races,” said STC public relations head Dinah Doong. The Triple Crown series involves 3 Class 1 races: the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) on February 9 with RM500,000 (A$224,000) prize-money; the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (1600m) in March with RM750,000 (A$336,000) prize-money; & finally the Selangor Gold Cup (2000m) in June with RM1.5 million (A$672,000) prize-money. Any horse winning all 3 legs earns a “special bonus” worth an additional RM500,000 (A$224,000). All 3 races are open to horses 3YO & over, & are run at weight-for-age. STC deputy chairman Datuk Richard Cham said: “Racing has become an international sport & has to compete with other high profile sporting events like Formula One, golf, football, cricket, etc. Under such circumstances, the Selangor Turf Club is gearing to enter the international racing scene & there’s no better way than to start off with a Triple Crown series. With this series underway, the Selangor Turf Club is using the 3 races as a benchmark to upgrade & improve the competitive level of the local horses. The Club is also planning to improve its infrastructure & add on new facilities to the racecourse in order to be on par with world class horse racing standards. Having an international racing event will be good for Malaysia, especially the income from the tourism dollar & the influx of international visitors to the country, just like to the Formula One motor racing event.” (Jan 31) Deauville Mixed Sale Offers 85 horses Deauville Sales of France has cataloged 85 horses for its mixed sale on February 13, reported thoroughbredtimes.com, with the “majority fillies & mares in & out of training”. Included in the catalogue are mares in foal to young stallions including French Gr2 winner Majorien, British Gr2 winners Munir & Mull of Kintyre, along with French Gr3 winners Chelsea Manor, Kingsalsa, Ocean Of Wisdom & Kouroun. Yearlings & horses-in-training will be offered during the 2nd part of the sale, including yearlings by French Gr1 winners Grape Tree Road, Muhtathir, Poliglote, Vettori & Kendor, & British Gr1 winners Medaaly & Zieten. (Jan 31) First Songandaprayer Foal Born In Florida The first reported foal by US Gr1 winner Songandaprayer was born at Marablue Farm in Florida. The colt is the 9th foal out of Sweet Proud Polly, a stakes-winning daughter of Proud Birdie & dam to 6 starters for 5 winners. "Both of them are doing wonderfully," Marablue Farm broodmare manager Tony Barthlow told thoroughbredtimes.com. "He’s a wonderful looking chestnut colt. He’s very flashy, nice, correct & a decent size. Judging on the way this foal looks, it’s more than likely that Sweet Proud Polly will be bred back to Songandaprayer." A 5YO son of Unbridled’s Song, Songandaprayer won the US Gr1 2001 Fountain Of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park & 2000 Huntington Stakes at Aqueduct; he was also runner-up in the Gr1 2001 Blue Grass Stakes & finished 13th in the 2001 Gr1 Kentucky Derby. Overall Songandaprayer won 3 races in 8 starts & now stands for US$10,000 at Marablue Farm. Sweet Proud Polly won 7 of 36 starts in her 3-year career. (Jan 31) First Foal By Ecton Park The first reported foal by US Gr1 winner Ecton Park was born at Old Shadelawn Farm in Kentucky. The filly is the first foal out of the unraced Wekiva Springs mare Colors Of My Voice. "She’s a cute little filly. She’s got a real nice hip & shoulder, & good proportion through the legs. She’s going to be great," Old Shadelawn owner & general manager Al Mazzetti told thoroughbredtimes.com. A 7YO son of Forty Niner, Ecton Park won 6 races in 23 starts, including the 1999 Gr1 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs & 1999 Gr2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course; he finished 12th in the 1999 Gr1 Kentucky Derby. Ecton Park stands for US $10,000 at Wintergreen Stallion Station near Midway in Kentucky. Out of the Fast Gold mare Sheena’s Gold, Colors Of My Voice is a half-sister to US Gr1 winner The Groom Is Red. (Jan 31) Five Star Day’s First Foal The first reported foal by US multiple-graded stakes winner Five Star Day was born at Machmer Hall in Kentucky. The colt is the 2nd foal out of the winning Diesis mare Destiny Due (in 2001 she gave birth to an unnamed colt by Affirmed). "We’ve had 5 foals here so far & this one is, by far, our best," Machmer Hall co-owner Carrie Bodgen told thoroughbredtimes.com. "The people who own him are very lucky." Bodgen said Destiny Due would now be bred back to Stormin Fever (a 9YO Gr3 winner & Gr1 stakes-placed son of Storm Cat). Five Star Day, a 7YO son of Carson City, won 6 of 16 starts including the 2001 Gr2 A.G.Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga Race Course, 2000 Gr3 Phoenix Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Keeneland Race Course & 1999 Gr3 Vernon Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park. Five Star Day now stands for US$10,000 at Wintergreen Stallion Station near Midway in Kentucky. (Jan 31) First Broken Vow Foal At Pin Oak Stud The first reported foal by US multiple-graded stakes winner Broken Vow was born at Pin Oak Stud near Versailles in Kentucky. The filly is the 8th foal out of graded stakes winner Wortheroatsingold & is a half-sister to graded stakes winning Daylight Savings. "We are very excited to have our first Broken Vow baby here at the farm," Pin Oak Stud farm manager Clifford Barry told thoroughbredtimes.com. "This foal is a quality individual, correct with a very good shoulder & hip. We are looking forward to very good things from her." A 6YO son of Unbridled, Broken Vow won 9 of 14 starts (including the 2001 Gr2 Philip Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park & 2001 Gr3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland Race Course) & only missed the place-getters’ board once in his 2-year career. Out of the winning Najinksy II mare Wedding Vow, Broken Vow is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Threshold & stands for US$10,000 at Pin Oak Stud. The dam Wortheroatsingold won 4 races in 36 starts, including the 1991 Gr2 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct. She is from the family of 1992 US Horse-Of-The-Year A.P.Indy, champion Lemon Drop Kid, multiple US Gr1 winner Summer Squall, as well as Gr1 winners Plugged Nickle, Christiecat & Riskaverse. Wortheroatsingold will be bred back to Sky Classic. (Jan 31) El Corredor’s First Foal The first reported foal by US Gr1 winner El Corredor was born at Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville in Kentucky. The filly is the first foal out of the winning Mountain Cat mare One Bad Cat. "Both filly & mare are doing great," Taylor Made Farm broodmare manager Scott Kintz told thoroughbredtimes.com. "She’s a pretty good filly, very correct - a very good foal." A 6YO son of Mr Greeley, El Corredor won 7 races in 10 starts, including the 2000 Gr1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, back-to-back wins in the 2000 & 2001 Gr2 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap & the 2001 Gr2 Pat O’Brien Handicap also at Del Mar. El Corredor stands for US$20,000 at Hill 'n’ Dale Farm near Lexington in Kentucky. The dam One Bad Cat won 2 races (on dirt & turf) in 6 starts. (Jan 31) California Sire Mark Chip Pensioned At 20 US Stallion Mark Chip has been pensioned from duty at Here Tis Ranch near San Jacinto in California, where he stood the 2002 season, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 20-year-old California-bred son of Our Blue Chip sired 28 winners from 42 starters in 8 crops of racing age. Mark Chip himself recorded 7 wins & 15 placings in 30 career starts over 4 seasons, including a track-record in the 1987 Carta Blanca Handicap at Aqueduct when he completed 1 mile & 70 yards in 1.38.40. Mark Chip was the only foal produced by the winning Windsor Ruler mare Markwind (a daughter of multiple stakes winner Market Again). (Jan 31) UK Jockeys Angry At Curbs On Mobile Phones Britain’s jockeys are angry at being faced with restrictions on their use of mobile phones around racecourses, reported racingpost.co.uk. “Feelings have been running high in the weighing-room at the thought of the impending ban, one the Jockey Club is optimistic of having in force by the time of the Vodafone Derby meeting in early June.” UK Jockeys’ Association chief executive Michael Caulfield said: “This is one of the most sensitive issues I have had to address, as jockeys will be greatly inconvenienced by the proposed restrictions. Discussions on how the restrictions will operate are continuing & we expect the Club to recognise that jockeys must still have access to their agents if racing is to run efficiently. This will present logistical problems, but the Club rejected our submissions when we met to discuss this topic.” UK jockeys are accustomed to using their phones without restrictions to organise their work schedules & talk to their agents, trainers, owners & others. Meanwhile leading jockeys' agent Shippy Ellis (whose clients include Kevin Darley, Olivier Peslier & Philip Robinson) declared jockeys may have a legal case for challenging the planned restrictions: "I suspect in this day & age that, irrespective of any regulations, if jockeys see it as a restriction of trade then they would have a case. If it isn't a restriction of trade, it's a suppression of trade. Jockeys are licensed by the Jockey Club but are also self-employed. If not being able to use their phone prevents them from getting employment, the Jockey Club could be on a tricky thing." (Jan 31) Quirindi Cup Features Country Racing ‘Stalwarts’ The 2003 Akubra Quirindi Cup meeting on Friday February 7 will feature a ‘Racing Stalwarts Reunion’, gathering “people who have played a major role in the development of racing in north-west NSW.” Organised by Quirindi Jockey Club, the invitation list includes administrators, owners, trainers, jockeys, race callers & members of the media, including former AJC chairmen Jim Bell & Bob Charley & members of the prominent Tait & Nivison racing families. QJC committee member Peter Mesley said: “We have invited people who have either owned or trained successful racehorses in this region, or those who have had an impact in the success of the racing industry as a whole. It should be remembered that Quirindi was one of the very first country race clubs in NSW to stage TAB race meetings & played a leading role in the development of TAB racing in the country at that time.” The $16,000 Akubra Quirindi Cup (1600m) & $12,000 R.H.Taylor/G.A.Hill Lightning Handicap (1100m) are highlights of the program. The meeting also features the annual Qantaslink Jockey Challenge, the only contest of its type in NSW that sees teams of riders from Sydney, Newcastle & country regions matched in a point-score competition. (Jan 31) Magic Millions First Ever ‘No Commission’ Sale Magic Millions is calling entries for its first ever ‘no commission’ Broodmare & Weanling Sale, announced marketing & media manager Annie McDonald. No Commission will be payable on broodmares & weanlings selling for $100,000 or more at the Sale. In addition, there will be no pass-in commission payable on any broodmare and/or weanling lot in the sale. The ‘No Commission’ Broodmare & Weanling Sale will be conducted under the banner of a new Magic Millions sale to replace what was the June Winter Carnival Yearling, Weanling & Broodmare Sale. To be known as The National Broodmare & Weanling Sale, this sale will be held on 5-7 May 2003 at the Magic Millions Sales Complex at Bundall on the Gold Coast (entries close on March 7). To precede this sale (& catalogued with it) will be The National Winter Yearling Sale on Sunday May 4; normal commission will apply to yearlings entered in this sale. (Jan 30) Queensland Racing Orders Inquiry Into Jockey Managers Queensland Racing Board chairman Bob Bentley has instructed stewards to launch an investigation into the activities of jockey managers. "There are some alarming questions being raised about the activity of some riders' agents," Bentley said. "Top trainers have complained that riding instructions are being usurped. Perhaps the time has come for the Board to decide whether some actions are bringing the industry into disrepute. After consultation with stewards, we will seek legal opinion on what guidelines can be established. This is something that might even be looked at nationally. I am sure that the majority of jockey managers abide by the rules & just want to operate in the best interests of their riders. Those who don't will soon find there is no place for them in the industry." Bentley also called for a full report on the just completed inquiry into a controversial Gold Coast race & the admission to stewards by a jockey manager that he backed the plunge winner. "We are dealing here with an integrity issue,” Bentley said. “I will be calling on stewards to provide the Board with a comprehensive report on the evidence given & circumstances surrounding this case.” (Jan 30) Leading Singapore Trainer Sued By Owners Singapore racing is agog at the news 6 owners who claim trainer Malcolm Thwaites “failed to take proper care” of 4 of their racehorses are suing the prominent Singapore-based conditioner. The owners claim 3 horses (American-breds Supreme Gold, Classic Sport & Crypto Charge) were not winning because of insufficient rest from leg-joint wear between races, while the 4th horse (Australian-bred Palace Star, who was purchased for US$45,000 based on Thwaites’s advice) was euthanised a year later in July 2001 due to degenerative leg-joint problems, reported Singapore’s The Straits Times newspaper. The 4 horses notched a combined 4 wins between them in Singapore. Plaintiffs Gary Desker & his wife Chia Swee Tin, Goh Siok Piew, Jennifer Desker, Quek Sin Hien & Quek Chin Hock, owned Palace Star jointly. The 3 other horses were owned by various members of the group. The owners are demanding “unspecified damages”; Thwaites is counter-claiming for fees due to him because he was not given a month’s notice prior to his termination. Thwaites has been training horses for 47 years, finishing champion trainer twice in Singapore & 3 times in Malaysia. (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: Sheikh Grabs Ethereal's Half-Brother The half-brother to multiple Gr1 & Caulfield-Melbourne Cups winner Ethereal fetched NZ$350,000 from Angus Gold, bidding on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, during the final session of Karaka’s yearling sale. The Marju colt is out of the international racehorse Romanee Conti (by Sir Tristram), who is currently in foal to Carnegie. “He is a lovely class of horse to look &, with his pedigree, he could make a stallion,” Gold told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. He added the colt would eventually travel to the Hayes operation at Lindsay Park in South Australia & join the small team of Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum’s horses trained by Tony McEvoy. “Our aim is to have 4 or 5 quality horses racing in Australia at all times,” Gold explained. “Should the colt win, he could well be a Southern Hemisphere sire.” Gold noted the Sheikh has raced horses in Australia first with Colin Hayes & then with his sons Peter & David with considerable success (including Melbourne Cup & Cox Plate wins) & there was no specific aim, except to have quality racehorses carrying the Sheikh’s blue colours. With Southern Hemisphere sires such as Danzero & Octagonal travelling north to serve seasons, Gold did not rule out such a program for the Marju colt should be prove himself on the race track to the highest level. “The world is getting smaller,” said Gold. Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum raced & owns Marju, who served one season at NZ’s Ra Ora Stud & then served at Collingrove Stud in Victoria. The stallion became travel sick after travelling to Australia last season & was unable to serve his book of mares. Gold said the stallion was safely back at Derrinstown & in good health again. Over 250 horses are in training in the UK for Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum & he is an integral part of the Dubai-based Godolphin operation along with his brothers. Leon Casey, stud manager at consignor Pencarrow, said the Marju colt was an earlier maturing type than Ethereal, though “he is very typical of his mother”. (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: Cummings Buys Bocelli Half-Brother Sydney trainer Bart Cummings outlaid NZ$400,000 for a half-brother to 2001 Singapore Horse-Of-The-Year Bocelli (Lord Ballina) during Day 3 at NZ’s Karaka yearling sale. Cummings told thoroughbrednews.co.nz the bay colt from the first southern hemisphere crop by Marju (by Last Tycoon) was the “best walking colt in the sale.” Cummings felt the final bid of $400,000 was under-priced, adding: “I liked everything about him. He is athletic & out of champion sire Marju.” Although the colt was a ‘spec’ buy, he would be recommending the colt to long-standing stable clients. From the Phoenix Park draft, the colt is also a half-brother to HK winner & stakes-placed Magic Hands (out of the unraced Dahar mare Sweet Vienna). (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: HKJC Snaps Up Danehill Colt John Cameron (acting as agent for the Hong Kong Jockey Club) paid NZ$420,000 for a bay colt by Danehill out of imported mare Spell On You (by Irish River). The colt, offered by Ascot Stud, is from the immediate family of Seattle Song & Unbridled’s Song; he is the 3rd foal out of Spell On You, who has produced 2 winners & is a half-sister to US Gr3 winner Malabar Gold & US Gr1 Breeders Cup Fillies place-getter Critical Factor. The colt will be prepared for the HKJC’s International Sale next December, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The colt’s full brother was purchased from the same sale 2 years ago for NZ$360,000 & later sold at the HK International Sale for HK$3.8 million (approximately NZ$950,000). (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: Hale Takes Zabeel-Better Succeed Colt Cambridge bloodstock agent Stuart Hale paid NZ$400,000 for a bay colt by Zabeel out of the Sydney-winning Success Express mare Better Succeed (a member of the Diamond Shower family & a daughter of STC Gr2 Theo Marks Quality Handicap winner Double Your Bet, by Palace Music). The colt was consigned by Cambridge Stud & bought on behalf of “an international syndicate, including some New Zealanders” & will be trained by Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. “I thought he was the best yearling colt I’ve seen go through the ring in 3 or 4 years,” said Hale. “There was a hell of a lot of Octagonal about him. I bought him as a quality racehorse, without thinking of his stallion potential. But if that eventuated, it would be a great bonus.” Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick Hogan commented: “The sale has held up very well, nice horses with pedigrees are making their money. Buyers these days have considerable choice, with over 2,000 yearlings available for purchase over the Australasian yearling series. So the sale will have done well if it maintains the average from last year.” (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: Overall Median Up 8% “There were congratulations shared all around the Karaka complex with vendors, buyers & NZ Bloodstock relieved & pleased with the overall results of the sale,” summed up NZ Bloodstock’s general manager of bloodstock & marketing Julia Naismith. “Leading into it we had very conservative expectations about what could be achieved in the market right now. From word go NZ Bloodstock, together with our vendors, agreed that if we could hold a good solid middle market we would be well pleased. In fact we’ve managed to grow our median by 8% which is a good result.” The overall median price for the 3-day sale was NZ$67,500 compared to NZ$62,500 last year. Naismith also noted: “It is very important to recognise that attaining a clearance rate of 83% (last year 81%) while introducing the first ever yearling X-Ray Repository is a remarkable achievement.” She added that “the buying bench was undoubtedly one of the most extensive we’ve seen here at Karaka, with Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Europe, Japan & NZ all making a big impact on the outcome.” The overall average price was NZ$95,291 & the overall aggregate for the 3-days was NZ$34,209,500. (Jan 30) Karaka List Toppers These were the top prices, spenders, sires & vendors at Karaka Yearling Sale over the 3 days: Top 10 Prices: NZ$660,000 Zabeel-L’Quiz filly NZ$625,000 Zabeel-Grand Archway colt NZ$420,000 Danehill-Spell On You colt NZ$410,000 Danehill-Casuarina Beach filly NZ$400,000 Stravinsky-Coutet colt NZ$400,000 Marju-Sweet Vienna colt NZ$400,000 Zabeel-Better Succeed colt NZ$375,000 Zabeel-Fleur De Chine filly NZ$350,000 Marju-Romanee Conti colt NZ$320,000 Zabeel-Miss Tessla colt NZ$320,000 Zabeel-Quiz Queen colt Leading Buyers (by aggregate) NZ$2,720,500 Rogerson Bloodstock (19 lots) NZ$2,201,000 NZ Bloodstock as agent (20 lots) NZ$1,328,000 Paul Moroney (20 lots) NZ$1,285,000 Gai Waterhouse (12 lots) NZ$1,145,000 Bart Cummings (6 lots) Leading Sires (by average) Danehill: 7 sold for average NZ$261,429 Zabeel: 43 sold for average NZ$203,977 Marju:12 sold for average NZ$124,792 Redoute’s Choice: 3 sold for average NZ$118,333 (1st crop) Carnegie: 19 sold for average NZ$118,316 Leading Vendors (by average) Rich Hill Stud: 4 sold for average NZ$197,500 Ascot Farm: 7 sold for average NZ$196,786 Pencarrow Stud: 10 sold for average NZ$186,500 Cambridge Stud: 41 sold for average NZ$142,537 Westbury Stud: 9 sold for average NZ$135,556 Leading Vendors (by aggregate) Cambridge Stud: 41 sold for NZ$5,844,000 Trelawney Stud: 26 sold for NZ$3,086,000 Windsor Park Stud: 25 sold for NZ$2,658,000 Haunui Farm: 16 sold for NZ$1,882,000 Pencarrow Stud: 10 sold for NZ$1,865,000 (Jan 30) McEvoy Begins 6-week Stint With Godolphin In Dubai Top Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy will spend the next 6 weeks in Dubai riding for Godolphin Racing “with hopes of earning a mount on the US$15.25-million Dubai World Cup program on March 29”, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 22-year-old earned the trip to Dubai by finishing as the leading jockey in the Emirates Challenge at Caulfield’s Dubai Racing Club Day last September. McEvoy also finished 6th in the Caulfield Cup & 3rd in the Melbourne Cup aboard Godolphin’s Beekeeper. "It’s something that is too good to miss," McEvoy said of his opportunity with Godolphin. "I’m looking forward to being in Dubai during the peak season, looking at the different styles of racing, the different style of horses & the different tracks. I would love to stay until the World Cup & hopefully get a ride on that day." McEvoy won 119 races from 899 mounts in 2002, including the Gr1 Dubai Racing Club Cup aboard Pernod & the Gr1 Futurity Stakes on Dash For Cash. (Jan 30) Jockey Remains Critical Meanwhile jockey Lonagan Milham remains in a “critical but stable” condition in Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, reported appracingandsports.com.au. The 20-year-old has not regained consciousness since being thrown from his mount & suffering severe head injuries in a race fall at Hanging Rock last weekend. Milham's manager Wes Hunter added the jockey's condition had stabilised. (Jan 30) Faltaat Progeny Continue Wining Run The commanding win by the Graeme Rogerson-trained 3YO gelding View From Above at Randwick yesterday continued the “amazing run of success enjoyed by Westbury Stud’s Mr Prospector stallion Faltaat”, reported racenet.com.au. Last weekend at the Wellington Cup meeting at Trentham, Faltaat’s star 5YO NZ sprinter Tit for Taat carried an impressive 58.5kgs to win the NZ Gr1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) & his 4YO gelding Rosina Lad finished runner-up in the NZ Gr1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). Tit for Taat (from Miss Kiwitea by Truly Vain) has dominated NZ sprinting this season, also winning the Gr1 Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham (dead-heat with Elevenses), the Gr3 Lion Red Plate, the Gr3 Tauranga Stakes & the Gr3 Challenge Stakes. The Telegraph Handicap triumph was the 4th Gr1 win for Tit for Taat, who won both the NZ Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton & Bayer Classic at Otaki as a 3YO. Meanwhile Thorndon Mile runner-up Rosina Lad (from Arctic Life by Arctic Tern) also won the Listed Turf Sportsground Development Sprint at Waikato in December. A 3rd NZ stakes-winner for Faltaat this season is 4YO horse Sedecrem (from Real Trier by Turf Ruler), winner of the Gr2 Highview Stud Trophy (1600m). And 4YO mare Gwen’s Rules (like Sedecrem & Rosina Lad, from the second crop by Faltaat) finished runner-up in both the NZ Gr1 Railway Stakes & Listed Karcher Classic. Best known of Faltaat’s progeny in Australia is the Gai Waterhouse-trained Hey Pronto (from Royal Act by Palace Music); from his sire’s first crop, Hey Pronto won the Gr2 QTC O’Shea Stakes & Gr3 NJC Newmarket Handicap in 2002 & finished 2nd in the Gr3 NJC Cameron Handicap. A US$600,000 purchase at the 1991 Keeneland July Yearling Sale, Faltaat is the first foal of outstanding racemare Epitome (Summing), winner of 5 of her 14 starts including the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Faltaat had all bar 2 of his 20 starts in the UAE where he won 13 races. Faltaat stood the 2002 season at NZ’s Westbury Stud for NZ$8,500. He had just 15 live foals from his 1st crop (including Tit For Taat & Hey Pronto) & 25 in his 2nd (including Sedecrem, Rosina Lad & Gwen’s Rules). But Faltaat has subsequently served 113 mares in 2000 & 93 in 2001. (Jan 30) 25 Countries Chase Dubai World Cup Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macau, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, UAE & USA. The rapidly increasing international focus on the US$15.25 million Dubai World Cup program (on March 29 at Nad Al Sheba racecourse in the United Arab Emirates) is highlighted by the huge 1,401 nominations from 25 countries (an 18% increase over 2002 & 34.8% rise since 2001). Dubai World Cup committee chairman Lee Benton said: “Among the many pleasing aspects is the wide reach the Dubai World Cup has attained & that is evident by the number of countries represented among the full nomination." (Jan 30) Media Puzzle versus Nayef & Azeri? Meanwhile European interest in the Dubai World Cup program is at an all-time high. UK racing enthusiasts have had appetites whetted by the Racing Post headline “Media Puzzle versus Nayef & Azeri is one prospect in store”. Readers were told that, as well as ”Melbourne Cup hero Media Puzzle, trained on The Curragh by Dermot Weld”, US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri “headlines the American invitees”, & ”in addition to Media Puzzle & Nayef, other European interest centres on the French-trained pair Ange Gabriel & Aquarelliste, 1st & 2nd in the Hong Kong Vase in December.” (Jan 30) Traffic Circle To Stud In Oklahoma Mike Hunter has purchased veteran US multiple Gr3 winner Traffic Circle from Tradewinds Stable & will stand the 10-year-old son of Cahill Road at C.K.Running Horses in Oklahoma, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Traffic Circle raced for 8 seasons, winning the 1997 Gr3 John Campbell Handicap at Pimlico Race Course & Gr3 Polynesian Stakes at Colonial Downs. In 1996 he finished 10th in the historic Gr1 Belmont Stakes. In all he started 45 times for 8 wins. Bred in Kentucky by Bendabout Farm, Traffic Circle is out of the winning What Luck mare With Penny’s Luck (by Bold Ruler's son What Luck). Traffic Circle’s half-sister Strong On The Sly produced Italian stakes winners Strong Life & Ezio de Cesari. (Jan 30) California Sire Lake George Moves To Hanson Stock Farm US stallion Lake George (sire of 3-time stakes winner Lady George) will stand the 2003 season at Hanson Stock Farm near Hemet in California, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. He previously stood at Harris Farms near Coalinga in California. The 11-year-old son of Vice Regent has sired 25 winners in 4 crops of racing age (including 2 stakes winners) from 45 starters. His star off-spring Lady George has won 4 of 14 races, including a pair of California juvenile stakes in 2001 en route to being named California juvenile Filly-Of-The-Year. Lake George’s other stakes winner is 2001 Elko County Thoroughbred Derby winner Righteous Desire. (Jan 30) Run Production To Stud In Illinois US stakes winner Run Production will enter stud at LeRoy Bormet's B & B Farm in Illinois reported bloodhorse.com. The 3YO son of Saint Ballado won the Comet Stakes among his 3 wins from 5 starts. Run Production is a full brother to stakes-placed Bay Head King & was produced from stakes winner Meadow Silk (by Meadowlake). (Jan 30) First Forest Camp Foal Born In Virginia The first reported foal by Forest Camp has been born at Hart Farm in Virginia. The filly is the 2nd foal out of Tacit Bid (an unraced daughter of US Gr1 winner Meadowlake & a half-sister to both Mexican Horse-Of-The-Year Lobo & Gr2 winner Approved to Fly). "Both filly & mare are doing great," Hart Farm’s Susie Hart told thoroughbredtimes.com. "This is as nice a baby as we’ve ever had. She’s a lovely, beautiful filly. Her head, her neck, her look are just fine. I hope she can run as well as she looks." A 6YO son of Deputy Minister, Forest Camp won 2 US stakes races: the 1999 Gr2 Del Mar Futurity & 2000 Pirate’s Bounty Handicap. Overall he won 4 races in 11 starts & is the only stakes winner out of the stakes-winning Hold Your Peace mare La Paz. Forest Camp stands for US$10,000 at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky. Tacit Bid will be bred back to US Gr3 winner Glitterman. (Jan 30) King Cugat’s First Foal Born At Mulholland Springs The first reported foal by King Cugat has been born at Mulholland Springs near Lexington in Kentucky. The filly is the first foal out of stakes-placed winning Cozzene mare Chaste. "Both foal & dam are doing quite nicely," Mulholland Springs co-owner Martha Jane Mulholland told thoroughbredtimes.com. "She’s a lovely filly; very colorful & a very attractive filly." A 6YO son of Kingmambo, King Cugat won seven races in 16 starts including the 2000 Gr2 Jamaica Handicap, 2000 Gr2 Arlington Classic Stakes & 2001 Gr2 Bowling Green Handicap (G2). Out of the Majestic Light mare Tricky Game, King Cugat is a half-brother to Gr1-placed winner Western Expression. King Cugat (who stands for US$7,500 at Lane’s End in Kentucky) is from the immediate family of multiple Gr1 winner Seeking The Gold & Gr1 winner Fast Play. Chaste won 4 of 15 career starts; purchased for US$210,000 at the 2002 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, she will now be bred to Giant’s Causeway. (Jan 30) UK Jockey Club Introduces New ‘Integrity Measures’ A series of measures are to be introduced by the UK Jockey Club this year in a bid to “increase confidence in the integrity of racing.” They include: a clampdown on the security of the weighing room area; enhanced camera coverage of racecourse stables; restrictions on the use of mobile phones by jockeys; & a ban on trainers laying horses on betting exchange sites. Christopher Spence, senior steward of the Jockey Club & chairman of its 11-strong Integrity Review Committee, told racingpost.co.uk: "The measures will be introduced during 2003. Some are currently subject to consultation with interested parties & others are awaiting the provision of funding prior to their implementation. I have been encouraged by the response of those parties that we have so far liased & consulted with. For example, representatives from the Jockeys' Association have demonstrated an open-minded & positive attitude to the impending restrictions on mobile phones, despite the inconvenience this will cause to many of their members. Demonstrations of collective responsibility from within the industry boost confidence in the integrity of the sport & send out a strong message to the public about racing's intentions.” On the controversial issue of rapidly-expanding betting exchanges, Spence added: “Since there is likely to be a delay of some years before the Government's proposed Gambling Commission is established & able to take a firmer grip on the regulation of betting, the Jockey Club is in discussions with both betting exchanges & off-course bookmaking companies to develop our own working relationships, in order to have access to an audit trail of bets struck. The aim is to agree upon ways in which matters causing concern from an integrity perspective can be followed up in conjunction with the betting industry. Confidence in the integrity of racing's product is vital for both the racing & betting industry." (Jan 30) William Hill Boss Attacks Betting Exchanges Meanwhile leading UK betting shop chain William Hill’s chief executive David Harding launched his latest attack on betting exchanges & the "unfair cost advantages" they enjoy over fixed-odds betting. Harding was speaking at the annual betting industry seminar in London, reported racingpost.co.uk, immediately after Edward Wray, chief executive of leading exchange site Betfair, had told delegates that “as Betfair acts as a bookmaker, bringing together punters who want to both back & lay, it is right that tax & levy should be charged only on the low commission rates.” This position allows betting exchange sites to offer margins that cannot be rivalled by a bookmaker like William Hill, & accounts for the recent massive growth of exchange betting. But Harding called for UK Customs & Excise to review the way in which Betfair is taxed in order to create "a level playing field". He declared: “I have listened to all of your arguments, Edward, but you only have to glance at the discussions in the chatroom on your website to know that people on Betfair are in the business of bookmaking & are able to hide behind your licence of convenience." Harding said. "We have consistently said that we are not particularly worried about losing mainstream custom to the exchanges - this is not a product for the average punter. But we are worried about the impact on starting prices from on-course layers hedging into the exchanges, & illegal layers taking business without paying the same tax, levy or data charges as the rest of us. I only hope that Customs realise how important their role is in creating a level playing field & protecting their long-term revenue.” Harding also emphasised that “in order to achieve the objective of keeping gambling crime-free, every individual who holds him or herself out as a bookmaker must be subject to the same 'fit and proper' tests.” (Jan 30) Murphy’s Blu Boy Trainer Swamped With $1 Million Offers Goondiwindi trainer Mick Hicks has been rushed with at least half a dozen offers in excess of $1 million for 2YO sensation Murphy's Blu Boy, following the bush colt’s 7-length annihilation of the cream of Victoria's juveniles in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield. Hicks has asked for all offers to be put in writing. But The Australian newspaper revealed: “Hunter Valley stud Arrowfield & South Australia’s premier racing stables Lindsay Park have emerged as front-runners in the bidding war . . . Six offers have been tabled for the colt: three 7-figure bids for outright purchase, along with others seeking to buy a share.” (Jan 29) TOC Wife Says Don’t Sell 2YO Star But Mick Hicks’ wife Norma told aapracingandsports.com.au: "I told Mick if he sells the horse not to come home! One million dollars is a lot of money, but we've already done the hard yards & built our own home. We'd probably spend half of that money again trying to find another horse if we sold him. We've got him &, although I've got nothing against the bigger stables with 170 odd horses, he'd become just another number if he was sold. We've had him since he was a baby & he's grown up like one of the kids." Norma Hickis also revealed her husband (a former country rugby league player & publican at Inglewood in south-west Queensland) survived a serious health scare last year: "Mick got quite sick & when he came out of hospital he stopped drinking because he had so many pills to take. He was on life support for 7 days after suffering heart & kidney failure, & then they discovered he was a diabetic. It was very hard on all of us, but we pulled together." (Jan 29) TOC Azeri Voted US Horse-OF-The-Year Jade Hunter’s mighty daughter Azeri (who won 8 of her 9 starts in 2002, including 5 Gr1 races) topped the voting at the Eclipse Awards ceremony to win the US Horse-Of-The-Year title in a landslide, reported bloodhorse.com. Azeri, owned by the Allen Pauslon Trust & trained by Laura De Seroux, received 37 of the 44 votes from Daily Racing Form, 107 of the 128 votes from the US National Turf Writers' Association, & 45 of the 53 votes from the US National Thoroughbred Racing Association, giving her 84% of the total votes. War Emblem, who won the Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes totalled 12 votes, followed by Left Bank (Gr1 Whitney Handicap winner) & Rock Of Gibraltar each with 7 votes. Other Horse-Of-The-Year votes went to Orientate (3) & Storm Flag Flying, Toccet, Street Cry, Medaglia d'Oro, Volponi & Xtra Heat (1 each). Azeri became the first female to be voted Horse-Of-The-Year since Lady's Secret in 1986. In the Older Female category, Azeri received all 227 votes. Also dominating their individual categories were Champion 2YO Filly Storm Flag Flying (226 of 227 votes) & Champion Sprinter Orientate (220 of 227 votes). The 2002 Eclipse Awards honour roll was: Horse-Of-The-Year: Azeri 2YO Male: Vindication (from Toccet & Sky Mesa) 2YO Female: Storm Flag Flying (from Awesome Humor) 3YO Male: War Emblem (from Medaglia d'Oro & Came Home) 3YO Female: Farda Amiga (from Imperial Gesture, Take Charge Lady & You) Older Male: Left Bank (from Volponi, Street Cry & Evening Attire) Older Female: Azeri Sprinter: Orientate (from Xtra Heat, Left Bank, Gygistar & Kalookan Queen) Male Turf Horse: High Chaparral (from With Anticipation & Rock of Gibraltar) Female Turf Horse: Golden Apples (from Starine & Astra) Steeplechase: Flat Top (from It's a Giggle & McDynamo) Owner: Richard Englander (from Thoroughbred Corp & Juddmonte Farms) Breeder: Juddmonte Farms (from Harry Mangurian) Jockey: Jerry Bailey Apprentice Jockey: Ryan Fogelsonger Trainer: Robert Frankel (Jan 29) TOC Paulson Tells Eclipse Dinner Azeri 'Will Return' Meanwhile “emotions ran high during Michael Paulson's tearful acceptance of the Horse-Of-The-Year trophy for Azeri” reported bloodhorse.com. “Paulson struggled to get the words out to thank those currently involved with Azeri, the brilliant mare bred by his father & trained by Laura de Seroux, the first woman conditioner of a North American Horse-Of-The-Year.” Azeri is scheduled to be sold at the March Barretts sale in California, as a result of dispute within the Allen Paulson Trust. But Michael Paulson promised the audience: "She will return, & when she does I'm sure she'll be at championship form." Paulson said he & his two brothers Richard & Jim will buy Azeri back. "We control 75% of the trust," he declared. "We have a lot of buying power, so we hope to buy her back." Paulson called the award "bittersweet" in light of his father's death & the subsequent acrimony within the Trust which currently owns Azeri. (Jan 29) TOC Dubai World Cup Attracts 1,401 Nominations Australian weight-for-age champ Northerly, Irish Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle, US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri & Japanese Gr1 winner Eagle Cafe head the list of international stars invited to compete in the world’s richest race, the US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup on March 29 at Nad Al Sheba racecourse in the United Arab Emirates. Northerly was branded overnight “as good as they come on any continent” by leading US racing newswire & website thoroughbredtimes.com, which noted “he has won 8 Australian Gr1 races (including back-to-back runnings of the Cox Plate), 16 of his 17 wins have come in stakes races & he has earned US$4,203,764.” The US$15.25 million Dubai World Cup program has attracted 1,401 nominations from 25 countries (an 18% increase over 2002 & 34.8% rise since 2001), advised DWC media officer Martin Talty. From that group, the World Cup committee issued 80 invitations for horses to compete in one of the 7 races. The US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup attracted 198 nominees from 13 countries, with the US providing 82 nominations 82, followed by United Arab Emirates with 61. US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri heads the American invitees, but the 5YO five-year-old mare could miss the race because she has only been in light training while pending sale on March 4 (as part of the Paulson Trust dispersal). "Azeri’s participation depends upon her sale in early March & whether her new owners wish to take up the challenge in Dubai," Dubai World Cup committee chairman Lee Benton said. "However, the Dubai World Cup provides a magnificent opportunity for her new owners to recoup their purchase price." Other American-based runners receiving an invitation to the world’s richest race include Eclipse Award finalist Medaglia d’Oro, multiple Gr1 winners Congaree & Harlan’s Holiday, & multiple Gr2 winner Repent. "The feedback from the US is very positive," said Kevin Greely, racing secretary for the Dubai World Cup. "It is the most positive feedback we have received at this time, in comparison to previous Dubai World Cups. We are cautiously optimistic everything will be good, & we hope to have a large representation from the US yet again. They are the best horses in America, & we will be doing our utmost to bring them to Dubai." Xtra Heat, champion 3YO filly of 2001 & a finalist for champion sprinter in 2002, received an invitation to again compete in the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, a race in which she finished third last year. Other races on the card include the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic, US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Duty Free, US$2 million Gr2 UAE Derby, US$1 million Gr2 Godolphin Mile & US$250,000 Gr1 Dubai Kahayla Classic. (Jan 29) TOC Walter Says No Dubai For Defier Meanwhile trainer Guy Walter announced World Cup nomination Defier is “unlikely to go” to Dubai, reported aapracingandsports.com.au, noting both his stable stars “Defier & Republic Lass will stay in Sydney for the autumn carnival & won't campaign in Melbourne." Cox Plate runner-up Defier & last season's AJC Oaks winner Republic Lass are scheduled to compete in barrier trials at Warwick Farm next week. Walter confirmed: "They're both back in work & I'm happy with the way they're going." Walter said Defier & Republic Lass are likely to resume in the $150,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 22, before their autumn paths diverge. "I'm still not sure what way I'll go with Defier after the Expressway," Walter said of the 11-2 early favourite for the AJC’s $2.5 million Gr1 Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick on April 19. "It's a matter of finding suitable races to get him right for the George Ryder, that's his race. Then we've got the Doncaster, but that's dependant on the weights & there's the Queen Elizabeth Stakes too." Republic Lass' main aim this autumn is the STC’s $2 million Gr1 BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 12. "After the Expressway she'll progress through to the Apollo Stakes, Chipping Norton, Ranvet & BMW," Walter said. Republic Lass has been entered for the Doncaster (in which she is a 33-1 chance in early betting), but Walter said the 4YO mare would instead chase the longer events. Walter's other star Spinning Hill will carry the flag in Melbourne, beginning with the Gr1 Lightning Stakes on February 9. (Jan 29) TOC Zabeel-L'Quiz Filly Tops Karaka Day 2 Australian bloodstock agent Kieran Moore paid top price of NZ$660,000 (on behalf of an unnamed Japanese client) for Cambridge Stud’s bay filly sister to Gr1 winners Champagne & St Reims at Day 2 of the Karaka Yearling Sale. Moore told thoroughbrednews.co.nz the successful bidder was a new client & wished to remain anonymous, noting: “That’s why he used an agent.” But Moore did reveal his client had identified the filly (by Zabeel from American-bred mare L’Quiz) as an excellent investment prospect: “What sealed it was her international pedigree.” The filly is likely to race in Australia (before heading to Japan later on), though Moore said a trainer is still undecided: “We’ll get her broken in, let her develop & then sort that out.” (Jan 29) TOC Karaka Day 2: O'Sullivan Buys Grand Archway Colt Earlier in the 2nd Session, retired Matamata trainer Dave O'Sullivan & Robbie Hewetson’s RTA Bloodstock purchased a Zabeel-Grand Archway bay colt from the draft of Westbury Stud for NZ$625,000. "He will be owned by a New Zealand syndicate & trained out of our Matamata stable," 69-year-old O'Sullivan (refering to the stable run by his son Paul) told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. "He is a lovely horse and looks a Derby type to me. We will hope that he can remain an entire." (Jan 29) TOC Karaka Day 2: James Nabs Zabeel-La Suffragette colt Trans-tasman trainer Roger James purchased a bay Zabeel-La Suffragette colt from the draft of Auckland's Haunui Farm for NZ$300,000 during the Karaka 2nd Session. His second dam is the 1984 Australian Horse-Of-The-Year Emancipation, while La Suffragette is an unraced Palace Music mare. James was buying “for a syndicate of stables clients from both sides of the Tasman” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. James said the colt would be aimed at the NZ Derby – potentially adding to the impressive records of both & Cambridge Stud’s champion sire Zabeel in the classic race held each year on Boxing Day at the Ellerslie track. James (who also purchased a bay colt by Zabeel out of Crystal Hailey, by Greinton, for NZ$150,000 on Day 1) considers Zabeel the most potent stallion in Australasia to take on the large numbers of staying races in NZ & Australia. “The Zabeel’s just have that ability to go further,” said James. “I am thrilled to buy the colt, as he was my number one staying colt in the entire sale.” (Jan 29) TOC Karaka Day 2: Overall Ahead Of Last Year At the conclusion of Day 2 at Karaka “our average of NZ$98,937 is 5% up on the same stage last year & the aggregate of NZ$20,480,000 is 7% up” reported NZ Bloodstock’s Julia Naismith. “The middle market is remaining strong, with the median of $70,000 being 12% ahead of last year at this point.” (Jan 29) TOC Injured Jockey Stabilises In Hospital The condition of jockey Lonagan Milham has stabilised, but he remains in a critical condition after suffering head injuries in a race fall at Hanging Rock in rural Victoria last weekend. The 20-year-old apprentice jockey was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after the fall. A hospital spokeswoman said the jockey's condition was now listed as “critical but stable”, reported appracingandsports.com.au. (Jan 29) TOC Jockeys Won’t Ride At Hanging Rock Meanwhile under the headline “We Won’t Ride At Hanigng Rock”, The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported “several jockeys have vowed never again to ride at Hinging Rock racecourse. Leading Vicotrian jockey Brad Rawiller . . . led an outcry about the condition of the country Victorian track.” Rawiller said: “It is an accident waiting ti happen . . . The camber is set-up wrong.” Sam Hyland, Matt Allen, Wayne Davids & Paul Saunders “all echoed Rawiller’s sentiments” & said the “track has simply passed its use-by date.” (Jan 29) TOC Vindication & Storm Flag Flying Top Free Handicap While boom youngsters Vindication & Storm Flag Flying were duly voted champion US 2YOs at the Eclipse Awards, much breeding industry interest centered on whether the unbeaten juveniles would be weighted above the standard weight - 126 pounds for males & 123 for fillies - on the 2002 Experimental Free Handicap. They weren't. "We thought about assigning Storm Flag Flying one pound above the standard, but felt she fit right in at 123," racing secretary Mike Lakow of the New York Racing Association told bloodhorse.com. Lakow determined the weightings of 64 males & 56 fillies with fellow racing secretaries Frank Gabriel of Arlington Park & Tom Robbins of Del Mar. The last time both the high-weighted colt & filly were undefeated was in 1974, when colt Foolish Pleasure was weighted at 127 pounds & filly Ruffian at 122 pounds. (The standard for fillies at that time was 121 pounds; both proved to be exceptional performers as 3YOs.) Vindication & Storm Flag Flying each won the race that counted the most: Vindication took the Gr1 Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile & Storm Flag Flying won the Gr1 Long John Silver's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. (Storm Flag Flying's dam My Flag was Experimental high-weighted filly the year she won the 1995 Juvenile Fillies.) "Vindication had all the credentials," Lakow explained. "He won the Breeders' Cup as he pleased." After Vindication came Toccet, who was pegged at 124 pounds. Storm Flag Flying's closest rival was Composure, assigned 121 pounds. (The Experimental, published since 1933 under the auspices of The US Jockey Club, is compiled for a hypothetical race at 11 furlongs in the US spring for 3YOs on dirt.) (Jan 29) TOC Death Of Seattle Slew Voted ‘Moment Of The Year’ The death of champion sire Seattle Slew has been selected by US racing fans as their 2002 "Moment Of The Year" reported bloodhorse.com. Fans chose from 10 pre-selected moments in the on-line pole. Seattle Slew, the last living US 3YO Triple Crown winner, died of natural causes aged 28 at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm near Lexington in Kentucky last May 7, exactly 25 years to the day since his historic Kentucky Derby victory. The moments were selected “to illustrate a wide range of human emotions & achievements, as well as outstanding displays of equine athleticism”. Listed chronologically, they were: War Emblem wire the field in the Kentucky Derby Sports world mourns death of the last living Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew War Emblem proves Derby was no fluke by winning Preakness Stakes Sarava registers biggest upset in Belmont Stakes history Chris McCarron wins farewell race aboard Came Home in Affirmed Handicap You barely out finishes Carson Hollow in Test Stakes Pat Day becomes leading North American money-earning jockey of all time, riding With Anticipation to victory in Sword Dancer Handicap Azeri dominates opponents in Breeders' Cup Distaff Storm Flag Flying reclaims lead in deep stretch to become third generation Breeders' Cup winner in Long John Silver's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Volponi springs upset in Breeders' Cup Classic for Hall-Of-Fame trainer Phil Johnson (Jan 29) TOC Anthony Cummings’ 1st Winner in 3 Years Typhoon’s victory at Randwick on the Australia Day holiday weekend handed trainer Anthony Cummings his first winner in almost 3 years. Cummings was disqualified for 15 months in late 1999 in the wake of the trenbolone steroid scandal. After serving his penalty, Cummings returned to racing as a foreman for his father Bart before regaining his trainer's licence late last year. "I always thought this would be the horse that would give me my first win back, it was a great relief," Cummings told aapracingandsports.com.au. "It's especially pleasing as he is an old horse & it's been hard getting him fit & keeping him there." Cummings' last win came on 25 September 1999 when Angling captured the Listed Dulcify Quality at Randwick. On that day jockey Danny Beasley was the successful rider & he was also aboard Typhoon. (Jan 29) TOC Red Ransom Winners Turn Focus To Easter Sale It was a happy holiday weekend for shuttle sire Red Ransom’s first-Australian-crop progeny. Vinery Stud’s exciting Halibery took out the MRC Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for fillies at Caulfield, while Face Value made it 2 wins from 2 starts at Doomben. As a result Inglis reported renewed interest in Red Ransom’s draft for their Sydney Easter sale, which includes: a half-brother to Catbird & Danebird, from Fitting; a colt from South African Gr1 winner Sydney’s Dream; fillies from Gr1 winners Danglissa (first foal) & Stella Cadente; a half-sister to classy sprinter High Rolling; & a filly from Compulsion, a sister to Golden Slipper winner Merlene. Vinery purchased Haliberry for $70,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale. Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) was Champion US Freshman Sire in 1994 & shuttles to Vinery Stud at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley, where he stood the 2002 season for $44,000. (Jan 29) TOC Spotlight On Glenlogan Park’s Blu Tusmani Meanwhile the scintillating display by Murphy’s Blu Boy to win the Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for colts & geldings by 7-lengths “throws the spotlight onto Glenlogan Park Stud’s little known stallion Blu Tusmani” reported racenet.com.au. The undefeated Murphy’s Blu Boy comes from the 2nd crop by Blu Tusmani, who was Italy’s champion 2YO in 1994 when hailed as one of the fastest 2YOs in Europe. As a 3YO Blu Tusmani traveled to America, where he won the Gr2 Withers Stakes & ran 3rd in the Gr3 Riva Ridge Stakes at Belmont. A son of Canadian Horse-Of-The-Year Afleet (Mr Prospector), Blu Tusmani is out of the Nijinsky mare Edelene, a half-sister to top American Gr1 winner La Zanzara (Sea Hawk), the dam of multiple Gr2 winner Danebo (Bold Forbes). The oldest progeny of Blu Tusmani in Australia are 3YOs & he has also sired 2 winners from a handful of mares he served in America before his importation. Retired to stud in Australia in 1998, Blu Tusmani stands for $3,850 at Glenlogan Park in Queensland. Murphy’s Blue Boy is the first foal of 6-time winning Archregent mare Murphy’s Arch, a half-sister to VATC Gr2 Angus Armanasco Stakes & VRC Gr2 Moet And Chandon Champagne Stakes winner I Am A Ripper (Mukaddamah). (Jan 29) TOC Inglis Melbourne Premier Race: Order-Of-Entry The $500,000 Inglis Premier Race (1200m) at Flemington on Sunday February 9 looks likely to attract some of Victoria’s best juveniles, including Neo (2002 Premier Sale purchase for$18,000), Ra Sun (2002 Premier $135,000), Pinchbeck (2002 Premier $90,000), Roedean (2002 Premier $50,000), Winestock (2002 Premier $21,000), Tycoon Miss (2002 Premier $28,000) & Fresh Boy (2002 Premier $30,000). Latest order of entry (final acceptances Thursday February 6) 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 (Jan 29) TOC Top Collingrove Draft For Inglis Melbourne Sale Collingrove Stud is “poised to present an exceptional draft of yearlings” at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (February 10-11) said Jenny McAlpine. “Headlining the show is sure to be the only yearling by Champion Sire Danehill. From Chorus Song (an Alleged half-sister to stakeswinners Performoinmg Magic, Woodborough & Dance Trick), this filly is destined to be the yardstick for the sale.” And following the outstanding debut results of his yearlings at Magic Millions (selling to $180,000 & averaging $111,000) Bianconi will be represented by an equally eye-catching Collingrove draft: a filly from Group winning Argentinian mare Snow Troy & a half-brother to stakeswinning Zabeel mare For The Moment. And with Danehill Dancer (the Gr1-winning son of Danehill) leaping up the Sire rankings (with outstanding performers such as Choisir & Private Steer, Collingrove is offering 3 of his colts. And 15 of Collingrove’s yearlings boast either black-type winning and/or black-type producing dams. (Jan 29) TOC Conjuring Continues To Add Prize-Money Meanwhile Inglis graduate Conjuring (1999 Easter Sale purchase for $50,000) has certainly proven a great money spinner for connections. When the 5YO gelding by Fairy King scored in Class One company at Hong Kong’s Happy Valley track last week, he took his prize-money total to over A$600,000 with 5 wins from 14 starts. (Jan 29) TOC Multiple US Gr1 Winner Sir Bear Retired Barbara Smollin’s remarkable 10-year-old gelding Sir Bear, a multiple US Gr1 winner, has finally retired from the track. The decision to retire Sir Bear (who won the Gr1 Gulfstream Park Handicap as an 8YO) came after last weekend’s 11th-place finish in the Sunshine Millions Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Classic at Gulfstream Park. "In the last couple of his races, he’s bled pretty badly," trainer Ralph Ziadie told thoroughbredtimes.com. "He’s looked good, he’s trained well & he’s sound, but we haven’t been able to control the bleeding. I’m really going to miss him a lot. He helped put me on the map." A son of Sir Leon, Sir Bear won his first US stakes race at Calder Race Course back in 1996, taking the Jackie Wackie Handicap; subsequent triumphs (among 10 stakes races) included the 1998 Gr1 Cigar Mile & 1999 Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap. His last victory came on 12 January 2002 in the Gr3 Skip Away Handicap at Gulfstream. "The last three or four races, the bleeding problem kept getting worse," said breeder & co-owner Al Smollin. "We wanted to run him one more time at Gulfstream, because that’s always been his track. But after that performance (in the Sunshine Millions), we decided to retire him sound.” (Jan 29) TOC McPeek Snaps Up Brazilian Gr1 Winners Leading Florida trainer Ken McPeek has grabbed US headlines by adding two Brazilian Gr1 winners to his expanding stable. Naraingang (a son of Gulf Star) won the 2002 Gr1 Presidente da Republica at Gavea racecourse & boasts a record of 7 victories in 13 career starts. Art Variety (a son of Pleasant Variety) won the 2002 Gr1 Jockey Club Brasileiro at Gavea & has won 2 of 10 starts. McPeek, who confirmed University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has purchased 50% interests in both horses, told thoroughbredtimes.com: "They just got in this country & will be turned out for 60 days & pointed to races this fall." Meanwhile McPeek still hopes his stable star Repent will be fit in time for the Gr1 Dubai World Cup on March 29. The 4YO son of Louis Quatorze (& multiple US Gr2 winner) recently rejoined McPeek’s stable in Florida, after recovering from a tendon injury suffered in the Gr1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park last September. "It’s going to be touch & go," McPeek said. “I’ve got time to get him ready, but he’s got to scream he wants to go." McPeek added owners Feye & Jerry Bach of Select Stable are anxious for Repent to compete in Dubai, which offers international racing’s biggest purse in the US$6 million World Cup run over 10 furlongs on the dirt at Nad al Sheba racecourse. (Jan 29) TOC Eli’s Game Lands South African Gr1 Sprint Eli's Game swooped from the tail of the field to blitz his rivals in the weight-for-age Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at Kenilworth racecourse in Cape Town, reported sahorseracing.com. Young jockey Bernard Fayd' Herbe rode Eli’s Game to victory for trainer Mike Bass, ahead of Dominion Ruler & boom 3YO National Currency (the hot favourite trained by Michael Azzie & ridden by Pierre Strydom). (Jan 29) TOC Penfold Joins Britton House Stud Anthony Penfold, racing & bloodstock manager to Fahd Salman for over 15 years years, has been appointed stud manager & bloodstock & racing adviser for Roger Baines's exciting Britton House Stud in Somerset in England. "I'm thrilled to be involved in this top-quality operation," Penfold told racingpost.co.uk. "Roger Baines has bought some very nice mares & there is a good nucleus of 10 top-class mares. It's only in its 4th year but Britton House has already sold a US$1 million yearling at the Keeneland sales. There's a very good team here & I'm delighted to be part of it." Penfold will continue to run his Bugley Stud (based in nearby Dorset) & act as an independent bloodstock agent. Britton House Stud was purchased in 1999 by Roger Baines Holdings & has since undergone a major redevelopment under the supervision of Dick Fowlston. The business plan, reported bloodhorse.com, has been to build a band of high-quality mares, selling their progeny while retaining some to go into training, & make Britton House one of the UK's foremost studs. There are now 56 boxes in 4 separate units, a separate isolation unit, a dedicated foaling unit & intensive care facilities. The historic stud, which is divided into 16 paddocks & was originally part of the famous Portman Estate, has been totally free of any chemical sprays or fertilisers since the 1940s. One of the mares at Britton House is Oyster Catcher (by Bluebird) who was purchased at the 2000 Keeneland November sale for US$2,150,000. The US$1 million yearling (a colt by Seeking The Gold out of the Summer Squall mare Mackie) was consigned at last year's Keeneland September sale. (Jan 29) TOC Piggott & O'Brien Top UK Racing Greats Betting In the UK, Racing Post is running a readers’ poll of Britain’s All-Time 100 Racing Greats. And bookmaking firm Corals has installed legendary jockey Lester Piggott & champion trainer Vincent O’Brien as 11-10 joint-favourites to be voted Nunber 1. Racing Post readers have a shortlist of 12 to choose from, with long-timer owner Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) next in Coral’s betting list at 8-1, while Tony McCoy (recently voted third in the BBC’s Sports Personality Of The Year Awards) at 14-1. "Pricing this market caused much heated debate among our compilers & opinion was split over which of the 2 great men will be voted The Greatest," said Coral spokesman Simon Clare. Coral’s current betting market is: 11-10 Lester Piggott & Vincent O'Brien; 8-1 The Queen Mother; 14-1 A.P.McCoy & Sir Gordon Richards; 20-1 Frankie Dettori & Sheikh Mohammed; 33-1 Phil Bull & Martin Pipe; 40-1 Fred Winter; 100-1 Fred Archer & Admiral Henry Rous. (Jan 29) TOC UK Bookmakers Threaten Strike UK bookmaker resentment at a 10% tax levied to pay for data provided by the British Horseracing Board came to the boil at Wolverhampton when on-course bagmen threatened to strike. Mick Williams, president of the UK Association of Racecourse Bookmakers led the unrest, telling racingpost.co.uk: “The strength of feeling on the new payments being demanded is such that we will seriously consider whether to take strike action over it.” He was at pains to make clear the argument was not with Wolverhampton racecourse, & explained a questionnaire was to be sent out to bookmakers on all British racecourses to canvass views on possible action. But a straw poll of the 15 bagmen operating in the Tattersalls enclosure at Wolverhampton resulted in a 14-1 vote in favour of a strike to highlight the bookmakers’ case & they have also been busy lobbying their MPs to enlist their support on the issue. UK bookmakers currently pay £15 a day for the BHB lists of runners, but under the new levy agreement, that is due to be replaced on April 1 by the 10% profits tax. The change would increase the annual sum paid by a bookmaker with yearly turnover of £100,000 (a typical amount for Williams’ members) from around £2,500 to £10,000. Fellow bookmaker Terry Higgins added: “10% gross represents 33% net & that is just not possible for us to find. It’s a punitive tax &, to be cynical, you have to feel the thinking behind it is to force some of us on-course bookmakers out of action, & then force the rest of us to work to wider margins – to the detriment of betting shop punters (where the upshot may well be lower SP returns in betting shops.” (Jan 29) TOC Ela Athena Produces Giant's Causeway Filly Gr1 winner Ela Athena, purchased for US$2 million by Klaus Jacobs's Newsells Park Stud at Keeneland in November, has produced a filly by Giant's Causeway. The filly, her first foal, was dropped at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. "She's beautiful, a lovely filly," Ashford manager Dermot Ryan told racingpost.co.uk. “Ela Athena will be returned to Giant's Causeway during the up-coming breeding season." (Jan 29) TOC Cyberspace Logs First US Stakes Winner Rocking Horse Farm’s Cyberspace logged his first US stakes winner when Cyber Secret won the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Cyberspace stands at Stonebridge Farm in Florida & has 5 winners from 10 starters in 2 crops of racing age. Bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm, Cyberspace won 1 of 7 races and $8,420. He is by Forty Niner out of the Nijinsky II mare Video, & is a half-brother to multiple Gr1 winner Scan & a full brother to stakes placed winner Camcorder. (Jan 29) TOC Sensational Start To NZ Karaka Sale “We’ve just seen one of the strongest opening sessions ever recorded at Karaka, with the average up 32%, aggregate up 36% & a clearance rate of an incredible 90%,” declared NZ Bloodstock’s general manager of bloodstock & marketing Julia Naismith following the Monday evening opening session of NZ’s Premier Yearling Sale. “The minute the first yearling stepped into the ring the action was hot, with bids flying fast from all directions. The buying bench from Australia is one of the best we’ve seen here, including a lot of new faces. The Hong Kong presence is very strong & we also had active buyers from Japan, Europe, Singapore & NZ. It is fair to say the opening session has completely exceeded our pre-sale expectations & we are delighted that we have been able to achieve such successful figures this early in the sale. Vendors are thrilled with the demand for their yearlings & buyers are most impressed by the quality of yearlings on offer. There are a lot of happy faces around Karaka tonight.” The First Session average was NZ$106,275 (last year NZ$80,385); aggregate was NZ$6,695,500 (last year NZ$4,903,500); clearance rate 90% (last year 82%). Top price was NZ$410,000 paid by Rogerson Bloodstock for a Danehill-Casuarina Beach filly consigned by Curraghmore Farm. Leading buyers were: trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson (4 lots for a total NZ$845,000; James Bester (1 lot for NZ$400,000 – the bay colt from Pencarrow Stud is the first yearling offered from the initial crop by Nureyev’s outstanding sprinter Stravinsky & is a half-brother to AJC Epson Derby winner Allez Suez & stakes placed Embraceable You); Tim Boland, acting for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum (1 lot for NZ$375,000 - a half-sister to Gr1 SAJC Australasian Stakes winner Tully Thunder, this bay filly by Zabeel is the 4th foal of outstanding Centaine mare Fleur de Chine); & Gai Waterhouse (4 lots for NZ$330,000). The leading sires by average were: Danehill (3 sold at average NZ$263,333); Zabeel (7 sold at average NZ$226,429); Stravinsky (6 sold from 1st crop at average NZ$120,833); & Pins (3 sold from 1st crop at average NZ$90,000). Among the vendors Windsor Park Stud sold 6 lots for NZ$1,040,000 (average NZ$173,333); Curraghmore Stud sold 4 lots for NZ$680,000 (average NZ$170,000); Cambridge Stud sold 6 lots for NZ$620,000; & Little Avondale Stud sold 3 lots for NZ$381,000 (average NZ$127,000). (Jan 28) TOC Oliver Declares Boom 2YO ‘Best I’ve Ever Ridden’ Champion Victoria jockey Damien Oliver grabbed headlines around the country with his statement that yesterday’s 7-length blitz of the field in Caulfield’s Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1000m) by Goondiwindi colt Murphy’s Blu Boy was the “most exciting & easiest” win by a 2YO he had ridden. Under the headline “The New Gunsynd”, The Daily Telegraph newspaper summed up: “Damien Oliver says Goondiwindi colt is ‘the best 2YO I’ve ever ridden’.” The colt has now won his only 4 starts by a collective 25 lengths. Oliver went on to say: “He’s outstanding. He burst the gates & got quicker, the further they went. I just sat there & enjoyed the ride. I was amazed he was so far in front. It was the easiest 2YO winner I’ve ridden.” And The Sydney Morning Herald quoted leading Melbourne trainer Rick Hore-Lacy (who had champion 2YOs Canny Lad & Redoute’s Choice) summing up: “I haven’t seen a horse win so convincingly in a group race since Luskin Star or Vain.” Bookmakers immediately slashed the colt’s odds for next month’s $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes: leading Melbourne bagman Michael Eskander posted him at 7-4, while Sydney’s Colin Tidy slashed him from 10-1 to 6-4. However future racing plans may become confused following confirmation by Hicks last night that “3 mystery bidders are offering $1 million” to buy the colt. The Australian newspaper quoted Hicks as saying: “I’ve asked for all offers in writing.” Murphy's Blu Boy is the first horse owner-trainer Hicks has bred, having bought the dam Murphy's Arch for just $2,800 & spending a further $3,500 on a mating with Beaudesert-based American stallion Blu Tusmani, reported appracingandsports.com.au. And an added bonus to having the speedy colt's mother is the fact Hicks has a yearling full brother at home. (Jan 28) TOC Massive Bet On Unraced Slipper Hopeful Meanwhile Sydney bookmaker Colin Tidy accepted a bet of $200,000 to $10,000 on trainer Tim Martin’s unraced 2YO Exceed And Excel to win the Golden Slipper, reported racenet.com.au. Exceed And Excel (Danehill-Patrona) & the John Hawkes trained Kusi (Desert Prince-Naughty) remain the 2 colts keen judges still wait to see perform under race-day conditions in the lead-up to the Slipper. (Jan 28) TOC New Race-Day Drug Rules The Australian Racing Board has introduced rule changes which ban nationally from February 1 (next Saturday) the admission of substances to racehorses on race-day, reported The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy said the rule change “will primarily prohibit treatments involving injections, stomach tubing & topical applications”. Murrihy noted the “image of racing would benefit”, adding: “Not being allowed to administer a treatment to a horse on race-day will not affect a horse’s chance in any way.” Stewards will have the power to withdraw a horse from its engagement should the rule be contravened. (Jan 28) TOC Brown On Short Trip To HK Sydney premiership-winning jockey Corey Brown will dash to Hong Kong immediately after next weekend’s Rosehill meeting, to help fill the current void in HK jockey ranks facing Sha Tin’s Chinese New Year meeting next Monday. With 6 HK jockeys suspended & Felix Coetzee injured, Brown told The Sydney Morning Herald: “It’s a good opportunity for me & it will be great to get over there to ride again. I rode in HK a few years ago, for just under 12 months, & I really liked it”. Brown will return to Sydney on the Wednesday morning. (Jan 28) TOC Brown’s Lucky Escape At Randwick Meanwhile Brown was lucky to escape serious injury at Randwick yesterday, after his mount Berber crashed through the inside running rail in the 2nd race. Brown was catapaulted into the air as Berber, with a saddle that had slipped right back to his rump, then attempted to buck & hit the ground heavily with his nose; Berber suffered cuts & bruises, but managed to stay on his feet. Brown was attended by ambulance officers before returning to the mounting yard with a bruised thumb, but assured racenet.com.au: "I'll be right to ride by Wednesday." (Allan Robinson was subsequently outed for a month after stewards held him responsible for the spectacular incident, triggered when he shifted in aboard Antiene.) (Jan 28) TOC HK & Japan Chasing Aust Jockeys And aapracingandsports.com.au reported “Hong Kong & Japan are again in the hunt for Australia’s leading jockeys, with tempting offers presented to Damien Oliver, Brett Prebble & Corey Brown”. Prebble has rejected an immediate offer to take up a 3-month contract in HK, while Oliver has deferred a decision on a similar offer from Japan. The HK Jockey Club had ealier approached Oliver to ride at the Chinese New Year meeting & also sought out Prebble about a long-term contract due to HK’s immediate shortage of senior riders (exacerbated when Irish jockey Patrick Smullen cancelled out of his contract to return home to be with his pregnant wife). Prebble has not ruled out taking up a contract after he completes his Australian autumn carnival commitments. The HKJC will issue contracts for the last 3 months of the HK season next month. (Jan 28) TOC Jockey Airlifted To Hospital After Fall Apprentice jockey Lonagan Milham was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a race fall at Hanging Rock yesterday, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Victorian Rural Ambulance spokesman John Mullen said Milham's condition was serious, but he had been stablised before being airlifted to hospital. Milham is apprenticed to Mornington trainer Peter Healey. (Jan 28) TOC Inghams Honoured In Australia Day List Australia’s leading racehorse owners Jack & Bob Ingham have been made Officers of the Order Of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day honours list for their “contribution to the racing & poultry industries & the community at large” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Jack Ingham, 74, is a former long-serving member of the Australian Jockey Club committee & founding director of the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board. The Inghams operate stables in 4 cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Adelaide) under the control of head trainer John Hawkes. (Jan 28) TOC Vet Sykes & Bookmaker Free Also Honoured Also honoured in the Australia Day awards were internationally renowned thoroughbred vet Percy Sykes & former Sydney bookmaker Keith Free. Sykes, who migrated from England to Australia in the 1950s & became an invaluable part of the Tommy Smith operation, becomes a Member of the Order of Australia for his “services to veterinary science, particularly equine health”. Free, a former chairman of the NSW Bookmakers Co-Operative Society, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his “services to racing & the community.” (Jan 28) TOC Rosehill Quintet For Hawkes & Inghams Meanwhile Ingham stable trainer John Hawkes landed 5 winners at Rosehill in Sydney: Safety (Corey Brown); Pearly Kings (Darren Beadman); Periscope (Darren Beadman); Pentathlon (Corey Brown); & Ingres (Corey Brown). The last time Jack & Bob Ingham had 5 winners in a day at the same track was back on 1990 Silver Slipper Day, reported racenet.com.au, when their then trainer Vic Thompson was successful with Sanction, Lord Lyric, In The Money, Anschuss & Only Be Quick. (Jan 28) TOC Bailey Continues Queensland Winning Streak Riding an equally exciting winning streak in Queensland is the Alan Bailey stable, which landed weekend winning doubles at both Eagle Farm in Brisbane & on the Gold Coast. (Jan 28) TOC Moody Wins At Last Brisbane Meeting Peter Moody bowed out of Brisbane racing on a winning note when Nedeyev gave the stable a win at the last Saturday of racing from the trainer’s Brisbane stables, reported racenet.com.au. Moody had been foreman for Bill Mitchell’s Brisbane stable, before branching out in his own right & setting-up a full-time Melbourne stable after winning the 2001 Gr1 Victoria Derby with Amalfi. Since establishing his Melbourne stables at Caulfield, Moody has been returning regularly to Brisbane to oversee operations, but has now decided to concentrate fully on Melbourne. (Jan 28) TOC Northerly Targets Handicap Events Handicap races are now favoured as Northerly’s lead-up program to the $1.25 million Australian Cup at Flemington on March 10. “Trainer Fred Kersley is expected to confirm this week that Northerly will make his return to racing in Perth on February 8 before sending him to Melbourne where he will have only one other start before the Australian Cup,” reported appracingandsports.com.au. Kersley has been forced to look at options to weight-for-age races for Northerly due to changes to the Melbourne autumn program coupled with difficult flight schedules. However Northerly’s final autumn program remains clouded: The Daily Telegraph reported the champ “may campaign exclusively in Sydney this autumn” after speaking to Fred’s wife Judy Kersley, who said: “At the moment it is lineball. At this stage Fred is still undecided.” (Jan 28) TOC NSW BOBS Scheme Pays Out $1 Million In Bonuses The win by Pearly Kings at Rosehill saw the NSW BOBS scheme pay out $1 Million in bonuses, reported racenet.com.au. BOBS pays bonuses to nominated horses on any NSW metropolitan or provincial win: $20,000 for a Saturday metropolitan race; $10,000 for a metropolitan mid-week; & $5,000 for a provincial victory. Woodlands Stud manager Trevor Lobb commented: "BOBS is fantastic. This bonus has allowed us to add another $20,000 to the prize-money. All Woodlands stallions are nominated for BOBS & we would like to thank our clients for their support." Racing NSW chairman Tony Hartnell added: "BOBS has generated a 130% net return to owners on industry money. No single club could have achieved this. It is amazing to see what the industry can do collectively when it puts its mind to it." (Jan 28) TOC Deamer Takes Over Training Lovely Jubly Owner David Throsby confirmed Jason Deamer would take over as trainer of outstanding mare Lovely Jubly. Throsby told racenet.com.au Lovely Jubly had arrived back at Newcastle’s Broadmeadow track from the Gold Coast & would recommence work as soon as Deamer received his trainer’s licence. Deamer & Throsby were at the centre of a stewards' inquiry (last September) into who was the actual trainer of Lovely Jubly. Throsby officially held the title, but admitted during the inquiry Deamer had been training the dual Gr1 winner. In a shock move, Throsby then transferred Lovely Jubly to South Coast stables of Kevin Robinson. “Jason Deamer is my foreman & did most of the work for my horses for the past 5 years,” Throsby said yesterday. “He is the trainer now & the Thoroughbred Racing Board will be informed.” Throsby added Deamer would take over the training of all his horses. Deamer, 27, rode 35 winners as an apprentice in Sydney before succumbing to weight problems & taking the role of foreman for his former master Allan Denham. He then linked with Newcastle trainer Max Lees before joining the Throsby camp. (Jan 28) TOC Melbourne Cup Target For Oarsman The $4 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November is now the focus for top New Zealand stayer Oarsman (The Son, out of Virginia Lake by Royal Loch) following his weekend win in the Gr1 Lion Brown Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham. Oarsman, who had been narrowly beaten by just a nose in the Lion Red Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, finished with a powerful run in the straight to defeat Wolf Creek (by Oregon) & Mojo (by Dance Floor). Ridden by Gary Grylls, the chestnut gelding won his first Gr1 race at his 17th start, in a respectable time of 3.19.53. Oarsman is trained at Cambridge by Paul Duncan for Te Kuiti owner Bill Punch, who bred him "for a bit of fun". But after the Wellington Cup triumph, Punch told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "Since Saturday everyone tells me the Melbourne Cup’s the race to head for & people have been trying hard to buy him as a Melbourne Cup horse. So I guess that’s where we’re headed. And if gets there, it will be in our colours, with Gary Grylls wearing them & Paul Duncan as the trainer." Unfashionable breeding is Punch’s specialty. He bred Cox Plate legend Bonecrusher from Pag Asa out of Imitation. Similarly Oarsman is by little known sire The Son (Noble Bijou-The Twinkle). (Jan 28) TOC Zvezda Shooting for Doncaster Handicap Meanwhile Zvezda (His Royal Highness, out of Carnival Girl by Roughcast), winner of the NZ Gr1 Holden Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, is aiming for the AJC’s Sydney autumn jewel, the $2.5 million Doncaster Handicap at Randwick on April 19. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," 4YO gelding Zvezda’s 32-year-old Otaki owner-breeder-trainer Kay Lane told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Zvezda is the first Gr1 winner for Lane, who prepares only a handful of horses, but has achieved Gr1 placings in Australia in recent years with both Figurehead (2nd in the Queensland Derby) & Figurante (3rd in the Queensland Oaks). Zvezda is a grand-son of mare Little Madge, who Lane bought for just NZ$700 in 1988. Her other notable broodmare purchase Stunning Time cost an incredible NZ$300 & is the grand-dam of both Figurehead & Figurante. Zvezda produced a bold front-running display for champion NZ jockey Lance O’Sullivan, to defeat Rosina Lad (by Faltaat) & Travellin Man (by Blues Traveller). However Rosina Lad was struck on the head by O’ Sullivan’s whip in the dying stages of the race, leading to a protest before correct weight was declared. (Jan 28) TOC Tit For Taat Wins NZ Gr1 Telegraph Handicap Meanwhile Tit For Taat mastered clear top-weight of 58.5kgs to score his 4th Gr1 victory in the rescheduled ING Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham. Conceding upwards of 4.5kg to his rivals, the 5YO Faltaat gelding (out of Miss Kiwitea, by Truly Vain) grabbed Egyptian Raine & Australian visitor Fair Embrace in the shadows of the post. Tit For Taat (trained at Riwa Park by Wayne Herbert) was ridden by NZ premiership leader Michael Walker, whose last ride on the chestnut had resulted in a dead-heat win with Elevenses in the Gr1 Captain Cook Stakes on the same track in October. This was Tit For Taat’s 13th win overall (his 3 previous Gr1 victories were over 1600m in the 2000 Guineas, Bayer Classic & Captain Cook Stakes). (Jan 28) TOC Hail Begins Sydney Build-Up New Zealand’s current weight-for-age staying star Hail (by Stark South) has resumed from a short break to prepare for the Sydney autumn carnival. Winner of the Gr1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on January 2, Hail will spend the next week on a walker before rejoining the Woodville stable of Bruce & Stephen Marsh. "He probably won’t race before heading across to Sydney," Bruce Marsh told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. "The 3 races there - the Ranvet, Chipping Norton & BMW Stakes - should be an ideal program for him." (Jan 28) TOC Woburn For South Australia Meanwhile NZ Mercedes Derby 3rd placegetter Woburn (by Groom Dancer) is back in work with trainer Allan Sharrock in preparation for the South Australian Derby. "He came through the derby brilliantly," Sharrock told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. "He’ll kick off again with probably a couple of races here & then, all going well, head for Adelaide." Woburn, who stormed home late for a close 3rd in the NZ Derby, has attracted offers from overseas, but Sharrock said none had been strong enough to tempt connections. (Jan 28) TOC Classy NZ Mare Platonic Retired Trainer & part-owner Grahame Richardson has announced the retirement of the classy racemare Platonic, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The 7YO returned to Richardson's Matamata stable after racing in Melbourne during the spring, but failed to make it back to the races after contracting a virus. Platonic, who Richardson raced in partnership with breeders Chris & Glen Dillon, won 10 races including the Cuddle Stakes at Trentham, Chester Manifold Stakes in Melbourne & Matamata Cup on her home track. (Jan 28) TOC Affluent Takes US Gr1 Santa Monica Handicap Affluent, multiple US Gr1 winner on both dirt & turf, defeated promising filly Sightseek in the US$200,000 Gr1 Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita Park reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Sightseek, in her first test against older rivals, entered the 7-furlong event for older fillies & mares unbeaten in 4 career starts. After 3 straight runner-up finishes to champion Azeri last US spring (Gr1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park, & Gr1 Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap & Gr1 Vanity Handicap both at Hollywood Park), Affluent (a 5YO daughter of Affirmed) switched to the turf for her final 3 starts as a 4YO (winning the Gr1 John Mabee/Ramona Handicap at Del Mar in July, before finishing 5th to Owsley in the Gr2 WinStar Galaxy Stakes at Keeneland Race Course in October 4 & then 5th to Dress To Thrill in the Gr1 Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park in December). Affluent has won 8 of 20 career starts in 4 seasons for owner-breeder Janis Whitham. Bred in Kentucky, Affluent is one of 2 winners out of the unraced Strawberry Road mare Trinity Place, a daughter of 2-time champion Argentinian mare Bayakoa. (Jan 28) TOC Florida-Breds Rule On Sunshine Millions Day Florida-breds came away with the upper hand in Magna Entertainment Corporation’s inaugural Sunshine Millions series, winning 7 of the program’s 8 races against California-breds reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Florida won all 4 races at Gulfstream Park & 3 of the 4 races at Santa Anita Park. (In the point-score, Florida-breds outscored their California counterparts 56-16, based on a 5-3-1 point system for the top 3 finishers in each race.) Overall US$35,320,732 was wagered on the program. (Jan 28) Dwayne Dunn Lands 4 HK Winners Former South Australian jockey Dwayne Dunn landed 4 winners on Hong Kong’s 10-race program at Sha Tin. Among his fellow Australian expatriates trainer David Hayes claimed a winning treble to move to 2nd place on the trainers’ premiership behind countryman John Size. (Jan 28) TOC Aust Racing Institute Treble In Singapore And in Singapore, the Australian Racing Institute reaped a reward for its investment in local racing with a weekend treble, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Singapore's leading trainer Malcolm Thwaites grabbed 7 wins at the Saturday-Sunday meetings, & Zimbabwe jockey Mark Du Plessis rode 5 of them. "It was a fabulous result for the team," said Thwaites' racing manager Leigh McKenzie. "And it was very fitting that 3 of the winners on Sunday were for the Australian Racing Institute, who have invested largely in Singapore racing & were at the races with a large group of supporters & their very own cheering squad." (Jan 28) TOC Champion Riboletta Produces First Foal Brazilian-bred Riboletta, champion US Older Mare in 2000, gave birth to a filly by Forestry at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 8YO daughter of Roi Normand was bre