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Avanzado (Luhuk-Avian Eden, by Storm Bird) finished 2nd & Captain Squire (Flying Chevron-Dolly’s Back, by At The Threshold) 3rd, with the winning time of 1min 9.95sec considered very fast for the Dubai dirt track. Jockey Len Beasley told racenet.com.au: "That was a super effort from her, really really good. She ran a terrific race. At the 400m I thought I had them covered, but they just quickened again. If I could have the ride again, I would just let her go. She would have been even better with the benefit of a run on the dirt prior to this, but she did run very well." Part-owner John Singleton added: "It was a terrific run. I have no regrets at all about bringing her here. She did her best & so did Lenny." Trainer Clarry Conners summed up: “She's not that far behind the winner & she tried her heart out." Winner State City is trained by Dubai-based Paddy Rudkin, former head man to Henry Cecil at Newmarket in England before setting up in Dubai 10 years ago. (March 31) Dettori Lands Godolphin Treble Star of the Dubai World Cup meeting (the richest in the world) was Frankie Dettori, head jockey for Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum’s Godolphin stable. Dettori landed a remarkable treble: the US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup (2000m on dirt) on Moon Ballad; the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m on turf) on Sulamani: & the US$1 million Gr2 Godolphin Mile on Firebreak (Charnwood Forest-Breakaway, by Song). (March 31) Moon Ballad Takes Gr1 Dubai World Cup In the World Cup (2000m on dirt), Frankie Dettori took Moon Ballad (Singspiel-Velvet Moon, by Shaadi) straight to the lead from his extreme outside barrier 11 & simply ran his rivals off their legs. Moon Ballad scored by 5 lengths from US entry Harlan's Holiday (Harlan-Christmas In Aiken, by Affirmed) with multiple UK Gr1-winner Nayef (Gulch-Height Of Fashion, by Bustino) a further length away 3rd, followed by Grandera, State Shinto & Grundlefoot. The winning time was 2min 0.48sec & Moon Ballad’s scintillating performance drew comparisons from Dettori to his awesome 2000 World Cup success on Dubai Millennium: "I got the same feeling as I had when riding Dubai Millennium because when I turned for home, I couldn't see the other horses. All I could hear was the crowd cheering. I knew then that we were going to win, as he had plenty left & was enjoying it. When we drew 11, I knew it would be ideal, as we would be able to do our own thing & it worked perfectly." Dettori summed up: "He is a truly wonderful horse. The sky is now the limit for him." Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said Moon Ballad's ultimate aim will be the US Gr1 Breeders' Cup Classic (a race Godolphin has never won): “He has made a lot of improvement from 3YO to 4YO – mentally & physically." Moon Ballad, a 4YO Irish-bred chestnut son of Singspiel, became the first son of a Dubai World Cup winner to take the planet's richest horse race. Singspiel won in 1997. It was the 5th World Cup victory for the Dubai-based Godolphin team: besides Singspiel, it also won with Almutawakel (1999), Dubai Millennium (2000) & Street Cry (2002). Moon Ballad’s 1st Gr1 triumph, worth US$3.6 million, gives him 5 wins in 10 career starts (with 3 2nds & a 3rd) & career earnings of US$4.3 million. Runner-up Harlan's Holiday rider John Velazquez said: "He ran a great race & we are very pleased with him. He was beaten by a better horse on the night." The Gr1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga is Harlan's Holiday's next probable target, although trainer Todd Pletcher noted he is more likely to be retired to stud than have another crack at the World Cup next year. (March 31) Moon Ballad Rated 129 In World Cup Victory Moon Ballad “has to improve by another 5lb to be the equal of Dubai Millennium, the 2000 World Cup winner, & he is probably capable of doing so.” That was the considered opinion from Melvin Day, Emirates Racing Association official handicapper, after he had “chewed over the figures behind the facts of the weekend events with his international colleagues Nigel Gray (Britain), Ciaran Kennelly (Hong Kong) & Mike Wanklin (Singapore),” reported racingpost.co.uk. Dubai Millennium went into the World Cup on 127, & his win rated 134, which he carried through to the end of the season to emerge world champion. Moon Ballad, 120 in the International Classification on his turf form, will go into Day's file on 129 after the weekend, which puts him ahead of the world so far. Day explained: “We worked around the runner-up Harlans Holiday (120) & Grundlefoot (113), who finished 6th, & allowed Moon Ballad 9lb for his 5-length win. You couldn’t fail to be impressed by Moon Ballad, & I wouldn't be surprised if he improved further. Id love to see him take on the Americans over there.” Grandera & Sulamani were bracketed on 126 with High Chaparral before the World Cup as the world's best horses still in training. And while the handicappers reckoned Grandera fell below his peak in finishing 4th to Moon Ballad, they took Sulamani as running up to his Arc form in winning the Sheema Classic. (March 31) Sulamani Wins Gr1 Sheema Classic After the running of the Sheema Classic, Frankie Dettori was ecstatic about Sulamani's (Hernando-Soul Dream, by Alleged) effort: "Absolutely awesome! He actually didn't feel right & I wasn't happy with him in the early stages of the race. But he still made 3 runs. Awesome, that's all I can say about him. It is unbelievable. I thought it was impossible to win. This was a performance out of the top draw.” Sulamani (who won last year’s French Derby) came from 3rd last, & 12 lengths behind the leaders, on the turn to swamp the Sheema field, prompting Dettori to declare: “Turning for home, I still thought we had no chance, but he quickened 3 times & he took my breath away. I have never ridden a mile & a half horse like him before." Godolphin’s Simon Crisford emphasised: "He has the potential to be Godolphin's best horse. He has great acceleration & hopefully he can go on from this. He will be entered in all the best races in the world." The French-trained mare Ange Gabriel (Kaldounevees-Mount Gable, by Head For Heights) finished 2nd & jockey Thierry Jarnet said: "He ran a very good race. I had a nice run throughout & it is no disgrace to be beaten by a champion." British hope Ekraar (Red Ransom-Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) was 4 lengths behind the winner in 3rd. (March 31) Ipi Tombe Scores In Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes Zimbabwean-bred & South African-based 4YO mare Ipi Tombe (Manshood-Carnet De Danse, by Dance In Time) established her claim as the best female racehorse in the world when she scored a decisive 3-length victory over German-trained Paolini (Lando-Prairie Darling, by Stanford) & Royal Tryst (Kingmambo-In On The Secret, by Secretariat) in the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes (1777m on turf). Jockey Kevin Shea said: “I allowed her plenty of time to settle & I switched her off. But when I asked her for her effort, the hairs went up on the back of my neck. She was absolutely awesome." Ipi Tombe is unbeaten in her 7 starts for South African trainer Mike de Kock. (March 31) Victory Moon Takes UAE Derby & Cox Plate May Follow Ipi Tombe was just 1 of 2 winners for South African trainer Mike de Kock. He also landed the US$2 million UAE Derby (2000m on dirt) with Victory Moon (Al Mufti-Dancing Flower, by Dancing Champ), who beat the Godolphin pair Songlark (Singspiel-Negligent, by Ahonoora) ridden by Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy & Inamorato (Tale Of The Cat-Be My Sweetheart, by No Robbery). De Kock is unsure whether Victory Moon will stay with him in South Africa or be switched to Europe or Australia, although he will be trained for next year's World Cup. He summed up: "There are so many plans for him. We have thought about Australia & the Cox Plate or taking him to Europe for a summer campaign. But his ultimate target will be the Dubai World Cup next year.” Meanwhile Inamorato's trainer Saaed bin Suroor commented: "I still believe the horse is good enough to win big races & maybe we will still run in the Kentucky Derby. The horse just didn't have any luck. Frankie Dettori said he was stopped more than once." (March 31) Dubai Winners Ipi Tombe & State City Due In US Although American horses drew a blank at the US$15.2 million Dubai World Cup races, 2 of the winners - Ipi Tombe (South African-based winner of the Dubai Duty Free Stakes) & State City (locally trained winner of the Dubai Golden Shaheen) - “are due to switch to training in the US,” reported bloodhorse.com. Barry Irwin, manager of Team Valor which has bought a substantial stake in Ipi Tombe, announced immediately after her triumph that she would join Elliott Walden to be prepared for the US Gr1 Arlington Million (where she may clash with US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri). And State City’s trainer Paddy Rudkin revealed State City will now move to the US to join an as yet unnamed trainer. (March 31) NZ-Bred Stuttgart Sets North American Record For 4.5 Furlongs Meanwhile in the US on the weekend, 6YO NZ-bred gelding Stuttgart set a North American record for 4.5 furlongs at Golden Gate Fields when he stopped the clock in 49.86sec, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The previous record was set in 1993 by Cake N’ Steak, who ran 4.5 furlongs in 50sec at Mountaineer Park. Owned by Grand Lodge Thoroughbreds & trained by Jeff Bonde, NZ-bred Stuttgart posted fractions of 20.59sec & 43.33sec on the way to an 11.5-length win – the 7th in his 15 starts. (March 31) Believe Beats Males In Japan’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen And in Japan, Believe (a 5YO daughter of Sunday Silence) defeated her male rivals in the US$1.4 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen on the turf at Chukyo racecourse yesterday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com, leaving in her wake defending champ Shonan Kampf (7th) & American representatives Disturbingthepeace (13th) & Echo Eddie (17th). The California-bred US stakes winners, trained by Darrell Vienna, were the first foreign horses to participate in the race, which was only opened to international runners in 2001. Believe is owned by Koji Maeda, who also races Sunday Break (3rd in last year’s US Gr1 Belmont Stakes). Believe has now won 9 of 23 career starts. Bred in Japan by Uemizu Bokujo, Believe is out of winning Danzig mare Great Christine, half-sister to 1986 Horse-Of-The-Year Lady’s Secret. (March 31) Bollinger Wins Gr1 Coolmore Classic And back in Australia . . . At only her 6th start, 3YO filly Bollinger (unbeaten in 3 starts this preparation) won the $500,000 Gr1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens. The Coolmore Classic is Australia’s only Gr1 race restricted to fillies & mares. Bollinger (Dehere-Bint Marscay) beat Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter-Jaboulet) & Galapagos Girl (Dehere-Reigntaine). Bollinger joins Defier & Belle Du Jour as Arrowfield Stud’s sire-of-the-moment Dehere’s southern hemisphere Gr1 winners. (March 31) Dehere’s 7-Week Stakes Run The Stakes wins just keep on rolling for Arrowfield Stud boss John Messarsa & Dehere, the stallion he resurrected from Japan. And along the way, noted racenet.com.au, Dehere “looks to have a decent shot of emerging as Australia’s champion sire this season.” (Northerly’s narrow defeat in the Gr1 Ranvet Stakes may have opened the door for Dehere & Danehill to make a late charge for the title.) Bollinger became the third Gr1 winner for Dehere this season & he remains the only stallion to sire more that one Gr1 winner. And Bollinger’s victory makes it 7 consecutive weeks that Dehere has sired at least one stakes winner: On February 23, Galapagos Girl won the Gr3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield. On March 1, Natural Blitz won the Gr2 Shannons Classic (1800m) at Caulfield, with Glefti making it a Dehere quinella. On March 8, Belle Du Jour took the Gr1 Newmarket Hcp (1200m) at Flemington. On March 10, Galapagos Girl added the Gr3 Tooheys New Plate (1400m), with Special Grange making it another Dehere quinella. On March 15, Bollinger won the Gr2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm. On March 22, Defier won the Gr2 Canterbury Stakes (1200m) in course record time & on the same program Dehero won the Listed Eskimo Prince Quality (1100m). (March 31) Marscay’s Broodmare Sires Title Tilt Widden Stud’s former star stallion Marscay “is closing on his 3rd Australian broodmare sires title after the win of Bint Marscay’s daughter Bollinger in the Gr1 Coolmore Classic” noted racenet.com.au. It was a Marscay mare’s 3rd Gr1 winner of the season (Defier, Bollinger & Scenic Peak). “With a little more luck Marscay may have had an even better day at Rosehill. The $950,000 Danehill colt Untouchable, a son of Marscay mare Canny Miss (a three-quarter-sister-in-blood to triple Gr1 winner Canny Lass & Golden Slipper winner Canny Lad) raced very greenly before going down to Exceed And Excel in the Gr2 Todman Stakes.” And Into The Night (a 4YO son of Rhythm out of Marscay mare Marshow) finished 2nd in the Gr3 Star Kingdom Stakes. However, with earnings of $4.4 million for the season, Marscay is still $1 million behind Bellwater (whose $5.36 million has come almost entirely from Northerly, which has contributed $5.1 million of the total). (March 31) Republic Lass Pips Northerly In Gr1 Ranvet Stakes Meanwhile Australia’s weight-for-age champion Northerly failed narrowly in his attempt to notch his 10th Gr1 victory when pipped by 4YO mare (& last year’s Gr1 AJC Oaks winner) Republic Lass in the $400,000 Gr1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens. It was Northerly’s 1st race in Sydney, where he had to race clock-wise (opposite to his usual anti-clockwise direction), prompting trainer Fred Kersley to note the “home ground advantage” for Republic Lass was a bonus, adding he is looking forward to “a return bout” in The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill in a fortnight. Northerly’s jockey Patrick Payne told Kersley the horse (who has won $8.6 million) “lost a bit of concentration” on the bend, but declared the effort was still “very good.” He told The Sun-Herald: “This way of going was still a bit foreign. He got a bit lost out on his own, but he hasn’t lost any caste with me. It’s only going to improve him for his next run here.” Republic Lass had run 3rd last spring behind Northerly in the Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). Republic Lass (Canny Lad-Swift Seasons) beat Northerly (Serheed-North Bell) & Freemason (Grand Lodge-Sashed). She has now earned $1,301,190 prize-money with 6 wins & 5 thirds from 20 starts. (March 31) Over 300 Winners From 444 Runners For Canny Lad When Republic Lass won the AJC Oaks last year, she became the 6th Gr1 winner for 1990 Golden Slipper champion Canny Lad (by Bletchingly), who retired to Woodlands Stud in 1991. To date Canny Lad has sired over 300 winners from 444 runners who have earned over $21.7 million, noted racenet.com.au. Canny Lad’s previous Gr1 winners include: Accomplice 8 wins & $782,959 (including Gr1 AJC The Galaxy & Gr1 BATC Doomben 10,000); Dodge 7 wins & $998,714 (including Gr1 QTC Derby & Gr1 AJC Epsom Handicap); Cannsea 6 wins & $242,542 (including Gr1 Railway Handicap); Preserve 4 wins & $599,425 (including Gr1 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes); Allez Suez 4 wins & $597,100 (including Gr1 AJC Epsom Handicap). Republic Lass is the 3rd foal of Swift Seasons, exported back to the US after missing to her 1998 service by Flying Spur. A daughter of former outstanding Claiborne-based stallion Cox’s Ridge, Swift Seasons is out of the champion mare Cascapedia (by Chieftain), winner of 10 of her 19 starts including the Gr1 Vanity Handicap. Cascapedia’s grand-dam Princess Matoaka (by Princequillo) is a half-sister to Tulle (by War Admiral), dam of US Broodmare-Of-The-Year Courtly Dee (by Never Bend), dam of Champion US 2YO filly Althea (Alydar), Champion Japanese 2YO Yamanin Paradise, Vinery stallion Twining (by Forty Niner) & Middlebrook Valley Lodge stallion Press Card (by Fappiano). (March 31) Serheed & Danehill Continue Sires Battle The difference between 1st & 2nd place prize-money in the Gr1 Ranvet Stakes was $180,000 ($260,000 compared to $80,000). That would have been useful to Northerly’s sire Serheed in his race to hold-off Dehere & Danehill on the 2003 Australian Sires premiership. On the same day Danehill nabbed: a quinella in the Todman Stakes at Rosehill with Exceed And Excel (Danehill-Patrona) & Untouchable (Danehill-Canny Miss) worth a combined $127,000; plus a 3rd in the final event at Rosehill with Shovoff (Danehill-Startling Lass) and a 3rd (relegated from 1st) at Doomben with Cuphill (Danehill-Loving Cup; & a winner in the 1st event at Sandown in Melbourne with Specular (Danehill-Spyglass). (March 31) Aust Derby Winner Don Eduardo Retired To Stud After the Ravnet Stakes, trainer Lee Freedman advised stewards that AJC Australian Derby winner & record-priced yearling Don Eduardo “will be retired to stud”, reported The Sun-Herald. Don Eduardo (Zabeel-Diamond Lover) finished last, 11.5 lengths behind winner Republic Lass. Overall Don Eduardo won 5 of his 18 career starts & $1.6 million prize-money. Yesterday Andrew Baddock (bloodstock manager for Don Eduardo’s owner Eduardo Cojuangco) confirmed to aapracingandsports.com.au that the Zabeel stallion will be retired to stand at a “yet to be decided New Zealand stud.” Baddock said the game Don Eduardo pulled up with aggravated leg problems: “He got down on his front bumpers under the fetlocks in the Ranvet Stakes. It is another aggravation for the horse, after the joint problems he suffered in the spring, & we have decided not to persevere with his racing career. We are now negotiating with several studs & it seems likely he will be standing in New Zealand. An agreement should be finalised before Easter & we feel he will prove very popular in NZ on several counts. He was sold at Karaka for an Australasian record price as a yearling & as he is a three-quarter brother to Octagonal, we are certain he will be strongly supported by NZ breeders.” A product of the great Eight Carat family from the Sticks And Stones mare Diamond Lover (who also produced Group winners Tristalove, Peruzzi & Antwerp), Don Eduardo was purchased by Cojuangco under his Gooree Pastoral Company banner at Karaka in 2000 for an Australasian record yearling price of NZ$3.6 million. (March 31) Boom 2YO Season For Success Express When Express Force won at Toowoomba last Thursday, racenet.com.au reported he became the 14th 2YO winner for Success Express this season. On the weekend he followed up with a 2YO stakes winner: the Graeme Rogerson-trained Polar Success at Rosehill Gardens in the $300,000 Gr2 Reisling Stakes (1200m). Polar Success has never finished worse than 2nd in her 5-start career, for an overall record of 3 wins & 2 seconds & prize-money of $307,375. Rogerson purchased Polar Success for $32,000 at the 2002 Magic Millions Winter Yearling Sale; he previously trained the top-class Success Express mare Savannah Success (winner of the 1999 Gr1 NZ Oaks & Gr1 STC Ansett Australia Stakes). Polar Success is the 1st foal of Covetous mare Patou (which failed to make her tiny reserve of $6,000 at the 1996 Sydney Summer Yearling sale, but went on to tally 8 wins, including 3 on metropolitan tracks & a 2nd in the Listed AJC Angst Quality Handicap, for earnings of $185,798). Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud purchased Patou for $70,000 at the 2000 Australian Broodmare sale with the Reisling Stakes winner in utero. Meanwhile Success Express is a mile in front in the race for the title of leading 2YO sire by number of winners: his 14 individual winners is double that of his nearest rivals El Moxie & Rory’s Jester. Success Express returns to owner Peter Moran’s Noble Park Stud in Queensland for the 2003 season. (March 31) Invincible Spirit To Shuttle To Chatswood Stud Last year's UK Gr1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner Invincible Spirit (Green Desert-Rafha, by Kris) is to shuttle to Chatswood Stud in Victoria for the 2003 Southern Hemisphere season, where his fee will be $12,000, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Bred & raced by Prince Faisal, Invincible Spirit (who stands at the Irish National Stud) won 7 races overall (also including the Gr3 Duke Of York Stakes, Gr3 MacDonagh Boland Stakes & 2 Listed events). His sire Green Desert has already had 3 sons sire Group winners in Australia & NZ: Desert Sun, Volksraad & his Irish National Stud stable-mate Desert Prince (who has 2 Group winners from his 1st crop of runners in Australia this season). Invincible Spirit is a half-brother to staying Group winners Sadian & Aquarius (their dam Rafha won the 1990 Prix de Diane). (March 31) Saratoga Springs Moves To Lindsay Park Darley’s UK Gr1-winner Saratoga Springs (El Gran Senor-Population, by General Assembly) is to stand at Lindsay Park Stud at Angaston in South Australia. Saratoga Springs first went to stud in 2000 & is relocating to Lindsay Park from Milluna Stud (which is dispersing its bloodstock interests). As a UK 2YO he won the Gr1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster & as a 3YO added the prestigious Gr2 Dante Stakes at York. The move from Milluna for Saratoga Springs follows agreement between Darley & Lindsay Park, who have had a long association via Darley’s horses-in-training at the famous property. Darley manager Oliver Tait said: "Darley is delighted that Saratoga Springs will be standing at Lindsay Park. His pedigree & race performance suggest he could be a successful stallion & his 1st crop of yearlings have certainly impressed." Lindsay Park’s Arthur Dabernig added: "We are very excited that Saratoga Springs is moving to Lindsay Park. He offers breeders outstanding Gr1 juvenile race form, as well as a strong international pedigree, & he is a very good looking horse. He has all the ingredients to be a top class stallion." Saratoga Springs will stand alongside Jeune, Indian Danehill & Alannan at Lindsay Park. (March 31) Adam First Stallion For Revised NSW BOBS Gr1 winner Adam is the first stallion paid-up for the revised NSW Breeder Owner Bonus Scheme, which commences on August 1. Adam’s part-owner Ken Page told aapracingandsports.com.au: “For the equivalent of just one service fee, we see the new BOBS scheme as an exciting initiative. Adam has now served 2 seasons & we see BOBS as an opportunity to really get him out into the market-place. We believe by paying up for Adam, we give ourselves a much better chance of attracting good bloodlines – we can only see the BOBS scheme as a win-win situation for the stallion.” Adam (by Rubiton) retired to Cedar Brush Farm with 12 wins & 17 placings & prize-money just under $2 million. His major victories came in the Gr1 George Main Stakes, Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap & Gr2 Theo Marks Stakes. Sire Contribution Fees are due by May 1 to ensure the stallion’s progeny are eligible for BOBS. After that date, the entrance fee for a stallion is double its advertised service fee. (March 31) NSW TAB Betting Markets On Major Sydney Races With the Sydney Autumn Carnival in full swing, these are the latest NSW TAB ‘fixed odds’ for 4 of the major up-coming races: Golden Slipper: Legally Bay $7; Niello $7; Polar Success $7; Kusi $7.50; Exceed And Excel $9; Hasna $9; Untouchable $9; Secret Land $9; Dorky $13; How Funny $17. Doncaster Handicap: Defier $4.25; Lonhro $4.25; Thorn Park $6.50; Gordo $8; Excellerator $10; Shogun Lodge $13; Grand Armee $15; Dash For Cash $15. AJC Derby: Fine Society $5; Helenus $5; Hydrometer $6; Platinum Scissors $6; Natural Blitz $7.50; St Reims $7.50; Sunray $11; Converge $13; Beaver $17; Strasbourg $17; Shower of Roses $17. Sydney Cup: Carnegie Express $5; National Treasure $5; Republic Lass $6.50; County Tyrone $10; Platinum Scissors $10; Mr Prudent $10; Dress Circle $13; Zafar $13; Honor Babe $15; Grey Song $15. (March 31) Price Confirms Roedean’s Gr1 Swab Details Melbourne trainer Mick Price confirmed the post-race “swab irregularity” taken from his filly Roedean after her win in last month’s Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield involves the banned substance lignocaine (used as a local anaesthetic on wounds). Price told The Australian newspaper Roedean had been treated with an ointment containing lignocaine for a “nick on her heel sustained 5 days before” the Blue Diamond, explaining: “She had a jump-out (barrier trail) on the Tuesday before the Blue Diamond & gave herself a little nick. A senior member of my staff applied Neocort, an ointment used for wounds. The stewards have advised me this ointment contains lignocaine.” Australia’s drug-free racing rules require that treatments must clear the horse’s system by race-day. The Blue Diamond winner’s prize-money of $650,000 has not been distributed. (March 31) NSW Bookmaker Fined $56,500 Bookmaker Wayne McDonald has been fined $56,500 by Racing NSW stewards following “charges of lodging a string of bets off-course with an unlicensed person,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. McDonald’s activities “centered around betting-back with an unlicensed person off-course on non-licensed mobiles” at Hawkesbury on February 27. McDonald pleaded guilty to 6 charges, including “improper practice, placing bets with an unlicensed person, possession of mobile phone not licensed by the Department of Gaming & Racing, & failure to record his bet-backs in authorised betting records.” McDonald was given 6 months to pay the fine & his clerk Kim Scott was disqualified for 6 months for “being a party to McDonald’s back betting activities & giving false evidence during the inquiry.” (March 31) Former Top NZ Trainer Ray Verner Dies Former great Takanini trainer Ray Verner has died, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Verner, 85, trained a host of top gallopers through the 1960s, 1970s & 1980s, & was a member of the exclusive 1000-plus winners club. His top horses included Prince Majestic, Turfcutter, Good Lord, Gold Hope, Soliloquy, The Gentry & Blue Blood. (March 31) Zabeel Sires Gr3 Winner in Australia The resurgence of Cambridge Stud’s super sire Zabeel continued in Australia when his son Zabarra won the $120,000 Gr3 Newmarket Handicap (1400m) at Newcastle. Across the Tasman, Zabeel has had a string of exciting gallopers emerge this season, including NZ Derby winner St Reims, Lafleur, Zafar & Sunray – a quartet all due in Sydney for major autumn carnival races. (March 31) Red Ransom’s 5th Stakes Winner For 2003 Fairly Ransom (Red Ransom-Fairly Grey, by Linamix) won the Listed Prix de Courcelles (2100m) at Longchamp on the weekend, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Bred by the late Jean-Luc Lagardere & now raced by his family, Fairly Ransom is highly regarded by trainer Andre Fabre & won his last 2 starts last season at Maisons-Laffitte & Longchamp (both over 1600m). Fairly Ransom is one of 5 stakes horses sired in 2003 by Red Ransom (by Roberto), who shuttles between Vinery in Kentucky & Australia. (March 31) New Autumn Sale Day At Karaka A new sale day has been created on the NZ Bloodstock Sales calendar with the introduction of the Autumn Yearling Sale & Autumn 2YO Breeze-Up Sale at Karaka on Friday May 9. NZ Thoroughbred Marketing announced: “In previous years, sessions for yearlings & 2YOs have been included in the mixed bloodstock section of the National Weanling & Broodmare Sale, held annually in May. This year an increase in demand from vendors for a further opportunity to prepare & market yearlings after the major National Yearling Sales in January, together with the development of a 2YO Breeze-Up Sale for autumn, has enabled NZ Bloodstock to offer a stand-alone catalogue & sale day for these events. The Autumn Yearling Sale provides an excellent opportunity for later maturing types, later foals or those that missed the January sales for other reasons, to be presented to the market at a later sale, while still enjoying the benefits of NZ Bloodstock’s extensive marketing & world class selling venue at Karaka.” Soon after the National Yearling Sales concluded in early February, NZ Bloodstock announced it would offer free entry to the Autumn Yearling Sale for yearlings which were passed-in at the National Yearling Sales. "We want to help those vendors who invested in getting their yearlings to the National Sales, but ended up with the disappointment of passing them in, to have another opportunity to offer their yearlings without a further entry fee," explained general manager, bloodstock & marketing, Julia Naismith. "We really had to wait & see just how many entries we received for the Autumn Yearling Sale before we could confirm whether it would be viable to run it as a stand-alone day, or within the National Weanling & Broodmare Sale. We have been delighted by the response & have put together a very nice catalogue of 112 yearlings." (March 31) NZ Autumn 2YO Breeze-Up Sale Also in February, NZ Bloodstock announced that the 2YO category of the National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale in May would include a Breeze-Up section for the first time. "The encouraging response from vendors to both the Autumn Yearling Sale option & this new 2YO Sale option, meant that we were able to put these 2 sessions together to create an interesting new sale day on Friday May 9," said Julia Naismith. The catalyst for creating the Autumn 2YO Breeze-Up Sale was the decision by NZ Bloodstock not to conduct its annual Singapore Ready-To-Run Sale this year. Naismith commented: "No doubt the sale will continue to produce great results & to prosper in the future, however we believe that this year, the sale would not be a viable proposition for us to conduct in Singapore in the current economic climate." As the decision not to run the sale in Singapore was made just recently, NZ Bloodstock had already purchased a number of horses in anticipation of the sale. The horses were all purchased as yearlings at the 2002 NZ Bloodstock National Yearling Sales (with the exception of one lot purchased last year as an untried 2YO). Naismith explained: "These horses were all carefully selected on the basis of their likely appeal & suitability for racing in Asia. The 18 horses were broken-in & have been educated & pre-training under the expert care of Dean Hawthorne at Anzac Lodge in Cambridge." The 18 NZ Bloodstock-owned 2YOs will be complemented by 17 other Breeze-Up 2YOs being offered by a range of vendors. They will each complete official Breeze-Ups at Cambridge Jockey Club’s Training Centre this Friday (April 4) from 1pm. (March 31) Laugh At Racing: Exhibition Of Racing-Inspired Cartoons Monday Odd Spot: From tomorrow (April 1) through to May 5, the Australian Racing Museum at Caulfield will host a cartoon exhibition Laugh at Racing. It features sketches with racing-inspired themes from some of Australia’s best known cartoonists; WEG, Peter Player, Jeff Hook, David (Macca) McArthur, Andrew Dyson, Paul Harvey, Peter Nicholson, Stuart Roth & Mark Knight. (March 31) Roedean’s Shock ‘Swab Irregularity’ After Gr1 Blue Diamond Win Melbourne 2YO filly Roedean has returned a “swab irregularity” after winning the recent Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes, reported Channel Ten. The filly is due to run in tomorrow’s Gr2 Reisling Slipper Stakes at Rosehill & a potential loss of Blue Diamond prize-money ($665,000) will mean she must win tomorrow to ensure a Golden Slipper start. Melbourne chairman of stewards Des Gleeson told The Daily Telegraph that testing from the Blue Diamond Stakes meeting had “yet to be completed”, that any irregularity is subjected to a 2nd test (or B sample) & that he expected the result of the B sample next week. Trainer Mick Price said: “Until we have more information from stewards there is no point talking about it.” (March 28) Aust Horses Top International Poll Australian horses are gaining increasing recognition overseas. According to leading American thoroughbred industry website letitride.com, Northerly & Lonhro are among the current top 5 international horses. Each week 42 racing journalists (from all over the world) compile their individual Top 10 List of horses racing around the globe. Of that 42, only 3 are Australian - so for Northerly to be currently ranked Number 1 & Lonhro Number 5 is a remarkable achievement. This week's letitride.com Top 10 is: 1: Northerly (remains 1) 2: Azeri (remains 2) 3: High Chaparral (remains 3) 4: Medaglia d'Oro (remains 4) 5: Lonhro (up from 6) 6: Congaree (down from 5) 7: Grandera (remains 7) 8: Milwaukee Brew (remains 8) 9: Sulamani (remains 9) 10: Xtra Heat (remains 10) Others receiving votes (listed in order of votes received): Empire Maker, Defier, Media Puzzle, Harlan's Holiday, Symboli Kris S, Agnes Digital, Best Mate, Aquarelliste, Storm Flag Flying, Fine Motion, Yell, Ipi Tombe, Volponi, Nayef, Grand Delight, Kona Gold, With Anticipation, Falbrav, Sunrise Pegasus, Ocean Terrace, The Tin Man, Starrer, Eishin Preston, Lion Tamer, Gold Allure, Eagle Café, Octennial, Colorful Tour, Moon Ballad, Tomahawk. (March 28) Belle Du Jour 7-1 In Dubai Sprint Following the official barrier draw, William Hill Betting Shop in the UK has released its market for the 1200m Golden Shaheen at Dubai tomorrow. And it seems the efforts of Falvelon, All Thrills Too, Grand Delight & North Boy on international sprint stages over recent years have laid the platform for Belle Du Jour. She rates 4th favourite at 7-1. Full market: Xtra Heat 7-4; Captain Squire 5-1; Crystal Castle 6-1; Belle Du Jour 7-1; Avanzado 8-1; Conroy 10-1; My Cousin Matt 10-1; Conflict 14-1; Persuasivo Fitz 16-1; State City 16-1; Mugharreb 20-1; Abreeze 33-1; Nobel Prize 33-1. (March 28) Xtra Heat’s 2nd Tilt At Golden Shaheen Hot favourite in Belle Du Jour’s 6-furlong race is 5YO US mare Xtra Heat (by Dixieland Heat). If Xtra Heat wins the Gr1 Golden Shaheen & its US$1.2 million first prize, she will become North America’s top money-earning female (surpassing Spain). Xtra Heat, a bargain US$5,000 purchase, has won 26 of 35 career starts & earned US$2,389,635 to date. David Plummer bought the 2001 champion US filly for US$1.5 million last year as a broodmare prospect. She finished 3rd in the 2002 Golden Shaheen for her previous owners. (March 28) Singleton Says Northerly Should be In Dubai Belle Du Jour’s high-profile & often provocative owner John Singleton says Australian weight-for-age champion Northerly (competing in the Gr1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill tomorrow) should be taking on the international stars in the Dubai World Cup. The man who took Strawberry Road to campaign successfully in Europe in the 1980s told The Sydney Morning Herald: For the general good of Australian racing, we’ve got to take our best horses overseas. This is what I can’t get: we are trying to prove how good our horses are, but no-one is game enough to head overseas. We flog them overseas & they’ll say: ‘Gee, these Aussies are all right. We did it with Strawberry Road 20 years ago.” (March 28) Singleton Also Slams Melbourne Cup Criteria John Singleton has really sounded-off on the subject of overseas raiders & the Melbourne Cup. He told The Sydney Morning Herald: “The Melbourne Cup is the biggest picnic race meeting & part of our own heritage. What are we doing giving that away to foreigners? Well f*x@&d if I know. We are idiots! What we did, to the great amusement of the Irish, who think we are mugs, was set up a criteria to run in the Cup & you need an IQ of 400 to understand it. The Irish worked out they could qualify their horses at home & race here with light weights & take all our prize-money home. Why wouldn’t we invite horses only for weight-for-age races? They can send their best horses here & we’ll send them home beaten up.” (March 28) And On The Subject Of 2 Sydney Race-Clubs . . . And finally John Singleton’s latest thoughts on Sydney racing administration in The Sydney Morning Herald interview: “It’s silly having 2 race-club administrations running racing in a city like Sydney. The only thing stopping the AJC & STC from merging is some committeemen & directors. If you are going to have 2 clubs, why not have them do all the administration, carve-up the administration of the country clubs between them? Leave people in country clubs to get on with marketing & promotion of their meetings. There is too much duplication & it’s all coming out of prize-money. You’ve got to win a Saturday race in the city to pay a year’s training costs for a racehorse.” (March 28) Dubai Highlights Potential Shuttle Stallions Meanwhile tomorrow's big Dubai World Cup meeting could seriously impact the stallion landscape in Australia next year. At least 4 potential shuttlers to Australia in 2004 could emerge if they win their races. Grandera, Moon Ballad, Naheef & Essence Of Dubai will earn the ‘life of leisure’ ticket as visiting sultans here, if they run as expected in their respective races. Grandera is already a certainty to be here as part of the burgeoning Darley roster in 2004, while Moon Ballad looks a strong chance too. Grandera (Dubai World Cup) is by Grand Lodge, Moon Ballad (Dubai World Cup) is by Singspiel, Naheef (Dubai Duty Free) is by Marju & Essence Of Dubai (Golden Mile) is by Pulpit. (March 28) Westbury Stud Announces 2003 Stallion Fees Auckland-based Westbury Stud has announced its 2003 stallion fees: Faltaat (NZ15,000+GST): the son of Mr Prospector has enjoyed major recent success with: Tit For Taat ( 3 Gr1 wins this season & strong contender for NZ Mercedes Horse-Of-The-Year); Sedecrem (Gr2 winner); Rosina Lad (Listed winner & Gr1-placed); Gwen’s Rules (Gr1-placed). These come from only 2 crops totalling just 17 foals in the 1st crop & 25 foals in the 2nd. Overall 20% of Faltaat’s runners to date have earned Black Type. At Karaka this year, his only Premier Sale yearling fetched NZ$80,000 & his top Select Colts lot reached NZ$100,000; by averages, he finished 2nd on the Sire’s List in the Select Colts session to former ‘stablemate’ Gold Brose; in the Select Fillies Sale he had a top price of NZ$77,500. Pyrus (NZ$8,000+GST): Another stakes-winning son of Mr Prospector, out of stakes-winning Nureyev mare Most Precious. Pyrus is a half-brother to 3 stakes winners, including the dual Gr1 winner Matiara (French 1000 Guineas). Elnadim (NZ$17,500+GST): Shuttle stallion Elnadim (by Danzig from a daughter of Fall Aspen) is standing his 3rd Southern Hemisphere season. His first yearlings will sell at Karaka next January. Cullen (NZ$7,000+GST): Also has his first foals going to the sales next year. Desert Fox (NZ$5,500+GST): Similarly has his first foals going to the sales next year. Kilimanjaro (NZ$5,000+GST): His 2YOs are impressing trainers, with his 4 youngsters to trial resulting in a winner, 2 2nds & a 4th. Zerpour (NZ$5,000+GST): His first progeny sold strongly at Karaka in January, with his Select Colts averaging NZ$35,500 (7 times his service fee) & his Select Fillies averaging NZ$25,000 (5 times his service fee). (March 28) Coolmore Classic Continues ‘Queen Of The Autumn’ Series Tomorrow’s $500,000 Gr1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens will have an important influence on who will be crowned ‘Queen Of The Autumn’, with 40 series points up for grabs. The Coolmore Classic is the 7th race in the 17-race championship series for Fillies & Mares during Sydney’s STC & AJC Autumn carnival. Current point score: Bumptious (G.Waterhouse) 14; Only Glory (J.O’Shea) 10; Bollinger (G.Waterhouse) 10; Chuckle (G.Waterhouse) 8; Sunday Joy (G.Waterhouse) 6; Oomph (K.Jordan) 4; Miss Helterskelter (D.Payne) 4; Gentle Genius (A.Wildman) 4; Forum Floozie (J.Hawkes) 4; Lady Cay (G.Begg) 2; Hosannah (J.Hawkes) 2; Snow Hero (C.Conners) 2; Size Her Up (G.Neale) 2; Hoeberg (D.Payne) 1; Ritual (P.Perry) 1; Ancient Song (R.Boljun) 1; Brecon Rose (G.Waterhouse) 1. (March 28) Golden Whip Award Meanwhile all jockeys who compete during the Sydney Turf Club’s Golden Slipper Festival are eligible to win the De Bortoli Golden Whip Award. Points are accrued per race & current standings after Day 1 (last Saturday night at Canterbury Park) are: Corey Brown 14; Glen Boss 9; Rod Quinn 6; Darren Beadman 6; Chris Munce 5; Hugh Bowman 5; Darryl McLellan 3; Lenny Beasley 2; Allan Robinson 2; Lane Moloney 2; Danny Beasley 1; Damien Oliver 1. (March 28) Canberra Track Up-Grade Canberra Racing Club chairman Howard Powell yesterday announced the CRC would soon commence Stage 1 of a 2-Stage major track & facilities up-grade at Thoroughbred Park (Canberra Racecourse). Powell explained: “Approximately $5 million will be spent on the 1st Stage, which will see the creation of an inner race track to complement the existing course proper & major up-grade of existing training facilities. This is a very exciting initiative, which will well & truly place Thoroughbred Park right up there with the best of the non-metropolitan training & racing facilities. This major project has 4 main objectives: significantly improve the racing surface at Canberra; significantly improve the training facilities at Canberra; allow for more than the current 24 meetings to be staged per annum; & to carry out the construction work in a way that does not disrupt racing & training.” (March 28) Danehill’s 2nd Last Southern Hemisphere Crop The big pre-sale debate in the lead-up to this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling auction is whether Danehill or Sunday Silence will provide the sale-topper. Danehill has provided the top-priced lot for each of the past 3 years: in 2002 a Danehill-Sommes Sound filly (a half-sister to Assertive Lad) consigned by Stratheden Stud & purchased by Irish agent Demi O’Byrne for $1.5 million; in 2001 a Danehille-Rossignol colt at $1.1 million; & in 2000 a Danehill-Tristalove colt at $1.5 million. This year Danehill has 42 lots catalogued, including progeny from outstanding Gr1 winners Bonanova, Champagne, Kenbelle, Foxwood, Savana City, Shindig & Cansea, as well as half or full relations to Gr1 winners Laisserfaire, Platinum Scissors, Redoute’s Choice & Sydney’s Dream. Sunday Silence has 3 lots entered: a filly from Felicitation; a filly from Sensation; & a colt from Phantom Creek. (March 28) Race Results Enhance Easter Prospects A number of lots in the Inglis Easter catalogue had their prospects enhanced by last weekend’s results on the track: A Red Ransom colt from Motto Farm will draw plenty of interest from Hong Kong buyers, being a half-brother to last weekend’s HK Derby runner up Self Flit; Vinery Stud has also consigned a Red Ransom full brother to Brisbane colt Face Value, who lost narrowly to Kusi in the Gr3 STC Skyline Stakes at Canterbury; positive vibes surrounding Red Ransom’s progeny gathered momentum at the weekend, when the colt Handsome Ransom won the Gr3 Canberra Black Opal Stakes; Exceed And Excel finished 2nd in the Black Opal, & his three-quarter sister by Redoute’s Choice is being offered by Kia-Ora Stud. Bedouin’s victory in the Gr3 STC Canterbury Cup (his first stakes win, lifting his prize-money over $300,000) provided a great boost for his half-brother by Flying Spur, prepared by Ashleigh Thoroughbreds. 4YO Danehill gelding Strategy’s 4-length win in the Macau Guineas was good news for Edinglassie Stud, which is presenting a three-quarter brother to Strategy (by Danzero from Fleet Marguerite). Marscay filly Fine Society, winner of the Gr1 STC Canterbury Guineas, is from Early Song (a daughter of English Gr1 winner Magic Flute); this is the family of sire Grand Lodge & is represented at Easter through a Zeditave filly from La Papaya (a half-sister to Grand Lodge) offered by Newhaven Park Stud. Brilliant filly Legally Bay won the Gr3 STC Sweet Embrace Stakes; the daughter of Snippets is a half-sister to former smart juvenile Time Out & the latest stakes-winner to emerge from the prolific Gypsy Moss family, which appears 3 times - the first foal (a colt) from Gr3 winner Vestey, by Favorite Trick; a half-brother to stakes-winner Purple Groove by Carnegie; & a half-brother by Peintre Celebre to metropolitan winner Super Groove (who most recently won at Moonee Valley last weekend). And Arrowfield Stud has consigned an End Sweep colt, whose half-brother Quest Star added another US Gr2 win to his tally when leading throughout to take the Pan American Handicap at Gulfstream Park; the 4YO now has 4 wins & 8 placings in 16 starts. (March 28) Filly Foal For Happyanunoit NZ bloodstock consultant Paul Moroney has received news from England that his former top filly Happyanunoit has produced her first foal, a filly by Giant's Causeway. He told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: "I got an e-mail from her owners at Newsells Stud that she foaled a filly in Ireland last weekend. She's at Coolmore Stud to be covered by Danehill." Happyanunoit won the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes as a 2YO before her sale to the US, where she won another 6 races, including 3 at Gr1 level. The Yachtie mare was sold at auction in Kentucky last November for US$1.4 million. (March 28) US Champion Beautiful Pleasure Produces First Foal Beautiful Pleasure (Maudlin-Beautiful Bid, by Baldski), champion US older mare of 1999, has produced her 1st foal, a colt by Thunder Gulch, at owner John Oxley's Fawn Leap Farm in Kentucky, reported bloodhorse.com. The 8-year-old mare will be bred back to Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, who also raced for Oxley. Beautiful Pleasure won 10 of 25 starts (including 6 Gr1 events) & earned US$2,734,078. (March 28) Mullins Family Selling Doninga Farm David & Ginger Mullins, who consigned the top-priced yearling filly in the US last year, are selling their 113-acre Doninga Farm at Lexington in Kentucky. A nephew of legendary UK jumps trainer Paddy Mullins, David Mullins left Ireland for Kentucky 27 years ago & established Doninga Farm in 1986. Selling agent Bill Justice told thoroughbredtimes.com: "David & Ginger have decided to concentrate on their successes as selling agents & have turned over day-to-day operation of the farm to their long-time manager Jody Sparks until the farm sells. This is an exceptional parcel of land, with a long history of raising top-class racehorses, including 2 champions & numerous Gr1 winners." The 2002 top-priced yearling filly was Platinum Heights (a daughter of Storm Cat out of Bold Hour mare Amelia Bearhart, making her a half-sister to Gr1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Chief Bearheart & 7 other winners) purchased by Canadian pharmaceuticals entrepreneur Eugene Melnyk for US$2.8 million at the Keeneland July sale. They also sold Canadian champion Saoirse in-foal to Seeking The Gold for US$2.2 million at the 2001 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. (March 28) Thunders On To Stud At Walnut Lane Farm In Ohio Thunders On, a winning son of Thunder Gulch, has entered stud at Walnut Lane Farm in Ohio for Czyzewski Racing Stable. The 6YO chestnut (out of the Caerleon mare First Amendment) won 2 of 14 starts, but was injured during his final race. Owner Joe Czyzewski told thoroughbredtimes.com: "He's well bred & looks just like his daddy. He was honest & he tried. I think he'll progress well in Ohio." (March 28) Shock Heroin Result In HK Post-Race Sample Hong Kong officials have found traces of heroin in a urine sample taken in a routine post-race test from Cupid, who finished 2nd in a handicap at Happy Valley. All HK horses finishing 1st & 2nd have to provide post-race blood & urine samples. (Samples are taken pre-race as well.) Analysis of Cupid’s post-race urine test was found to contain “morphine, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) & codeine.” The presence of 6-MAM is evidence Cupid had been exposed to heroin. But the post-race blood sample did not meet the criteria for reporting a positive finding, while the pre-race blood test was negative. The result was revealed to trainer David Hill during a visit to his stables by senior HK racing officials, including chief stipendiary steward Jamie Stier. Hill requested the B sample be sent to a laboratory in France for independent analysis & the case has been adjourned. The unique case has triggered interest among racing officials around the globe, & racingpost.co.uk reported: “In Europe there has never been a case of a horse testing positive for heroin, according to UK Jockey Club director of veterinary science & welfare Dr Peter Webbon. A possible explanation is that the drug was being used by people who came into contact with the horse.” Dr Webbon noted: “We’ve never had such a finding in any of the 5 major European racing countries. With drugs which are misused or abused by people, they can be given to the horse on purpose to try to influence it or they can become contaminated by a drug as a result of its misuse by a person. I wouldn’t wish to speculate which of the 2 this is. But I’d be very surprised if heroin made a horse go any faster. With a lot of these opiates like heroin, the effect they do have depends very much on the amount that was administered.” (March 28) US EPO Revelations Trigger Call To ‘Suspend The Horses’ Meanwhile in the US, following recent headline-grabbing revelations of widespread use of the drug EPO (revealed via new technology-enabled tests), leading American industry magazine The Blood-Horse commissioned Gary West from the Dallas Morning News to analyse the impact. His hard-hitting call to “Suspend The Horses” has triggered a lively debate across the US industry. In his controversial report West declared: “For a few years, the good guys have suspected something foul. They watched, their jaws slack & their eyebrows arched, as horses improved not just dramatically but almost miraculously. They watched as their own horses chased home rivals that ran through the lane as though super-charged, turning in performances 5, maybe 10 lengths better than anything their histories even hinted might be possible. Yes, the good guys, the men & women who wear the metaphorically white hats & play the game squarely, were growing more & more suspicious with each racing day. And now their suspicions have been confirmed. Something is indeed foul. If those miraculously improving horses run as though super-charged, they quite possibly are supercharged. Test results in Texas, New York & Louisiana have confirmed the alarming, & perhaps widespread, use of erythropoietin, commonly known as EPO. The results have left the sport & its regulators reeling as they try to determine an appropriate response. And circumstances demand a quick response. With the integrity of the game being questioned, this is no time for hesitation or appeasement: The horses must be suspended.” West warned readers: “This is far graver than the Breeders' Cup Ultra-Pick-6 scam . . . The EPO threat could touch every major racing jurisdiction in the land. The unscrupulous persons willing not just to cheat, but also to jeopardize the health of their animals & the future of the sport, are the very persons that bettors trust whenever they shove a couple bucks through the wickets. The Ultra-Pick-6 scam was ‘Revenge of the Nerds’. The EPO threat is ‘War of the Worlds’. And it's a war horse racing absolutely must win.” Stay tuned! (March 28) What is EPO? EPO is a synthetic human hormone that stimulates production of red blood cells, which transport oxygen. As The Blood-Horse magazine sums up: “In other words, EPO can potentially enhance stamina. It won't make a horse run faster, but it might enable a horse to run fast longer. And when it comes to winning races, that distribution of energy, that extension of speed, is just as important as the speed itself.” (March 28) Aust TABs Plan Own Defensive Betting Exchange TAB agencies are considering “creating their own betting exchange system to combat overseas operators such as English-based Betfair,” reported The Daily Telegraph. “This is seen as a last-resort option from TABs, who are concerned that the likes of Betfair could drain wagering turn-over & decimate the Australian racing industry. Interstate TAB wagering chief executives have drawn up a plan to protect wagering turn-over & racing industry revenues.” The plan includes “investigating the feasibility of all Australian TABs jointly setting up a betting exchange & ascertaining the most appropriate jurisdiction in which to establish.” (March 27) Aust Jockey’s 4 Rides At Dubai World Cup Visiting young Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy relaxed with a round of golf at Dubai’s Nad Al Sheba yesterday in the count-down to Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting. He told DWC media officer Martin Talty: "To have 4 rides for the world's most powerful stable (Godolphin) at the world's richest race meeting is like a dream. It has to be the most exciting day of my career." McEvoy's 4 rides are: Naheef in the $US2 million Dubai Duty Free; Songlark in the $US2 million UAE Derby; Essence Of Dubai in the $US1 million Godolphin Mile; & Pugin in the $US2 million Dubai Sheema Classic. He rode Naheef & Songlark in track-work at yesterday's media morning at Godolphin's Al Quoz stables & noted: "Naheef is a quality racehorse & he felt bright in his gallop. Songlark is an ideal Derby colt, as he is a genuine stayer." (March 27) McEvoy’s Bright Future With Godolphin Already Kerrin McEvoy “knows his stint in Dubai for the Godolphin stable has been the best career move he has made,” noted Dubai World Cup media officer Martin Talty. McEvoy, 22, from the sleepy rural fishing hamlet of Streaky Bay in South Australia, won the 2000 Melbourne Cup aboard Brew & is the nephew of Victoria & SA’s current leading trainer Tony McEvoy. He arrived in Dubai 2 months ago & has ridden 7 winners from 50 rides & Talty noted: “The cherub-faced kid from Down Under has made a big impression in Dubai with his riding skills & his modest demeanour.” Dubai’s chief stipendiary steward Fin Powrie added he had watched McEvoy make minor changes to his riding style to adapt to dirt racing, a surface restricted to minor or parched tracks in sunburnt Australia: “Kerrin is a mature professional. He belies his age.” And Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said his stable already had promised McEvoy rides when it took its team to Australia for the Melbourne Cup carnival, emphasising: "We will use him as much as possible." Last year McEvoy rode Godolphin stayer Beekeeper into 3rd place in the Melbourne Cup. He is currently due to return to Melbourne on April 7. (March 27) Godolphin Aims At 100th Gr1 Victory Meanwhile yesterday morning the Maktoum family’s Godolphin Racing opened the doors to its private Al Quoz training center in Dubai to 50 of the world’s racing media & revealed a special goal for 2003, the 10th year of the global stable’s operation. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford declared: "Our priority is to maximise the potential of each individual horse & to compete in the top international Gr1 races. We want to get that magic 100th Gr1 win. It would be nice in our 10th year. (Godolphin has notched 95 Gr1 wins to date.) I had no idea it would develop like this. It’s been a roller-coaster ride of thrills & excitement the whole way. It’s gone by like the crack of the fingers." Crisford nominated Dubai Millennium’s awesome victory in the 2000 World Cup as the stable’s highest point, & his tragic death during his first year at stud in 2001 (due to grass sickness) as the lowest point. He noted future goals include winning the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic & Gr1 Kentucky Derby. And Crisford told thoroughbredtimes.com that Godolphin will adjust its program slightly this year by allowing American-based juvenile trainer Eoin Harty to oversee a group of about 20 older horses, primarily 3YOs: “Those horses will race under the colors of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum unless they prove good enough to merit campaigning as Godolphin runners.” (March 27) Northerly Unlikely To Race In Britain Connections of Australia's leading horse Northerly “appear to have turned down Ascot's overtures for the dual Cox Plate winner to run in Britain this summer,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Ascot's clerk of the course Nick Cheyne travelled to Australia earlier in the year in an effort to tempt the owners of the 6YO to run at the course in races like the Prince Of Wales's Stakes & King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. Officials in Singapore & Hong Kong have also been attempting to attract Northerly for their big races, but breeder & part-owner Neville Duncan told the US Thoroughbred Daily News: "I've given a lot of thought to overseas. I've read what the papers say & how we should throw caution to the wind. But it is not their horse, it is not their risk & I won't risk the horse's well-being. We're happy on our own ground. He can get quite agitated. Dubai would be fantastic and he would love it there but I don't feel it is worth the risk." Meanwhile Cheyne told racingpost.co.uk that he is “set to speak to Northerly's trainer Fred Kersley soon to discuss their latest plans. It may be that they have made their decision, but I am due to speak to Fred Kersley in the next couple of days, so we should get something concrete." Cheyne added he has been in contact with other owners & trainers in Australia “about the possibility of some of their other leading horses running at Ascot this season. Hopefully we have some irons in the fire. We will have to wait & see." (March 27) US$240,000 Indian Charlie Colt Tops Texas Sale Bwana Charlie, a colt by young sire Indian Charlie, sold for US$240,000 (A$410,000) by trainer Ted Keefer (bidding on behalf of prominent Texas owner William Heiligbrodt) to top the Fasig-Tipton Texas sale of 2YOs-In-Training. The colt (out of Shahalo, by Halo) was consigned by Safari Bloodstock. Charles Weston (owner of Safari Bloodstock in partnership with Susan Moulton) told thoroughbredtimes.com: "We certainly didn't expect that. We put in a reserve of US$49,900.” Although the top price was the highest since 2000, overall figures for the sale dipped sharply compared with last year: 152 horses sold for gross receipts of US $2,477,500 (down 33.4%), with an average US$16,299 (down 23.4%); buy-backs declined slightly from 47.6% in 2002 to 42.6% this year. Fasig-Tipton Texas director of sales Tim Boyce summed up: "Given the economy & the war, I guess they really dampened the market. Some people who were supposed to come didn't, because they didn't want to get on a plane. Some of them bid by phone, but you won't bid as much by phone as if you're actually here." (March 27) Japan’s Owner-Breeder Yoshida Buys 50% In Falbrav Japan’s leading owner-breeder Teruya Yoshida has bought a 50% stake in 2002 Japan Cup winner Falbrav, currently in the care of trainer Luca Cumani at Newmarket in England. “The deal, understood to have cost Yoshida (from Shadai Stallion Station) just short of £1 million (A$2.6 million), is not expected to result in a change in the colt’s program & he will continue to race in Europe in the colours of Scuderia Rencati,” reported racingpost.com.uk. Falbrav was ridden by Frankie Dettori to gain a historic international success for Italy in the Japan Cup last year, when trained by Luciano d’Auria. The triple Gr1 winner was subsequently switched to Newmarket when the owners fell out with their handler. Under Cumani, Falbrav is expected to tackle France’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (in which he finished 9th to Marienbardlast year) & the 2003 Japan Cup. Cumani commented: “As far as I know, the sale will have no effect on present running plans. The idea is to go for European, mainly English, French or Irish Gr1 races. The starting point of his campaign will be some time in May, but where has not quite been decided yet.” (March 27) Magic Millions Appoints Tony Williams Magic Millions Sales has appointed Tony Williams as the company’s Private Sales Co-ordinator, effective from April 3. Williams has 28 years experience in the thoroughbred industry in private sales, auctioneering, racing, breeding & yearling selections. He also managed his own Victorian-based bloodstock agency A.G.Williams Bloodstock for 15 years & from 1992-1999 was a partner in the Victorian Bloodstock Sales in Melbourne. Wiliams worked with Dalgety Bloodstock International & Queensland Bloodstock Sales in the 1980s & over the last 3 years assisted Dr Bill Burns in his purchase of yearlings for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Based on the Gold Coast, Williams will also conduct yearling inspections for all Magic Millions auctions in Australia. Magic Millions managing director David Chester said: “We are very fortunate to have appointed a person of Tony’s knowledge & character to fulfill such an important role in the company. Tony is a highly regarded bloodstock agent, both in Australia & overseas, & will prove a great asset in the private sale & inspections area of the company.” (March 27) Promising Sire Armidale Dies Former multiple Group winner Armidale, one of Australia's leading winner-getting stallions, passed away yesterday following an operation for a twisted bowl. His loss devastated Riverdene Studmaster Kevin Pendergast, who said: "It is just sheer bloody bad luck - just when he was hitting his straps. He had 2 2YO stakes horses this year alone & we were expecting a book of over 100 mares for him. I guess the only thing to do now is move on, but it is a tragedy." Pendergast noted he is keen to replace Armidale (Rory's Jester-Love Bird): "I'm on the market to buy a stallion now. Anyone who has a horse that has performed as a 2YO can contact me. I have about 100 mares who were going to Armidale that now need a new stallion." Armidale stood 5 seasons at stud & served 385 mares. One of his current juveniles, the country trained Hipwell, is stakes placed & headed toward the Golden Slipper; sold for $30,000 in a private sale, Hipwell is aimed at the Gr2 Pago Pago Staks on 5 April as his final Slipper lead-up. (Armidale himself finished 6th in the 1996 Slipper.) Wagga-based Riverdene Stud's 2003 roster, now Armidale is gone, is: High Rolling (by Snippets); Marwina (by Marscay); Zariz (by Mukaddamah); & Sports Works (by Bluebird). (March 27) Mossman Filly Excites Interest Lot 18 at this year's Inglis Easter Sale is going to be pulled out of its box many times. It’s the only yearling by freshman sire Mossman (Success Express-Lichen Lady) in the sale & that alone will trigger some buyer interest. But what appeals more about this chestnut filly is her pedigree on the dam's side. Her mum is Cinerama (by Best Western) & she has thrown 4 winners to date from 5 to race. Collectively those winners have earned $1.6 million in stakes with the 2 best, Staging & Dashing Image, netting $1.45 million of that. Staging & Dashing Image are by Success Express (a perennial producer of winners), so this filly, offered by Queensland's Noble Park Stud, is a 3/4 relative. And she is a picture-perfect looking individual too. Noble Park studmaster Peter Moran commented: "I think $175,000 would be about what she'll fetch, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if she topped the $200,000 mark. She is that good a sort." Staging won 10 races (4 at Gr2 level) & was a multiple Gr1 place-getter. Incidentally, the first foal of Mossman ever to be registered with a racing name is a yearling daughter of Melody Road (by Whiskey Road) & was named Mossman's Melody just yesterday. (March 27) Perth Jockey Ponders NZ Transfer Perth jockey Lucas Camilleri arrives in New Zealand today “with a view to transferring to NZ permanently,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Camilleri will be based at Pukekohe for Westbury Stud's private trainer David Walsh & “is available for rides at the important Racing Tauranga race meeting on Saturday.” Camilleri finished his apprenticeship 6 weeks ago after riding more than 100 winners (including 55 metropolitan victories) & “comes highly recommended by former top Australian jockey (& now NZ SKY Racing presenter) Alf Mathews to Westbury Stud chief executive Russell Warwick.” Warwick commented: "With David Walsh's stable growing very quickly (it is anticipated having 40 horses in work by August), the appeal of having a lightweight rider at Pukekohe is very attractive to us in the scheme of things. During his apprenticeship in Victoria, Camilleri has had the opportunity to ride against some of Australia's best riders, while the recommendations he brings with him should allow him to fit in well to the NZ scene.” Camilleri began his apprenticeship with Victorian trainer Lee Hope & moved to Perth approximately 12 months ago. He hopes to get a feel for NZ racing over the next 10 days & will then decide whether he will return to NZ on a permanent basis. (March 27) Singapore Riding Extension For Cooklsey The Singapore Turf Club has extended the riding permit of expatriate jockey Grant Cooksley (expires on March 31) for another 6 months, from April 1-September 30. Cooksley is currently in 4th place on the jockeys' table with 8 winners & is sponsored by trainer Mohd Yusof. (March 27) HKJC Confirms 4 Aust Trainers For 2003-2004 Meanwhile the Hong Kong Jockey Club Licensing Committee yesterday granted training licences for the 2003-2004 season to 24 trainers, including 4 expatriate Australians: John Size, David Hayes, John Moore & Geoff Lane. (March 27) $240,000 Hennessy Filly Wins On Debut Impeccably-bred 2YO Miss Hennessy lived up to her pedigree with a winning debut over 1000m at Sandown yesterday for Rick Hore-Lacy. The trainer paid $240,000 for the filly at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales & she is owned by His Excellency Nasser Abdullah Hussain. Miss Hennessy is not only a daughter of Hennessy; her granddam La Brillante is a sister to Gr1 winner Kaapstad & half-sister to 10-time Gr1 champion Octagonal. Hore-Lacy told aapracingandsports.com.au: "She doesn't know a lot, but won like a good filly. She'd only had 2 little jump-outs at Caulfield & has done a good job to win. She finished off nicely & seemed to go pretty straight." Jockey Dan Nikolic added: "The way she pulled up, she's well above average. She's a lovely filly, but she's not fit yet & she's going to improve a lot. She got to the front a bit early, but her class got her through." (March 27) Kingfisher Mill’s First Success In NZ Across the Tasman, NZ’s Ashwell Farm stallion Kingfisher Mill received a timely boost at Paeroa yesterday when first crop juvenile filly Azure beat a tidy field over 1150m, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Azure is one of only 2 starters so far for her sire (who won the prestigious Gr2 Cumberland Lodge at Royal Ascot in England). Azure is owned by her breeder Lady Howard de Walden (of UK’s Plantation Stud) & is out of the winning Kenmare mare Laune (a half sister to Hockney, John Hawkes trained winner of the Gr2 Expressway Stakes & Gr3 Star Kingdom Stakes). Kingfisher Mill (Riverman-Charming Life, by Sir Tristram) was raced by the late Lord Howard de Walden, who earlier raced champion NZ sire Oncidium. His dam Charming Life is a full sister to Cambridge Stud's perennial champion sire Zabeel. Kingfisher Mill has been strongly supported by NZ Breeders & Azure is from his first 2YO crop. He stands (for NZ$5,500+GST) at Ashwell Farm alongside Shinko King (NZ's leading 2nd season sire), D'Cash & Painted Black. (March 27) First Winner For Latarmiss And at Townsville in northern Queensland, Latarmiss sired his first winner when 2YO filly Erotica (ex Dawn Treader, by Daybreak Lover) raced away to a 5-length win over 1200m, reported racenet.com.au. A son of champion sire Sadler’s Wells, Latarmiss is a 3/4-brother-in-blood to the influential stallion Green Desert (by Danzig). Bred by Gainsborough Stud, Latarmiss won over 1600m at Fontainbleau in France as a 2YO & over 2400m at Saint-Cloud as a 3YO. He originally stood at Fairview Thoroughbreds in Queensland, before moving to Vatana Farms where he stood the 2002 season for $3,850. (March 27) NSW Racing Academy Begins Operation A group of youngsters is currently making history as the first participants at Racing NSW’s initial ‘academy style’ training camp at Horsley Park. The up-and-comers were welcomed yesterday to the Sydney Equestrian Centre, home of the 2000 Olympics. Over the next few weeks this facility will be the centre for Racing NSW’s Industry Training. Prospective apprentices applied to Racing NSW and were interviewed before undergoing a ‘talent identification’ phase prior to being chosen. Racing NSW’s Industry Training Manager Marianne Chaffe said: “There is clear evidence to suggest that intensive initial training affords better riders. The students will be signed up as trainees only upon completion of the 3-week intensive training block. At this stage, it is envisaged that riders will have become competent in basic horse handling practices, riding & stabling skills.” NSW Jockeys Association president Lee Ann Olsen added: “I only wish we had something like this when we were apprentices. It’s really going to help the young kids.” Many of the young hopefuls are already based & working for prominent trainers like Guy Walter, Noel Mayfield-Smith, Steve Englebrecht & Bede Murray. Racing NSW chief executive Merv Hill said: “This world-class facility will be entirely appropriate for the higher level of training delivery which Racing NSW is trying to achieve. The professional infrastructure will immediately inspire young people coming into the industry to positive learning experiences & provide them with safe horse working areas.” (March 27) Singapore Turf Club Appointments The Singapore Totalisator Board yesterday announced the appointment of 2 new Members, Kwah Thiam Hock & Cheah Kim Teck, to the Management Committee of the Singapore Turf Club from April 1. Kwah Thiam Hock (president & CEO of ECICS Holdings) first served as an STC Racing Steward from April 1998, then as a Senior Racing Steward since October 2001; Cheah Kim Teck (managing director of Cycle & Carriage) has been a Racing Steward since August 1999. (March 27) Nuns Scoop $130,000 On Pick-6 Bet Thursday Odd Spot: Punters who rely on divine intervention in their quest for winners “can draw strength from the success of an American school run by an Order of Nuns that has won more than A$130,000 on the horses,” reported racingppost.co.uk. “The prayers of Sister Mary Catherine Antczak, principal of St Michael’s Elementary School in Los Angeles, were answered when she & about 100 school supporters struck it rich after each contributed around A$40 towards the Pick-6 wager at Santa Anita racecourse. It must have been heaven on earth when, having cheered home the winners of all 6 races, they discovered their reward was a A$260,000 jackpot.” Sister Mary told the Los Angeles Times newspaper: “I thought we might win a little something, but this was just extraordinary. Everybody pulled out their calculators & just started adding it up.” After taxes, the school gets half the A$260,000, with the supporters sharing the rest. St Michael’s Elementary School was established in south-central Los Angeles by the Order of Dominican Sisters exactly 100 years ago. Before the race meeting, Sister Mary & her fellow sisters knelt in the convent’s modest chapel & prayed for a good day at the track. Supporters believe the prayers, & beginners luck, combined to give the school an extra edge. “Some would call it luck,” said Sister Mary, “but I call it a blessing.” (March 27) $30 Million War Emblem Has Problems In Breeding Shed War Emblem, North America's champion 3YO male of 2002 who was sold to Japan's Shadai Stallion Station for nearly US$18 million (A$30 million) last September, “is having difficulties covering mares in his first year at stud & his owners are negotiating a settlement with an insurance company,” reported bloodhorse.com. “The problem with War Emblem does not involve his fertility, sources close to Shadai said, but with his willingness or interest to breed mares.” His first cover came on March 9, after he was not willing to cover mares when the breeding season opened. He successfully covered 5 mares by March 13, then regressed again. Shadai has sent the son of Our Emblem various types of mares from among the 200 that were booked to him, from maidens to older, more experienced mares. The farm also tried mares that were grey, bay, chestnut & nearly all black (similar to his coat) to no avail. (March 26) Shadai’s Shocking 12-Month Run War Emblem's breeding difficulty is the latest in a series of blows to the Yoshida family's Shadai Stallion Station operation, which lost 3 major stallions last year. Sunday Silence, the 1989 North American Horse-Of-The-Year who became the most successful stallion in Japanese history, died in August from an infection to his leg. One month earlier, the farm lost the promising El Condor Pasa, a Gr1-winning son of Kingmambo, due to colic. And in the same month, the dual hemisphere stallion End Sweep (who shuttled to Shadai from Australia's Arrowfield Stud) died at Shadai after he flipped over & suffered an injury. (March 26) WA Sire Magic Of Money Sold To Malaysia The National Stud of Malaysia has purchased Australian Gr1-winning sprinter Magic Of Money (Last Tycoon-Ngaiamban, by Kaoru Star). Winner of 6 races (including the 1995 Gr1 AJC Galaxy Stakes at Randwick), Magic Of Money retired to WA’s Evergreen Lodge in 1996 for a syndicate of six Perth owners. He boasts a better than 60% ratio of winners-to-runners, top Perth 3YO The Right Money (Gr2 WA Guineas) & Money Is Magic (last week’s Gr3 Bunbury Cup). Syndicate manager Brian Davis told aapracingandsports.com.au the Malaysian National Stud had made several offers to buy Magic Of Money since last year & the stallion will be flown to Malaysia next month. (March 26) Belle Du Jour Firing In Dubai Belle De Jour, Australia's sole representative at the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday night, passed her first test on the dirt track at Nad Al Sheba yesterday. DWC media officer Martin Talty reported: “The Sydney mare scorched in a dirt debut gallop, rounding off her trackwork with a last 800 metres in 46.91 seconds - the second quickest time of the morning's gallops.” Trainer Clarrie Connors worked Belle De Jour at 4.20am to give the mare her first taste of racing under lights, as she will on Saturday night in the US$2 million (A$3.4 million) Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Belle De Jour has now been in Dubai for 9 days & galloped with a companion from the Oasis 1 Stables of Australian expatriate trainer John Sadler. Race jockey Len Beasley flew in from Sydney to partner Belle De Jour in her first serious gallop, after being restricted to pace-work since her arrival. It was also the first dirt track experience for Beasley, who has ridden only on turf surfaces. Talty noted: “Both trainer & jockey gave Belle Du Jour a high pass mark. Connors said the mare was 100% & she had bloomed since arriving in Dubai. He added Belle De Jour thrived on attention & she was getting plenty, as the only Australian thoroughbred here for the world's richest race meeting. Beasley said Belle De Jour handled the dirt track comfortably & he could feel the mare stretching into the different surface.” (March 26) Connors Names Americans ‘Hardest To Beat’ Trainer Clarry Connors has done his video homework on the test ahead for Belle De Jour in Dubai & nominated the American sprinters as the toughest competition. He told Dubai World Cup media officer Martin Talty: "They go so hard & mostly they keep going. We will give them a start & I hope the mare can avoid the back-wash of the dirt kicked up by the leaders." (March 26) Kendel Park On Slipper Tenterhooks For all the punters who’ve backed ruling favourite Niello to win the $3 million Gr1 STC Golden Slipper Stakes, it's doubtful that anyone is as keenly on tenterhooks as the connections of NSW stud farm Kendel Park Stud. Kendel Park stands Sedaka, a Danehill half-brother to both Niello & also Lonhro (who ranks among Australia's top 3 horses currently racing). Sedaka stood for $5,500 last season & served 70 mares. Kendel Park also stands well performed former juvenile Pauillac. (March 26) Dexter Off The Mark For Emirates Emirates Park Stud’s Dexter (Green Dancer-Korveya, by Riverman) sired his first Australian metropolitan winner when the Greg Hickman-trained Sir Dex (ex Amwaj by Marscay) raced away to a 3-length win in a 1300m 2YO handicap at Warwick Farm yesterday. Earlier this month Dexter had logged his first Australian winner when Noongar (ex Mayo by Tipperary Fixer) won a 2YO handicap at Orange. Sir Dex, a $12,000 bargain purchase by his astute trainer at the 2002 Inglis Classic Sale, is the 4th foal & 3rd winner out of the Marscay mare Amwaj (a half-sister to the grand old stayer Donegal Mist, winner of 10 races & $1,172,568 prize-money, including the 1990 Gr1 AJC Metropoltan Hcp, 1992 Gr2 Moonee valley Gold Cup & 1992 Gr2 Gold Coast Prime Ministers Cup); 3rd dam An Illusion is the stakes-winning dam of Gr1 AJC The Galaxy & Gr1 VATC Oakleigh Plate winner Mr Illusion. Racenet.com.au reported: “Dexter took a most unusual route to Australia. After failing to run a place in 4 starts in England, Dexter stood at stud in Pakistan where he had 2 small crops of runners. He made an immediate impact by siring Shah The Great (9 wins including The Pakistan 2000 Guineas & The Derby Trial), Princess Ruckhjaas (8 wins including the Nursery Cup, 1000 Guineas & Pakistan Derby) & King Fisher (winner of the Pakistan Derby).” Dexter also boasts an impressive pedigree: his sire Green Dancer was one of the leading sire sons of Nijinsky & his dam, the Gr3 Prix Chloe winner Korveya, produced Gr1 winners Hector Protector, Bosra Sham & Shanghai. In addition, Korveya’s daughter Gioconda has produced Gr1 winner Ciro. (March 26) Big Month For Emirates Park Yesterday’s Sydney success for its stallion Dexter “has topped off a remarkable month for Emirates Park sired runners,” noted racenet.com.au. Danzig’s son Snaadee had a double at last weekend’s Canterbury Park night meeting: Bedouin took his earnings over $300,000 with victory in the Gr3 Canterbury Cup (1900m); & home-bred Fatoon notched an all-the-way win in a filiies & mares handicap over 1200m. (Fatoon won the Gr2 STC Reisling Slipper Trial last season & was 3rd in the Gr2 Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley, a race won by her sister Adeewin in 1997.) Meanwhile Emirates stallion El Moxie (a son of Conquistador Cielo) sired his 3rd Gr1 winner when Winestock triumphed in the VRC Sires Produce Stakes. El Moxie’s amazing 2YO season includes 7 winners from just 10 starters for $935,000 earnings, placing him 2nd on the 2YO sires list behind General Nediym. And Emirates’ Doncaster Handicap winning sire Secret Savings: had Dash For Cash fly home for 2nd behind Yell in the Gr1 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on the weekend; & has 2YO Secret Land still sitting 13th on the Golden Slipper order-of-entry. Emirates Park will offer a full brother to Dash For Cash & a half-sister to Secret Land (by Carnegie) at the Inglis Easter Yearling sale. (March 26) Aust-Bred 7-From-10 HK Blitz The triumph by expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes with former top Australian mare Elegant Fashion (Danewin-Wily Trick, by Clever Trick) in the HK$14 million (A$2.95 million) Gr1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin was only the tip of the ‘good news’ iceberg, noted Aushorse spokesperson Bronwyn Farr. In fact, Australian-bred racehorses dominated the prestigious HK Derby Day program, winning 7 of the 10 races – & that followed Australian-breds sweeping half the program (5 out of 10 races) a week earlier. The Derby Day 7-out-of-10 blitz involved: Elegant Fashion taking the HK Derby (offered by Emirates Park at the 2000 Inglis Easter sale & sold to Gene Tsoi for $95,000, she has now collected nearly $3 million in prize-money); Porter Ricks winning the 1st race; unbeaten Silent Witness winning the 2nd race; Grand Delight won the Centenary Sprint Cup for expatriate trainer John Size & jockey Shane Dye, beating Flying Spur’s northern hemisphere bred Firebolt & All Thrills Too (by St Covet); Danehill griffin Floral Dynamite (a $650,000 Easter graduate for the Hong Kong Jockey Club who subsequently fetched $1.1 million at the Piaget International Sale) also notched a win (his sister, a Danehill–Caraniya filly, will be offered at the Inglis Easter sale by Coolmore Australia); & finally Clement Supreme (who raced in Australia as Gr1-placed Neptune’s Journey) completed Australia’s domination of the day. The March 15 Australian-bred 5-out-of-10 involved: Laser Glory (Danehill-Mer du Sud); Pretty Trio (from Crystal Palace, herself a Gr1 Queensland Oaks winner & full sister to multiple Gr1 winner Naturalism); Winning Sunshine (Danehill–Sea Almond), a $425,000 Inglis Easterby Danehill). (March 26) Unbeaten 3YO Proves Blue-Chip Investment Meanwhile unbeaten 3YO Silent Witness made it 4 wins from as many starts when he graduated to Class 1 company with another stylish performance at Sha Tin on the weekend. The Tony Cruz-trained gelding now ranks among the most exciting young sprinters in Hong Kong. He was purchased by bloodstock agent John Foote at the 2001 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for just $55,000 - a bargain given the gelding’s potential & current earnings of $477,109. Silent Witness is another star for his sire El Moxie, who is enjoying a purple patch through smart Australian juveniles Winestock & Dress Code. Silent Witness is the 1st foal from Bureaucracy mare Jade Tiara & was bred & offered for sale by Ian Smith’s Edinburgh Park Stud at Taree. Edinburgh Park will make their Easter Sale debut this year with 2 yearlings: a colt by Woodman from Review (dam of stakes-winners Marrok & Appeal Process); and a filly by Bianconi from Ancient Lights (a full sister to brilliant sprinting mare Ancient Song). (March 26) Tickle My Victory Highlights Perugino Dashing mare Tickle My (Perugino-Mere Fancy, by Noalcoholic) avenged her narrow defeat in last year's Gr2 MVRC Sunline Stakes (1600m) with a decisive victory in this year's running last weekend. In the process, the 6YO mare “highlighted the adaptability, durability & undeniable prepotency of her sire,” declared Collingrove Stud's Jenny McAlpine. “Having now collected 11 wins (5 stakes wins) & more than $772,000 in stakes, Tickle My has also shown tremendous athletic flair, her victories ranging from 1200-2100m.” Perugino (Danzig-Fairy Bridge) is a 3/4 brother to breed-shaping Sadler’s Wells & is also in the upper echelon of 2YO sires for the current season. (March 26) Rory’s Jester Continues Australia-Wide Performance Meanwhile fellow Collingrove Stud sire Rory’s Jester “is still an Australia-wide stallion phenomenon,” enthused Jenny McAlpine. “He boasts the exceptional career figures of 69 individual stakes-winners, including 48 individual 2YO stakes-winners.” Rory’s Jester’s current 2YO crop includes: the filly How Funny (ex Intertwined) who finished 2nd in last weekend’s Gr3 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Canterbury, following a 2nd in the Gold Coast 2YO Magic Millions & victory in the Listed Tommy Smith Stakes in Brisbane; & Fashion Victim (ex Add Tinsel), winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial. Also on the weekend, Rory’s Jester came to the fore with the win by his 3YO filly Toast Of The Coast (ex Solo Show) over 1000m at Moonee Valley & the 3rd in the Canberra Guineas by another of his 3YO fillies Jesterette (ex Dalmatinska). And McAlpine noted: “Although an older statesman, Rory’s Jester’s fertility continues to remain strong with a 79% on-farm in-foal figure last season.” (March 26) Inglis Graduates Notch 6 Stakes Successes Across Aust Inglis Sale graduates took the honours in 6 stakes events across Australia last weekend, advised Inglis marketing manager Melissa O’Gorman: Class Melbourne 3YO Titanic Jack ($75,000 at 2001 Autumn sale) landed the Gr2 MVRC Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley; 2YO Handsome Ransom ($110,000 at 2002 Easter sale) won the Gr3 Black Opal Stakes in Canberra; Johnny Reb ($20,000 at 1999 Classic sale) took the Listed National Sprint also in Canberra; 2YO filly Legally Bay ($220,000 at 2002 Easter sale) won the Gr3 STC Sweet Embrace Stakes at Canterbury; Developing sprinter Dehero ($20,000 at 2000 Select Weanling sale) took the Listed STC Eskimo Prince Stakes at Canterbury; Smart stayer Bedouin ($26,000 at 1998 Easter Weanling sale) grabbed victory in the Gr3 STC Canterbury Cup. (March 26) Inglis Select Weanling Sale Preview Both Dehero & Bedouin are Select Weanling Sale graduates, “a timely reminder of the great value & quality offered by our weanling market,” said Inglis bloodstock consultant Tara Madgwick. Catalogues for the 2003 Australian Select Weanling Sale (with 300 lots on April 28) are due out later this week. Madgwick noted: “Sires with strong representation include several of this year’s gun first season stallions, including Arena (6), Catbird (13), Commands (7) & Fasliyev (12). The Fasliyev draft features 2 outstanding colts from Gabbing Gloria (dam of Caulfield Cup winner Diatribe) & prolific broodmare All Sold (dam of Gr1 winners All Our Mob & All Time High).” Other lots to shine on paper include: Half-brother by Zeditave to Gr2 winner Quays, from Pontal Lass (winner of the Gr1 AJC Flight Stakes); Colt by Quest For Fame from Beam (an unraced half-sister to stakes-winners Bollinger, Mannington & Sheraton, from Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay); Half-brother by Marju to Starstruck (winner of the Gr1 VRC Australian Cup); Danehill colt from the Shirley Heights mare One To One; Thunder Gulch colt from Comely Girl (winner of Gr1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes); Octagonal colt from Gr3-winning Snippets mare Speedy Kids; Half-brother by Fasliyev to Gr3 winner Vestey; Half-brother by More Than Ready to Solar Circle (winner of Gr1 STC Rosehill Guineas); Half-sister to champion sprinter Isca, by US Horse-Of-The-Year Favorite Trick from top producer My First Star (whose earlier foals include stakes-winners Star Alight & Slapstick); Half-sister by Jade Robbery to Gr1-winning millionaire March Hare; Half-sister by Red Ransom to Angst (ill-fated winner of the Gr1 AJC Flight Stakes); First foal (filly) of stakes-winner Minerva, by Redoute’s Choice; Filly with an international flavour, by Phone Trick from South Sea Storm; Half-sister by Honour And Glory to Royal Purler (winner of Gr1 AJC Flight Stakes); Half-sister by Catbird to Quick Star (winner of the Gr1 AJC Champagne Stakes); Half-sister by Flying Spur to stakes-winner Barawin; Filly by Danehill from Opera Etoile, representing superb international Black Type family; Filly by Danehill from Moonstruck, also representing superb international Black Type family; Filly by Jade Robbery from Gr3 winner Sonata; Half-sister by Commands to stakes-winner Kincourt; Filly by Snippets from Gr3 winner Flapper. (March 26) New Dates For 2004 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale & Race-Day Magic Millions Sales & the South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders have set the 2004 dates for the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale & Race-day. The Magic Millions Adelaide Select Yearling Sale runs from Tuesday 10 February-Friday 13 February. South Australia’s richest race, the $400,000 Channel Seven Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic, will be run on Wednesday 11 February. Magic Millions marketing & media manager Annie McDonald noted: “Magic Millions director John Singleton has recently returned from Adelaide, where discussions with South Australian Premier Mike Wran & leading South Australian racing & business identities took place.” Magic Millions managing director David Chester summed up: “Magic Millions aims to develop a major event in South Australia in February.” (March 26) Mizzen Mast’s Blue-Chip Matings For Juddmonte Farm In the international world of thoroughbred breeding, Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farm rates among the leaders. Just last season in the US, Juddmonte collected the coveted Eclipse Award yet again for best breeder, producing the winners of US$5,526,006 (A$9.4 million). Abdullah has farms in the US, England & Ireland. And his recently retired Champion Gr1 Sprinter Mizzen Mast has started serving an enviable batch of broodmares, including: Delicate Vine (by Knights Choice): Gr1 Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes winner & dam of Gr2 Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes winner Altazarr, stakes-winner Rayelle & stakes-placed Babeinthewoods. Lotka (by Danzig): Gr1 Acorn Stakes winner & dam of Gr3 stakes-winner Lotta Dancing, stakes-winner Mambo Twist & stakes-placed Esperence. Proflare (by Mr Prospector): dam of Gr2 winner True Flare, Gr2 winner Apple Of Kent & Gr3 winner War Zone. Gilded Connection (by Gilded Age): dam of Gr3 winner Connecting Terms & stakes-winner P Day. Nomo Robbery (by No Robbery): placed in the Listed Thelma Stakes & dam of Gr3 winner Chorwon, stakes-winner Yukon Robbery & stakes-winner Kumhwa. Regal Princess (by Royal And Regal): placed in the Listed My Dear Girl Stakes & dam of stakes-winner Regal Approval. Interim (by Sadler’s Wells): winner of Gr2 La Prevoyante Handicap & dam of group-placed Staging Post. Sea Ditty (by Afleet): winner of Gr3 Affectionately Handicap & dam of stakes-placed M B Sea. Stars Knockout (by Two Punch): winner of Listed Geisha Handicap & dam of stakes-placed Twinkle Twinkle. Bold Threat (by Bold Ruckus): dam of stakes-winner Classic Threat. Dangora (by Sovereign Dancer): placed in the Gr2 Lowther Stakes & dam of stakes-winner Danzari & stakes-placed Delegate. Choice Comment (by Rich Cream): dam of stakes-winner Rideouts. (March 26) Hasten To Add Moving To Illinois Hasten To Add, who has been standing in California, has been purchased by Gary Shultz to stand in Illinois, reported bloodhorse.com. No stud fee was announced for the 13-year-old son of Cozzene. A Canadian champion, Hasten To Add stood in 1997 & 1998 at Rancho del Charro; he subsequently took up residence at California’s Black Oak Farm & has 52 named foals in crops. Hasten To Add won 5 of 21 starts while racing, including the 1995 Gr3 Laurel Turf Cup Stakes. Bred & raced by Pin Oak Farm, he is out of the Cougar II mare Beau Cougar & a half-brother to Selene Stakes winner See How She Runs. (March 26) West Nile Virus Study Provides Important Clues Colorado State University has released results of a survey of owners of 493 horses that were confirmed cases of West Nile virus from September 1-December 31 in Colorado & Nebraska. It found failure to properly inoculate horses against the disease was a crucial factor in development & severity of the disease, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Of the 493 horses, only 13 received proper vaccination — 2 doses, 3-6 weeks apart, with the 2nd dose administered at least 4 weeks before exposure. (Of these 13 horses, 12 were known to have survived, with one horse unaccounted for.) The clinical signs most commonly seen by owners were unco-ordination (73%), weakness (69%), lethargy or depression (61%) & muscle twitching, especially of the face & fore-quarters (60%); other symptoms included inability to rise, prolonged lying down, fever & droopy ears, lips & muzzle. Horses that lay down & were unable to rise were more likely to die or be euthanised, making the use of a sling to keep them on their feet crucial for recovery. Most commonly used treatments were: anti-inflammatory drugs such as Banamine (73%) & phenylbutazone (22%); oral or intravenous dimethylsulfoxide (52%); oral or intravenous fluids (39%); & vitamins (12%). Mortality rate among the surveyed group was 28.6%, with older horses being more likely to die or be euthanised. Of surviving animals, 82% were considered fully recovered by their owners. Decreased stamina was the most commonly reported residual sign of the infection, followed by weight loss & loss of condition. (March 26) US Sports Poll Records Major Rise For Horse Racing Further to our 2 recent items recording major increases in horse-racing TV program audiences in both the US & UK: For the 3rd straight year, American sports fan interest in horse racing has increased from the previous year, with a reported fan base in 2002 of 35% of the US population - a 3.6% increase from the previous season & a 12.2% increase from 1999, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. TNS Intersearch, ESPN Sports Poll & the US National Thoroughbred Racing Association combined on the poll, which found horse racing was the America’s 11th most popular sport out of 28. National Football League football led the way with a 66.2% fan base in 2002. Horse racing moved ahead of the National Hockey League, the World Tennis Association & Women’s National Basketball Association. NTRA senior vice president Keith Chamblin commented: "Several factors contributed to keeping horse racing top of mind in 2002, including War Emblem’s pursuit of the Triple Crown & the success of the best-selling book Seabiscuit. This helped lead to across-the-board increases in TV ratings last year & in the first 3 months of 2003. Drilling down a little farther, we’re seeing the increase in interest is from the infrequent, casual fan. Our collective challenge as an industry is to find ways to turn increased interest into increased participation.” (March 26) Latest $3 Million Golden Slipper Order-Of-Entry 1: Kusi (J.Hawkes) $324,700 2: Hasna (G.Waterhouse) $239,625 3: Legally Bay (J.Hawkes) $125,150 4: Roedean (M.Price) $694,450 5: Winestock (T.O’Sullivan) $295,050 6: Halibery (M.Price) $263,300 7: Hammerbeam (J.Hawkes) $164,250 8: Snip Attack (P.Moody) $126,500 9: How Funny (G.Waterhouse) $121,250 10: Handsome Ransom (P.Sutherland) $120,550 11: Polar Success (G.Rogerson) $110,750 12: Dorky (J.Hawkes) $108,500 13: Secret Land (G.Waterhouse) $80,100 14: Niello (J.Hawkes) $74,000 15: Face Value (B.Laming) $72,363 16: Syrinx (J.Hawkes) $71,800 17: Fragmentation (T.McEvoy) $67,610 18: Frasassas (J.Hawkes) $65,300 19: Spurcent (T.Karakatsanis) $62,350 20: Best Northern (T.Hoare) $53,500 21: Miss Terrain (M.Price) $51,250 22: Spur Me On (G.Waterhouse) $45,000 23: Exceed And Excel (T.Martin) $44,950 24: Shamekha (G.Waterhouse) $38,250 25: Olympus (C.Conners) $38,100 26: Bella Corona (R.Pearse) $36,650 27: Danbird (G.Ryan) $36,050 28: Hipwell (N.Godbolt) $35,570 29: Untouchable (G.Waterhouse) $32,500 30: Aracena (G.Waterhouse) $31,050 31: Resistor (R.Thomsen) $13,520 (March 26) Can’t Always Bet On A Bay Wednesday Odd Spot: In 46 runnings of the world’s richest 2YO event, the $3 million AAMI Golden Slipper, the race has been won 17 times by chestnuts, 16 by bays, 10 times by browns & twice by greys. Eskimo Prince (1964) is the only black winner. Last year’s winner Calaway Gal, a brown, broke an 8-year winning streak for the bays: Danzero (1994), Flying Spur (1995), Merlene (1996), Guineas (1997), Prowl (1998), Catbird (1999), Belle Du Jour (2000) & Ha Ha (2001). (March 26) Newlands Announces Jeune King Prawn Coup Multi-millionaire & Gr1-winning sprinter-miler Jeune King Prawn will stand at Newlands Thoroughbreds Farm in central Victoria for a minimum of 4 breeding seasons. Jeune King Prawn, a son of Danehill out of the Gr3 winner Western Chorus (by Western Symphony), notched 8 wins & 2 placings from his 12 starts & totalled $2.3 million prize-money. He was born & bred in Australia by Tremon Thoroughbreds & sold as a yearling at the 1999 Magic Millions Sale for $275,000. Jeune King Prawn excelled at distances between 1000-1600m, recording smart times of 57.2sec over 1000m, 1min 21.9sec over 1400m & won a Gr1 over 1600m. Having received proposals from many reputable studs across Australia & NZ for the up-coming breeding season, Jeune King Prawn’s owner Philip Lau has put his faith in the Alteri family at Newlands Thoroughbreds Farm, where Walter Alteri confirmed the new stallion will stand for $10,000+GST. (March 25) Good Journey Syndicate Buys Top Mares The syndicate bringing Gr1 winner Good Journey to Australia “has begun securing top class mares to support the young stallion,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. As noted yesterday, Good Journey (who was beaten a nose by Rock Of Gibraltar for 2nd place behind Domedriver in last year’s Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile) is to retire to stud in Australia. The Written Bloodstock Limited syndicate, headed by harness racing figure Mark Peters, has purchased NZ Gr1 winner My Egyptian Raine (for $900,000) & classy Sydney filly Lady Cay. My Egyptian Raine finished 5th behind Yell in last weekend’s Gr1 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley & will remain with her current Kiwi trainer Ken Rae until after the Sydney autumn carnival. Lady Cay (formerly trained by Ron Quinton) is now under the care of Graham Begg at Randwick & will race for her new owners in the Gr1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill on Saturday. (March 25) Schreck Joins Inglis As Asian Conduit One of Australian racing’s most respected representatives in Southeast Asian racing, former Australian Jockey Club & Hong Kong Jockey Club chief steward John Schreck, has linked up with the William Inglis sale company. Schreck, 62, confirmed yesterday: “I will act as liaison between Asian buyers & Inglis. I will be the go-between, responsible for attracting Asian buyers, finding accommodation, entertainment & trainers for them, that sort of thing. It's a great challenge & I'm looking forward to it." With 51% of all HK winners this season (including recent Gr1 success stories Elegant Fashion & Grand Delight) bred in Australia, there has been a growing stream of traffic between Australian sales & Asia, with Malaysian & Singapore buyers also looking to our breeding fields as a source of winners. (March 25) Flying Spur & Hurricane Sky Continue Sprint Success Australian stallions Flying Spur & Hurricane Sky are dominating the Champion Sprint Series in Hong Kong. Their sons Grand Delight (by Hurricane Sky) & Firebolt (a UK-bred son of Flying Spur) have filled the quinella in both legs of the Series to date. As in the 1st leg, Grand Delight again prevailed over Firebolt in the Gr1 Champion Sprint Series (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Last month Grand Delight (who raced in Australia as Desert Eagle & won the Gr1 Emirates Stakes over 1600m) won the 1st leg of the Champion Sprint Series, the Gr1 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy. Hurricane Sky & Flying Spur are both enjoying excellent domestic seasons, with the Arrowfield Stud pair both siring 2003 Gr1 winners: Hurricane Sky produced Oakleigh Plate winner River Dove & Flying Spur produced Blue Diamond Stakes winner Roedean. (March 25) Hussonet’s 2YOs Quinella Stakes Race Meanwhile Arrowfield stallion Hussonet has produced the best 2YO on the turf this season in Chile after his son Host dominated the Listed Luis Subercaseaux Stakes at Club Hipico de Santiago on the weekend. Host (who ran 1min 8.4sec for the 1200m) defeated Mar Hondo, another son of Hussonet, giving the Champion stallion the quinella in the race. Host was sent out a very short-priced favourite, following his 5-length demolition of the El Debut Stakes field back in January. Hussonet, a son of Mr Prospector whose stud record includes an amazing 24% stakes-winners-to-runners, has been Champion General Sire of Chile for the past 3 years & is currently the leading General & 2YO Sire. Regally bred, Hussonet has sired 38 stakes-winners (including 12 G1 winners) to date. (March 25) Hayes Stable Followers In The Money We noted yesterday the triumph by expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes with former top Australian mare Elegant Fashion (Danewin-Wily Trick, by Clever Trick) in the weekend’s HK$14 million (A$2.95 million) Gr1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin. However his stable punters also had an amazing day. In the Derby, Elegant Fashion’s stable-mate Beverly Green finished 3rd & paid HK$121 (for HK$5) for the place. And on the same program, another Hayes runner Prime Witness paid HK$520 (again for HK$5) for a major upset win. (March 25) First Northern Hemisphere Winner for Danzero Australian-bred sire Danzero has logged a winner from his first northern hemisphere runner, after La Puce won a 5-furlong maiden at Wolverhampton in England reported racenet.com.au. Danzero shuttled to one of England’s leading thoroughbred nurseries Cheveley Park Stud at Newmarket for the 2000 & 2001 seasons. La Puce is the 3d foal from winning Don’t Forget Me mare Verbena (a three-quarter sister to Gr3 Tetrarch Stakes winner Irish Memory & a half-sister to Lupe Stakes 2nd Priena). On the opposite side of the globe, Don’t Tell Tom made it an international double for Danzero by winning his first city race over 1000m at last weekend’s Moonee Valley night meeting. A fortnight earlier Don’t Tell Tom’s half-brother The Mooksta also won over the Moonee Valley 1000m. (March 25) Danehill Dancer’s Full Brother Starts Irish Flat Season With A Win And leading trainer Aidan O'Brien won the opening race of the Irish flat season at the Curragh on Sunday with boom Danehill 2YO colt Colossus, a full-brother to Coolmore stallion Danehill Dancer. O’Brien told Irish Thoroughbred Marketing: “He has not done an awful lot at home, but we thought he was ready for a run. There should be plenty of options for him later.” (March 25) First Crop Winners For Daggers Drawn & Intikhab Meanwhile Derrinstown Stud stallion Intikhab had a notable winner with his first runner when Red Power won the Ballyhane Stud Brocklesby Conditions Stakes on the opening day of the British Flat season at Doncaster. And Ballyhane Stud stallion Daggers Drawn also got off the mark with his 1st crop when Mac The Knife won a 2YO maiden at Doncaster over the weekend. Daggers Drawn stands in the southern hemisphere at NZ’s Curraghmore Stud & his progeny have received favourable reaction from yearling buyers over the past 2 sales seasons. (March 25) Top Sprinter In Demand At Oaklands Here's a quick trivia question. Who is the fastest horse ever to have raced in Australia over 1,200m? Vain, Schillaci, Star Of Florida, Manikato, Special Girl, Falvelon, Luskin Star perhaps? No. It’s the gloriously bred Iglesia (Last Tycoon-Yodells) who ran an unbelievable 1min 7.16sec when he won the Gr2 Standish Handicap at Flemington. He earned $472,500 during his 22-start career (which also included a win in the Gr2 Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill). Well, he's proving just as slick in the serving barn. Breed to speed is certainly a catch-cry of most breeders & they haven't missed 'Iggy'. He served 112 mares in his 2001 debut season & improved on that to 127 last year. He had a 91% fertility rate on debut & those babies are weanlings now. Iglesia's obvious speed is a real draw card, but even more than that is his family. Since retiring, his father has turned into one of the top shelf sire-makers with the rise to prominance of O'Reilly, Knowledge, the late Just Awesome, Bigstone, Poliuto & internationally acclaimed Marju (sire of Godolphin's multiple Group winner Naheef, who is strongly fancied to win the US$2 million Dubai Duty Free on Saturday in Dubai). Iglesia's mother is Yodells, who threw the millionaire Yippyio (2nd in the Melb Cup) as well as Listed winner & 5-times Group placed Tyrolean. Iglesia, who stands for $6,000 (inc GST) at Oaklands Stud outside Toowoomba on the Queensland Darling Downs, is 16.2hh & about that wide in the chest too. No wonder broodmare owners want him. (March 25) Marechal Attracts Easter Attention Speaking of weanlings for new boys, the gifted but injury-troubled Marechal boasts 23 weaners on deck at present. And while that doesn't seem many for this exceptionally fast Gr2-winning son of Danzero & Gourette, next year it will snowball. He served 106 mares last season once the world knew he was available at stud. What makes him interesting leading into the Inglis Easter Sales are 2 factors: (a) his full-sister is listed in the Easter Catalogue & should be in great demand (estimates place her at around $125,000: & (b) 2 broodmares carrying Marechal foals will be offered by Oakley Park Stud, home of Marechal, at the Inglis Broodmare Sale (April 29-30 & May 1). Oakley Park studmaster Rebecca Creer noted: "We are testing the market to see how well he is received by offering those mares for sale. But given the demand by breeders last year & the boom on him at present, they should go for good prices to good homes.” Marechal raced just 6 times and during his short career beat: Align, Easy Rocking, Getty, Commands, Dangerous & Whistler. Four of those are at stud with bigger fees than him! (March 25) Ribe Boosts Kaapstad’s Broodmare Sire Reputation The fast-growing reputation of NZ stallion Kaapstad as a broodmare sire “was underlined again through the win by Ribe in the Gr2 Moonee Valley Oaks,” noted aapracingandsports.com.au. “Ribe is an example of a pattern to emerge from Kaapstad’s huge success as a broodmare sire, being a result of the successful cross of his mares with Northern Dancer-line sires.” Ribe is a daughter of Danehill from Kaapstad mare Kapeskin. Kaapstad has now produced 12 stakes winners as a broodmare sire, including last season’s dual NZ Gr1 2YO winner Grout. Grout’s success in the Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes emulated wins in that event by 2 other horses from Kaapstad mares, Kapiston & Winged Foot. Another Gr1 winner which boasts Kaapstad as a dam-sire is Star Satire. Other stakes winners to come from Kaapstad mares are Grey Song, Miss Power Bird, Tokyo Beau, Dreamworks, Sky Frontier & Perlin. (March 25) $20,000 Bargain Wins 5 From 6 NSW south coast trainer Barbara Joseph certainly picked a bargain-priced winner when she paid just $20,000 at the Sydney Inglis Classic sale for last weekend’s Canberra Guineas winner Ain’t Seen Nothin’. Bred by Fran & John Ovenstone at Little Wych Stud near Bathurst, Ain’t Seen Nothin’ has now run 6 times for 5 wins. She is from the 2nd crop of Danehill’s Sydney staying star Nothin’ Leica Dane (winner of the Victoria Derby, Spring Champion Stakes & Hobartville Stakes, & 2nd in the 1995 Melbourne Cup) & is from Icecapade (by Sir Ivor sire Genghiz out of Polar Maid, also the mother of Patou). “Now breeding for Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud, Patou has Success Express filly Polar Express in the Graeme Rogerson stable, who is doing fine work on the training track at Randwick & who could give the Golden Slipper a shake,” noted racenet.com.au. Nothin’ Leica Dane (by Danehill from the Sir Tristram mare Leica Pretender) is now resident at Martin Hawcroft’s Byerley Stud at Sandy Hollow in the NSW Hunter Valley. (March 25) Cutbacks At US On-Line Auction Company Keeneland & its partners have “made major cutbacks & changes in the operation of Equine Spectrum, an on-line auction company,” reported bloodhorse.com. Executive director Dan Kelliher & several other Equine Spectrum staff have been dismissed & “the company will be managed more directly by Keeneland. In addition, Equine Spectrum's office was moved to Keeneland from an off-site location.” Keeneland spokeswoman Julie Balog said: "All the partners in Equine Spectrum remain committed to the concept. We're going to take the next few weeks to make decisions on how we will move forward & make it successful. Members of Keeneland's sales staff are assuming a more active day-to-day management role in the company." However there are no auctions scheduled in "the near future" she confirmed. Equine Spectrum was founded in 2000 by 5 prominent consignors: Ashford Stud (Coolmore Stud's Kentucky division), Eaton Sales, Lane's End Farm, Taylor Made Farms & Three Chimneys Farm. Keeneland purchased a 25% interest in the company in March of 2001. Mark Taylor, vice president of public sales for Taylor Made, said the costs of operating Equine Spectrum were not justified by its revenue, noting the company failed to sell a high percentage of the horses it offered. (March 25) Dubai World Cup Betting Markets British bookmaker Coral has framed the following markets on the weekend's Dubai World Cup meeting (note: Coral has not yet framed a market on Belle Du Jour’s race, the Golden Shaheen): Dubai World Cup: 2-1 Nayef; 10-3 Moon Ballad; 4-1 Grandera; 5-1 Aquarelliste; 6-1 Sulamani; 8-1 Harlan’s Holiday; 14-1 Gold Allure; 25-1 Grundlefoot; 28-1 Blue Burner; 40-1 Sei Mi & Hans Anderson. Dubai Sheema Classic: 6-4 Sulamani; 4-1 Ange Gabriel; 7-1 Califet; 8-1 Zindabad; 10-1 Polish Summer & Highest; 14-1 Media Puzzle & Pugin; 20-1 Dano-Mast, Ekraar & Well Made; 25-1 Grand Ekinoks; 33-1 Morshdi; 50-1 Perfect Sunday. Dubai Duty Free: 5-4 Ipi Tombe; 10-3 Imtiyaz; 6-1 Paolini; 7-1 King Of Happiness; 10-1 Sights On Gold; 12-1 St Expedit; 14-1 Naheef; Masterful; 25-1 Eventuail & Itaquere Power; 40-1 Blizz Bless. Dubai Godolphin Mile: 7-2 Easyfromthegitgo; 4-1 Cayoke & Firebreak; 6-1 Grey Memo; 7-1 Essence Of Dubai; 10-1 Mr John; 12-1 Lusty Latin; 14-1 Equerry, Love Regardless & Aramram; 20-1 Skoozi & Estimraar; 33-1 Fabria; 40-1 Que Expresion. (March 25) World Cup Trebles For State Shinto & Sei Mi The John Sadler-trained State Shinto & Jerry Barton-trained Sei Mi will make Dubai World Cup history on Saturday when they become the first horses to compete in 3 successive Dubai World Cups. State Shinto was 4th & Sei Mi 5th behind Captain Steve in 2001, & last year State Shinto was 10th & Sei Mi 2nd behind Street Cry. (March 25) Stanzaic’s New Career In Dubai Australian galloper Stanzaic, who won $491,760 before being forced into premature retirement earlier this year following a 2nd bleeding attack, has turned up in Dubai. The 7YO Stanzaic is now prepared by Kiaran McLaughlin in Dubai & “was used as a working partner for Dubai World Cup hope Harlan's Holiday last Saturday,” reported racenet.com.au. (March 25) Zabeel Mare Produces Japanese Classic Hope Progressive filly Meine Nouvelle “shapes as a live chance in the Japanese fillies Classics” following her win in the A$557,000 Gr3 Flower Cup (1800m) at Nakayama Racecourse, reported racenet.com.au. A daughter of perennial premiership runner-up Brian’s Time, Meine Nouvelle is the 1st foal of unraced Zabeel mare Meine Pretender. Following a first up 3rd at Nakayama in November, Meine Nouvelle rounded out her 2YO season with wins at Nakayama over 1800m & then 2000m. Meine Pretender, dam of Meine Nouvelle, is a daughter of imported Mill Reef mare Giladah - the 1st foal of the 1986 Gr2 VRC Linthlithgow Stakes (1400m) winner Nouvelle Star (Luskin Star-Bonne Nouvelle, by be Friendly) who also finished runner-up in 3 Gr1 races (AJC Galaxy Stakes, VRC Newmarket & VATC Marlboro Cup). Racing in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum Nouvelle Star was sent to England “where she was assured of receiving only the best of mates” - including Mill Reef, Kris, Dancing Brave & Unfuwain. Several of Nouvelle Star’s daughters have found their way to Australasia, with the most successful being Meine Pretender’s dam Giladah. The first foal produced by Giladah was STC Gr2 Reisling Slipper Trial winner Star Of Nouvelle (by Star Watch); she followed up with high-class South African galloper Double Reef (by Last Tycoon), successful in 2 Gr2 events & twice placed at Gr1 level. (March 25) Brazilian Stallion Ghadeer Sires 75th Stakes Winner Ghadeer was represented by his 75th stakes winner when his 2YO son Nessus captured the Gr3 Grande Premio Mario de Azevedo Ribeiro at Hipodromo Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, reported thoroughbredtimesw.com. Ghadeer entered stud in Brazil in 1983, after a European racing career: in 17 starts, the French-bred son of Lyphard notched 3 wins & 5 placings, including victory in the 1981 Italian Gr3 Premio Carlos Porta on the turf at Milan, 2nd placings in the Italian Gr2 Premio Ribot at Rome & German Gr3 Grosser Kaufhof Preis at Koln, & 3rd in the German Gr3 Oettingen-Rennen at Baden-Baden. From 893 foals in 17 crops of racing age, Ghadeer has sired 216 winners, 57 graded stakes winners & 4 Brazilian champions, including: Falcon Jet (1991 Horse-Of-The-Year & 1988 champion 2YO); Mensageiro Alado (1994 champion 2YO & 1996 champion sprinter); Fausse Monnaie (1988 champion older mare); & Be Happy (2002 champion 2YO filly). The 25-year-old stallion stands at Haras Fazenda Mondesir in Bage in Brazil. He is out of winning Habitat mare Swanilda & is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes-placed stakes winner Midhish. Notable members of his immediate family include French Gr1 winner Common Grounds & Italian classic winner Luso. (March 25) Friendofthefamily First Stakes Winner For Wild Rush Friendofthefamily led from start to finish to win the Scottsdale Handicap at Turf Paradise on the weekend, earning the first stakes win for Kentucky-based stallion Wild Rush, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Gr1 winner Wild Rush has now sired 19 winners from 43 starters out of 173 foals in 2 crops of racing age. Wild Rush (who raced for owner Stronach Stable) won 6 stakes races including the Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap & Gr1 Carter Handicap in 1998; overall he won 8 of 16 career starts & earned US$1,386,302. Wild Rush is one of 5 starters (all winners) for stakes-winning Plugged Nickle mare Rose Park. Wild Rush stands for US$10,000 at Adena Springs in Kentucky. (March 25) Seattle Surprise First Stakes Winner For Devongate Charming Creek Stable's Seattle Surprise earned the first stakes win for former Florida-based sire Devongate in the Rudy Baez Stakes for 3YOs at Suffolk Downs on the weekend, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Devongate (a son of Seattle Slew) has sired 21 winners from 39 starters out of 68 foals in 2 crops of racing age. Devongate stood for 3 seasons at Brian Mills’s Devonia Stud in Florida, but his stallion career was cut short in 1999 following a severe bout with testicular torsion, which eventually led to him being gelded. Kentucky-bred Devongate (out of Broodmare-Of-The-Year Weekend Surprise) is a full brother to Horse-Of-The-Year & leading sire A.P.Indy & a half brother to Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner & sire Summer Squall, & Gr3 winner Welcome Surprise. Bred in Florida by Devonia Stud, Seattle Surprise is one of 3 winners & first stakes-winner for winning Commemorate mare One Quick Bid. (March 25) Multiple US Gr1 Winner Composure Going to A.P.Indy Another update on an item from yesterday: Composure, who was retired last week because of a fractured sesamoid, has arrived at Robert Clay's Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky. Owners Robert & Beverly Lewis have decided to breed the 3YO filly to leading sire A.P.Indy (Seattle Slew-Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat). Composure (Touch Gold-Party Cited, by Alleged) won this year's Gr1 La Virgenes Stakes & Gr1 Santa Anita Oaks. (March 25) Accidents Incite Philippine Horsemen Over Track Conditions Fatal accidents have claimed the lives of 6 racehorses at Santa Ana racetrack in Makati & triggered uproar among local horsemen, “who are urging the Philippine Racing Club to immediately repair dangerous areas of the racetrack,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Horsemen & Philippine Racing Commissioner Eduardo Domingo inspected the track & discovered various "dangerous spots" across the track’s surface. The horsemen’s group announced they would insist repairs “be made with expediency” by the Philippine Racing Club & racing at Santa Ana was delayed after owners refused to race entries prior to the track being fixed. Philippine Racing chairman Jimmy Dilag had planned to halt racing for 2 months “in order to provide enough time for the Philippine Racing Club to fix the racetrack.” However a report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper said a top racing official appeared cavalier about the plan, when he retorted: "Pag-aaralan pa natin (We'll study it first)." (March 25) Betting Exchanges Blamed For £126 Million UK Bookie Downturn The mushrooming of betting exchanges is being blamed for a massive £126 million turnover down-turn with legal bookmakers in Britain. As a result, “the amount of money going into UK horseracing this year through the levy on bookmakers is likely to be at least £12 million less than was originally forecast,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “The bookmakers claim – and Levy Board officials accepted – that competition from betting exchanges has resulted in smaller margins for on-course bookmakers, which in turn means smaller starting-price margins & less profit for those operating off-course, & therefore less in levy.” (March 25) Bookmaker-Bet Exchange ‘Hedging’ Decision Delayed By UK Levy Board The grim news re massive turnover shortfalls from traditional fixed-odds bookmakers has “put a fresh slant on discussions on whether to allow on-course bookmakers to use betting exchanges as a hedging facility,” reported racingpost.co.uk. As a result a decision on whether to allow on-course bookmakers to use betting exchanges has been postponed by the Levy Board. “The Board, facing a split between independent members who are in favour of allowing hedging by on-course layers, & representatives of the Bookmakers' Committee & the British Horseracing Board who appear to be against, will now seek further legal advice & vote on the issue at its meeting in April.” (March 25) NSW Bookies Apply Temporary Ban On Exchanges The move by betting exchanges (led by Uk-based Betfair) to operate on Australian racing has alarmed many local racing industry operatives. Tim Ryan, a member of the Australian Registered Bookmakers Advisory Council, told The Sydney Morning Herald: “The bottom line is that betting exchanges &, more particularly, the punters using them, are sucking money out of British racing.” Meanwhile the Herald noted the NSW Bookmakers Co-operative has passed a resolution in support of a ban on its members using betting exchanges until a government task-force investigates the impact of the exchanges on the Australian racing industry. (March 25) New Public Liability Cover For NSW Race Clubs The Board of Racing NSW announced yesterday that it “has agreed to participate in the establishment of a captive insurance fund that will save the NSW racing industry at least $2 million in its first year.” The new fund will provide Public Liability Insurance for all race clubs in NSW. In conjunction with Aon Risk Services, Employee Mutual Limited, the Australian Racing Board, Racing Victoria & Queensland Racing, a feasibility study has recently been completed on the merits of establishing such a fund. It is anticipated that the fund will be operational by July 1. Racing NSW hopes that over time the fund will accumulate reserves that will ensure the racing industry will have long-term control over the cost of public liability insurance. The savings will flow directly to NSW race clubs. Racing NSW will also be investigating whether the concept of the captive fund can be broadened to include other types of insurance. It is hoped that all Australian states and territories will be able to join the fund upon its establishment. (March 25) Australia’s Biggest Race Day At Cranbourne History will be created at Cranbourne racecourse this Sunday (March 30) when the 2nd annual City Of Casey Tri-codes Raceday features a record 27 races in one day: 9 thoroughbred, 8 harness & 10 greyhound events. City of Casey Mayor Brian Oates enthused: “In addition to the excitement of a race every 15 minutes, there’ll be loads of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.” Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Yvonne Blackwood added: "The secret is in the planning. We've been working towards this day for many months now & I'm sure everything will come together on the day." Cranbourne is one of the few venues in the world that contains a racetrack, harness racing track & greyhound track within the one complex. (March 25) Carberry Misses Rides After Bizarre Hunting Accident Tuesday Odd Spot: Irish champion jockey Paul Carberry “contrived the mother of all explanations” after mysteriously missing rides at last week’s Clonmel meeting, reported racingpost.co.uk. After a winning trainer told the media the missing jockey “would have ridden the horse today but I understand he got a bang out hunting,” Carberry (contacted by phone) subsequently admitted: “It’s true. I got head-butted in the stomach by a deer. I’m sore & I don’t think I’ll be riding on Saturday either.” (March 25) David Hayes & Elegant Fashion Win Gr1 HK Derby French jockey Gerald Mosse piloted former top Australian mare Elegant Fashion (Danewin-Wily Trick, by Clever Trick) to victory in yesterday’s HK$14 million (A$2.8 million) Gr1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin for expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes. The 4YO mare, owned by Hayes HK clients Dr & Mrs Gene Tsoi Wai-wang, was 1 of 4 Hayes runners in the Derby & is the first female to win HK’s premier classic since another Australian Corvette in 1976. In Melbourne last autumn, Elegant Fashion (then trained by Tony McEvoy) won the Gr2 Angus Armanasco Stakes, Gr2 Kewney Stakes & Gr2 Moonee Valley Oaks at successive starts, before finishing 2nd to Republic Lass in the Gr1 AJC Oaks at Randwick. Elegant Fashion was bred by Nasser Lootah's Emirates Park Stud (where multiple Gr1 winner Danewin stands). Wily Trick is a 15-Y-O half-sister to Height Of Fashion (dam of champions Nashwan & Unfuwain). (March 24) Size & Dye Take Gr1 HK Centenary Sprint Cup On the same Sha Tin program, fellow expatriate Australian trainer John Size grabbed both supporting Pattern races. Shane Dye rode Grand Delight to victory in the HK$4.5 million (A$900,000) Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1000m), the 2nd leg of the Champion Sprint Series, while Size’s runner Electronic Unicorn (HK Horse-Of-The-Year) won the HK$3 million (A$600,000) Gr2 Chairman's Trophy (1600m). Last month Grand Delight (formerly Desert Eagle in Australia where he won the Gr1 Emirates Stakes over 1600m) won the 1st leg of the Champion Sprint Series, the Gr1 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy. If the 5YO son of Hurricane Sky (from Egyptian Ibis) can win the 3rd leg (the Chairman's Sprint Prize on April 27) owner Peter Law Kin-sang will net a HK$2 million (A$400,000) bonus; Grand Delight has already earned a bonus of HK$800,000 (A$160,000) for landing 2 legs of the Series. (March 24) Kerrin McEvoy Lands Jebel Ali Mile In UAE The bold experiment by former champion United Arab Emirates trainer Satish Seemar in bringing 13 horses from South Africa to the UAE reaped its greatest dividend when Dancal, ridden by Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy, won the Jebel Ali Mile on Friday. Dancal (Mujadil-Majesty's Nurse, by Indian King) is McEvoy’s 7th winner in the Emirates (5 at Pattern level). Seemar travelled to South Africa during the UAE off-season & returned with a group of 13 horses - including the outstanding mare Ipi Tombe (among the favourites for the US$2 million Dubai Duty Free on March 29), Victory Moon (leading contender for the US$2 million UAE Derby), Dancal, Akinfeet & Trademark. (March 24) Benton Promises ‘Spectacular Racing’ At Dubai World Cup Despite unprecedented problems prior to the US$15.25 million (A$25 million) 2003 Dubai World Cup program next weekend, World Cup Committee chairman Les Benton told a press conference at Nad al Sheba racecourse yesterday: "We’re still going to attract a huge crowd & they will enjoy a spectacular international night of racing." Benton has faced cancellations by racegoers & competitors as war has raged in Iraq & “tensions mounted in the Middle East”, noted thoroughbredtimes.com. Among the most prominent defectors are runners from Japan, who could not be accommodated on international flights through Singapore; hence Gold Allure, a 4YO son of Sunday Silence who won last year’s Japan Dirt Derby & 3 other races ranked as premier events in his homeland, will not contest the Gr1 Dubai World Cup as scheduled. Yet overall, Benton noted the World Cup program will still feature more than 40 international runners from a dozen nations (including a record 14 American-based & trained horses) & be broadcast to more than 100 countries. (March 24) Sheikh Mohammed Declares Dubai ‘Safe & Peaceful’ Meanwhile with war under way in nearby Iraq & only 5 days remaining to the Dubai World Cup, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum met with foreign diplomatic officials “to assure them that Dubai remains a safe & peaceful area,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Dubai newspapers carried reports & photographs of the meeting on the front pages of their Sunday editions. A number of consular officials were pictured gathered around Sheikh Mohammed, the driving force behind both the World Cup & global racing superpower Godolphin Racing. Dubai & the United Arab Emirates “are dedicated to stability in the region & peace, according to the reports of what Sheikh Mohammed said. He urged both citizens & visitors to “pursue their work or vacations while enjoying the security & freedom offered by Dubai.” (March 24) Belle Du Jour Travels Well And trainer Clarry Conners has spoken to son Marc in Dubai & is thrilled at the report on Australian representative Belle Du Jour. Conners told racenet.com.au: "She travelled beautifully. She lost 8kgs in the trip over & has already put 4kgs back on. Marc said she got off the plane & it was as though she'd only travelled to Melbourne. She's already been to Nad Al Sheba track twice to have a look around & do some light work. They close the track completely when she goes over, because of the quarantine regulations, but she is perfect in herself." Conners & wife Maree flew out for Dubai yesterday. (March 24) US Stallion Good Journey Retired & Heading To Australia North American Gr1 winner & prize-money millionaire Good Journey “has been retired & will be headed to Australia to stand at stud,” reported bloodhorse.com. “A group of Australian breeders bought a half-interest in the 7YO son of Nureyev earlier this year & recently purchased the remaining interest.” Trainer Wally Dollase (who was also a part-owner) summed up: "He was a class act. We're going to miss him around the barn." Good Journey, produced from European Gr1 winner Chimes of Freedom (by Private Account), was bred by the Niarchos family's Flaxman Holdings & initially raced for the family before Dollase & several others came on board as owners. Good Journey won or placed in 15 of his 16 starts & earned US$1,733,058 prize-money. His victory highlights include the Canadian Gr1 Atto Mile Stakes, the Gr2 Citation Handicap twice & the Gr2 Firecracker Breeders' Cup Handicap; he also finished 3rd in last year’s Gr1 NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile. Good Journey ( whose half-brother Aldebaran won this year's Gr1 San Carlos Handicap) will undergo 5 weeks quarantine before heading to Australia. (March 24) Vinnie Roe & Media Puzzle Target 2003 Melbourne Cup Irish trainer Dermot Weld has confirmed Vinnie Roe & Media Puzzle have the 2003 Melbourne Cup in their sights. Vinnie Roe, Britain’s top stayer last season when he won the Irish St Leger for the 2nd consecutive year & finished 2nd in the Ascot Gold Cup & 4th in the Melbourne Cup, will again have Royal Ascot as his target for the first half of the 2003 UK season. Weld told racingpost.co.uk: “Vinnie Roe will probably start off in the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown on May 21 as he did last year. He might then be aimed at the Ascot Gold Cup, although we will also consider the Hardwicke Stakes. As far as the 2nd half of the season goes, it is far too early to say whether he will go for a 3rd Irish St Leger or maybe run in the Arc. All of that & maybe another tilt at the Melbourne Cup is very much on the horizon at this stage.” Media Puzzle, who captured Weld’s 2nd Melbourne Cup last year (after Vintage Crop in 1993), will have his campaign geared towards a repeat bid for Australia’s most famous race on the first Tuesday in November. Weld revealed: “Media Puzzle has been in Dubai, but won’t be running there. There are no firm plans for him yet & we will be in no hurry with him. His main target will be the Melbourne Cup.” (March 24) Fine Society Lands Gr1 Canterbury Guineas Sydney jockey Corey Brown rode 3YO filly Fine Society (Marscay-Early Song) to victory over the colts in the $400,000 Gr1 Canterbury Guineas (1900m) for trainer John Hawkes, beating stable-mate Beaver (Bite The Bullet-Mahenge) & Hydrometer (Geiger Counter-Spirit Of Oakbank). It was the 3rd win in 6 starts for Fine Society, a daughter of Marscay purchased as a weanling for $100,000 at the dispersal of Roy Thompson’s Bellerive Stud in 2000. Fine Society “is the 3rd foal & 3rd winner for imported Precocious mare Early Song, a daughter of Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Magic Flute (by Tudor Melody), 2nd top filly on the 1970 English 2YO Free Handicap,” noted racenet.com.au. Early Song is a half sister to former South Australian-based stallion Eagling (by Nureyev) & unraced Habitat mare La Papagena, “which earned fame as the dam of Grand Lodge (by Chief’s Crown), winner of the Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket & St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.” Head of the 1993 European 2YO classifications, Grand Lodge “has become one of the most sought-after stallions in the world with his son Sinndar taking out the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby & Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2000.” In the southern hemisphere, the Woodlands Stud-based Grand Lodge has sired triple Gr1 winner Shogun Lodge, VRC Oaks winner Lovelorn & QTC Derby winner Freemason. (March 24) Yell Completes Gr1 Treble In Australia Stakes At Moonee Valley Melbourne hoop Darren Gauci piloted star 3YO sprinter Yell (Anabaa-Vocalist, by Bluebird) to win the $350,000 Gr1 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley, also for trainer John Hawkes, beating Dash For Cash (Secret Savings-Gulistan) & Spinning Hill (Dolphin Street-Incline). The win gave Yell 5-straight Stakes victories & a hat-trick of Gr1 successes (following wins in the Gr1 Futurity Stakes & Gr1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield, & the Carlyon Stakes & Hayes Stakes at Moonee Valley). Yell’s earnings have now soared over the $1 million mark with 7 wins, 4 2nds & 2 3rds from 14 starts; his only unplaced run came when 10th in Calaway Gal’s 2002 Golden Slipper. (March 24) Widden Stud Continues Gr1 Blitz The weekend’s Gr1 victories by Yell in Melbourne & Fine Society in Sydney continued Widden Stud’s recent hot run in Gr1 races. Yell is by Widden’s current stallion Anabaa, while Fine Society comes from the 2nd last crop by Widden’s 2-time champion Australian sire Marscay. (It was the 2nd success in the Canterbury Guineas for Marscay, who sired 1995 winner Sharscay.) Fine Society “becomes the 14th Gr1 winner & 65th stakes winner for Marscay, who died in 2000 after 17 distinguished seasons at Widden Stud,” noted racenet.com.au. “He has the remarkable record of siring at least one stakes winner in every crop to date.” With 486 winners from 694 runners (70%) Marscay’s earnings are approaching $50 million. The 1982 Golden Slipper winner has also become an exceptional broodmare sire: he was champion broodmare sire in 2000-2001 & runner-up to Sir Tristram the following season; Marscay is currently in 2nd behind Bellwater (sire of the dam of Northerly) in the race for this year’s title. A daughter of Marscay produced Defier, 1 of 13 Gr1 winners out of Marscay’s daughters (which also include Catbird, Mr Murphy, Barkada, Lovelorn, Yippyio, Camarena, La Baraka, Scenic Peak, Marstic, Akhenaton, Arkada & Pantani). (March 24) Dehere Continues Winning Run With Stakes Double The amazing winning-run by Arrowfield Stud’s ‘hot’ stallion Dehere also continued at the weekend’s main Sydney-Melbourne meetings. At Canterbury in Sydney, $20,000 weanling purchase Dehero (Dehere-Am Wild) won the Listed Eskimo Prince Stakes (1100m) & Defier (Dehere-Lilande) broke an 18-year-old 1200m course record in winning the $140,00 Gr2 Canterbury Stakes in 1min 9.13secs (.07s faster than the previous mark set by Pete's Gold in February 1985). And at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Super Groove (Dehere-Tyrises) won his 3rd race from 4 starts in a 1200m 3YO handicap. Dehere is currently locked in a head-&-head battle with Danehill for 2nd spot on the sires premiership behind Northerly’s sire Serheed. (March 24) Encosta De Lago Keeps Blue Gum Happy Meanwhile Encosta De Lago moved past fellow Blue Gum Farm stallion Rubiton into 4th place on the sires premiership, reported racenet.com.au. Titanic Jack (Encosta de Lago-Gold Tunic, by Stage Door Johnny) won the $250,000 Gr2 Top Cut-Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. Three races later, Encosta De Lago’s star 3YO filly Lashed finished 2nd in the $500,000 Gr2 Moonee Valley Oaks behind Ribe (by Danehill). A $75,000 buy at the Inglis Victorian Autumn Yearling sale, Titanic Jack is a half-brother to the Gr1 VATC Toorak Handicap winner Sober Suit (by Noalcoholic). Titanic Jack is the 8th foal produced by imported Stage Door Johnny mare Gold Tunic, a three-quarter sister in blood to Gr1 Washington International winner Johnny D & a half-sister to stakes winner Commercial Choice (by Knights Choice), dam of Listed VATC Quezette Stakes winner La Lagune (by Danehill) & Listed Canberra National Sprint winner Make Me A Miracle (by Flying Spur). (March 24) Arrowfield Bred Colt Wins 2nd US Stakes Quest Star, a 4YO Broad Brush colt bred by Arrowfield Stud’s John Messara, led all the way to win the US$200,000 Gr2 Pan American Handicap (12 furlongs) at Gulfstream Park on the weekend. It is a “timely result”, reported racenet.com.au, as Arrowfield “will be offering a half-brother to Quest Star (by the ill-fated End Sweep) at the Australian Easter Yearling sale.” This is the 2nd US Gr2 victory for Quest Star, which last year won the Gr2 National Museum Of Racing Hall Of Fame Handicap at Saratoga & ran 3rd in each of the Gr3 Kent Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Delaware, Gr3 Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs & Gr3 Hawthorne Derby at Hawthorne. The 4YO colt has now started 16 times for 4 wins, 4 2nds & 4 3rds. Arrowfield Stud purchased Quest Star’s dam Tinaca when carrying the future stakes winner. A lightly raced daughter of Manila (by Lyphard), Tinaca is a half-sister to Mariah’s Storm (by Rahy) winner of 10 of her 16 starts (including the Gr2 Turfway Breeders' Cup Handicap & Gr2 Arlington-Washington Lassie). The highest-priced broodmare sold in North America in 1996 when purchased by Coolmore’s John Magnier for US$2.6 million, Mariah’s Storm began her broodmare career sensationally by producing European Horse-Of-The-Year Giant’s Causeway (by Storm Cat), which began his Australian career at Coolmore Stud last spring. Arrowfield sold Quest Star as a yearling at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Tinaca foaled a colt by Sunday Silence in 2000, has a 2001 colt by End Sweep, a foal by Flying Spur & is due to that horse again. (March 24) Nash Rawiller Returning To Macau Australian jockey Nash Rawiller will embark on a second riding stint in Macau in May, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The Macau Jockey Club has licensed Rawiller for the period May 1-July 31. However the MJC has agreed to a request from Rawiller to defer the start of his contract until May 19, to enable him to meet commitments at the Adelaide Cup carnival. Rawiller was granted an extended licence in Macau last year, but rode at only 2 meetings before he returned to Melbourne after a mix-up over contract arrangements. He rode 2 winners & 4 placings from his 18 rides at the 2 meetings. (March 24) Shayne Cahill Lands Winner On First Day In Malaysia Meanwhile in Malaysia, Shayne Cahill has made a successful start to his new contract by riding a winner at his first meeting at Penang, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Cahill rode Anak Gagah (a half-brother to the former Australian Gr1 star Mahogany) to victory for Australian trainer Gavin Kelly. Anak Gagah, a 5YO by Danehill out of the imported Alydar mare Alshandegha, raced in Australia as Cool Khan. (March 24) Rock Of Gibraltar Mares In Foal Good news for Coolmore both in Ireland & Australia. Rock Of Gibraltar, the 7-time Gr1 winning son of Danehill & world champion racehorse of 2002, has several outstanding mares from his first northern hemisphere book already scanned in foal. Among 25 mares currently in foal are: Highland Gift (dam of 2000 Guineas & ‘King George’ winner Golan); Masskana (dam of Prix Marcel Boussac winner Sulk); Oh So Well (dam of dual Gr1 winner Dark Moondancer); Hula Angel (Irish 1000 Guineas); Bianca Nera (Moyglare Stud Stakes winner); Terre A Terre (dual Gr1 winner); & multiple Group winners such as Star of Akkar, Jessica’s Dream & Marionnaud. (March 24) Collingrove’s 2003 Yearling ‘Cream’ At Sydney Easter Sale Victoria’s Collingrove Stud will present “the cream of its 2003 yearling draft at next month's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (April 22-24),” noted spokesperson Jenny McAlpine. “Offering 27 yearlings by Australasia's established elite & emerging sire list, from a concentrated mix of the best female families in both hemispheres’ stud books, all at Collingrove are approaching the sale with both assurance & optimism.” Stallions represented in the Collingrove draft include champion sires Danehill (6 yearlings) & Zabeel (3), Danzero (2), Flying Spur (4), Red Ransom (2), Perugino (1), End Sweep (1), Peintre Celebre (1), Rory's Jester (1), Snippets (1), Danewin (1), Favorite Trick (2), Canny Lad (1) & recently deceased Marauding (1). Among the likely star lots: Snippets half-brother to Fields of Omagh (ex Finneto); Danehill 3/4 brother to Gr2 winner Requiem (ex Tamarind Tree) from the direct family of Lonhro; End Sweep colt from stakes-winning South African mare Geordoba; Danehill-Crazy for You filly from the family of leading stallion Belong To Me; Zabeel colt from stakes-producing Sadler's Wells mare Namouna; Flying Spur filly from Gr1-winning speedster Scarlet Bisque; Danehill filly from multiple stakes-winning Sir Tristram mare Captiva; Danehill colt from 4-time stakes producing mare Duchy Of Cornwall; Canny Lad half-brother to Sydney Cup winner Mr Prudent (ex I'm In Business); Peintre Celebre half-sister to stakes-winning Moon Dragon; Danewin colt from Curzon Place; half-sister to Blackfriars; Red Ransom colt (ex Impatient) from the family of champion Singspiel; Danzero colt (ex Cordate) from the family of Green Dancer; Zabeel colt from Gr1 winner Love de Tor; Danehill filly from Gr1 winner Kenbelle; Rory’s Jester filly from stakes-winning Zabeel mare Chamoix; Favorite Trick filly from Gr2 winner Flight To Fantasy; Favorite Trick filly from multiple stakes producing mare Lillaflicka; Perugino colt from stakes-winning & stakes-producing Marine Park. (March 24) NZ Gr1 Star Zirna Heading To Singapore Singapore’s lucrative 4YO Triple Crown series is the next focus for New Zealand’s latest Gr1 winner Zirna (by Deputy Governor). Plans have been announced for Zirna, winner of the Gr1 NZ Bloodstock Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha, to join the stable of leading Singapore trainer Malcolm Thwaites. The 4YO mare will have her next race in Singapore in the S$250,000 (A$235,000) Patron’s Bowl (1400m) on June 15 - first leg of the Singapore 4YO Challenge; the other 2 legs are the S$150,000 (A$140,000) Singapore Derby Trial (1600m) on June 27 & S$800,000 (A$750,000) Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 18. All 3 races (run at Kranji) are restricted to 4YOs at set weights. The series carries a S$250,000 (A$235,000) bonus if any horse wins all 3 races. NZ-bred galloper Bocelli won all 3 legs of the Triple Crown 2 years ago. Zirna is owned by Karaka’s Westbury Stud & the Karaka Group Ltd, & has notched 3 wins, a 2nd & 2 4ths from 6 starts for Pukekohe private trainer David Walsh. Westbury Stud chief executive Russell Warwick told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "The decision to send Zirna to Singapore is seen as an opportunity to put her on the international stage & to compete for some very attractive levels of prize-money against her own age group. It is planned to bring Zirna back to NZ later this year, where she will spell at Westbury Stud before returning to David Walsh to be prepared for an autumn campaign next year." Zirna will be ridden in Singapore by Zimbabwean jockey Mark Du Plessis, who has also ridden successfully in NZ. (March 24) NZ$1,000 Dam Began A Dynasty For Pollard Manawatu breeder Noel Pollard had 2 reasons to celebrate after the recent NZ win by Bahira (by Volksraad) in the Gr3 Thompson Handicap at Otaki. First, Pollard incurred the disappointment of withdrawing Bahira’s half-sister from this year’s Karaka yearling sales just weeks before the auction. He told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "It was recommended to me not to take the Spinning World filly to the sales, as she had not developed enough & was still very much on the small side. I felt very disappointed at the time, but now with Bahira winning a Gr3 race it could all turn out to be a blessing in disguise." Pollard will consider offering the Spinning World filly at Karaka’s Ready-To-Run Sale later in the year. Second, Pollard bred Bahira & sold her for NZ$115,000 as a yearling at Karaka to Matamata trainer Paul O’Sullivan on behalf major Auckland owner Eric Watson. Pollard, who’s been racing & breeding horses for over 30 years, noted his first broodmare purchase was Bahira’s grand-dam Syndare for just NZ$1,000 at a Cambridge mixed bloodstock sale: "At the time the mare was in foal to Copsale & that resultant foal turned out to be Caucus." He initially leased Caucus (by Copsale) & the horse finished runner-up in the NZ Derby as a 3YO. When the lease expired, Pollard took over training Caucus himself & won a Hastings Cup plus a 2nd in the Manawatu Cup. He also trained another Syndare foal Gallant Prince (by Dorchester) to run 2nd in the NZ Cup. However the best of Syndare’s foals was Conifer Bay (by Virginia Privateer), prepared by Foxton trainer Alister Good to win the Gr1 Mumm Cordon Rouge Stakes at Ellerslie. As a broodmare, Conifer Bay’s progeny include: Aviara (by Classic Fame) who has won 12 races in Queensland; Classic Concerto (by Classic Fame) who has won twice in South Africa; & Bahira (who also has 2 previous wins & a 4rd in the Gr3 Cuddle Stakes at Trentham). (March 24) Multiple US Gr1 Winner Composure Retired Multiple US Gr1-winning filly Composure, a 3YO daughter of Touch Gold, has been retired with a fractured sesamoid in her right front leg. Owner Bob Lewis told thoroughbredtimes.com: "She would have been out for an extended period of time before we could consider a return to the racetrack. She’s a multiple Gr1 winner, she’s a fabulous mare & we didn’t want to push her. We think, at this point, her services are better rendered as a broodmare." In her only 2 starts of 2003, Composure notched back-to-back victories in the Gr1 Santa Anita Oaks & Gr1 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Composure will return to Kentucky to be bred: "I'd like to see her bred to Silver Charm (Lewis' 1997 Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner & champion who stands at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky).” Composure was purchased by Lewis for US$470,000 at the 2001 Keeneland September yearling sale & totalled 4 wins & 3 placings in 8 career starts. Her other highlights included a win in the Gr2 Oak Leaf Stakes & 2nds in both the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (behind 2YO champion filly Storm Flag Flying) & Gr1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (behind Elloluv). Composure is out of the Gr3-winning Alleged mare Party Cited. (March 24) Jockey Falero Wins 8 Races On Single Card In Argentina Uruguayan jockey Pablo Gustavo Falero “ensured an entry under his name in Argentine racing history” by notching 8 wins on a 12-race program at Hipodromo San Isidro, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The feat equals a national record set in 1957 by jockey Angel Baratucci at Hipodromo Independencia in Rosario in Argentina. Falero, who landed his 3,000th career victory in October, had previously won 7 races on one card on 2 occasions & 6 races in 4 other opportunities since arriving in Argentina in 1991. He was leading jockey at Maronas in Montevideo in his native Uruguay from 1987-1991. The leading jockey in Argentina for the last 11 years, Falero is both the leading rider at San Isidro & Palermo, the 2 most important tracks in Argentina. (March 24) Bovespa Nails First Win For Freshman Sire Green Means Go Meanwhile Bovespa, first starter in Argentina for freshman sire Green Means Go, scored in a 2YO event over 7 furlongs at Hipodromo Palermo, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bovespa is out of the Brazilian multiple group-winning Mannsfeld mare Bikini Atol & is a half-brother to Brazilian Gr1 winner Jus Agendi. Eleven-year-old Green Means Go stands at Haras La Providencia & is owned by Brazilian breeder Antonio Gilberto Depieri. A Kentucky-bred son of Green Dancer, Green Means Go is one of 2 stakes winners from 4 winners out of the unplaced Blushing Groom mare Missed The Wedding. He is a half-brother to Gr2 winner Missed The Storm & hails from the immediate family of champions Chris Evert, Chief’s Crown & Winning Colors. He scored 9 wins & 13 placings in 27 career starts in 5 seasons in the US, including the 1995 Gr3 Hill Prince Stakes & Gr3 Lexington Stakes, both at Belmont Park. (March 24) Gross & Average Increase At Adena Springs Juvenile Auction Racetrack mogul Frank Stronach, one of North America's top breeders & owners, held his unique 2nd annual Adena Springs 2YOs-in-Training auction in Florida “under a big white tent” as buyers “sat on bales of straw & dined on picnic-style food,” reported bloodhorse.com. The 62 horses sold (up 55%) grossed US$1,947,500 (up 106%) & averaged US$31,411 (up 39%). The buy-back rate was 17.3%, with only 13 of the 75 horses offered failing to find new homes. Stronach summed up: "There were a few nice horses & they brought nice prices. Some were not quite as good-looking or not quite as fashionable. So, I think it was a fair market." Stronach noted he wasn't really worried that the war with Iraq or the nation's economic woes would affect the auction negatively "because horse people, if they know there is a good horse someplace, they find their way." Last year, there were no 7-figure prices. This year, 4 horses sold for US$100,000 or more. A Boston Harbor colt (from stakes winner Belle's Appeal, a 7YO daughter of Valid Appeal) & a Touch Gold filly named Just Touching (her 10-year-old dam Little Miss Fast, by Premiership, won the Gr3 Comely Stakes) each brought US$120,000 to top the sale. (March 24) Agence Francaise Reformats Deauville October Sale Agence Francaise has reformatted its Deauville October Yearling Sale to include a new jumps-only session. Scheduled for October 21, the session will gather into 1 day, yearlings which would previously have been scattered over the entire 3 days of the sale, reported racingpost.co.uk. (March 24) Landon Named Temporary Head Of France Galop Serge Landon has been named as temporary head of France Galop, following the death last week of founding president Jean Luc Lagardere, reported racingpost.co.uk. Landon's fellow vice president Charles-Henri de Moussac announced his total support for Landon, who will remain president until elections at the end of the year. During a board meeting of France Galop on Friday, it was unanimously agreed that Lagardere's name will prefix the Gr1 Grand Criterium, to be run during the afternoon of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 5. The precise future plan for Lagardere's huge breeding & racing interests has not been made as clear. (March 24) Calumet Farm To Continue As Normal Meanwhile in the US, the future looks positive for historic Calumet Farm, the Kentucky stud saved from ignominious closure by Henryk de Kwiatkowski who died last week aged 79. At least for the immediate future, the plan is to continue as normal with a farm that stood Alydar & owned 8 Kentucky Derby winners in the 28 years between 1941-1968. Calumet general manager Tony Cissell told US Daily Racing Form that de Kwiatkowski's wishes "are for the farm to continue. We're going to continue on & endeavour to fulfil his wishes & continue to raise horses unless notified otherwise." (March 24) WATC Billboard Branded Sexist Monday Odd Spot: The WA Turf Club has been asked to remove a billboard after complaints it is sexist. The WATC’s giant poster “shows someone looking through binoculars at a well-endowed woman’s cleavage while the accompanying text talks about action at the track,” reported The Daily Telegraph. WATC’s Philip Neck acknowledged receiving several complaints, but emphasised: “We’re not sexist. It was done with some humour.” WA Culture Minister Sheila McHale branded the poster “crass”, declaring “women are fed-up with sexist ads” & said the WATC had been given 2 days to take it down. (March 24) Hawkes Brands Slipper Fillies 3kgs Allowance ‘Unfair’ Prominent Sydney trainer John Hawkes “is adamant the 3kgs allowance fillies enjoy over their male rivals for next month’s $3 million Golden Slipper is far too much,” reported The Daily Telegraph. Hawkes insisted the weight difference “gives them an unfair advantage.” The last 3 Slippers have been won by fillies: Belle Du Jour 2000, Ha Ha 2001 & Calaway Gal 2002. “They should get rid of the 3kgs allowance for the Golden Slipper,” Hawjes declared. “There should be only 1kg or 1.5kg difference between the colts & the fillies.” (March 21) Racing NSW Calls For Major ‘Rationalisation’ Racing NSW has called for “unprecedented rationalisation in a bid to ensure 100% of TAB Ltd’s annual return to the industry is injected into prize-money,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Racing NSW’s latest ‘key issues paper’ notes it doesn’t have the answer to racing’s financial future, but states: “If the industry only aspires to current performance levels it confines itself to mediocrity.” The merging of metropolitan & provincial administration to form a ‘super-club’ is tipped to save $5 million. Merging 50 regional-major country administrations into 6 ‘super-clubs’ would net $2 million, as would the closure of a metropolitan track. A further $5 million can be found in closing a provincial track, doing away with several once-a-year tracks, ceasing non-value-added advertising & Racing NSW slashing its budget by $1 million. The issues paper summed up: “The challenge is to find a structure that can provide an extra $30 million in savings & revenue. This industry must re-engineer itself to survive. The detailed document was prepared by Racing NSW’s corporate affairs general manager Steve Ferguson. (March 21) Dubai Racetrack Peaceful As Bombs Explode In Iraq While missiles began exploding over Iraq yesterday, peace reigned on the backstretch of Nad al Sheba racecourse in Dubai as the international visitors prepared for the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 29. Jim Cornes, North American representative for the World Cup, told thoroughbredtimes.com by telephone direct from the track: "You wouldn’t know anything was going on until you turn on CNN or pick up a newspaper. It’s business as usual. People are shopping, driving around & going about their normal routines." Cornes said he was accompanied at the peaceful morning track-work by US trainer Ken McPeek, who will saddle Brazilian-bred Hard Buck (4YO son of Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck) in the United Arab Emirates Derby. (March 21) Canadian Sire Zaha To Shuttle To Australia Stakes-winning sire Zaha, who stands at Collin Stud near Newmarket in England, will shuttle to Bob Frappell’s Clear Mountain Stud in Queensland for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Zaha’s first crop of yearlings is this year. The 7YO son of Kingmambo won the 1998 Coronation Futurity at Woodbine in Canada for owner Shadwell Stable. Bred in Ontario, Zaha is one of 4 winners out of the stakes-winning Steady Growth mare Play all Day. He is a half-brother to Gr2 winner Seeking Daylight & Gr1 winner Hedonist, & represents the immediate family of Canadian Horse-Of-The-Year Izvestia. (March 21) Viking Ruler’s First-Season Stud Fee NZ$20,000 The first-season fee for Cambridge Stud's new sire Viking Ruler has been set at NZ$20,000 (A$18,400) plus gst. Announcing the fee, Cambridge supremo Sir Patrick Hogan emphasised the Gr1-winning son of Danehill will not serve more than 110 mares in his first season: "The syndicate wants to keep the horse exclusive." Viking Ruler will stand alongside Zabeel, Cape Cross, Stravinsky & Keeper at Cambridge this season. (March 21) UK Considers Formula 1-Style Championship A Formula 1-style championship “linking around 24 Gr1 races run in Britain could be the next project off the grid as the British Horseracing Board presses ahead with plans to establish the UK racing calendar as the best in the world,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Following this week’s launch of the £1 million (A$2.6 million) Summer Triple Crown & Grand Slam, which carries a £5 million (A$13 million) bonus, BHB executives “are examining a number of other proposals that would help provide more narrative to both Flat & Jumps programs. Among ideas currently being discussed is the creation of a Premier League for the Flat & a jumping Triple Crown (made up of the King George VI Chase, Cheltenham Gold Cup & Grand National or Martell Cup). One of the favourites is a Grand Prix type series, put forward by the Super 12 group of racetracks, that would comprise every domestic Gr1 race for 3YOs up from the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas in May to the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes in October & could be up-and-running next year.” John Smee, racing director of Racecourse Holdings Trust, said: “A steering group consisting of representatives from Super 12 & BHB has been established to work through the development of a Grand Prix type system embracing all Gr1 flat races, excluding 2YO races, for 2004 with the idea a scheme could complement & cohabit with the Grand Slam-Triple Crown initiative.” (March 21) High Chaparral ‘Distinct Possibility’ For New UK Triple Crown Meanwhile world-renowned owner Michael Tabor confirmed there was a "distinct possibility" dual UK Derby & US Breeders' Cup hero High Chaparral could be aimed at Britain’s Summer Triple Crown. Tabor told racingpost.co.uk the carrot of a £1 million (A$2.6 million) bonus for winning the series would be something that would merit consideration, although it was too early to confirm the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt would definitely be aimed at the series: "I had a fax this morning & it sounded quite interesting. It’s a distinct possibility. It is early days & it’s no good saying we will definitely do this or that, but why not? I think it is a good idea & I think it will capture the imagination of the people. The public will love it & it will raise the profile of racing, because where big money is involved, that’s what excites people.” (March 21) First Betting Market On UK Triple Crown UK bookmaking firm Coral’s initial market on the possibility of a horse winning the UK Summer Triple Crown has High Chaparral favourite at 20-1, with stable-mate Brian Boru & Nayef next best at 25-1. Apart from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable, other major contenders for the prize could come from Godolphin - with the likes of Sulamani, Grandera & Moon Ballad. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford welcomed the innovation, but said it was too early to nominate any horses for it, especially given their international considerations. He told racingpost.co.uk: "It is a tall order to say the least, but it is an exciting innovation & we very much support anything that promotes racing. You would have to have an exceptional horse to complete that series & it is impossible to say at this time whether we have a horse who would be able to compete." (March 21) Zabeel Colt Shows Promise In France Across the English Chanel, 3YO Zabeel colt Zamenhof finished 2nd in his seasonal debut in the Prix Androcles (10.5 furlongs) at Maissons Lafitte, reported racenet.com.au. Zamenhof was bred by Wood Nook Farm’s Bob Scarborough, who sent the Alzao mare Zelah to be covered by Cambridge Stud’s champion sire Zabeel to northern hemisphere time in 1998. Zamenhof had 2 unplaced runs as a 2YO (including a 4th of 11 in his season finale at Saint-Cloud). He is the first foal of Zelah (a winner at Lingfield in England from 6 career starts). Zelah is a half-sister to Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Mary Linda (by L’emigrant) as well as stakes-winning Sadler’s Wells colt Ming Dynasty. Zelah’s dam, the stakes-placed Marie Noelle (by Brigadier Gerard) is a half-sister to Gr1 Prix Ganay winner Marildo (by Romildo). (March 21) Florida Yearling Sale Day 2: Gross Up, Average & Median Fall With the Day 2 average down 24.2% compared with last year’s 2nd Session, the overall average for the 2-day Ocala Breeders' Sales Company’s March Sale of Selected 2YOs-In-Training fell 9.4% compared with 2002. Overall gross receipts were US$18,196,500 (up 23.6%) with 273 horses sold & a 33.6% buy-back rate (down from 37.9% last year); the median declined 6.5% to US$50,000. OBSC director of sales Tom Ventura told bloodhorse.com: "With the uncertainty of the world & the financial markets, I'm very pleased where we ended up. There were plenty of buyers here. When there are other sales that have buy-back rates approaching 50%, we would rather be down 10% (in average) & selling more horses."" (March 21) US$325,000 Two Punch Colt Tops OBSC Sale Highest-priced horse of OBSC’s Day 2 (& highest-priced colt of the sale) came when John Ferguson Bloodstock, acting for his principal client Godolphin Racing, paid US$325,000 (A$530,000) for a gray colt by Two Punch out of Gala Goldie (by Jungle Savage) who had sprinted a quarter-mile in 21.4secs at the pre-sale breeze-up. The colt will be trained by Eoin Harty, Godolphin's American trainer of 2YOs. Consigned by Robert McElroy on behalf of breeder David Hayden's Dark Hollow Farm, the colt is a half-brother to stakes winners Gala Goldilocks, Gala de Oro & Gala Gold Digger. McElroy told thoroughbredtimes.com: "We were looking for something in that neighborhood, but you never know.” Two Punch also sired the day's 2nd-highest priced lot, a colt out of Duds (by Ack Ack) purchased for US$240,000 (A$390,000) by agent Baden "Buzz" Chace on behalf of Aaron & Marie Jones. (March 21) Racing Victoria Completes Racing Calendar Review Racing Victoria announced it has completed a 4-month review of “Victoria's racedate calendar involving clubs & industry stakeholders” which has resulted in “the segmentation of the racing calendar to better serve the customer, clubs & industry, while providing enhanced opportunities for growth.” Racing Victoria chief executive Neville Fielke released the race dates for the 2003-2004 racing season & outlined how “a new approach to the race calendar would result in a more balanced program of events.” The new calendar has been segmented into 3 product types: Entertainment (Spring Racing Carnival meetings, Gr1 race-days, Warrnambool Carnival, etc); Fixture (non-feature TAB meetings); & Specialist (non-TAB meetings & picnic racing). Fielke noted: “What does segmentation mean for the marketing future of racing? It means a program that is geared to customers, growth & a way to revitalise the racing program to the benefit of all players – country & metropolitan. Our wide-ranging review revealed that rather than having too much racing, we had initially too much of the same racing. As the Principal Club, Racing Victoria intends to continually refine the process by which we allocate dates, to ensure that the industry as a whole benefits from the calendar . . . And for the first time, the allocation process has included the alignment of dates to the Victorian Tourism calendar." All race meetings will be subject to performance bench-marking & future allocation of dates will be assessed against agreed performance criteria. (March 21) Queensland Racing Pushes Eagle Farm-Doomben Merger In the on-going (& increasingly heated) Brisbane track saga, Queensland Racing Board chairman Bob Bentley yesterday emphasised amalgamation of the racing facilities at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm & Doomben tracks was “a more vital industry issue than a merger of the 2 big clubs.” He noted: “We would welcome the Queensland & Brisbane Turf Clubs getting together & talking about amalgamation, but it is not the main game from our perspective. The costs of maintaining 2 racecourse infrastructures across the road from each other are exorbitant. The greatest level of savings would come through rationalisation of these 2 facilities into one venue.” Bentley was commenting on a call from QTC chairman Phil Sullivan for the Board to establish a working party to explore a merger of the 2 metropolitan race clubs as “a matter of urgency.” (March 21) Trainers & Jockeys Criticise Revamped Kensington Circuit Prominent Sydney trainer Les Bridge slammed the controversial Kensington inner-track at Randwick following the return of racing there this week. He told The Sydney Morning Herald: “There were 2 lanes here today. It’s not much good for $6 million.” Fellow Randwick trainer Bob Thomsen added: “I’ve said all along it is horses for courses. They either handle it or they don’t.” Reporter Craig Young commented: “The maligned track was given a complete overhaul & lengthy rest after the meeting there on December 4 &, while clods weren’t as visible as before, the circuit was cut up, & riders & horses had to contend with sand being kicked back. After the opening 2 races, jockeys moved 3-horses-wide from the inside rail from the 800m mark.” Leading jockey Darren Beadman noted: “You’ve got to ride a bad race to win.” Fellow rider Glen Boss added: “When you are running home in 38 seconds & nothing is passing you, there is a problem.” One professional punter summed up: “I was prepared to give it another go, but there are too many variables, they are running awfully slow times & sectionals.” (March 21) Golden Slipper Festival Begins With Saturday Night Gr1 Canterbury Guineas Sydney’s Autumn racing carnival kicks off tomorrow night at Canterbury Park with the $400,000 Gr1 Kia Ora Stud Canterbury Guineas. Sydney Turf Club chief executive Michael Kenny enthused: “There seems to be a positive feeling in Sydney for racing this season, with betting turn-over up & crowd numbers up. We’re looking forward to Canterbury Guineas Night as a big celebratory kick-off night for a fantastic 2003 Golden Slipper Festival” (March 21) Godolphin Announces Dubai World Cup Team Godolphin has announced a 20-horse assault on the 2003 Dubai World Cup program (with Sulamani’s final goal still to be decided): Gr1 Dubai World Cup (10 furlongs): Grandera, Moon Ballad & Sulamani; Gr1 Dubai Duty Free (8 furlongs): Imtiyaz, Masterful, Naheef & Sights On Gold; Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic (12 furlongs): Califet, Highest, Pugin & Sulamani; Gr2 Godolphin Mile (8 furlongs): Equerry, Essence Of Dubai & Firebreak; Gr2 UAE Derby (10 furlongs): Anasheed, Bourbonnais, Dubai Lightning, Inamorato, Parhelion & Songlark. (March 21) Eastern Tent Caterpillar ‘Egg Hatch’ Begins In Kentucky Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome Debate update: “The first stages of egg hatch for Eastern tent caterpillar egg masses were observed last Monday on a roadside wild cherry tree in Woodford County in Central Kentucky,” according to a statement from the University of Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Thoroughbredtimes.com reported: “Eastern tent caterpillars are thought to be the leading culprits in the spread of mare reproductive loss syndrome. Given that the hatch of the larvae takes place over a 3-week period, any attempt to treat the egg masses with sprays or pesticides at this time would be ineffective.” (March 21) Claiborne Stallion Horse Chestnut Recovering From Colic Surgery Horse Chestnut, South Africa’s 1999 Horse-Of-The-Year who is standing his 3rd season at the famous Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, is recovering after undergoing colic surgery on Tuesday. The 8YO son of Fort Wood “is expected to miss 4 or 5 weeks of the US breeding season,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. “Horse Chestnut showed signs of colic & Claiborne sent him to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington where Dr Alan Ruggles removed about 10 feet of Horse Chestnut’s bowel.” However Claiborne Farm manager Gus Koch said: "He’s doing fine. We expect a full recovery & he’ll be back in service after 4 or 5 weeks." Horse Chestnut had covered 28 mares this season, and his first 36 foals are 2YOs this year. He stands for US$10,000. Horse Chestnut won 9 of 10 starts in 3 seasons in South Africa, including the 1999 Gr1 J&B Metropolitan; at his only US start he won the 2000 Gr3 Broward Handicap at Gulfstream Park by over 5 lengths for owner-breeder Harry Oppenheimer. (March 21) Argentine Gr1 Winner Miss Carry Retired & Eyes Honour And Glory Miss Carry, likely to be voted Argentina’s champion older mare of 2002, has been retired due to a recurring injury & “could be bred to Honour And Glory during the upcoming Southern Hemisphere season,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The daughter of Numerous defeated older males in the Gr1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo over 12 furlongs at the San Isidro last season & was 4th in the 2002 Gr1 Gran Premio Carrera de las Estrellas (equivalent to the US Breeders’ Cup Distaff). Campaigned by Juan Carlos Bago’s Stud-Haras Firmamento, Miss Carry retires with a record of 6 wins in 10 starts. Local reports indicate Miss Carry might be bred next season to Honour And Glory, who is expected to arrive in Argentina in July as part of an agreement between Ashford Stud in Kentucky & a partnership that includes Argentina's Haras de la Pomme, La Biznaga, Firmamento & Vacacion. Miss Carry is out of the Babas Fables mare Carrara & is a half-sister to 3 winners. (March 21) Sakhee Has First 10 Mares Scanned In Foal SAKHEE, who is standing his first season at Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud in Britain, has had his first 10 mares scanned in foal, reported racingpost.co.uk. The mares include Listed winners Dolores & Hawriya (a half-sister to Lahib). The 6YO Sakhee (Bahri-Thawakib, by Sadler’s Wells) won both the 2001 Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe & 2001 Gr1 Juddmonte International by wide margins. (March 21) Newmarket & Curragh Join Forces In Marketing Strategy In what thoroughbredtimes.com described as an “unprecedented arrangement between British & Irish racetracks”, Newmarket and the Curragh have combined to increase attendance at the other’s course. Newmarket is the seat of racing in Britain & launches the classic calendar with the Gr1 Two Thousand Guineas & Gr1 One Thousand Guineas on May 3-4. The Curragh presents all 5 of the Irish classic races. The partnership goal “is to encourage trainers to send their horses across the Irish Sea to the other country & for race-goers to experience racing in both arenas.” The 2 racecourses will also share sponsorship benefits with a reciprocal sponsorship on each other’s One Thousand Guineas day. Newmarket’s managing director Lisa Hancock said: "We are delighted to have forged this exciting link with the Curragh, who approached us with the idea last year. There is such a great symmetry between the 2 courses, each being surrounded by training stables each uniquely located at the heart of their country’s flat racing industry." In addition, Newmarket will send race-goers to the Gr1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh later this year, & the Irish track will bring their fans to the Gr1 July Cup at Newmarket. (March 21) Hughes Rated Biggest Danger To Fallon In UK Jockey Handicap With Britain’s flat racing season beginning yesterday (& continuing to November 8), bookmaker SportingOdds has rated Richard Hughes the biggest challenger to champ Kieren Fallon. In its keenly-watched Flat Jockey’s Championship Handicap, reported racingpost.co.uk, SportingOdds is offering 9-1 the field with Fallon on scratch; Hughes has been given a 25-winner start, with Kevin Darley & Darryll Holland both +30, & Seb Sanders +35. “Punters who believe Pat Eddery & Frankie Dettori are going to enjoy prolific campaigns will collect if their favourite gets within 56 & 66 winners respectively of Fallon’s eventual total.” Handicap odds: 9-1 Kieren Fallon (scratch), Richard Hughes (+25), Kevin Darley, Darryll Holland (+30), Seb Sanders (+35), Richard Quinn, Jamie Spencer, Jimmy Fortune, Steve Drowne (+45), Martin Dwyer, Pat Eddery (+55), Frankie Dettori (+65). (March 21) Pakistan’s Karachi Racetrack Reopens The controversial Karachi Race Club in Pakistan reopened its racetrack with a 7-race card on Wednesday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. In March 2001, the Jockey Club of Pakistan defaulted on a US$30,000 fee that forced the closure of Karachi. The 600 horses in residence were mostly taken to other racetracks, but 250 were left behind to die of starvation & dehydration, triggering international outrage. The International League for the Protection of Horses stepped in 4 months later & found the horses in critical condition, but was able to save most of them. (March 21) Rock Of Gibraltar & Johannesburg To Coolmore Aust Coolmore Australia will introduce 2 World Champions to its stallion roster for the 2003 breeding season: Rock of Gibraltar (Danehill–Offshore Boom, by Be My Guest) & Johannesburg (Hennessy–Myth, by Ogygian). Joining them on the 15-stallion roster will be: Danehill Dancer (Danehill-Mira Adonde, by Sharpen Up): Danehill’s proven Gr1 sire son Danehill Dancer was, like Rock Of Gibraltar, a dual Gr1 winner as a 2YO; & as sire of Gr1 winning colts in both England & Australia, he can lay claim to being Danehill’s most exciting young son at stud with runners; in Europe last season, his 1st-crop son Where Or When proved himself the continent’s 2nd-best 3YO miler (behind only Rock Of Gibraltar) with a stylish win over Hawk Wing in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes; & in Australia this season, his son Choisir vindicated last season’s top-rated 2YO colt ranking with victory in the Gr1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Fasliyev (Nureyev-Mr P’s Princess, by Mr Prospector): Nureyev’s best 2YO & unbeaten dual Gr1 winning juvenile. Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr Prospector-Angel Fever, by Danzig): Mr Prospector’s Kentucky Derby winner. Galileo (Sadler’s Wells–Urban Sea, by Miswaki): Sadler’s Wells’s UK Epsom Derby winner. Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat–Mariah’s Storm, by Rahy): Storm Cat’s ‘Iron Horse’. High Yield (Storm Cat–Scoop The Gold, by Forty Niner): triple Gr1 winner. King Of Kings (Sadler’s Wells–Zummerudd, by Habitat): sire of NZ’s leading 2YO King’s Chapel & exciting Australian juvenile San Simeon. Mull Of Kintyre (Danzig-Retrospective, by Easy Goer): Top class 2YO. Orpen (Lure-Bonita Francita, by Devil’s Bag): Another top class 2YO. Peintre Celebre (Nureyev–Peinture Bleue, by Alydar): Nureyev’s best racehorse & French Gr1 Arc de Triomphe winner. Royal Academy (Nijinsky–Crimson Saint, by Crimson Satan): champion sire whose progeny include US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Val Royal & Australian stars Bel Esprit & La Bella Dame. Spinning World (Nureyev–Imperfect Circle, by Riverman): sire of Thorn Park. Thunder Gulch (Gulch–Line Of Thunder, by Storm Bird): US champion sire of Eclipse Award winner Point Given, of all-time leading female stakes-earner Spain & of Australian Gr1 Oaks winners Tempest Morn & Tully Thunder. (March 20) Rock Of Gibraltar ‘Most Accomplished Racehorse’ Ever Imported Heading the 2003 Coolmore Australia roster is Rock of Gibraltar (Danehill–Offshore Boom, by Be My Guest), the most accomplished Gr1 winner in the history of European racing. The best-performed son of multiple champion sire & sire-of-sires Danehill, his grandam is a 3-parts sister to champion sire Riverman. Last season he became the first horse ever to win 7 consecutive European Gr1 races, surpassing the record of the mighty Mill Reef. As a 2YO, Rock of Gibraltar won twice at Gr1 level: in the Grand Criterium, he left the best 2YOs in France leaden-footed as he powered to a thrilling 3-length victory; and in Europe’s most exciting race of 2001, he then beat the best that England could offer in the Dewhurst Stakes. As a 3YO, he began with another thrilling victory over stable-mate Hawk Wing in the Gr1 English Two Thousand Guineas & followed with an authoritative win in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (only the 5th horse ever to complete the double). Then in the St James’s Palace Stakes, Rock Of Gibraltar not only beat Landseer & Dupont (between them winners of the French, Italian & German 2000 Guineas), but also Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Where Or When & became the first horse for over 20 years to take out the English 2,000 Guineas-St James’s Palace Stakes double. His follow-up last-to-first burst to easily beat older horse Noverre in the Sussex Stakes saw him equal Mill Reef’s 30-year-old record of 6 consecutive Gr1 wins. He then set a new benchmark at his next start, with a display of brilliant speed to swallow up Gr1 milers Banks Hill & Gossamer to win the French Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. Many believe, however, that it was in defeat that Rock Of Gibraltar gave his most memorable performance: slowly away in the end-of-season US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, The Rock trailed the high-class field to the home turn, where he unleashed an unbelievable turn of foot that surely would have carried him to his 8th consecutive Gr1 victory, but for having to sidestep his stricken stable-mate Landseer. Rock Of Gibraltar is, quite simply, the most accomplished racehorse ever imported to stud in Australasia. As such, he is a fitting successor to his own sire Danehill. (March 20) Johannesburg’s Unmatched 2YO Record Rock of Gibraltar’s stable-companion Johannesburg’s (Hennessy–Myth, by Ogygian) juvenile accomplishments made him not only the Champion 2YO of Europe & but also Eclipse Award-winning Champion 2YO of America for 2001. Johannesburg is the best Storm Cat-line 2YO ever to retire to stud, having gone through his first season of racing unbeaten. In doing so, he won four Gr1 races in 4 countries – Ireland, England, France & America – the first horse in history so to do. He won Ireland’s Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown by 5 lengths, England’s Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket by 3 lengths, France’s Prix Morny at Deauville by nearly 2 lengths & the US Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, on the Belmont Park dirt, by over a length. As trainer Aidan O’Brien observed: “Johannesburg was an exceptional 2YO & achieved more in his first season than most horses do in their entire careers.” Johannesburg is closely related to leading 1st & 2nd-crop sire Tale Of The Cat, one of the most exciting young sires in America today & a leading Australasian 1st-crop sire. He is therefore also from the family of last year’s leading US 2nd-crop sire Pulpit, as well as that of legendary champion sire Round Table. (March 20) Hussonet Arrives At Arrowfield Champion stallion Hussonet has arrived at Arrowfield Stud at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley. The trip entailed flying out of Santiago in Chile during summer, entering quarantine in Chigaco during one of the coldest winters ever seen in North America, then shipping over to the US West Coast where he spent 60 days in California quarantine, before a trip to Australia & a further quarantine period. Arrowfield’s Byron Rogers said: “He’s had quite a tour to get out here & he arrived a bit light, which was to be expected as it was the first time the horse had travelled outside Chile in 7 years. He is a good type that looks after himself & has settled in very well, so he should get back into condition quickly.” Champion General Sire of Chile for the past three years, where he has sired a world class 24% stakes-winners-to-runners, Hussonet has continued on his merry way in 2003 with 6 of his 10 2YO starters returning winners. Hussonet, a son of the Champion Sire Mr Prospector out of Eclipse Award-winning Champion American 3YO filly Sacahuista, will stand his first season at Arrowfield at $24,750 (inc GST). (March 20) From Dubai To UK For Belle Du Jour Newmarket winner Belle Du Jour is set to race in England after her bid for Dubai’s Golden Shaheen on March 29. Trainer Clarry Conners told racenet.com.au he was pleased to hear not only that his mare was going to be racing in England, but that he would be along as her trainer: "She'll be based at John Hammond’s yard. They are looking at starting her in the Gr1 Darley July Cup. It's amazing what a difference a day makes. Before she went to Melbourne there was nothing, no real plans; then she wins the Newmarket & suddenly we're all off to Dubai & now straight on to England as well!" (March 20) UK $2.6m Summer Triple Crown & $13m Grand Slam British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill has declared his desire “to make British racing the best in the world” & outlined details of UK racing's new Summer Triple Crown & Grand Slam innovations. Savill said he “hopes the new initiatives will provide encouragement for owners to keep older horses in training, to be targeted at the valuable prizes, & to campaign their horses at home rather than being tempted to run overseas.” A bonus of £1 million (A$2.6 million) will be paid for a horse that wins the Vodafone Derby, Oaks or Coronation Cup at Epsom or the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot & goes on the following month to take Sandown's Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes & the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot. A bumper £5 million (A$13 million) payout is also on offer to the owner of any horse who then goes on to win the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on August 19. ”So far, no horse has ever managed to win the Grand Slam series of races, but 9 horses have achieved the feat of winning the races which form the BHB Summer Triple Crown,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Most recently, Nashwan won the Derby, Eclipse & King George as a 3YO in 1989, while Opera House was a 5YO when he won the Coronation Cup, Eclipse & King George in 1993. If no horse completes the treble, then the best performer in the nominated races will win £250,000 (A$650,000) & the BHB Middle Distance Championship. (March 20) British Plan To Halt International Exit By Top Horses Potential contenders for the inaugural UK bonuses this year include the likes of Grandera, Hawk Wing & High Chaparral from the older generation. BHB chairman Peter Savill told racingpost.co.uk: "There is great pressure on our best middle-distance horses to go around the world in search of valuable prizes. As a consequence, there is no question this has put pressure on our own middle-distance program in Britain. We want to encourage all the best horses to compete in Britain as much as possible. And with this initiative, we can put together a strong narrative that has the potential to put racing onto the front page of the newspapers in the way only Cheltenham, Royal Ascot & the Classics do at the moment." The project is being funded by the BHB, which is contributing £750,000 (A$1.95 million) towards the project with the £500,000 (A$1.3 million) marketing budget coming from the Levy Board. The remainder of the prize-money, if won, is covered by a new insurance policy. BHB's recently-appointed marketing director Chris John said he hopes the large sums involved will help generate interest outside the sport: "Our intention is to create a stir in the industry. The purpose of this is to raise the profile of the sport & hopefully that is an objective everyone shares." (March 20) NZ SKY Launches TV Betting New Zealand punters can now bet via their television sets as “SKY TV & the TAB jointly launched its SKY BET service yesterday,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. “SKY BET is available through the SKY Digital service & enables punters to place their bets by using their SKY decoders.” (March 20) US$350,000 American Chance Filly Tops Florida Sale Team Valor’s Barry Irwin paid US$350,000 for a daughter of American Chance (out of 9YO stakes-placed winner Sweet And Lowdown, by Stalwart) to top the first day at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March sale of Selected 2YOs-In-Training. The filly (consigned by Mark Casse's Moonshadow Farm) had sprinted a quarter mile in 21.4secs, equaling the fastest of the day, at a pre-sale breeze-up on March 16. Casse (who bought the filly for only US$40,000 at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale) told thoroughbredtimes.com: "She was scoped 12 times & with that many scopes, anything can happen. All I know is she can really run." Veteran owner Carl Lizza of Flying Zee Stables paid 2nd-highest price of US$320,000 for the filly with the fastest quarter-mile breeze-up, a daughter of Salt Lake who sprinted the distance in 21.0secs. Lizza quipped: "I thought she'd probably bring US$250,000 or so, but I think (under-bidder) Stan Hough wanted her just as much as I did. She's the nicest filly in the sale, a very strong, powerful filly. She's just superior." The filly (consigned by Albert Davis's Old South Farm, which purchased her for US$40,000 at the 2002 OBS August yearling sale) is the 3rd foal of 7YO unraced Checkerspot, by Affirmed. Agent J.B.McKathan purchased the top-priced colt, a son of Subordination who breezed the quarter-mile in 21.6secs, for US$300,000 on behalf of James McIngvale's M&M Racing. (March 20) Average Up 10% On Day 1 At OBSC March Sale Overall first day figures for Day 1 at the OBSC March sale were: 137 horses sold for US$9,635,000 gross (up 54% from last year); average US$70,328 (up 10.2%); buy-backs 34.4% (39.1% last year). OBSC director of sales Tom Ventura summed up to thoroughbredtimes.com: "The sale was very good. There were a lot of buyers here, a lot of activity. The upper-end horses did well, but enough of the mid-range horses got sold to keep our (reserve not attained) percentage at a reasonable level." And consignor Robert Scanlon told bloodhorse.com: "The market is solid. I don't think the talk of war has had any effect. Before that speech by President Bush came on TV the other night, everybody was already in town, so they weren't going to leave. The people here are very focused on the horses." (March 20) Strong NZ Entry For Sydney Easter Yearling Sale The New Zealand breeding industry “will have more than 60 yearlings represented at the 2003 Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Cambridge Stud leads the list with a draft of 19 yearlings. A likely star will be its Danehill-Champagne colt (a half-brother to this season's NZ Derby winner St Reims). Also in the Cambridge draft is a Grand Lodge-Tristalove colt (a half-brother to exciting new stallion prospect & Gr1 winner Viking Ruler). Cambridge manager Marcus Corban commented: "This year we have a very international draft & are extremely excited." Other NZ studs figuring in the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale are: Waikato Stud (7 lots); Haunui Farm (7); Trelawney Stud (6); Rich Hill Thoroughbreds (5); Ardsley Stud (3); Chatham Lodge Thoroughbreds (3); Fayette Park Stud (3); Glenmorgan Farm (3); The Oaks Stud (3); Halo Farm (2); Fairdale Stud (1). (March 20) Fire-Eaters & Massage Marquee At Randwick’s Derby Day Party Live bands, fire-eaters, a massage marquee, celebrities & sporting stars will all be part of the Australian Jockey Club’s annual Derby Day Lawn Party on San Miguel Doncaster-Derby Day at Royal Randwick on April 19. The Lawn Party will include 3 themed villages - a Celebrity Village, Sports Village & Fashion Village - each hosting a range of entertainment & give-aways throughout the day. AJC marketing manager Steve Reid said: "Derby Day is Sydney's biggest race day & the Lawn Party caters for the new age race-goer wanting an exclusive party zone with an atmosphere like no other." (March 20) BTC & QTC Amalgamation Myth The Brisbane Turf Club yesterday responded to statements by former Queensland Supreme Court Judge Bill Carter (& member of the Brisbane Turf Club) supporting amalgamation between the BTC & Queensland Turf Club & noting amalgamation would lead to a reduction in the cost of infrastructure, a united front for sponsorship & one racing & training centre under one administration. BTC chairman Ian Baxter declared: "If only it was that simple. Mr Carter makes some broad statements, but like many statements made through the press it lacks any research & fact to back it up. The 2 Clubs have held meetings over amalgamation & amounts of $1 million in savings have been touted through the industry. Both clubs have not undertaken any research or analysis, so this amount is unsubstantiated. Mr Carter clearly sees his preferred option as having the 2 facilities maintained in their current configuration. The savings would therefore be minimal. The 2 clubs already share equipment & facilities. Savings would mainly be available in the administration areas of both clubs. Both clubs have minimal staffing numbers in these areas already. The statement of a united front for sponsorship could also lead to an overall reduction in sponsorship, as major sponsors only have to deal with a single party.” (March 20) Doomben Track Not For Sale The Brisbane Turf Club also responded yesterday to recent reports regarding the proposed redevelopment of Brisbane metropolitan racing sites, released by Queensland Racing. BTC chairman Ian Baxter stated: "The Brisbane Turf Club has been waiting for some time to see the proposals, including the relevant costing of the options. Unfortunately the costings are not available at this point in time, so we cannot make an informed decision. Our Board of Directors however has analysed the information provided & can see no major benefit for racing in up-grading the proposed Eagle Farm Racecourse. Under no circumstance will we be recommending to our members the sale of Doomben to finance the up-grade of the Eagle Farm facility. The Club's position was & always has been that we would wait until detailed feasibility studies had been prepared, before we would present a picture to our members & that the members would decide the outcome. The study is being conducted by Queensland Racing, with the involvement of the BTC & QTC. Doomben is not for sale & will not be for sale, unless our members say so. We will present a full picture to our members when this is available.” (March 20) Townsville Responds To Track Criticism Meanwhile Townsville Turf Club vice chairman John Rowlands has responded to criticism of the Cluden Park Racecourse by racing columnist Chris Roots in the Townsville Bulletin newspaper. Rowlands said: “Mr Roots states the Cluden racing surface has been constantly questioned for the past 12 months, but fails to state who has questioned it & what the questions are. He fails to quote even 1 trainer or jockey based at Cluden, & has instead based the article on his own personal opinion or that of a minority of anonymous industry participants. As chairman of the Works Committee, Mr Roots has never contacted me for any comment regarding the training & racing surfaces at Cluden Park. I wish to advise that myself and a majority of the Club's Committee give 100% support to all our Turf Club staff, in particular our Grounds staff, who have to work in an environment where their critics, a minority of people in the Industry, are so perfect! In the previous 12 months, the average number of starters per race has increased at Cluden by 14.4% to 11.8 starters per race, belying the fact there is any problem with the racing surface.” (March 20) Mount Gambier Open For Gallops The Mount Gambier Racing Club has taken another step along the road to completing its track reconstruction with track gallops commencing on the steeple grass last week. Track manager Mark Biddle said: "The surface stood up very well, despite the track still being in its infancy. But the feedback from jockeys & trainers has been very positive, & trainers are happy to be able to use their home track to gallop their horses." (March 20) US TV Racing Viewers Increase In 2003 US TV horse racing programs Wire to Wire & Racing To The Kentucky Derby, which both air on the ESPN network, have “increased their viewership dramatically compared with figures from previous years,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. In February Wire to Wire (a weekly recap show that airs for a half-hour at 2pm each Tuesday & again at 5.30am on Saturday) attracted 4.74 million viewers, a 118% increase from last year according to Nielsen ratings. And Road To The Kentucky Derby, which featured the Gr1 Fountain Of Youth Stakes in its season-opening program on February 15, logged a 95% viewer increase over the 2002 Fountain Of Youth program; similarly the subsequent Gr2 Louisiana Derby program logged an 82% viewer increase over last year. US National Thoroughbred Racing Association commissioner Tim Smith commented: "With so much sports programming heading in the other direction, in terms of audience size, we are pleased by our sport’s increased viewership thus far in 2003." Significantly, last weekend Saturday’s Florida Derby attracted 2.7% more viewing households than a Big 12 Conference college basketball tournament game & Sunday’s San Felipe Stakes attracted 16.2% more viewing households than a National Hockey League game that followed the racing program. (March 20) Equine Herpes Surfaces At Turfway Park Three horses stabled in the same barn at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky “have tested positive for the neurological version of equine herpes virus, the second such outbreak of the disease at a thoroughbred track in 2 months,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Turfway president Robert Elliston said 2 of the horses first exhibited fevers & neurological trouble earlier this month & a 3rd horse tested positive for the virus last weekend; he added all 3 “have responded favorably to treatment.” At least 5 horses stabled in a Penn National Race Course barn tested positive last month & at least 2 were euthanized. Elliston said no correlation has been detected between the thoroughbred outbreaks or another in January at the University of Findlay in Ohio that killed at least 14 horses. (March 20) Doncaster Seeks New Sponsor For UK St Leger Doncaster is seeking a new sponsor for the UK St Leger & 3 other prestigious races at its September meeting, after Rothmans was forced to end its sponsorship. The recent ban on tobacco advertising imposed by the British Government “means Rothmans can no longer back the world's oldest Classic,” reported racingpost.co.uk. The UK Tobacco Advertising & Promotion Act, which came into effect last month, has also resulted in Rothmans having to withdraw its support of the Park Hill Stakes, May Hill Stakes & Champagne Stakes. Rothmans had 2 years of a 6-year deal still to run & last year's renewal of the St Leger was the richest in its history with a prize fund of £400,000 (A$1.04 million). (March 20) Northerly Overseas? Lonhro’s Doncaster? $5 Million Slipper? The Sydney Turf Club staged its Autumn Festival Media Launch yesterday. During the question-&-answer session, trainer Fred Kersley declared his champion Northerly was headed toward the BMW at Rosehill & not going to Dubai or Hong Kong: "Those races are just for trainers’ egos. There's enough prizemoney in Sydney for us." Darren Beadman noted Lonhro was “a teenager” when last in work & is “now a man”, hence his improved recent Sydney form. But the hoop surprised everyone when he said he'd prefer to ride Lonhro in the Doncaster than the BMW if he had a say in it: "But that's entirely up to Johnny (Hawkes). And he always keeps his options open." And STC chairman Bruce McHugh revealed: "I foresee the Golden Slipper, in the not too distant future, being worth $5 million." (March 19) Rosehill Winter Saturday Starter Bonus Amid discussion of prize-money distribution, an STC insider stated there would be an incentive in Winter to attract trainers to race at Rosehill on Saturday. "The $1,000 starter’s bonus we introduced last Spring was not a winner for us," he stated frankly. "But we do want to increase runners to the Saturday races in Winter, so we will more than likely adopt a place-getter payment down to & including 10th spot in every race for a 3-month period." (March 19) AJC-STC ‘Sydney Super-Club’ Merger Off Prominent turf columnist Ken Callander told Daily Telegraph readers: “All talks of a merger between the Australian Jockey Club & Sydney Turf Club have fallen through. Don’t be surprised though, if merger talks open between a major city club & some provincial clubs.” (March 19) Randwick’s Kensington Inner-Track Faces Crunch Test Ken Callander also noted Sydney racing returns to “the much criticised Kensington inner track at Randwick today, but this time if it is not a success the controversial StrathAyr track will be dug up & a conventional track put down in its place.” The AJC will race on the Kensington track again on Anzac day (April 25) “after which a decision is expected to be made whether to persevere with the current track or dig it up.” AJC chief executive Tony King confirmed to The Daily Telegraph: “We are confident that what needed to be done has been done, but if problems persist the Committee will take whatever action needs to be taken.” (March 19) Tony Vasil Joins Aquanita Racing Chairman Peter Howell announced Melbourne trainer Tony Vasil will join Aquanita Racing as replacement for departing trainer Russell Cameron from April 1. His appointment follows the recent decision by Cameron (a founding trainer of Aquanita Racing) to accept a contract in Macau. Vasil will move from his current Caulfield stables into the new facility Aquanita opened at that course last October. In addition, Dan O’Sullivan will move to Flemington & take control of 1 of the 2 Aquanita barns at that course. (O'Sullivan spent 10 years at Flemington as foreman to John Sadler prior to taking out his own training licence with Aquanita.) Meanwhile Robert Smerdon will continue to train from the remaining barn at Flemington, but with a slightly higher horse capacity. Aquanita’s Ballarat stable will continue to operate as normal, but O’Sullivan will also take over the boxes which Cameron currently uses at that location. Howell said: "Everyone associated with our business is excited by the decision of Tony Vasil to join us. He has an excellent reputation as a trainer & his approach to business is very much in keeping with the way we structure our operation. As such we see a lot of synergy by joining forces. Tony will help us to continue to ensure that the brand name Aquanita goes from strength to strength &, in turn, we will help him grow his own reputation as a trainer by providing him with more opportunity & time to spend training horses.” Howell added the Board of Aquanita was “determined to keep the numbers of horses which any one of its trainers controlled at a level which allows each of them to maintain the a high level of personal care and attention. As such they chose to find a replacement trainer for the Group, rather than add more demands on their existing trainers.” (March 19) Media Puzzle Among British Runners For Dubai World Cup The Emirates Racing Association yesterday named Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle among its official list of UK & Irish horses competing at the Dubai World Cup program on March 29. Media Puzzle was listed as a starter in the US$2 million Sheema Classic. Despite the imminent outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, ERA officials maintained the world’s richest race meeting will not be affected by the Iraq crisis. As noted yesterday, Dubai World Cup committee chairman Les Benton told bloodhorse.com: "Dubai is the safest place in the world. There is no possibility at all of the meeting not going ahead. Everything is all systems go.” The field lists issued for the 8-race program contain 14 European horses, 13 from the US, 2 from Japan, 2 from South America & 1 each from Australia, South Africa & Turkey. (March 19) Milluna Stud To Disperse In May After 40 years in the breeding industry Jim O’Connor has made the decision to retire from the commercial breeding world &, as a consequence, completely disperse South Australia’s famous Milluna Stud. The sale will be conducted by William Inglis on the stud at One Tree Hill on Tuesday May 20, the day after the Adelaide Cup. The dispersal of approximately 100 horses will include mares by Royal Academy, Twig Moss, Grosvenor, Kenmare, Fairy King, Marscay, Ahonoora, Raise A Native, Sir Tristram & Highest Honor, as well as weanlings by King’s Best, Marju, Saratoga Springs, Singspiel, Jeune & Made Of Gold. (March 19) Jim O’Connor Led South Australian Breeding For 40 Years Milluna Stud has been home to 8 leading first season sires in South Australia, including Australia’s leading freshman sire of 1996-97 Made Of Gold. Milluna was also home to Australia’s leading sire of 1985-86 & 1986-87 Twig Moss, whose great success has continued as a broodmare sire. Red Rumour in the late 1960s, Exalt in the 1970s & New Regent in the early 1980s all helped establish Milluna as a leader in its field. Jim O’Connor’s serious involvement in the industry commenced in 1965 with the purchase in New Zealand of an Agricola yearling filly, subsequently named Farmer's Daughter. The filly developed into the best of her generation, winning the AJC & VRC Oaks & SA Sires’ Produce Stakes. O’Connor always maintained a keen interest in international bloodlines & much of his success was based on acquisition of imported mares. One of the first was Blakeney mare Karroo (acquired in 1972) which became the dam of SA Derby winning filly English Wonder. Other astute overseas purchases was North Fleur, grand dam of Northerly. (North Bell, dam of Northerly, was sold by Milluna at a reduction sale in 1989.) (March 19) Queensland Racing Slanging Match Queensland Racing Board chairman Bob Bentley released this message for Bill Carter following concerning criticism of the Brisbane Metropolitan Racing Facilities Master Planning Project: “Spare us the hypocrisy!” Bentley publicly declared: “In one breath Mr Carter calls for unity in racing. In the next he warns that unless the industry supports his way of thinking, it will face costly legal disputation. It is the opinion of Queensland Racing that talk of costly litigation is unproductive & will only ferment unnecessary confrontation at a time when a unified approach is so important. Mr Carter accuses us of a divide & conquer mentality, says it is no wonder that the industry here is depressed, divided & denigrated by those with political power & influence. He insists it is time for Queensland Racing to move on. That is exactly what we are trying do, if only he would let us get on with the job instead of constantly sniping.” Bentley was commenting on an article, written by Carter, for Brisbane’s Courier-Mail newspaper headlined: “One jockey a winner in 2-horse race.” In it Carter called for the amalgamation of the Brisbane & Queensland Turf Clubs, & described as “bizarre” a proposal to replace Eagle Farm & Doomben racecourses with a new complex on the old Brisbane airport site. (March 19) Larry Cassidy Knee Operation Before Return To Singapore Former Sydney jockey Larry Cassidy, now based in Singapore, was a surprise visitor to Rosehill barrier trials yesterday morning while recovering from knee surgery. He told racenet.com.au: "The injury happened 14 years ago. I needed to get it fixed & they operated last Monday. It feels good now, but it's odd, it doesn't click anymore when I walk!" On Singapore racing he noted: "There's not anywhere near as much racing as here. We race say 5 times a month. I do a lot of track-work & with the high humidity, it's a good way of keeping the weight in check. I'm riding at about 53-53.5kgs; the weights over there are heavier, so that's better as well." Cassidy returns to Singapore next week: "My licence runs out in August, but I'll probably be looking at another 6-month extension. Hopefully they'll let me stay for 3 or 4 years." (March 19) Aust Jockeys Flaherty & Treweek Off To Macau Victorian jockey Mark Flaherty & NSW compatriot Shane Treweek will ride in Macau, after being granted 3-month licences, reported racenet.com.au. Treweek departs at the end of March & Flaherty is due in Macau in May. Flaherty, who began riding in 1988, has notched over 380 winners including 4 Group Race & 50 Listed Race winners. Treweek is returning to Macau following a successful stint in 2002, when he tallied 28 winners & 68 placings from 227 rides. (March 19) Jim Byrne Returns To Brisbane Jockey Ranks Meanwhile former leading Brisbane jockey Jim Byrne “will make a welcome return to the Brisbane riding ranks at Doomben on Saturday,” reported racenet.com.au. Byrne recently returned from a riding stint in Macau, where he was running 3rd in the jockeys’ premiership when the Macau authorities failed to extend his licence when his latest contract was up. Byrne commenced riding local track-work again last week. (March 19) Damien Oliver Heads For Japan And leading Victorian hoop Damien Oliver is “looking forward” to his April trip to Japan, where he will ride for Katsumi Yoshida (owner of the famous Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido) & prominent Tokyo trainer Kazuhiro Seishi. Oliver’s manager Bruce Clark told racenet.com.au: "It'll be great experience for Damien & it's another mountain to climb in his career. It'll certainly be different than riding here, but Chris Munce went for 6 weeks & he enjoyed it. Damien has been on different occassions for various international races, so it won't be completely new to him. He has 3 individual 1-month contracts & he can use those as & when he chooses. The Japan Racing Association has been very helpful & flexible in the arrangement. At this stage he is due there on April 26, which means he'll miss the Oaks & Sydney Cup; but as I said, it's flexible - so we'll wait & see how things are at the time." (March 19) Andrew Calder New Stable Rider For Roger James Andrew Calder, winning jockey in New Zealand's last 2 Gr1 races, has signed on as stable rider for Matamata trainer Roger James. Calder, 20, rode Deebee Belle to victory in the Gr1 Asian Racing Federation Stakes at Ellerslie on March 1 & followed up on Zirna in the NZ Bloodstock Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha last weekend. Calder has been attached to the Cambridge stable of Chris McNab since finishing his apprenticeship last September. He has ridden 45 winners to date this season (8 in Black Type events) & has a career total of 189 wins. He finalised negotiations with James last week & rode his first trackwork for Kingsclere Stables yesterday morning. James told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: "I'm looking forward to having a jockey of Andrew's calibre as stable rider. He's always impressed me as a polished horseman who rides well right up to top level. He has an excellent work ethic & I'm sure that I & my owners will benefit from having him on board." (March 19) Aust Racing Taking Revenue From Poker Machines Australia’s gambling industry “is experiencing a renaissance in racing, leading some to call the end of the poker machines’ bull run,” reported The Australian Financial Review. Australia’s listed TABs all posted bumper rises in revenue & profit from their wagering operations in the first half of the financial year. The newspaper noted: “Gamblers are spending less time on slot machines & prefer to bet on horses & sport events – bucking the trend of the past 5 years. The switch has been fuelled by the introduction of a smoking ban in Victorian gaming venues . . . Racing has also gained from better promotions.” (March 19) Bike Takes Brazil’s Gr1 Gran Premio Diana Stud Santa Maria's Bike (Trempolino-Instant Blue, by Ghadeer) stopped the winning run of Mus Be Flying (by Jules) when she won the Gr1 Gran Premio Diana for 3YO fillies over 2000 metres on turf at Gavea, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Mira Que Fija (by Marlin) finished 3rd. Bike is directly descended from Lady Juror, to whom Bike's 4th dam Skyline is inbred 4x4 through Fair Trial & Riot. French Gr1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Trempolino (by Sharpen Up) stands at Haras du Mezeray in Normandy. (March 19) Darley’s Street Cry Set To Conquer New World At Stud Following the decision by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s breeding organization Darley to stand multiple international winner & Machiavellian son Street Cry at its Jonabell Farm near Lexington in Kentucky, US breeders “have responded with enthusiasm” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Street Cry (who recorded 5 wins, 6 2nds & a 3rd in his 12 career starts to total US$5,150,837 prize-money) won major races on both sides of the globe, giving the Maktoum family’s Godolphin Racing numerous breeding options. Darley Jonabell director of sales Jimmy Bell summed up: "He’s been received extremely well. Breeders really respect him as a racehorse & that means a lot. He has very interesting breeding possibilities." Winner of the 2002 Gr1 Dubai World Cup & Gr1 Stephen Foster Handicap, Street Cry joins other World Cup winners who have gone on to highly regarded stud careers. The 7 Dubai World Cup winners have commanded an average first-year stud fee of US$49,000. The late Dubai Millennium, winner of the 2000 renewal, tops the list at US$149,000, while Street Cry will stand his first season for US$30,000. Bell noted: "The horse represents value given his high level of performance in both Dubai & the US. People are intrigued by his breeding. He showed tremendous ability on the dirt, though he has a lot of grass in his family with sire Machiavellian & dam Helen Street." Street Cry’s first book of mares includes: Texas Broodmare-Of-The-Year Baby North (dam of Got Koko, who recently swept Santa Anita Park’s La Canada series); Runaway Chanel (3rd in last year’s Gr3 Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park); mother-daughter team Chelsey Dancer & Chelsey Flower (Chelsey Dancer, a daughter of Affirmed, produced 1996 gr1 Flower Bowl Invitational Handicap winner Chelsey Flower & stakes winner Key Guy); multiple Gr1 winners Memories Of Silver, Squeak & Listening; Towering Success (dam of 3-time Gr1 winner Affirmed Success); Harvest The Gold (dam of Gr1 winner Love Lock); & the dams of Flame Thrower, Flat Fleet Feet & Agnes World. (March 19) Calumet Farm Owner Henryk De Kwiatkowski Dies Henryk de Kwiatkowski, who raced 1982 US Horse-Of-The-Year Conquistador Cielo & saved historic Calumet Farm by purchasing it in 1992, has died aged 79 from pneumonia. De Kwiatkowski had been involved in US racing since the mid-1970s when he purchased the filly Kennelot, who became the foundation for his racing & breeding enterprise. He raced many successful runners with trainer Woody Stephens, including 1981 champion grass mare De La Rose, 1986 Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner Danzig Connection, & multiple Gr1 winners Sabin & Stephan’s Odyssey. In 1992, de Kwiatkowski purchased Kentucky’s Calumet Farm at a public auction for US$17 million with the promise that the fences there would remain "painted white for as long as I live." Many credit de Kwiatkowski with saving Calumet from development after the farm had suffered through bankruptcy & fraud charges under the direction of J.T.Lundy. Keeneland President Nick Nicholson told thoroughbredtimes.com: "The thoroughbred industry has lost a passionate stalwart & Central Kentucky has lost a dear friend. From the day he rescued Calumet & vowed never to change a blade of grass, he won the hearts of all Central Kentuckians & horse lovers everywhere." Born in Warsaw in Poland, de Kwiatkowski was transported to a work camp in Siberia at age 15 when Russians invaded Poland near the end of Word War II. He escaped through Iran 2 years later & boarded the Empress Of Canada. That ship was later torpedoed on its way to England & de Kwiatkowski was one of the few survivors. After earning honors as a war hero with the British Royal Air Force, de Kwiatkowski became a respected international aeronautical businessman. In addition to his Gr1 winners, de Kwiatkowski also campaigned the undefeated Danzig, who would go on to be leading sire in 1991, 1992 & 1993. (March 19) US NTRA Joins Push For Uniform Drug Rules Three years after leading US equine veterinarians “launched a campaign to achieve uniform medication standards in racing, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association has decided to throw its political weight behind the movement.” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith said the decision “reflects a new philosophy adopted by the organization’s board of directors” during a planning retreat in February. Directors have decided "to use the structure of the NTRA & momentum of the NTRA to achieve consensus on policy challenges." John Roark, president of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, as well as a member of the NTRA board of directors, summed up: "The big hang-up is race-day medication. All horsemen agree performance-enhancing medications should be illegal. But when it comes to what race-day medications should be used & the threshold levels of those medications, then we run into disagreement. But we’re getting closer. Horsemen know there is going to have to be a compromise." (March 19) Paulsons Settle Family Dispute & Azeri Cleared To Race San Diego County Superior Court Judge Richard Cline has formally approved the settlement in the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust case, allowing Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri to continue to race for the trust under the direction of Michael Paulson. Barbara Orr, attorney for Allen Paulson’s widow Madeleine Paulson, told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Today’s order approves the agreement & resolves all the disputes between the trustees & Madeleine Paulson." Michael Paulson now becomes sole trustee of the Paulson trust that will continue to race its horses. Azeri won 8 of 9 starts last season, including a decisive victory in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Arlington Park; she is one of approximately 60 horses owned by the trust. Michael Paulson commented: "We’re elated & look forward to the future & participating in the thoroughbred business. Depending on how Azeri trains at San Luis Rey over the next 2 weeks, she will now go to Oaklawn Park for the Gr1 Apple Blossom Handicap." (March 19) US Thoroughbred Championship Tour Panel To Meet In April Representatives of the 2 largest American racetrack conglomerates & an influential owners’ association will play key roles in deciding whether the US National Thoroughbred Racing Association will endorse the proposed Thoroughbred Championship Tour. Magna Entertainment president Jim McAlpine & Churchill Downs president Tom Meeker “will join Thoroughbred Owners Of California president John Van de Kamp on an NTRA committee created to examine the Tour,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The ‘Super Tour’ proposal involves a series of major US summer & autumn stakes races in 6 divisions across North America, broadcast live on national television & linked to corresponding Breeders’ Cup championship races. TOBA president Dan Metzger revealed last week that a business plan for the Tour, which has been estimated to cost US$20 million or more annually, is nearly complete. (March 19) US Champion Itsallgreektome’s Dam Sans Supplement Dies Sans Supplement, dam of US turf champion Itsallgreektome, has died “from complications from the infirmities of old age,” reported bloodhorse.com. The 29-year-old pensioned daughter of Grey Dawn II (out of the Tantieme mare Tout Compris) resided at Howard & Susan Kaskel's Sugar Maple Farm in New York state. Sans Supplement produced 12 foals & for 11 winners, including Itsallgreektome & Gr2 winner Big Stanley. Bred by Sugar Maple, Itsallgreektome was bought by trainer Wally Dollase for US$75,000 at the 1988 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky September yearling sale; campaigned by Jheri Redding's Jhayare Stable, Itsallgreektome was champion grass runner in 1990 & twice runner-up in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup. Sans Supplement was pensioned in the late 1990s. (March 19) Battle Creek Girl Produces 20th Foal Multiple US stakes-winner producer Battle Creek Girl has delivered her 20th foal, a Dixie Union filly, for Lane's End Farm owner William Farish. Asked whether the extraordinary 26-year-old mare will now be bred back again, Lane's End manager Mike Cline told bloodhorse.com: "She'll let us know. We'll look at her in about a month & see if she's in good shape. We're thinking about Dixieland Band." Dixieland Band, himself now aged 23, stands at Lane's End in Kentucky. The farm also stands one of Battle Creek Girl's graded stakes-winning sons Parade Leader. Battle Creek Girl (His Majesty-Far Beyond, by Nijinsky II) is represented by 17 starters, 15 winners & additional stakes winners Wavering Girl (a champion in Canada), Tricky Creek, Speed Dialer, Everhope & Parade Ground. (March 19) Super Saturday ‘Day-Night’ Double Meeting At Moonee Valley Not only is Moonee Valley staging 2 race-cards on the same day this Saturday (a 9-race afternoon program, including 4 group events, followed by a further 7 night races to coincide with the Sydney Turf Club’s Canterbury Guineas), but the club has joined with the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival to have the day-night race meeting listed as an official ‘Food & Wine Day’ event in the Festival program. As part of Food & Wine Day, wines from Australia's major wine regions will be on offer & delicious food varieties served on the Burston Lawns throughout the day & night. The meeting will include: Exciting feature racing (Gr1 Carlton Draught Australia Stakes, Gr2 Woodstock Bourbon Moonee Valley Oaks, Gr2 Top Cut Alister Clark Stakes & Gr2 Sunline Stakes); Burston Lawns Food & Wine Court, featuring wines from Australia's major wine regions; Jenny Hoo Fashion Luncheon & Parade (Legends Restaurant from midday); Roving music during the afternoon by ‘The Jason Vaughan Duo’; Live performance by ‘Frankie J Holden Band’ between day & night program; Live music in the Members Jockey Bar by ‘21-20’ between the day & night program; Free children's entertainment (including a basketball shootout, soccer, giant earth-ball, parachute games, sports galore, face painting, football, handball contest, totem tennis, birdie golf & a giant treasure hunt); Special area designated for toddlers (with toys, blackboards, bubbles, story books, a kiddies tunnel & teddies); Easter Egg Hunt for children, with over 40,000 eggs to be found. (March 19) UK & US Warn Of Terrorist Attacks In UAE With the Dubai World Cup meeting just 11 days away, the British Embassy has warned its citizens in the United Arab Emirates there is “an increased threat of terrorism.” It follows a similar warning by the US Embassy to Americans on the weekend. “We believe that the United Arab Emirates, in common with all the Gulf region, is a place where the threat to British individuals & organizations from terrorism is now high,'' warned the British statement. “It will rise further in the event of hostilities in Iraq.” The American Embassy warned that it had received “indications of a possible terrorist attack against nightclubs in Dubai.'' Dubai, one of the 7 emirates that make up the UAE, is “famous for its bustling nightlife & relatively liberal social norms in the conservative Gulf,” noted bloodhorse.com. The British Embassy statement urged its citizens to exercise vigilance at entertainment spots & “places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, restaurants & shopping malls.'' (March 18) 13 US Horses Arrive For Dubai World Cup Meanwhile 13 US horses have arrived in Dubai for the World Cup meeting on March 29. And despite continuing uncertainty in the Gulf, Dubai World Cup committee chairman Les Benton insisted to bloodhorse.com that the lucrative meeting would go ahead: "Dubai is the safest place in the world. There is no possibility at all of the meeting not going ahead. Everything is all systems go." He declined to comment on reports that American nationals had been advised to leave Yemen & the UAE: "All I can comment on is the Dubai World Cup, which is going ahead as planned. It is a massive international meeting & the entries are unbelievably good.” The American runners include: Harlan's Holiday, Blue Burner, Xtra Heat, Grey Memo, Mr John, Easyfromthegitgo, Lusty Latin, Avanzado, My Cousin Matt, Captain Squire, Cayoke, Byzantium & Outta Here. The meeting will also feature 14 runners from Europe, 2 from Japan & South America, and 1 each from South Africa, Australia & Turkey. The home Godolphin team includes Moon Ballad, Grandera, Sulamani & Aquarelliste. (March 18) New Home On Mornington Peninsula For Stallion Jugah Top Victorian stallion Jugah has moved to Bombora Downs, a new stud & agistment farm at Bittern on the Mornington Peninsula, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Jugah & his son Mookta are ensuring there is no waning of success for the Northern Dancer sire line in Australia. Jugah has nearly 300 individual winners of over 1,000 races (including 21 who have each won 10 or more races). And Mookta now has 3 progeny with 10 or more wins. Jugah’s daughter Bright Gleam “is also proving Jugah’s worth as a broodmare sire as her 2nd foal is the recently retired Rubiton filly Innovation Girl” (winner of 10 races from 15 outings). Innovation Girl is one of 49 winners from only 83 starters out of Jugah mares to date. Among other stakes winners from his daughters have been Surtees & Cinnamon Girl. “Jugah’s record ranks him among the most successful Northern Dancer sires to stand permanently in Australia, having been the leading Victorian sire by earnings on 5 occasions. His progeny have won over $1million in each of the past 10 seasons & they won over 100 races in each of the past 5 seasons.” Mookta was a dual Gr1 winner (Newmarket Handicap & Oakleigh Plate) & is one of 9 Gr1 performers for Jugah; others include Soho Square (winner of 9 races & $1,472,309) & Juggler (winner of 15 races & $2,442,088, including winner or place-getter in 14 Gr1 races). Jugah was initially imported to Victoria by the late John Ingleton & stood at his Glen Appin Stud when it was managed by Christoph Breuchert. Breuchert has looked after Jugah through his stud career & is to stand him in the 2003 season on behalf of Jenny Ingleton at Bombora Downs. (March 18) Leading European Owner-Breeder Lagardere Dies Jean-Luc Lagardere, one of the dominant figures in European racing both as an owner & industry leader, has died in Paris as a result of complications following a hip operation, reported racingpost.co.uk. Lagardere, president of France Galop since 1995 & successful as an owner in most of France’s principal flat races, passed away in the Hopital Lariboisiere at age 75. He currently owned over 200 home-bred horses. Among many tributes paid, both France Galop managing director Louis Romanet & Olivier Peslier (who rode Lagardere’s Sagamix to win the 1998 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe) described his death as like losing a “second father.” British Horseracing Board secretary-general Tristram Ricketts added: “His sudden death is a great shock & a sad loss for both French & international racing. As president of France Galop, he was a reformer & innovator, & as an owner & breeder he bred & raced some top-class horses. He will be much missed by all his international friends.” Lagardere (who in 1999 was elected to take on another 4-year term as president of French racing’s ruling body) bought his first horse more than 30 years ago & bred from her after buying the Haras du Val Henry in 1967. The Normandy farm is now home to many of his 80-plus broodmares, as well as his top-class stallion Linamix. Lagardere was France’s top breeder no fewer than 9 times in the last 14 years. (March 18) Rock Of Gibraltar Rated Timeform’s Top Horse Of 2002 Leading miler Rock Of Gibraltar, who won 5 Gr1 events last year & finished 2nd in the 2002 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, has received top honors as Timeform’s high weight at 133, after leading the world standings for 2002 on the International Classifications at 128. The classifications rank Rock Of Gibraltar (a 4YO son of Danehill) as "one of the best milers of the last 15 years or so," though the handicappers note “he was almost certainly the best horse of his year in Europe, but on any rational reading of the form book he was not an outstanding champion in historical terms.” High Chaparral, 2002 Eclipse Award winning turf champion & winner of last year’s Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, was weighted at 130, while Kyllachy rated 129 & Vinnie Roe 126. Racingpost.co.uk noted: “The class of 2002 has been given a resounding vote of confidence by Timeform’s handicappers, who have taken a more generous view than the International Classifications’ compilers about the level of ability of last year’s champion flat-racers in virtually every category for 3YOs & upwards.” (March 18) Overwhelming Support For Easter Weanling & Broodmare Sale William Inglis today announced the 2003 Weanling & Broodmare Sale will now be conducted over 4 days (April 28-30 & May 1) with 330 high quality weanlings to be followed by 750 broodmares. The “stunning line up of mares” is highlighted by Group winners Hoeberg, Inaflury, Dandify, Sybeel, Flight To Fantasy, Love Of Mary, Verdict Declared, Belle Chanson, Hula Wonder, What Can I Say, Libidinious & the dams of Gr1 winners Defier, Danglissa, Landsighting, Bomber Bill, Pantani & Tully Thunder. (March 18) Inglis Easter Dates Confirmed To Showcase Sydney Sales & Racing Inglis has now arranged its Easter multi-sales program so that “Sydney will showcase the best in racing & sales, commencing with the richest race-day in Australia at Randwick on Saturday April 19 (the $8 million Doncaster-Derby Day), followed by the Australian Easter Yearling Sale on April 22-24, the Sires’ Produce Yearling Sale on April 27 & the Australian Select Weanling & Broodmare Sale April 28-30 & May 1.” Inglis representatives have just returned from a 10-day promotional trip to Japan, Hong Kong & Macau & “the feedback has been tremendous with many of the key buyers indicating they will be in attendance.” (March 18) Inglis Weanling Sale To Showcase New Sires The 2003 Australian Select Weanling Sale (in Sydney on April 28) promises to offer “an early glimpse at the progeny of a range of new stallions likely to feature strongly at next year’s yearling sales,” noted Inglis marketing manager Melissa O’Gorman. “There will be huge interest in the progeny of shuttle horses such as Agnes World, Chief Bearhart, Fusaichi Pegasus, General Monash, High Yield, King’s Best, Lujain, Montjeu, More Than Ready, Mujahid & Singspiel. Not to mention the locally bred horses High Rolling, Over & Danehill’s beautifully bred son Springsteen, a half-brother to Golden Slipper winner & successful sire Marauding.” She added Vinery Australia has “made a profitable habit of bringing top class weanlings to our sale” & has again shown its support with “a large quality draft of 31 babies, featuring 9 by their young sire More Than Ready.” A classy sprinter-miler in America & winner at Gr1 level, More Than Ready represents the Halo sire-line, well known in this part of the world through the remarkable Sunday Silence. (March 18) 2003 Sires Produce Yearling Sale Update Meanwhile the 2003 Sires’ Produce Yearling Sale (in Sydney on April 27) has attracted 150 quality yearlings with catalogues available later this week. Now in its 3rd year, the sale’s graduates include leading 3YO filly Victory Vein & this season’s 2YO metropolitan winners More Perignon & Flying Formality, as well as stakes-placed performers Hipwell & Cointreau Ball. All youngsters purchased at the sale are eligible to compete in the 2004 $1 million Heroic Championship & 2004 $204,000 Scone Inglis Challenge (also open to 2003 Scone Yearling Sale Graduates). Inglis pedigree consultant Tara Madgwick noted “pedigree highlights include: a half-brother to recent stakes-winner Conspectus, by Danehill; a half-sister to exciting juvenile How Funny, by Zeditave; a half-brother by Generous to Trounced, winner of the Gr1 Avondale Cup; a half-sister to Gr2 winner Burrito, by Redoute’s Choice; & a half-brother by Desert Sun to former top sprinting mare Scandinavia, from the grand producer Song of Norway.” (March 18) Winners Turn Focus On Easter Sale Relations Latest results on the track have provided timely spotlights for a number of offerings at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale (beginning on April 22): Bollinger (victorious in the weekend’s Gr2 AJC Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm) is the latest Black Type winner from the Eau D’Etoile family, made famous by Bollinger’s dam & Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay, as well as Gr1 winners Filante, Kenny’s Best Pal & Stella Cadente. Vinery Australia as agent is offering a filly by Red Ransom from Stella Cadente. Also from the Eau D’Etoile family, Williow Park Stud as agent is offering the first foal (a chestnut colt) of Gr3 winner Blaze The Turf by Peintre Celebre. The David Payne-trained Grand Lodge colt Red Hot Pepper scored on debut at Randwick last week for South African owner Sabine Plattner. Red Hot Pepper (a half-brother to South African stakes-winner Milennium Diamond, from Bridget’s Daughter) was bred & offered for sale last year by John Baxter’s Ruane Stud & they will offer his full sister this year. Gary Portelli’s 3YO Octennial (Octagonal-Nanshan) won his first race at Rosehill. Highgrove Stud is offering a half-sister to Octennial by Flying Spur. The weekend’s Group wins by Lonhro (Gr1 Chipping Norton Stakes) & Niello (Gr3 Kindergarten Stakes) at Warwick Farm provided a real boost to NZ’s The Oaks Stud, which is offering a bay filly by leading sire Volksraad from Miss Trump, making her a half-sister to Lonhro & Niello. John Hawkes-trained 3YO Studebaker took his record to 3 wins from just 4 starts with a weekend victory at Sandown. Ardsley Stud will offer a half-sister to Studebaker (& his older Gr1-winning brother Cent Home) by Stravinsky from Centuria. Floral Dancer’s win at Happy Valley in Hong Kong was good news for one of Coolmore’s draft, a full brother Danehill colt from Sir Tristram mare Torrential Storm (NZ). His dam now boasts the perfect record of 8 raced, all winners. Also from HK, Coolmore will offer a full sister to Winning Sunshine. And Glenlogan Park Stud will present a half-brother by Shinko Forest to Pretty Trio. (March 18) Inglis Graduates Swamp Hong Kong Meanwhile Hong Kong’s Sha Tin & Happy Valley have proven a happy hunting ground for Inglis sale graduates with 6 winners in less than a week: 3YO Planet Ruler ($120,000 at the 2001 Breeze-Up sale) scored his 3rd win from 10 starts for the David Hayes stable; by Danehill from the Lycius mare Sequenza, Planet Ruler was 1 of 3 winners on the Sha Tin card by his sire. Laser Glory (PI$95,000 at the 1999 Easter Weanling sale) is by Danehill from Mer Du Sud. The Danehill gelding Winning Sunshine ($425,000 at the 2001 Australian Easter Yearling sale) is from Nureyev mare Sea Almond & closely related to ill fated colt Landseer (a multiple Gr1 winner in the Northern Hemisphere last year, before breaking down in the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile). 3YO Woodman gelding Pretty Trio ($160,000 at the 2001 Australian Easter Yearling sale) is from Queensland Oaks heroine Crystal Palace. Bargain priced Dashing Champion ($9,000 at the 2001 Scone sale) is now the winner of 3 races from just 8 starts; bred at Lucernevale Stud near Dubbo, he’s a son of their own sire Carry The Crown from Lots Of Humour (a sister to former slick sprinter Top Comedian). Oh Great ($70,000 at the 2001 Easter sale) won his first race; the 3YO son of Entrepreneur was bred at NZ’s The Oaks Stud & is from Sir Tristram mare Impassion (a half-sister to South African Gr1 winner Fire Arch). (March 18) Magic Millions Broodmare Sale Attracts 1,000 Entries The new Magic Millions National Sale (May 4-7) has attracted close to 1,000 entries & “looks set to generate as much interest as our flagship January yearling sale,” declared marketing & media manager Annie McDonald. The National sale will commence on Sunday May 4 with The National Winter Yearling sale, followed by The National Weanling sale on Monday May 5, & The National Broodmare sale over 2 days on May 6-7. As noted yesterday, outstanding Gr1 racemares entered for the Broodmare section include La Bella Dama (Desert Sun-Who’s That Lady) & Love To Dance (Citidancer-Peerage), both in foal to Giant’s Causeway. La Bella Dama’s 7 wins include the Gr1 VRC Mackinnon Stakes, Gr2 ARC Eight Carat Classic, Gr2 Royal Stakes, Gr3 King’s Plate, Gr3 MVC Tesio Stakes & Gr3 Waikato Highview Guineas. Love To Dance was joint head of the 1995-96 2YO Free Handicap & her wins include the Gr1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes & Gr3 WRC Wakefield Stakes. (March 18) Lengthy List of Notable Broodmares At Magic Millions Among the lengthy list of notable broodmares on offer at the Magic Millions sale will be: Sorb Apple (Kris-Sorbus), covered by Danehill; Silken Whisper (Diesis-Yaguda), covered by Danehill; Gazette (Zafonic-Nashmeel), covered by Danehill; Ateates (Zeditave-Paris Miss), covered by Carnegie; Star Merchant (Star Way-Gold Merchant), covered by Danehill Dancer; Kingston Red (Kingston Rule-Red Express), covered by Redoute’s Choice; St Angela Fair (Sir Tristram-Market Fair), covered by Grand Lodge; Mamarracha (Pependor-La Malvada), covered by Desert Prince; Pine Baby (Northern Spring-Tickets), covered by Fantastic Light; Magaling (Grosvenor-Maganyos), covered by Fusaichi Pegasus; Dubai Dream (Marscay-Reverse Charge), covered by Carnegie; Self Portrait (Peintre Celebre-Genovefa), covered by Fantastic Light; Incommunicado (Sadler’s Wells-Aptostar), covered by Giant’s Causeway; Close Your Eyes (Geiger Counter-Just A Flyer), covered by Galileo; So Very Fine (Raise A Native-Lucky Us), covered by Galileo; Vive (Thunder Gulch-Joie De Vivre), covered by Flying Spur; Lilting (Twig Moss- Primrose Lane), covered by Redoute’s Choice; Procrastinate (Jade Hunter-Reigntaine), covered by Galileo; Marscay Magic (Marscay-Hayley’s Hope), covered by Redoute’s Choice; Porte Des Iles (Kris-Durtal), covered by Fusiachi Pegasus; Settler’s Cove (Luskin Star-Dream Appeal), covered by Carnegie; Market Fair (Biscay-Hear Of Market), covered by Redoute’s Choice; Maricks (Maroof-Horlicks), covered by Giant’s Causeway; Sister Scarlet (Crested Wave-Henry’s Sister), covered by Galileo; Seattle Rhyme (Seattle Dancer-Elizabeth Drake), covered by High Yield; Presumed Innocent (Danehill-Chinese Justice), covered by Giant’s Causeway; Opera Etoile (Sadler’s Wells-Watch Out), covered by Spinning World; Dewana (Marscay-Dewanadance), covered by Fusaichi Pegasus; Crazy Fling (Alysheba-Some Romance), covered by Giant’s Causeway; Blue Feather (Sadler’s Wells-Batave), covered by Giant’s Causeway; Crystal Palace (Palace Music-Zephyr Souba), covered by Fantastic Light; Lakab (Manilla-River Lullaby), covered by Giant’s Causeway; Minerva (Military Plume-Chauntress), covered by Anabaa; Tidal Rhythm (Western Symphony-Tidal Light), covered by Desert Prince; Iman (Zemindar-Born Rich), covered by Anabaa; Bethany (Al Hareb-Huntington Girl), covered by Belong To Me; Blonde Jester (Rory’s Jester-Stray Bullet), covered by Agnes World; Bridie Jo (Exploding Prospect-Madam Quick), covered by Agnes World; Queen Of The Mall (Danehill-Market Fair), covered by Strategic; Kiss N’ A Shilling (Crested Wave-Jean Gordon), covered by Encosta De Lago; Centennial (Centaine-Lightning Tree), covered by Encosta De Lago; Crixia (Danzero-Fine Recipe), covered by Galileo; Dolce Veloce (Integra-Grace Dancer), covered by Spinning World; Metal of Honor (Conquistador Cielo-Badge Of Courage), covered by Anabaa; Suzy Grey (County-Suzynda), racemare not covered; Tristaventa (Sir Tristram-Plume Au Vent), covered by Galileo; Categorical (Hennessy-Islands), covered by Flying Spur; De Lollies (Dehere-Miss Candy), racemare not covered; Mrs Taiki (Dance Of Life-Mrs McCardy), covered by Giant’s Causeway; Tumi (Diesis-Carotene), covered by Galileo; Celtic Whispers (Miesque’s Son- Crystal Queen), covered by High Yield; Kasimova (Nijinsky II-Arabian Dancer), covered by Thunder Gulch; Simoon (Palace Music-Easy Date), covered by Octagonal; Artless (Dahar- Paris Look), covered by Fantastic Light; Royal Scam (Palace Music-Evening Sea), covered by Redoute’s Choice; Coat (Brocco-Fitting), covered by Carnegie; Goldsumone (Gold Legend-Sumatra), covered by Carnegie; Lady Chivero (Clay Hero-Inquisit), covered by Flying Spur; Zonal (Imperial Prince-Valour), covered by Red Ransom; Hanky Panky (Anabaa-Singles’s Bar), covered by Fusaichi Pegasus; Patterns (Success Express-Silver Robe), covered by Fling Spur. (March 18) Queensland Apprentice In Hospital Intensive Care Apprentice Steven Wright is in intensive care in Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital after a weekend race fall at Goondiwindi. Wright, 20, was dislodged from Evening Express in the straight & was struck by a following runner. "The saddle may have slipped & Steven was dislodged & struck by a horse who was following," Queensland Racing chairman of stewards Steve Railton told aapracingandsports.com.au. Wright was flown by helicopter to the hospital, where he is in a “critical but stable condition, undergoing further tests” according to his father Tony: “He has blood in the brain & they are draining his left lung, because a blood vessel has burst. The lung may have been punctured & they're still doing tests on him. He's only just started back riding after another fall." Wright has been placed on a ventilator. Meanwhile apprentices Lonagan Milham & Kaylene Gillman remain in hospital in Victoria & NSW, undergoing treatment for serious injuries suffered in recent race falls; Milham fell at Hanging Rock on January 27, while Gillman was involved in a fall at Newcastle on February 15. (March 18) Spotlight On Eire Yearlings In Lindisfarne Paddocks Further to yesterday’s item on Octagonal’s close relative Eire who, after 12 seasons at stud, sired his first stakes winner when Walk On Air (Eire-Ride The Wind) won the $202,000 Gr2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Racenet.com.au noted that “Gary Churnside, owner of the Lindisfarne Stud at Laurieton on the NSW coast in the busy Taree-Port Macquarie racing region, was walking on air” after the weekend’s major race victories by Octagonal’s progeny at Warwick Farm in Sydney & Walk On Air at Flemington in Melbourne. The 4YO gelding Walk On Air (now winner of 5 of 15 outings) is one of 90 winners from 141 runners got in Victoria by Octagonal's relation “the brilliant Bletchingly giant Eire.” Owner of 1 of the earlier winners by Eire, Churnside was “delighted to be able to acquire this sire in 2000 & is awed by the substance of yearlings by him now in the paddocks at Lindisfarne.” (March 18) Adelaide To Host Aust Racing’s ‘Night Of Nights’ The Australian Racing Hall Of Fame’s ‘Night of Nights’ – the 2003 Induction Dinner – was launched in Adelaide today. Thoroughbred Racing SA will host the 3rd Annual Australian Racing Hall Of Fame induction ceremony & gala dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Thursday May 15, co-inciding with the 2003 Adelaide Cup Carnival. Today’s launch at the South Australian museum featured 2 of Australian racing’s greats, jockeys Scobie Breasley & Roy Higgins, who were both inaugural inductees to the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame in 2001. Higgins remembered the night vividly: "When my name was called out in the same breath as people such as Scobie Breasley & Darby Munro, it was quite unbelievable. It was a great thrill & I am very proud. To have been inducted into the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame has really put the icing on the cake as far as my career is concerned." The 'Night of Nights' will showcase the nation's top thoroughbred racing talent: 40 nominations (comprising 20 horses, 10 trainers & 10 jockeys) are currently under consideration, with the final group of inductees to be announced at a ceremony showcased within the gala dinner. Australian Racing Hall Of Fame chairman Bryan Martin noted: "The calibre of racing excellence in the nomination pool is sure to inspire much debate in the lead-up to what will undoubtedly be South Australia's biggest racing function." Names & full profiles of all nominees are available at the Australian Racing Hall of Fame website: www.racinghalloffame.com.au (March 18) Mark Waugh & Erica Baxter Golden Slipper ‘Ambassadors’ The Sydney Turf Club has announced the appointment of 2 Golden Slipper Festival Ambassadors to “capture the fashion-focused, fresh, fun & sporting appeal that horse racing now attracts.” They are Australian cricket star Mark Waugh & international model & current Sydney resident Erica Baxter. Waugh commented: “The fact that I am horse racing crazy & I am a part-owner in numerous thoroughbreds meant I didn’t have to be asked twice to take up this role. Horse racing is a passion of mine & this year I even have a horse nominated to run in this year’s AAMI Golden Slipper.” Baxter has recently returned to Sydney after years modeling in Milan, London & New York, appearing in prestigious publications Elle, Vogue & marie claire, as well as starring opposite Val Kilmer as the Bond Girl in the 1999 film The World Is Not Enough. The 2003 Golden Slipper Festival commences on Saturday 22 March & culminates in the $3 million AAMI Golden Slipper, Australasia’s richest race for 2YOs, on Saturday 12 April. (March 18) Latest $3 Million Golden Slipper Order-Of-Entry 1: Hasna (G.Waterhouse) $239,625 2: Roedean (M.Price) $694,450 3: Winestock (T.O’Sullivan) $295,050 4: Halibery (M.Price) $263,300 5: Kusi (J.Hawkes) $232,500 6: Hammerbeam (J.Hawkes) $164,250 7: Living Spirit (T.McEvoy) $124,170 8: Polar Success (G.Rogerson) $110,750 9: Dorky (J.Hawkes) $108,500 10: Pinchbeck (R.Hore-Lacy) $99,500 11: How Funny (G.Waterhouse) $93,250 12: Divine Secret (R.Laing) $87,500 13: Secret Land (G.Waterhouse) $80,100 14: Niello (J.Hawkes) $74,000 15: Syrinx (J.Hawkes) $71,800 16: Fragmentation (T.McEvoy) $67,610 17: Frasassas (J.Hawkes) $65,300 18: Subscribe (B.Marzato) $64,000 19: Ultimate Fever (J.O’Shea) $59,150 20: Spurcent (T.Karakatsanis) $56,750 21: Best Northern (T.Hoare) $53,500 22: Chaparejos (J.Hawkes) $49,950 23: Spur Me On (G.Waterhouse) $45,000 24: Face Value (B.Laming) $44,363 25: Shamekha (G.Waterhouse) $38,250 26: Merhoob (J.O’Shea) $36,300 27: Danbird (G.Ryan) $36,050 28: Hipwell (N.Godbolt) $35,570 29: Charmview (T.Wildman) $33,450 30: Legally Bay (J,Hawkes) $32,950 31: Olympus (C.Conners) $32,500 32: Untouchable (G.Waterhouse) $32,500 33: Aracena (G.Waterhouse) $31,050 34: Bella Corona (R.Pearse) $24,050 35: Red Mile (G.Ryan) $15,000 36: Exceed And Excel (T.Martin) $14,950 37: San Simeon (T.McEvoy) $14,740 38: Freeze (G.Waterhouse) $4,600 (March 18) Yvonne Keeps Unbeaten Record Improving South Australian 3YO Yvonne led all the way & notched her first stakes win at Cheltenham on the weekend in the Listed SAJC Nitschke Stakes. The victory took her record to an unbeaten 4 wins from 4 starts. Yvonne was purchased at the 2001 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for just $45,000 & is prepared by Tony McEvoy for a group of well-known owners including former Coolmore executive Duncan Grimley & bloodstock agent Keiran Moore. Bred at Rosemount Estates (now Edinglassie Stud), she is by Last Tycoon from The Collaborator, a half-sister to Caulfield Cup winner Lord Reims (by Military Plume). (March 18) Chequers Stud Registers Gr1 Victory Number 36 NZ breeding legend Jim Campin registered Gr1 victory number 36 for Chequers Stud (since it was founded 30 years ago) with Zirna in the NZ Bloodstock Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on the weekend. And Zirna is the 8th Gr1 winner sired by Chequers’ senior stallion, the American-bred Deputy Governor, who at 19 years of age served his full complement of 75 mares last spring. One of them was Zirna’s dam Riverly Lass, who won 4 races herself & is also dam of 2YO stakes performers State Command & Ruby Turner. Like Zirna, they were by Deputy Governor & further proof of a theory that Campin had when he purchased Riverly Lass as part of a 3-mare package when Anton Koolman wound up Gressier Stud at Otaki. Riverly Lass, Centrepoint & Art Lover were all daughters of the Gressier stallion Gleam Machine, a son of champion American racehorse & stallion Seattle Slew. "I felt at the time that Gleam Machine mares would be an ideal cross with Deputy Governor," Campin told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing, "so it’s good to see the evidence." The progeny of Riverly Lass are not the only evidence: Centrepoint has produced the South African stakes winner Star Deputy & Art Lover has produced major Singapore-Malaysia winner Strength ‘N Honour. (March 18) Riverly Lass Progeny Under The Spotlight Zirna was selected from the Chequers Stud draft at the 2000 Karaka Premier Sale by trainer Stephen Autridge at NZ$40,000, purchased on behalf of Mike Tololi’s Karaka Group & Eric Watson’s Westbury Stud, who now race her from the stable of their private trainer David Walsh. Apart from the kudos of having bred Zirna, Chequers Stud stands to profit materially from the win in NZ’s only Gr1 race for fillies & mares. Sixteen-year-old Riverly Lass is back in foal to Deputy Governor, while her 2YO daughter by Chequers’ second stallion Green Perfume is out on lease. A yearling sister was knocked down for NZ$18,000 to Stephen Autridge’s training partner Graeme Rogerson at the last National Sales. (March 18) Deputy Governor Stakes Wins On Both Sides of Tasman Deputy Governor also wielded an influence in Australia on the weekend, as dam-sire of the $150,000 Listed Duke Of Norfolk Stakes (3200m) winner Heguy (Lord Ballina-Drama) at Flemington. Heguy, yet another big winner sourced from NZ by prominent Melbourne racing man Lloyd Williams, was purchased for NZ$50,000 at the 1999 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale. The Duke Of Norfolk success was his 6th from 16 starts & Heguy is handicapped at just 50kgs for the Sydney Cup, down significantly from the 56.5kgs he carried in Saturday’s all-the-way win. The 5YO was bred at Wanganui’s Grangewilliam Stud by John Corcoran & is the 2nd 3200m winner for his sire Lord Ballina, following Sydney Cup winner Count Chivas. (March 18) Bahira Caps Big Week For Westbury Stud Success in the NZ$35,000 Gr3 Thompson Handicap at Otaki on Saturday by Bahira (by Volksraad) capped a big week for Karaka’s Westbury Stud operation, following immediately after Zirna’s victory in the NZ$120,000 Gr1 NZ Bloodstock Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha. "There were only 2 group races run in NZ on Saturday & we were fortunate to be the owners of both," Westbury Stud general manager Russell Warwick told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Other winners in the past week for Westbury Stud were the Chris & Colleen Wood-trained Murtardi (by Ascot Knight) at New Plymouth & the Graeme Rogerson-trained Dance Forever (by Zabeel) in Melbourne. Bahira went into Saturday’s event as a 2-race winner & emerged a group winner – making her a valuable future member of the Westbury Stud broodmare band. Bahira was bred by retired Woodville dairy farmer Noel Pollard, who also bred & raced her dam Conifer Bay (by Virginia Privateer), who won 4 races including the Gr1 Mumm Cordon Roughe Stakes at Ellerslie. Bahira’s trainer Paul O’Sullivan paid NZ$115,000 for her as a yearling at the Karaka sales on behalf of Westbury Stud. (March 18) Volksraad’s 10th Black Type Win Bahira’s win provided her sire Volksraad with his 10th Black Type victory in New Zealand this season. It also pushed Volksraad’s progeny earnings for 2002-03 past the NZ$1 million mark & maintained his position at the top of the NZ sires’ table. Volksraad has now sired the winners of the past 3 runnings of the Thompson Handicap, with Bahira’s win following back-to-back wins by the Kevin Gray-trained Voltaire. (March 18) Paul O’Sullivan Notches Highest NZ Winner Tally Meanwhile Bahira is also part of a sensational winning streak that has seen Matamata trainer Paul O’Sullivan register his highest ever tally of winners since taking over the Wexford Stables operation nearly 5 years ago. O’Sullivan won with all 3 horses he raced 2 weekends ago, won another 2 races apiece at Saturday’s Otaki & Te Aroha meetings, & then added a further winner on Sunday at Pukekohe. His 2002-03 season tally now stands at 63, 13 wins clear of his closest challenger on the NZ trainers’ premiership. That compares with his previous full season totals of 45 in 1998-99 (when he finished 4th on the premiership), 51 in 1999-2000 (3rd), 57 in 2000-01 (2nd) & 59 last season (again runner-up). (March 18) And Brother Lance O’Sullivan Streaks Ahead On NZ Jockey Table On the NZ jockeys’ premiership, Paul O’Sullivan’s brother Lance has yet another century of wins in sight, with his 4 weekend winners taking him to 98. A record 12th NZ premiership win is on the cards, with his closest rival Michael Walker now riding for 3 months in Hong Kong. (March 18) Eclipse Awards Spin-Off For Sire Traditionally The recent Eclipse Awards in the US have certainly turned a positive spotlight on the family of NZ’s The Oaks Stud 2002 freshman sire Traditionally, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Traditionally’s brother Our Emblem sired champion 3YO colt War Emblem (winner of the Gr1 Kentucky Derby by 4 lengths, Gr1 Preakness Stakes & Illinois Derby by 6 lengths), while his half-sister My Flag (winner of the 1995 Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies) is the dam of champion 2YO filly Storm Flag Flying (unbeaten during 2002, including victory in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies & a 12-length blitz in the Gr1 Matron Stakes at Belmont). Traditionally covered 86 quality mares last year, including: US black-type winner & dam of Pure Theatre, A Goodlooking Broad; 1000 Guineas winner Emerald; & Gr1 winner Alabama Whirly. Traditionally is currently standing his first northern hemisphere season at Ballylinch Stud in County Kilkenny in Ireland, where his book will comprise 90 mares. (March 18) Racing Victoria Acts On Pakenham Track Problems After the Pakenham Cup meeting on Wednesday March 12, Racing Victoria & Country Racing Victoria had “serious concerns about the state of the track, particularly the inside section” & these concerns were echoed by trainers & jockeys participating on the day. A preliminary inspection after the meeting found “damage to the inside section & rectification works were ordered as a matter of priority.” Racing Victoria’s track specialists have since conducted “a number of meetings with Pakenham Racing Club track management to develop management plans to address the problems encountered.” In addition a decision was made to move the rail out 3 metres & restrict field sizes for the upcoming picnic meeting on March 22. Racing Victoria confirmed yesterday “stewards will re-inspect the Pakenham track prior to the March 22 meeting, but remain confident these changes will ensure the picnic meeting goes ahead under the prescribed conditions as scheduled. The viability of the April 17 TAB meeting remains undecided, pending further investigations & a post-analysis of the track after the picnic meeting.” (March 18) Smoke Glacken Colt Tops First Evangeline Downs Sale Streak Of Smoke, a 2YO son of Smoke Glacken, brought US$55,000 to top the inaugural Evangeline Downs 2YOs-in-training & horses-of-racing-age sale, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Carroll Castille purchased the sale topper from the consignment of Wispering Oaks Farms. Bred in Louisiana, Streak Of Smoke is out of the multiple stakes-winning Malagra mare Streak of Malagra. Evangeline reported sales of 33 horses for gross receipts of US$373,600 & an average US$11,321. (March 18) Minister Slew Will Stand At Mississippi State University Minister Slew, a US$600,000 purchase at the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale, has been donated as a foundation stallion to the Mississippi State University equine research program, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 4YO son of Deputy Minister will stand at the school near Starkville & money from stud fees will go toward equine programs in the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, & the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station. "Minister Slew is a magnificent-looking horse that will offer thoroughbred breeders in this region access to a stallion with an excellent pedigree at a very low cost," Peter Ryan, assistant professor of animal & dairy sciences, told Associated Press. "This is a win-win situation for MSU & for the horse breeders of this state." Bred in Kentucky, Minister Slew is out of the winning Seattle Slew mare Slew Boyera, a half-sister to multiple Gr1 winner & sire Mat-Boy. Minister Slew is a half-brother to stakes winner Born Twice & Gr1-placed winner Jess M. (March 18) Gr1 Winners La Bella Dama & Love To Dance For Sale Gr1 winners La Bella Dama (Desert Sun-Who's That Lady) & Love To Dance (Citidancer-Peerage), both in foal to first season stallion Giant’s Causeway, are the latest entries for the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast in May. La Bella Dama's trainer & part-owner Graeme Rogerson advised Magic Millions managing director David Chester on the weekend that the mare had joined the sale. "News of her entry is yet another highlight for what is shaping as one of the greatest ever sales held in Australia's history," Chester declared. "Rarely these days do buyers get the opportunity to buy mares of this quality anywhere in the world. Not only was she proven at the elite level on the track, she is in foal to a sire who is standing for an Australian record first season fee." Other mares among the nominations include Group winners Ateates, Fair Embrace, Suzy Grey, Procrastinate, Gold Lottey, Watch, Regal Sea & recent Flemington winner Galapagos Girl. (March 17) Malaysian Buyer Tops Final Session At Magic Millions Perth Meanwhile Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale concluded on Friday with the Autumn Session (following the 2-day Select Session earlier in the week). Magic Millions managing director David Chester summed up: "This year's sale far exceeded our strong results from last year. Tonight's results (for the Autumn Session) were particularly pleasing, with our top price & session average being topped easily." Top price was $33,000 paid by Malaysian-based buyer KL Chong for a bay colt by Enforcer from lightly raced Semipalatinsk mare Goldie's Best; the colt is a half-brother to Perth Cup winner Tumeric. Clearance rate for the Session was 86%, with 103 youngsters sold for a gross $845,250. (March 17) South Africa’s First Yearling Sale Millionaires Meanwhile at South Africa’s National Yearling Sale at Gosforth Park in Johannesburg, “history was made when 2 well bred colts realised over a million Rand (A$200,000) each for the first time ever on a night of feverish bidding,” reported sahorseracing.com. “A former inmate of Highlands Stud Farm, Battersea Park was knocked down for an amazing R1.2 million (A$240,000) as bidding reach a crescendo on a balmy Gauteng evening. This outstanding Jallad colt (who is a full-brother to 8-time winner Mission Statement & half-brother to Gr3 winner Park Lane) is out of the Pompeii Court mare Hancock Park.” The colt was consigned by Highlands Stud, acting as agent for Mr & Mrs Laurie Jaffee (owners of Hoeberg). And Scarlet Pimpernel from Mary Slack's Wilgerbosdrift Stud found a buyer at the new record bid of R1.7 million (A$340,000). (March 17) US-Bred Sprinter Alannan To Stand At Lindsay Park US-bred sprinter Alannan will stand at South Australia’s Lindsay Park Stud for the 2003 season. Alannan is by Conquistador Cielo, sire of El Moxie & 64 other stakes-winners, including Japanese-based sire Mi Cielo. “He was secured by Lindsay Park in partnership with a syndicate of prominent South Australian breeders,” reported The Australian. Alannan is 1 of 9 winners from Dame Sybil (half-sister to US Gr1 winners Menifee & Desert Wine & to the dam of Fasilyev) & is a dual Gr2 winner & set a track record for 7 furlongs at Churchill Downs. (March 17) Lonhro Makes It 4 Gr1s With Chipping Norton Stakes Victory Sydney weight-for-age star Lonhro made it 3-in-a-row since he returned from a spell (& 16 wins & 3 placings from just 22 starts overall) with victory in the $250,000 Gr1 San Miguel Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm. Lonhro (Octagonal-Shadea) won for trainer John Hawkes, jockey Darren Beadman & Australia’s biggest owners Jack & Bob Ingham, defeating Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge-Pride Of Tahnee), who logged his 12th 2nd placing in a Gr1 event, & Dress Circle (Zabeel-Flight Queen). (March 17) Lonhro Heads Aust Nominations For $3.5 Million HK Race Lonhro is among 5 leading Australian horses nominated for Hong Kong's HK$14 million (A$3.5million) Gr1 Audemar's Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27. The other 4 Austalians are: Fields Of Omagh; Carnegie Express; Hoeberg; & Don Eduardo. But Australia’s weight-for-age champion Northerly is not among the group – despite the fact this race is now the first leg of the World Racing Championship (following last week’s withdrawal of the Dubai World Cup from the series). Last year Universal Prince went from the Sydney autumn carnival to contest the QE II Cup at Sha Tin, followed by the Singapore International Cup at Kranji in May. Northerly has been entered for this year’s S$3 million (A$2.8 million) Singapore feature on May 17 (now 2nd leg of the 2003 World Racing Series). (March 17) International Stars For HK: 19 Individual Gr1 Winners Meanwhile among the major international entries for the HK QE II Cup (which includes 19 individual Gr1 winners) are: the return of both Eishin Preston & Agnes Digital, last year’s Japanese-trained quinella, & Magnaten (beaten 1 length into 4th place in last November’s Gr1 Japan Cup); HK’s Olympic Express (formerly Ecclesiastical) & Precision (by Anabaa), winners of this season's HK Mile & HK Cup respectively; Paolini, Dano-Mast & Danehill's superstar daughter Aquarelliste, all placed at this season's HK International races; Califet, representing the UAE & Godolphin, who at a rating of 123 is the highest-rated entrant according to the 2002 International Classifications; Godolphin's Group winning Naheef (Marju-Golden Digger); star South African 4YO Eventuail (winner of the Gr1 South African Guineas & Gr1 Summer Cup); Singapore's Palace Line (an Australian-bred winner of South Africa’s Gr1 Champions Stakes) now based at Kranji with Patrick Shaw; 22 US nominations, including recent Gr1 winner Man From Wicklow, & globe-trotting Thady Quill (who began his career in Ireland, won a Listed Race in Britain, was a Graded performer in the US & recently won the Sandy Lane Gold Cup at Garrison Savannah in Barbados); Britains’ Gr1 winners Kaieteur & Sholokhov; Rakti, victorious in the 2002 Gr1 Derby Italiano; New Zealand’s Hail (recent winner of the Gr1 Zabeel Oaks Stud Classic & former Gr1 NZ Derby-winner), Greene Street (recent winner of the Gr1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes) & Zafar; & 5 nominations from Macau, including current star So Happy. (March 17) Big Day At Warwick Farm For Sire Octagonal It was a big day at Warwick Farm for Woodlands Stud stallion & 10-time Gr1 winner Octagonal (by Zabeel), who sired 3 winners: Lonhro; plus 2YO Chaparejos (Octagonal-Collant Noir, by Lunchtime) in a 1300m handicap (Chaparejos is a half-brother to Group winner Pursuits); & Lonhro’s full brother Niello (Octagonal-Shadea, by Straight Strike) in the $100,000 Gr3 Kindergarten Stakes for 2YOs over 1100m – a win which rocketed Niello to new favouritism for Australia’s premier 2YO race, the $3 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 12. (March 17) Shadea Boasts Octagonal Production Line Among her 7 named foals, Gr3-winner Shadea now has 2 foals to race by Octagonal (Lonhro & Niello) & both are group winners. In addition, she has a yearling colt by Octagonal named Spikes, a filly foal by Octagonal & is carrying another Octagonal foal due to be born this Spring. (Shadea is also the dam of Sedaka, her unraced 1st foal who is now making a name for himself at stud.) (March 17) Eire Finally Lands A Stakes-Winner Octagonal’s success “overshadowed the achievement of his close relative Eire who, after 12 seasons at stud, sired his first stakes winner” when Walk On Air (Eire-Ride The Wind) won the $202,000 Gr2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, reported racenet.com.au. “When Eire retired to the McCarthy family’s Greta West Stud in 1991 he boasted a superb pedigree,” by 3-time champion Australian sire Bletchingly out of the stakes placed Great Klaire (Great Nephew). In an injury-plagued track career he had been restricted to just 8 starts, but won the AJC Time And Tide Handicap on debut running a sizzling 57.9 seconds for the 1000m & finished 5th in the Gr1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick & 3rd in the Gr3 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m). Eire is the 3rd foal of STC Gr2 Rosemount Wines runner-up Great Klaire, a half-sister to champion European filly Habibti & Eight Carat). “Unfortunately for Eire he was born a decade too early. The Eight Carat family has literally exploded with Octagonal, Mouawad, Bonanova, Fraternity, Telesto, Danewin, Don Eduardo, Viscount & Viking Ruler all grabbing headlines when Eire’s stallion career was in a downward spiral. Last year Eire stood for an advertised service fee of $1,870.” Walk On Air is one of 16 named foals from Eire’s 7th crop born in 1998. Walk On Air’s trainer Colin Alderson gave all the credit to his wife Lyn for the breeding of the Blamey Stakes winner. "It's a great thrill for the wife, as she did the mating & has now bred a Gr2 winner," said an elated Colin Alderson. And Lyn Anderson is backing her convictions that stallions from the Eight Carat dynasty will prove the recipe for success for the broodmare career of Ride The Wind. Last year she sent Ride The Wind to Chatswood Stud to be mated with Viscount’s half brother Dangerous. (March 17) Danehill Also Lands A Treble At The Farm It was also a big weekend for Coolmore’s international champion sire Danehill. He had 3 winners of his own at Warwick Farm: Grampians (Danehill-Balmoral) won a 2200m event; Viking Dancer (Danehill-Bluebell Dancer) won a 1600m event; & Faith Hill (Danehill-Simply Believe) won a 1300m event. And at Flemington, 5YO mare Princesa (Danehill-Kapchat) took out the Listed $75,000 ATA-Bob Hoysted Handicap (1100m). Her Cranbourne trainer Greg Eurell told aapracingandsports.com.au: "It was make or break for her. We had run out of options & she was going off to stud if she didn't fire today.” Princesa made it 4 wins from 6 starts at Flemington & Eurell is now aiming her at the $300,000 Gr1 Goodwood Hcp (1200m) at Morphettville on May 17: "It was her prime objective last year but she got balloted out.” (March 17) Dehere Does It Again And Arrowfield Stud’s wonder sire Dehere continued his amazing run over the last month with the win by Bollinger (Dehere-Bint Marscay, by Marscay) in the $150,000 Gr2 Surround Stakes for 3YO fillies over 1400m at Warwick Farm. It was also good news for Vinery, who count 1993 Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay among their magnificent band of blue-blood broodmares. Bollinger now has 3 wins & a placing from just 5 starts. Vinery Stud manager & part-owner Peter Orton told aapracingandsports.com.au: "She is beautifully bred, there's no doubt she's a million dollar filly now." (March 17) Dr Fong Begins Season With A Winner Gr1 winner & first season sire Dr Fong (by Kris S) “got off the mark with his first runner” when his son Western Roots (Chrysalis by Soviet Star) won the Arena Leisure Juvenile Conditions Stakes (5 furlongs), the first juvenile race of the 2003 UK flat season at Lingfield on the weekend, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. A flashy chestnut, similarly marked like his sire, Western Roots cost 25,000 guineas as a yearling. His dam is a half-sister to stakes-winner Isabella Sharp & his granddam is a half-sister to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner & sire Saumarez. Dr Fong stands at Side Hill Stud in England & shuttles to Widden Stud in Australia. (March 17) Rodd Invited Back To Dubai Following his recent riding trip to Dubai, Gold Coast apprentice Michael Rodd has earned an invitation back for the last 3 weeks of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, reported racenet.com.au. Rodd had just a handful of race rides during his visit (& finished 2nd twice), but “the people of the Emirates Racing Association were impressed enough with his professionalism to invite him back during the important Carnival period.” Rodd, 21, will fly to Dubai on Friday March 28 & return just in time for the start of the Brisbane Winter Carnival at Doomben on April 26. Meanwhile Rodd made it 4 Brisbane wins in a row with his double in the first 2 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday; Rodd had the last 2 races at Doomben on Thursday. (March 17) Zirna Lands NZ Gr1 Bloodstock Breeders Stakes Chequers Stud bred 4YO mare Zirna (Deputy Governor-Riverly Lass, by Gleam Machine) won the Gr1 NZ$120,000 Bloodstock Breeders Stakes (1600m) for fillies & mares at Te Aroha. Zirna, who defeated Surprize Surprize (by Prized) & Rodrigo Rose (by Rodrigo de Triano), gave Pukekohe-based David Walsh (who’d ridden 30 Gr1 winners as a jockey) his first Gr1 training success. Zirna is raced by the Karaka Group in partnership with Westbury Stud. Zirna was bred by Jim Campin & purchased for NZ$40,000 at the 2000 NZ Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale by former part-trainer Stephen Autridge. Zirna's granddam is a half-sister to multiple stakes-winning sprinter Top Charger. (March 17) Empire Maker’s Record Margin In US Gr1 Florida Derby Juddmonte Farms home-bred Empire Maker “gave trainer Bobby Frankel a leading contender for the Gr1 Kentucky Derby” when he raced away to win the US$1 million Gr1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park by 9.75 lengths. The winning margin was the largest in the 52-year history of the race. “He ran like we trained him,” Frankel told Associated Press. "I don't usually say this, but I envisioned this race the night before being run exactly the way it was. He might have peaked, but if he runs like this in the Derby, he probably could win it." Empire Maker (a son of 1990 Florida Derby & Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled) stopped the clock in 1:49.05 for the 9-furlongs “under a hand ride” from Jerry Bailey. Empire Maker now has 2 wins & 2 placings in just 4 starts. He is one of 5 graded stakes winners from 6 foals to race out of the Gr1-winning mare Toussaud, by El Gran Senor, noted thoroughbredtimes.com. He is a half-brother to Gr1 winners Chester House, Chiselling & Honest Lady, & to Gr2 winner Decarchy. (March 17) Blue Burner Bought By Saudi Diplomat For Dubai World Cup Bid The family of Saudi Arabian diplomat Mahmoud Fustok “has purchased multiple Gr1-placed Blue Burner from George Steinbrenner’s Kinsman Stable & plans to start the 4YO son of French Deputy in the US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Owners of Buckram Oak Farm, the Fustoks previously acquired Gr3 winner Grundlefoot, who also is being aimed at the World Cup following a victory in Saudi Arabia’s premier race, the King’s Cup, in January. Blue Burner, who finished 5th in the Gr1 Donn Handicap behind Harlan’s Holiday on February 22, was a surprise addition to the group of 14 American-based horses due to board planes on the weekend bound for the United Arab Emirates & the March 29 World Cup program. Trainer Bill Mott will continue to supervise Blue Burner as he prepares for the world’s richest race, said Mike Boyd, manager of Steinbrenner’s Kinsman Farm. Boyd said he could not reveal the purchase price (Blue Burner has won 4 of his 9 starts) , but added with a laugh: “If he goes over there & wins that race, I’d look really stupid. But for what we were offered, it was an economic decision. A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush." (March 17) National Currency Wins South African Gr1 Sprint National Currency (by National Assembly) easily won the South African Gr1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m at Turffontein. Ridden by Anthony Delpech, National Currency led by 4 lengths at the 200m, before easing down at the finish to win by 2 lengths from Waves Of Argosy, Al Nitak & West Cigar. At the post race presentation, his emotional trainer Michael Azzie described him as "his baby" & "a fantastic specimen", reported sahorseracing.com. (March 17) Distinctly Secret Returning To New Zealand Top stayer Distinctly Secret (by Distinctly North) returned to New Zealand over the weekend after an unsuccessful tilt at last week’s Australian Cup at Flemington. "He just never settled in on the trip to Melbourne & was not himself," trainer Mark Walker told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. "He will come home for a spell & then we will get him ready for another go at the Melbourne Cup in the spring." Distinctly Secret started as one of the favourites (& finished a creditable 6th) in last year’s Melbourne Cup won by Irish horse Media Puzzle. (March 17) Japanese Champion Air Shakur Dies In Paddock Accident Air Shakur, a 6YO son of Sunday Silence who was Japan’s champion 3YO colt in 2000, has died from complications of a broken leg. Air Shakur was standing his first season at Breeders’ Stallion Station on the island of Hokkaido. He was grazing in a paddock when he kicked a fence post, resulting in a broken left hind leg, reported Japan Today. Bred by Shadai Farm, Air Shakur just missed winning Japan's Triple Crown, winning the 2000 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) & Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) before losing the Tokyo Yushun (Derby) by a nose to Agnes Flight. Just 2 months after the Yushun, in his only start outside Japan, Air Shakur finished 5th in the Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in England while competing against some of the world’s best older horses, including winner Montjeu & runner-up Fantastic Light. Produced by the winning Well Decorated mare I Dreamed A Dream, Air Shakur retired with 4 wins in 20 starts. He was a half-brother to 3 winners, including Japanese stakes winner Air Deja Vu. (March 17) Brazilian Derby Winner Fool Around Dies Brazilian classic winner Fool Around has died from “undisclosed causes” at age 9 at Haras Sao das Missoes in Brazil, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The Brazilian-bred son of the Wild Again stallion Bright Again won the 1997 Gr1 Grande Premio Cruzeiro do Sul-Derby Carioca (Brazilian Derby) & Gr1 Copa ANCP Classica Matias Machline, & finished 2nd in Brazil´s most important race, the Gr1 Grande Premio Brazil. Bred by Haras Santa Maria de Araras, Fool Around won 5 of 20 career starts. At stud, he left two crops. Foals from his first generation are scheduled to make their debut during the Southern Hemisphere spring season. Fool Around was out of Brazilian classic winner So Beauty (by Ghadeer) & was a half-brother to Brazilian Gr1 winners Country Baby & El Paso. (March 17) Manndar Impregnates First Mare At Wintergreen Stallion Station Royal Remedy, an unraced daughter of Royal Academy, was declared in foal to multiple Gr1 winner Manndar at Wintergreen Stallion Station in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 4YO mare, who is a half-sister to Gr1-placed winner Go For Glamour, is the first to be declared in foal to the son of Doyoun. Manndar, won 4 of 20 starts, including the 2000 Gr1 Manhattan Handicap & Gr1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes. The 7YO bay, who retired in 2001 after undergoing surgery to repair an ankle injury, is one of 3 winners out of the stakes-winning Diesis mare Madiriya & is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Mandilak. (March 17) Ireland Moves To Limit Foal Production Horse Racing Ireland is planning to restrict racing opportunities for the lowest-rated horses & put a halt to over-production “by introducing an Irish section of the Stud Book, which would exclude those horses who do not meet the necessary criteria,” reported racingpost.co.uk. The proposal is part of HRI’s controversial 5-Year Strategic Plan launched by Minister for Sport John O’Donoghue, who heralded it as an “extensive & exciting document”. The plan states the breeding sector “is producing more foals than can be accommodated either through the domestic market or through exports, & must not be allowed to exceed the level reached last year.” HRI is planning to work with Weatherbys to create a separate Irish section of the Stud Book, followed by government legislation that would set out fundamental standards “to be complied with before breeding & racing is permitted”. Criteria for mares & stallions going to stud will also be introduced. HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: “We are saying the foal population needs to be considered & we are going to commission a comprehensive study on how this should be done. But the necessary measures will have to be introduced through legislation.” The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Asscociation has long been concerned about over-production & at last month’s annual awards dinner chairman John O’Connor called on breeders to cut back. Kavanagh also noted:“We are unable to provide opportunities for every horse. Horses will be given every opportunity to show their ability & there will be plenty of races for those who are good enough. Those who have less ability will not be given any preference & could go into point-to-points.” (March 14) McEvoy Wins UAE 1000 Guineas For Godolphin The decision of Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy to prolong his first trip to Dubai & resist the lure of the rich Sydney Autumn Carnival paid immediate dividends when he rode Godolphin’s former French-trained filly Mezzo Soprano to victory in last night’s US$250,000 UAE 1000 Guineas at Nad Al Sheba. Mezzo Soprano’s win gave McEvoy his 6th winner since arriving in the Emirates (4 in feature races). He was originally scheduled to leave the Emirates yesterday, but was encouraged to stay by the Godolphin stable. “Kerrin has done a really good job for us & we encouraged him to stay,” said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford. “He has created a really strong impression. He is a very polished rider with a great future. We have bonded with him very well & he is a key part of Godolphin. We have key horses going to Australia later in the year & he is very much a part of the team.” (March 14) Beasley Will Ride Belle Du Jour in Dubai Meanwhile trainer Clarry Conners confirmed jockey Len Beasley will head to Dubai to ride Belle Du Jour in the US$2 Million Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 29. Dan Nikolic (who was aboard the mare when she won the Gr1 Newmarket last weekend) is unavailable due to his commitment to Roedean, but Conners told racenet.com.au he is “more than happy that Beasley will ride her. He knows her well & he's going to get the videos from the previous races over there to see how everything is." Beasley, who has ridden the mare 15 times for 4 wins & 4 placings (including the memorable 2000 Golden Slipper triumph) added: "It took a bit of convincing before I realised it was for real. I was shocked to get the call, but I am really happy about it. I might miss the Coolmore Classic & the Ranvet on that day, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity & I can't miss it. I've got years ahead of me to ride in Australia, but this might be the only chance I get to ride in an international meeting like this. Not only ride, but be on a horse with a good chance.” (March 14) Dye Suspended In Hong Kong And in Hong Kong, expat rider & joint jockeys' championship leader Shane Dye “will miss the HK Derby on Sunday week after being suspended for careless riding at Happy Valley,” reported The South China Morning Post newspaper. Dye had been engaged to ride Gift for current leading trainer & fellow Australasian expat John Size in the HK$14 million (A$3 million) Classic at Sha Tin. Dye (who has been suspended for 3 meetings) is currently level with former South African jockey Douglas Whyte at the top of the HK jockey’s premiership, with 53 wins each. (March 14) Tariqa Park Seeking To Buy Extra Stallion Boutique farm Tariqa Park Stud, at Camden on Sydney's south-western outskirts, will be home this year to 4 well-bred, affordably-priced stallions. And proprietor Cathy Cattel is hoping to make it 5 . . . as soon as possible! "We are desperate to buy a stallion & have up to $100,000 to spend," she said candidly. "Anyone who has a young stallion they want to sell should contact me because all offers will be considered." Tariqa Park has a growing reputation as a nursery of fine thoroughbreds & featured recently on Sky Channel's Bred To Win program. " I hate seeing myself at any time, but that feature on Sky really showed the stallions we have in good light & I was pleased with that," she said. Cattel's current band of sultans include: Gr1 winner & Gr2 producer Centro (Century-Ease And Comfort); powerfully bred Action Star (Sir Tristram-Stage Hit); perennial winner-getter Sea Swell (Charmande-Sea Splendour); & intriguingly bred Benji Storm (Nureyev-Topicount). With the current ‘A+’ demand for Spinning World, another son of Nureyev, Benji Storm should be well patronised at his advertised fee of $3,300. (March 14) Payne & Bester Try To Lure Plattner To Randwick Following her 2YO Red Hot Pepper’s mid-week win at Randwick, expat South African trainer David Payne & leading bloodstock agent James Bester are hoping leviathan SA owner Sabine Plattner will visit Australia to see her colt contest the $1 million Inglis Heroic Championship at Randwick on Doncaster-Derby Day. Bester is also hoping Plattner will accompany them to the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Bester’s past purchases for Plattner – for whom he buys exclusively in Australia – include champions Laisserfare (5 Gr1s), Joe De Grise (3 Gr1s) & Group-placed First Burst. For last year’s Easter Sale, Plattner agreed to place a horse with Payne, Bester explained: “David had $500,000 to spend. His wish list of 15 horses was headed by Untouchable, but he proved too expensive, & then by Red Hot Pepper.” They snapped-up the latter, a strapping Grand Lodge–Bridget’s Daughter colt, for only $140,000. Bester hopes the lure of Red Hot Pepper’s entry for the Heroic will prove irresistible to Plattner in deciding on an Australian Easter visit. “The race is worth around 5 million Rand in South African currency,” he quipped. (March 14) NSW Racing Wants Victorian Tax Deal The NSW Racing industry “is turning up the heat on both sides of politics for significant wagering tax relief,” reported The Daily Telegraph. With the NSW State Election next weekend, “a deputation of Racing NSW officials has met with the Labor Party in an attempt to secure the long-term viability of the racing industry.” Racing NSW chairman Tony Hartnell warned this week in a document to industry participants: “Without fundamental change, it is inevitable that there will be ongoing leakage of investment, employment & activity from the NSW racing industry to Victoria. It is likely that regional areas in NSW will bear the majority of this impact.” A study by Racing NSW “has identified significant & ongoing disparities between racing industry funding levels in NSW & Victoria,” including: the NSW Government took $202.5 million in state wagering tax revenues last year compared with $136.1 million in Victoria; the NSW racing industry receives 4.5¢ for every $1 bet with the TAB, but the Victorian industry receives 6¢ in every $1; the Victorian racing industry receives $58.8 million more in annual funding due to superior industry returns from wagering & gaming. (March 14) Strong Singapore & Malaysia Bench At Perth Magic Millions In the aftermath of this week’s 2-day Premier Sessions at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale, managing director David Chester noted: "This year's sale has been supported strongly by clients from Singapore & Malaysia." The top 3 buyers were WA-based John Chalmers Bloodstock (total spend $378,000), Japan Australian Bloodstock Agents ($300,000) & local trainer Vern Brockman ($286,000). The strong representation from Malaysia included Beh Chin Pheng ($269,000), Lucky Racing Syndicate, Bonny Ng Yuen Peng, KL Chong, KL Tan, Nigel Landers, Wilming Yeo, Jonny Lim, Tan Swee Hock, Tan Thong Lai, Simon Liew Yoon Nam, NG Kam Thong & NG Kok Hoong. Singapore was also dominant via Richard Tea Geow Tong ($215,500), Stephen Gray, Albert Cheah & Victor Sujanani. Macau was represented by Michael Kent & South Africa was represented by Des Scott & Roy Magner. The Perth 2003 Premier Yearling Sale continues today at 5pm with the Autumn Session “featuring yearlings by the sought-after Second Empire, Dr Johnson, Bletchley Park, Old Spice, Zedrich, Key Business, Serheed & Don't Say Halo,” noted Magic Millions marketing & media manager Annie McDonald. (March 14) Chief Bearhart’s Boost For Glenmorgan Easter Draft Sure to attract major interest at next month’s Australian Select Weanling Sale (beginning on April 27) at the Inglis Sydney complex will be the first progeny from Canadian turf superstar & 6-time Gr1-winner Chief Bearhart offered through an Australasian sales ring. NZ’s Glenmorgan Farm has 4 weanlings entered for the sale, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz, including 2 colts by 7-times North American Turf Champion & Breeders’ Cup Turf Champion Chief Bearhart, who has made a stunning start at stud in Japan. The first weanling by Chief Bearhart is out of Sir Tristram mare Tintinnabulation (a half-sister to last weekend's Gr1 winning Newmarket Handicap winner in Belle Du Jour). The second Chief Bearhart colt is out of 4-win Sydney mare Reigntarra (a half-sister to Procrastinate, dam of Dual Champion Laisserfaire) & also a half-sister to Monday's Flemington Gr3 Chairman's Club Stakes winner Galapagos Girl (following her Gr3 victory in the MRC Mannerism Stakes in February). A half-brother to the weanling by Glenmorgan's Generous sold for NZ$100,000 to trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson at Karaka this year & is headed for his Sydney stable. Joining Glenmorgan’s 2 sons of Chief Bearhart will be a Stravinsky filly out of the Chief Singer mare Duchess Peggy (a half-sister by Generous sold for $150,00 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale) & a Generous filly out of US listed winner Picaresque. (March 14) Broad Brush Returned To Gainesway After Treatment Leading US sire Broad Brush has returned to Graham Beck's Gainesway Farm in Kentucky following 10 days of treatment for septic arthritis of his left front fetlock at Lexington’s Rood & Riddle Equine Clinic. The 20-year-old stallion (who is the sire of US 2002 Eclipse Award winner & multiple Gr1 winner Farda Amiga) was North America’s leading sire in 1994, has sired 13 crops of racing age with earnings of US$53,363,529 & stands for a service fee of US$100,000. Dr Alan Ruggles at Rood & Riddle told bloodhorse.com: "Broad Brush should be ready to resume breeding mares around March 19. He will receive an additional week of antibiotics & a tapering course of analgesics." Gainesway’s director of sales Michael Hernon added: "Broad Brush has bred 8 mares who have all been checked for pregnancy, & we are delighted to report all 8 have tested in foal. He is booked to his normal book of 50 mares, & we are optimistic he will handle the balance of his 2003 book without difficulty." Broad Brush (by Ack Ack out of the Hoist the Flag mare Hay Patcher) has sired 80 stakes winners (including 1994 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner & Maryland sire Concern, & Gr1 winners Include, Pompeii, Mongoose & Schossberg). (March 14) Gross, Average, Median All Increase At Fair Grounds Juvenile Auction Business “boomed” at this week’s Fair Grounds Sales Company's Select Sale of 2YOs-In-Training in Louisiana, reported bloodhorse.com. Gross revenue increased by 57.6% from a year ago; average price rose by 62.7%; & the median price surged by 116.7%. The bad news was the buy-back rate (which reached 55.1%) with 38 of the 69 juveniles offered failing to find new homes. Overall, 31 horses were sold for a gross US$418,400 (average US$13,497 & median US$13,000). Four horses each brought US$30,000, the auction's top price: a Zuppardo's Prince-Redwood Rose gelding; an Excavate-Spoiled Splendor filly named American By Choice; a Jade Hunter-Mine Again colt; & a Kissin Kris-Own It Outright filly named Outright Buck. (March 14) Kentucky Equine Abortions Fall Behind Last Year's Rate Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome update: The number of reported equine abortions in Kentucky “declined for the 4th week in a row, based on figures released by the University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center,” reported bloodhorse.com. “The latest decrease caused the total for the year to fall below 2002's pace, reversing an upward trend seen earlier in 2003.” During the 10th week of this year, 19 aborted fetuses were submitted to the LDDC, compared to 36 in 2002. The total for 2003 is 277, down from the 290 submitted during the same period last year. (March 14) Dingwall Accepts Malaysian Chief Steward Job Philip Dingwall, Racing NSW’s senior stipendiary steward with the Metropolitan Panel, “has taken up the offer of a position as chief steward with the Malaysian Racing Association based in Kuala Lumpur & is to commence with the MRA in May 2003,” confirmed racenet.com.au. Racing NSW chief executive Merv Hill said: “We wish Philip all the best in this significant career move, & while we will miss him & his skills, we see this as yet another recognition of the quality of stewards in NSW, & the training & experience they receive here.” Dingwall follows a line of stewards who have perfected their skills in NSW & moved onto the international scene, with former NSW officials now stationed throughout the Asian region in Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia & Singapore. Last year Racing NSW was the first racing jurisdiction to introduce a Diploma course for stewards, & has been introducing stewards to the craft by way of traineeships & cadetships for a number of years. (March 14) 2 Meetings On Same Day At Moonee Valley Moonee Valley is staging 2 meetings on the same day next Saturday (March 22): a 9-race program during the day (including the Australia Stakes & Moonee Valley Oaks), followed by a further 7 races at night to coincide with the Sydney Turf Club’s Canterbury Guineas meeting. (March 14) Conners Defends Future of Warwick Farm Asked about on-going speculation re the future of his beloved Sydney home track at Warwick Farm, trainer Clarry Conners told The Daily Telegraph: “This is a first-rate course. I’ve been here for 35 years, built my stables & business here. I doubt the AJC will close it down in the foreseeable future, not in my lifetime anyway. But as a racing centre, I just wonder. They shouldn’t even consider not racing here because the tracks in Sydney can’t cope with all the race meetings as it is.” (March 14) $95,000 Metal Storm Filly Tops Day 2 At Perth Magic Millions Demand for progeny of ill-fated former WA sire Metal Storm (by Kenmare) continued to dominate the 2nd Session at the Magic Millions Perth Premier Yearling Sale. Highlight of the Metal Storm offerings was a filly (from the unraced Ministerial mare Moonrake, thus making her a full relation to stakes performers Storm Shot & Stormy's Son) knocked down to WA trainer David Harrison's Japan Australia Bloodstock Agency for $95,000. Members of Metal Storm's 6th (& 2nd last) Australian crop produced 7 of the top 10 yearlings during the 2 Premier Sessions of the sale. (In a timely result, Metal Storm’s daughter Rose Of Thunder, trained by Harrison, won last Saturday’s Perth Magic Millions 2YO Classic race.) Day 2 of the Perth Sale saw a clearance rate of 83% & average price of $25,470 – lifting the overall result for the 2-day Premier section to a record average $24,791. (Overall aggregate was $5,404,500, with Day 2 totalling $3,362,000.) Magic Millions managing director David Chester commented: "Today was one of the best selling days of any of the Magic Millions sales around the country this year." Among other Day 2 highlights: Prominent Singapore-based buyer Richard Tea snapped up a chestnut colt by Northerly’s sire Serheed for $90,000; the colt is the 2nd foal of lightly raced & placed Geiger Counter mare On Silent Wings (the mare's first foal, the Dauberval gelding Hold the Sun, is a 2YO with a recent city placing to his credit); On Silent Wings is a daughter of 9-time winning & dual Group winner Strip The Moon (a daughter of Paint The Stars); Richard Tea also paid $87,500 for a brown Metal Storm colt who is a full brother to Perth stakes performed & current Adelaide galloper Smokey Ireland & 1100m winner Metal Mission; Melbourne trainer Len Morton paid $80,000 for a colt by Metal Storm from winning Prego mare Milione Mio, a 3-time Adelaide place-getter who is now the dam of 4 winners (including 6-time winner & $92,000 performer Kalastorm); Leading Sydney syndicator Lawton Racing purchased a son of Metal Storm (from Mungrup Stud’s draft) from an unraced Bellotto mare, who is a half-sister to Gr3 Up And Coming Stakes winning West End (a dual 2YO winner). (March 13) US State Dept Warning Threatens Dubai World Cup Top US trainers Bobby Frankel & Todd Pletcher are reportedly “having second thoughts” about sending their star gallopers to the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 29, following an official US State Department ‘travel warning’ to US citizens planning to visit the United Arab Emirates. The warning states: "Due to heightened tensions & increased security concerns resulting from the current situation in the region, the Department of State warns US citizens to defer non-essential travel to the UAE. US citizens in the UAE should consider departing. Americans in the UAE should exercise caution & take prudent measures to maintain their security. Americans should remain vigilantly aware of surroundings, avoid crowds & demonstrations, keep a low profile, vary times & routes for all travel, & ensure that travel documents are current. On March 10, 2003, the Department of State authorised the departure of family members & non-emergency personnel at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi & the US Consulate General in Dubai on a voluntary basis.” Frankel, who is now rethinking his plans to start Medaglia d'Oro in the US$6 million Dubai World Cup, told bloodhorse.com: "I wasn't sure I felt like going in the first place, & this gives me a good excuse not to go. I know Mr Gann (owner Edmund Gann) doesn't care about going. I'll make up my mind for sure after thinking about it for a couple of nights. After a while it's not about the money. You wouldn't think Dubai would be affected, with all their security & secret police, but it makes you wonder why they would put out a warning like that.” Todd Pletcher, who has Harlan's Holiday booked to travel to Dubai next weekend, confirmed he had spoken to owner Jack Wolfe & is also reconsidering his plans: "Obviously, it's a concern. Jack & I discussed it & we'll definitely be following up on it. We have about 4 days to figure it out." (March 13) Sky Channel ‘Tightens Noose’ On Media Pirates The headline in The Australian Financial Review says it all: “Sky Channel Tightens The Noose On Media Pirates.” TAB’s national racing television service Sky Channel “claims it is winning the war against piracy, which is costing the group millions in lost revenue every year. The company has moved to prevent hotel owners from illegally accessing the Sky service, which costs venues $12,000 a year.” Sky received Federal Court orders allowing it to raid pirate hotels & seize illegal smart cards & set-top boxes. It has raided hotels in Victoria & NSW, which led to the arrest & laying of criminal charges against an installer who helped a hotel. Sky said it was targeting other hotels. Sky Channel chief executive Geoff Want said: “We will remain vigilant in our campaign to eliminate piracy around the country. Piracy is a crime, & now it’s just a matter of time before the noose is tightened around the neck of other pirates.” (March 13) $140,000 2YO Wins Aust Debut For South African Owner Former South African trainer David Payne’s expensive 2YO Red Hot Pepper won its racetrack debut at Randwick yesterday for leviathan SA owner Sabine Plattner. Payne told racenet.com.au: “This is brilliant for Sabine. She hasn't been out here yet, but I'll be sending a plane for her now so she can see this fellow run! She has about 200 horses in work in South Africa & she has her own training complex. I went to the sales with $500,000 to buy a horse for her & we picked up this colt for $140,000. Now I hope I'll be able to get a few more for her!" (March 13) Darbonne Breaks Through $1 Million Barrier Paul Burton, owner of European Gr1-performed Danzig stallion Darbonne, was last night celebrating the win of Crocker, who broke his Hong Kong maiden in his 11th start by winning the Tung Chung Handicap over 1200m. A place-getter in 6 of his previous 10 starts, Crocker had run a blistering 56.2 secs in finishing 4th over 1000m at his most recent start. Crocker’s victory pushes the prize-money of Darbonne’s progeny over the $1 million mark, adding to his almost 50% winner-runner ratio for this season so far. Darbonne will be standing at Razorback Stud in 2003 for just $2,000. (March 13) Arrowfield’s Hussonet Again Leading Chilean Sires List Exciting news for Arrowfield Stud. The Chilean racing season commenced on January 1 & Arrowfield’s new Mr Prospector stallion Hussonet is again leading the Sires List (having already been champion sire in 2000, 2001 & 2002) with 5 individual 2YO winners in the first few months of the season. Last weekend 2 of Hussonet’s 2YO fillies won: Hi Honey won a 1200m maiden at Hipodromo Chile by a massive 10.75 lengths; & Wild Storm won her 1200m maiden at the same track. Both fillies will next start in the Listed Premio Carlos Cousino G (1200m) & all 3 of his winning 2YO colts to date are set to clash in the Listed Premio Luis Subercaseaux E (1200m) later this month at the club Hipico de Santiago. Hussonet is standing his first season in Australia in 2003 at $24,750 (including GST). To date, Hussonet has sired 38 stakes-winners including 12 Gr1 winners. (March 13) Flying Spur Keeps Producing Winners Meanwhile Arrowfield’s Flying Spur has rocketed into Australia’s Top 10 General Sires List over recent weeks. Among the 2YOs, Flying Spur’s Roedean took the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes, & heads a group of 4 progeny with significant prospects leading into next month’s Golden Slipper. And last weekend 4YO daughter Vignor (ex Snorvig, by Whiskey Road) became Flying Spur’s latest stakes-winner when she took the Listed Classic Mile at Morphettville. Flying Spur now has 22 stakes-winners. Flying Spur has also been enjoying success in Hong Kong, unearthing a rising star in the Tony Cruz-trained Lucky Paradise (ex The Essence, by Voltage Peak). The 3YO gelding won his 2nd race in 5 starts in a Class 3 Handicap last Sunday, in the slick time 1.09 for 1200m. (March 13) Fairy Tipsy’s Last Race Before Foal To Volksraad Smart NZ mare Fairy Tipsy “will bid farewell to the racetrack after she runs in the NZ Bloodstock Breeders' Stakes at Te Aroha on Saturday,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The 6YO is owned by Windsor Park Stud & is in foal to their champion stallion of last season Volksraad. Matamata trainer Mark Walker has prepared Fairy Tipsy, a daughter of fellow Windsor Park stallion Casual Lies, throughout her 21-race career. Fairy Tipsy registered her 5th win at Matamata last month & will be a valuable addition to the Windsor Park broodmare band. Her dam Rebellious Angel is a sister to Coogee Walk (who won the Railway Handicap & finished 3rd in the AJC Galaxy Handicap). Their dam Boardwalk Angel won the SAJC Goodwod Handicap, while a 3rd Gr1 winner close-up in the line is QTC Stradbroke Handicap victor Crawl. (March 13) Winning Apprentice Returns To UK Apprentice Paul Goode is on his way back to England after a successful stint in country NSW, reported racenet.com.au. In 52 rides, Goode notched 11 wins & 8 placings, including victory in the $38,150 Queanbeyan Cup (2000m) on Dancarama for Barbara Joseph. In England, he will be stable rider for Chris Fairhurst at Middleham in North Yorkshire for the start of the English flat racing season. But manager Trudy Brown confirmed he “intends to then return in 4 months for the Australian winter season.” (March 13) Aust Racing Board: Good Neighbour Policy Statement Australian Racing Board chairman Bob Charley has explained the status of the Good Neighbour Policy, in the context of last week’s Asian Racing Federation conference in Auckland: “The Good Neighbour Policy currently exists as a bi-lateral agreement between the Hong Kong Jockey Club & the Japan Racing Association. There are several elements to that agreement. The most important are: first, the racing authorities in both countries agree they will not use the other country’s racing for wagering without prior consent; & second, both countries agree not to take bets from each other’s citizens. . . Having reached agreement on the GNP with the Japan Racing Association, chairman of the Asian Racing Federation, HKJC chief executive Lawrence Wong, proposed it should be extended to become a multi-lateral agreement supported by all member countries in the ARF. This was considered by the ARF executive council & it was decided the principles of the GNP were to be recommended to the 20 ARF member countries, with each country to consider whether it wished to become a signatory to a multi-lateral agreement of this nature. . . Turning to Australia’s position, it is readily apparent that our circumstances are very different to HK & Japan. In those countries, the racing industry controls everything - wagering, the racecourses & racing – whereas in this country, those functions are spread over myriad players. This immediately raises the question: how in a practical sense could Australia become a signatory to an ARF Good Neighbour Policy? Looking beyond this to the concepts of the GNP, the underlying concern that illegal operators should not be permitted to pirate racing’s product is one which racing authorities across the world share. However, Australia must make a realistic assessment of the prospects of an international agreement between racing authorities becoming an effective solution to that problem. That analysis must also include an assessment of whether it is feasible to hermetically seal wagering markets so that only domestic operators can offer services &, indeed, whether this is consistent with the Australian industry’s need to meet its competitors head-on & internationalise our racing. The Australian Racing Board recognises the real concerns held by the HKJC & the Japan Racing Association, but whether we can agree with them on the right way to resolve these concerns is something we must seriously assess. Australia’s position on the ARF Good Neighbour Policy will be formally communicated to Dr Wong following the Board’s meeting on 7 April.” (March 13) Brisbane ‘Racetrack Consolidation’ Plan Unveiled Queensland Racing yesterday met representatives of the Queensland & Brisbane Turf Clubs to discuss progress on Brisbane’s Metropolitan Racing Facilities Master Planning Project. QRB chairman Bob Bentley said: "The consulting architects Bligh Voller Nield made a presentation to the meeting on the outcomes of their evaluation of a number of site options for development of one consolidated metropolitan racing facility in Brisbane. These options included redevelopment of the existing racecourse sites, & construction of a new facility at a number of potential greenfield sites. After evaluating all options, Bligh Voller Nield reported the 2 most viable propositions were redevelopment of the existing Eagle Farm site, or construction of a new facility on Council-owned land on the site of the old Brisbane Airport. It was agreed representatives of the QTC & BTC would discuss these concept designs with their respective Boards & a follow-up meeting would be held in a fortnight's time. It is proposed these preliminary concept drawings will form the basis of a more detailed evaluation over the coming months, including a comprehensive costing exercise & feasibility study." (March 13) NSW Phone Bet Minimum Slashed NSW Minister for Gaming & Racing Michael Egan has advised the racing industry of amendments relating to minimum bet levels. The new levels are as follows: (a) for a bet on or at a metropolitan race meeting, the level is $100 or a bet to win $1,000; (b) for all other bets, the limit has been abolished. The previous general minimum was $200. Racing NSW chief executive Merv Hill commented: "Bookmakers have been seeking a reduction in the limit for some time, & are sure to welcome the reduction which will enhance their competitive position." (March 13) Japan Official Says ‘More International Competition Needed’ In order for racing to survive & prosper in Japan, the nation must “open up more of its racing to international competitors & market its bloodstock abroad,” according to Japan Association for International Horse Racing president Yoshitaka Kitahara. Currently foreign-bred horses can compete in only 22 Japanese races, although Japan will undertake a “3rd phase of internationalisation" in 2005. Internationally respected Kitahara helped create the Gr1 Japan Cup, which has attracted some of the best horses in the world to race in a nation that otherwise strictly limits competition. Kitahara told the Japan Racing Journal: “The Japan Cup brought about a whole revolution in thinking how things were done here & how horses were trained & cared for. That, in turn, helped horse racing to the level it is today. Kitahara cited worrying racing & breeding figures from Hokkaido as a reason for change. Racing operations posted a debt of $21.957 million while 3 tracks folded last year, he said. Unsold yearlings, meanwhile, increased from 600 in 2001 to 1,000 in 2002. "Today, the environment for breeders in Japan is very bad indeed," Kitahara said. "The breeding world is suffering & no economist here thinks things are going to get better anytime in the near future. I believe breeders should expand their sights to include other countries in Asia & aggressively target them for sales. Last year, 6 horses were purchased by Hong Kong. It’s only 6, but it’s a start. Hong Kong is a potential market. Singapore, too, with its international race, will be looking for good horses, & Korea as well. Those countries must raise the level of their domestic horses, & that is where I think Japan can help. It’s near & has the ability to help with horses of quality." Kitahara summed up: "Remaining closed is to cut your own throat. Crying that things in Japan are bad now just won’t cut it. The very march of progress will come to a stop. You have to overcome these hard times. Progress will be the outcome." (March 13) Asian Racing Series Possibility Explored Meanwhile Yoshitaka Kitahara is involved in exploring the possibility of forming an Asian Racing Series, “somewhat similar to the World Series Racing Championship,” with races from Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Dubai "& perhaps India" reported thoroughbredtimes.com. (March 13) Storm Cat Son’s World Record Surprised Most Experts Talk about out-of-left-field! Further to last week’s world record US$2.7 million (A$4.4 million) sale of the 2YO Sea Of Secrets-Swift Spirit (by Tasso) colt: Sea of Secrets stands for just US$5,000 at Walmac International in Kentucky; 14 Sea Of Secrets weanlings sold for an average of just US$13,014 in 2001; 28 Sea Of Secrets yearlings sold for an average of just US$12,871 in 2002; Sea of Secrets (who is represented by 54 juveniles this year) suffered from waning interest in his 2nd year at stud & has only 16 foals in his 2nd crop. But suddenly, Walmac owner John Jones junior told thoroughbredtimes.com, “our phone has just been ringing off the hook. That’s just the way this business is, though. Any good son of Storm Cat out of a Mr Prospector mare is going to have every opportunity to be a good sire, & he’s fit the mold so far. He’s going to get a good, solid book of mares this year." (March 13) US Multiple Stakes Winner Bella Bellucci Heads For Breeding Paddock US multiple graded stakes winner Bella Bellucci has been retired following her 3rd in the Gr1 Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita Park last weekend. Bella Bellucci had also finished 3rd (behind Tempera & Imperial Gesture) in the 2001 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Belmont Park in October, after capturing the Gr2 Astarita Stakes in October. Overall, the 4YO daughter of French Deputy earned 5 wins & 6 placings in 12 career starts. Bred in Kentucky by Nicholas Lotz, Bella Bellucci is out of the stakes-winning Classic Go Go mare Blue Avenue & is a full sister to Japanese champion Kurofune. She has been shipped back to her native Kentucky “where she might be bred to Thunder Gulch,” reported US Daily Racing Form. (March 13) My Own Business Wins Venezuela Horse-Of-The-Year Venezuelan Gr1 winner My Own Business, a son of the Danzig stallion Voyageur, was elected Venezuela’s 2002 Horse-Of-The-Year & champion older horse by the Venezuelan Turf Journalists Association, presenters of the Premios Burlesco (equivalent of the US Eclipse Awards), reported thoroughbredtimes.com. My Own Business, who also was Venezuela’s 2000 Horse-Of-The-Year, has tallied 32 victories in 42 career starts in his native country Puerto Rico & Gr1 Copa de Oro (Ven-G1), both at Venezuela’s La Rinconada racecourse. Owned by Rocco Sebastiani & Hugo Albarran´s Stud Fantasia, My Own Business was bred by Julio Pazo’s Haras Vista Hermosa. Out of the winning Verbatim mare Word Medley, My Own Business is a half-brother to stakes winner Gran Corredor. Notable members of his immediate family include 1983 Gr1 Florida Derby winner Croeso & multiple Gr3 winner and sire Ide. (March 13) US Considers Equine Shock-Wave Regulations & Medication Levels Kentucky officials will consider “regulations for use of shock-wave therapy in racehorses & also whether money for equine drug research should be spent on establishing threshold levels & withdrawal times for permitted medications,” reported bloodhorse.com. While research continues into shock-wave therapy “which can help heal fractures when used properly, rumors have circulated that horsemen use machines improperly to derive anesthetic benefits in racehorses before they compete.” Keeneland director of racing Rogers Beasley told the March 11 Kentucky Equine Drug Council meeting that the Kentucky Racing Commission would address shock-wave therapy at its March 19 meeting. He noted officials have “discussed the practice & believe horses & jockeys need to be protected.” The Drug Council was also asked to look into research to support or establish threshold levels & withdrawal times for therapeutic medications: Horsemen & veterinarians “want them in place to go along with Kentucky's medication rules.” Dr Arnold Pessin, who represents the Lexington-based Race Track Practitioners, explained: “Practitioners need threshold levels & withdrawal times. You'll never have a national medication & testing program without them." Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, concurred: "We support that position. Horsemen don't know when medication can be given without withdrawal times." (March 13) $1 Million Golden Slipper: Order-Of-Entry To March 11 1: Hasna (G.Waterhouse) $239,625 2: Roedean (M.Price) $694,450 3: Winestock (T.O’Sullivan) $295,050 4: Halibery (M.Price) $263,300 5: Kusi (J.Hawkes) $232,500 6: Hammerbeam (J.Hawkes) $164,250 7: Living Spirit (T.McEvoy) $124,170 8: Polar Success (G.Rogerson) $110,750 9: Regrowth (T.McEvoy) $99,590 10: Pinchbeck (R.Hore-Lacy) $99,500 11: How Funny (G.Waterhouse) $93,250 12: Dorky (J.Hawkes) $88,500 13: Divine Secret (R.Laing) $87,500 14: Secret Land (G.Waterhouse) $71,100 15: Frasassas (J.Hawkes) $65,300 16: Subscribe (B.Marzato) $64,000 17: Ultimate Fever (J.O’Shea) $59,150 18: Spurcent (T.Karakatsanis) $56,750 19: Best Northern (T.Hoare) $53,500 20: Spur Me On (G.Waterhouse) $45,000 21: Face Value (B.Laming) $44,363 22: Shamekha (G.Waterhouse) $38,250 23: Merhoob (J.O’Shea) $36,300 24: Danbird (G.Ryan) $36,050 25: Charmview (T.Wildman) $33,450 26: Legally Bay (J,Hawkes) $32,950 27: Olympus (C.Conners) $32,500 28: Untouchable (G.Waterhouse) $32,500 29: Aracena (G.Waterhouse) $31,050 30: Bella Corona (R.Pearse) $24,050 31: Red Mile (G.Ryan) $15,000 32: Exceed And Excel (T.Martin) $14,950 33: San Simeon (T.McEvoy) $14,740 34: Niello (J.Hawkes) $9,000 35: Freeze (G.Waterhouse) $4,600 (March 13) $150,000 Metal Storm Filly Tops Day 1 At Perth Magic Millions A bay Metal Storm-Bonny Guest filly, consigned by Narrikup-based Mungrup Stud (as agent), sold for $150,000 to top the 1st Session at the Magic Millions Perth Premier Yearling Sale which began yesterday at the Belmont Sales complex. Deceased WA-based sire Metal Storm was a son of Kenmare (who produced WA Gr1 Railway Stakes winner Old Fashion). The filly is a full sister to stakes performers Kalatiara (now trained in America), Kentiara & Antique (3rd to Bulla Borghese & Lashed in the Gr1 VRC Oaks at Flemington). Overall 82 youngsters were sold for a gross $1,991,000 & an average $24,280 (up 31.4% on last year’s $18,478). Magic Millions managing director David Chester commented: "It was a very strong sale tonight. The average climbed dramatically on last year's sale which was a great result. We have a very strong buying bench from Malaysia here in Perth." Among other top lots: a bay Umatilla-Ease And Comfort filly from Serpentine-based Alwyn Park Stud (as agent) sold for $95,000 to Michael Carlile; the Vain mare Ease And Comfort is a half sister to Melbourne & Adelaide Cup winner Subzero; a chestnut Bletchley Park-Classical Kate colt from Dawson Stud sold for $55,000 to overseas visitor Beh Chin Pheng; Bletchley Park, one of WA’s most popular stallions, is best known as sire of Hot Jules, Wolf Pack, Azabu Park, Paradise Park, Master Park & Waltz In The Park; another chestnut Bletchley Park-Baby Blue Eyes colt from Serpentine-based Canardly Stud (as agent) sold for $52,500 to Singapore-based Stephen Gray; the colt is the first foal of the dual winning Is It True mare Baby Blue Eyes; & a bay Metal Storm-Zaadini colt from Mungrup Stud sold for $47,000 to Roy Edwards. (March 12) Belle Du Jour Confirmed For Dubai Golden Shaheen Last weekend’s Gr1 Newmarket Handicap winner Belle De Jour will have her next start in Dubai’s US$2 million (A$3.26 million) Golden Shaheen over 1200m on dirt at March 29’s Dubai World Cup program. Owners John Singleton, Gerry Rose, Bob Hawke & trainer Clarry Conners decided yesterday the mare will fly to Dubai from Melbourne on Tuesday. Conners told aapracingandsports.com.au: "Its an all-expenses paid trip & you can bet your booty I'll be there. At this stage it hasn't been worked out if she goes on to England for a couple of races in June & July or returns home. You wouldn't even know she'd raced on Saturday. She's jumping out of her skin. We're ready to take on the world." Conners added connections were keen to secure an Australian jockey for Dubai, with Danny Nikolic having first refusal. (March 12) Hong Kong Jockey Club Could Purchase Macau Rival The Hong Kong Jockey Club has announced interest in purchasing its rival neighbor Macau Jockey Club (located in the Chinese territory of Macau about 40 miles west of HK). Gambling tycoon Stanley Ho “controls the Macau Jockey Club, which unlike the HKJC is a for-profit operation.” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. “Rivalry between the 2 clubs intensified last year when HK banned gamblers placing wagers on HK races through the Macau Jockey Club.” The HKJC’s official statement confirmed the 2 organisations “are in discussions”, that it was “prepared to look at all options" & that the clubs are “continuing to exchange information." (March 12) Northerly Confirms Sydney Campaign . . . & Maybe Singapore Trainer Fred Kersley has confirmed Australia’s weight-for-age champion Northerly is off to Sydney, where he will be stabled at Warwick Farm while he prepares for the Gr1 Ranvet Stakes on March 29. The 6YO (winner of 9 Gr1s & $8,855,950 in prize-money) will also run in the Gr1 BMW on April 12, before a “possible trip to Singapore for the Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup on May 17,” reported racenet.com.au. "We hope to have him up there before the weekend & if not, by Monday at the latest,” Kersley quipped. "We just hope he can bring his Melbourne form up to Sydney." (March 12) Multiple Aust Nominations For Singapore Cup & Sprint Meanwhile there have been 5 Australian nominations for the prestigious S$3 million (A$2.82 million) Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) on May 17, & a further 5 Australian nominations for the S$1 million (A$940,000) Gr3 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Sprint (1200m) on the same program. The Aussie Cup nominations are: Northerly (Fred Kersley); Fields of Omagh (Tony McEvoy); Benarrivo (Bart Cummings); Frightening (Bart Cummings); & Maskerado (Graeme Rogerson). Australian Sprint nominations are: Before Too Long (Gary Portelli); North Boy (Tony McEvoy); Century Kid (Graeme Rogerson); Choisir (Paul Perry); & Chester County (Paul Perry). Among other international nominations for the Cup are: NZ (St Reims, Bahira, Distinctly Secret & Hail); Japan (Eishin Preston, Falbrav & Agnes Digital); & UAE (Beekeeper & Grandera). International Sprint nominations include: Hong Kong (All Thrills Too & Firebolt); US (Morluc & Nuclear Debate); & NZ (Tit For Taat, Egyptian Raine & Vinaka). (March 12) Top NZ Juveniles ‘Under Multi-Million Offer’ New Zealand’s best 2YOs Maroofity (by Maroof) & King’s Chapel (by King Of Kings) are “under offer as a package deal for a multi-million dollar sum,” revealed NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Managing owner David Ellis confirmed the sale was “likely to go through mid-week,” but was not prepared to reveal further details because “in this business they are not sold until the money is in the bank." Maroofity won the Gr1 Ford Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on March 1 & King’s Chapel won the NZ$500,000 Mercedes Super Bonus Classique at Te Rapa on February 1. Both horses are trained at Matamata by Mark Walker. (March 12) California Braces For West Nile Virus The warning on thoroughbredtimes.com is blunt & to the point: “The birds will arrive in California in April. Humans & horses will first be affected in June or July. The height of the problem will be felt in September & October. West Nile virus is coming to California & a panel of 8 leading veterinary experts agreed there is nothing to stop its arrival.” The authorities did say measures can be taken to ward off a wide-spread epidemic of the virus (which originated in the West Nile province of Uganda in 1937, but made its first appearance in the Western World in 1999 when a woman in the Queens district of New York was stricken). The virus is transmitted to people & animals by infected mosquitoes, which acquire the infection by feeding on birds with the virus in their blood. Though the disease creates flu-like symptoms in humans, less than 1 in 100 people (often older men) develop serious complications & the mortality rate is about 5%. However the mortality rate for equines is much higher, though most horses exposed to the virus will not become seriously ill (about 25% of 15,000 previously reported cases in the US have died). With an estimated 1-million equines in California, the Thoroughbred Owners of California invited former racetrack veterinarian Greg Ferraro, now director of the Center for Equine Health at University of California-Davis, to conduct a seminar on the subject for 250 industry professionals last weekend at Santa Anita Park. "West Nile Virus is here to stay," Ferraro said, "so horse lovers must inform themselves regarding their options for themselves & their horses." The panel recommended every horse in California be vaccinated in the next few weeks. (March 12) Jockeys & Trainers Approve Sandown’s New Hillside Track Jockeys, trainers & officials gave the new Hillside track at Sandown “a unanimous stamp of approval” following a special trackwork session yesterday morning, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Ten horses from the Tony Noonan & Doug Harrison stables galloped on the new surface as a final test in preparation for the inaugural Hillside meeting on Sunday. The landmark meeting establishes Sandown as Melbourne's first dual-circuit racecourse, with 2 individual tracks named Hillside & Lakeside. Jockeys Nash Rawiller & Matthew Allen described the Hillside track as being “in prime condition” for Sunday's grand opening. And Racing Victoria chief steward Des Gleeson predicted the physical characteristics of the Hillside course would dictate “a new tactical approach from jockeys.” At 491 metres in length, Hillside's home straight is considerably longer than Lakeside's 407 metres. Gleeson noted: "The Hillside track will provide a different test for jockeys than the Lakeside track. It has a sweeping turn & the longer straight will require jockeys to be more patient in judging the timing of their finishing runs.” Rawiller noted the track should give every horse an even chance: "I don't think you'll see as many jockeys pinching races by kicking away at the top of the straight.” (March 12) Arrowfield’s Dehere Does It Again . . . & Again Dehere’s purple patch just keeps going for the Arrowfield Stud sire. At Flemington on Monday Dehere’s daughters Galapagos Girl & Special Grange quinelled the $151,000 Gr3 Tooheys New Plate (1400m). And Dehere’s 3YO last start Gr2 Shannons Classic winner Natural Blitz finished a creditable 2nd (behind champion Northerly) in the $1.25 million Gr1 Australian Cup (2000m). Of course, those results followed Dehere 5YO daughter Belle du Jour’s triumph 2 days earlier in last Saturday’s $1 million Gr1 Newmarket Handicap. “Significantly Dehere is the only stallion so far this season to sire 2 individual Gr1 winners (Defier & Belle Du Jour),” noted racenet.com.au. (March 12) Blue Gum Farm’s Gr2 Treble Last weekend’s $251,500 Gr2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) at Flemington was “a triumph for Victoria’s leading breeding establishment, the Campbell family’s Blue Gum Farm,” declared racenet.com.au. The winner Lashed is a daughter of leading young sire Encosta de Lago, runner-up Umaris is a daughter of under-rated Umatilla & 3rd-placed Tarcoola Diamond is a daughter of Australia’s 1993-94 champion sire Last Tycoon. “It is truly a remarkable performance by Blue Gum Farm, who’s only other stallion to have runners is the high-flying Rubiton, currently in the top 5 stallions in the country.” (March 12) Danehill’s Flying Start To European Flat Season Danehill “got off to a flyer at the start of the European flat racing season” by siring the quinella in France’s Gr3 Prix Exbury at Saint-Cloud, reported racenet.com.au. At her first start since finishing runner-up to Ange Gabriel in the Hong Kong Vase in December, 3-time Gr1 (Prix Vermeille, Prix Diane & Prix Ganay) winner Aquarelliste (ex Agathe by Manilla) defeated last year’s Gr3 Prix Andre Baboin winner Caesarion (ex Carelaine by Woodman) by 5-lengths. “It will more than likely be the last race in France for the Elie Lellouche-trained Aquarelliste, who is being aimed at the Gr1 Dubaï World Cup on March 29, which precedes a planned rendezvous with Danehill’s champion barn mate at Coolmore, Sadler’s Wells.” (March 12) Darley’s Elusive Quality Regains US Sires List Lead Darley’s announcement that Elusive Quality is headed to Australia in mid-August to stand the southern hemisphere breeding season is extremely well-timed. Elusive Quality, a 10-year-old son of Gone West who also stands at Gainsborough Stud in Kentucky, is sire of Gr1 winner Elusive City & Gr3 winners Chimichurri & Omega Code. He was unexpectedly toppled from his position as leading northern hemisphere freshman sire late last year following the controversial disqualification of his star galloper Elusive City from 2 races he’d won. However Elusive Quality has now regained his position at the top of the 2nd Crop sires list by lifetime earnings with over US$1.5 million in stakes won from 24 individual winners (including 8 stakes winners) from just 42 starters to date. And with Gr1-winning Elusive City due to make his 3YO debut in England this weekend, an increase in the total looks imminent. As well as Darley Australia’s obvious joy, thoroughbrednews.co.nz also notes “Elusive Quality has a strong NZ connection with Glenmorgan Farm having stood his multiple group winning three-quarter brother Rossini in 2002.” Rossini is to return to Glenmorgan in 2003 & will stand again at NZ$6,000 plus GST. (Elusive Quality’s northern hemisphere fee has just gone from US$10,000 to US$30,000.) (March 12) Sunray Is Zabeel’s Latest Staying Star Champion sire Zabeel has produced another staying star following Sunray’s white-wash of his rivals in last weekend’s Gr3 NZ St Leger (2500m) at Trentham. Sunray (who has won 4 of his last 5 starts) is the first 3YO to win the NZ St Leger since it was opened to 4YOs in 1993. The younger division receive a handy pull in the weights, but even so few have taken on the more mature types. Trainer Paul O’Sullivan told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing Sunray’s next big step is “possibly the Australian Derby at Randwick on Easter Saturday.” Former champion NZ trainer Dave O’Sullivan has a close interest in Sunray’s progress, as manager for the colt’s Indonesian owners who race under the Mualim Hasnan banner. He selected Sunray for them from Cambridge Stud’s 2001 NZ National Sales draft; his previous choices for the same owners include subsequent Gr1 winners Vialli (imported from Europe) & Bawalaksana (by Straight Strike). (March 12) Bank Note Proves NZ$9,000 Bargain Meanwhile NZ$9,000 yearling purchase Bank Note may well prove NZ’s bargain of the season. The 3YO (by Woodborough) won in the NZ$45,000 Gr3 Ashwell Farm Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last weekend. After the race, jockey Michael Walker declared Bank Note “could beat any 3YO in the country. He’s one of our best.” Bank Note is trained at Takanini by Trevor & Stephen McKee of Sunline fame. Trevor echoed Walker’s sentiments: "On his day, Bank Note’s a terrific horse." Bank Note is co-owned by Trevor McKee in partnership with long-time Auckland stable clients Thayne Green (also an owner of Sunline) & John Wells (who previously raced Wellington Cup winner Flying Luskin & Auckland Cup winner Royal Tiara). Wells purchased Bank Note as a yearling for NZ$9,000. He is from the Lanfranco mare Take Note. NZ Thoroughbred Marketing reports: “Future plans for Bank Note could include a trip to the Brisbane winter carnival with the Queensland Guineas & Queensland Derby possible targets.” (March 12) Hunter Valley Breeder Frank Wilson Returns To NZ Hunter Valley breeding figure Frank Wilson “is returning to his homeland in New Zealand due to ill health,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Wilson, a former owner of NZ’s Evergreen Lodge where he bred 46 Gr1 winners, moved to Australia in the early 1980s to establish a stud farm near Scone. His Sunswift property imported American sprinter The Rogers Four as its foundation sire & he went on to produce the winners of more than 300 races. The Rogers Four is still active at stud in the Hunter Valley.Wilson has arranged a complete dispersal of his other horses at the Inglis Newmarket Mixed Sale in Sydney on April 11. Among mares to be offered are Cold Fire & Sterling Quartet (both by The Rogers Four) in foal to imported sire Beautiful Crown. Sterling Quartet (a grandaughter of Group winner Hasty Heart) won 8 races including events at Caulfield and Sandown, while Cold Fire has 9 country wins including 4 in record times. (March 12) Death of Hunter Breeder Ross Flynn Meanwhile the Hunter breeding fraternity is mourning the death of Ross Flynn, 75, former manager of his family’s famous Oakleigh Stud in the Widden Valley that was absorbed by Baramul Stud when that property was under the ownership of Sir Tristan Antico. Flynn has died on the Queensland Sunshine Coast, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. In its prime Oakleigh stood noted sires Red Gauntlet & Pirate King. (March 12) Cash ‘Incentives’ For Flemington Distance Race Trainers & Jockeys Victoria Racing Club chief executive Dale Monteith announced “an initiative to support the club’s program of distance races”: the 2003 Flemington Stayers Trainer Award & 2003 Flemington Stayers Rider Award. Objectives of the awards are to: increase the participation rate in long-distance races at Flemington & grow the pool of stayers generally; generate more awareness of the distance component of Flemington racing; foster a general appreciation of the art of successfully training & riding stayers; & progressively create more interest in the outcome of these races. Monteith noted: “The Awards will focus on VRC flat races of 2500m or further run between 1 January 2003 until Turnbull Stakes Day (October 4) 2003.” (There are 18 such races.) The Trainer Award involves a $50,000 prize to the trainer who scores the most points on a 10-7-5-3-1 basis according to 1st–5th finishing order in the races concerned; similarly the Rider Award involves a $20,000 prize to the rider who scores the most points on a 10-7-5-3-1 basis according to 1st–5th finishing order in the races concerned. Current Trainer leader-board: Bryce Stanaway 21; Richard Freyer 17; Roger James 17; Bradley Marzato 10; Brian Mayfield-Smith 10; Peter Morgan 10. Current Jockey leader-board: Damien Oliver 34; Reece Wheeler 18; Craig Newitt 17; Vincent Hall 10. (March 12) 2003 Wilburtins McDonald Thoroughbred Internet Awards The nominees have been announced for the 2003 Wilburtins McDonald Thoroughbred Internet Awards. Winners are announced annually at the Let It Ride.com Easter Margarita Party, held on the first evening of Sydney’s Easter Yearling Sale (this year on April 22). The awards acknowledge the efforts of designers, programmers, technicians, as well as the marketing managers & decision-makers who have pioneered use of the internet as a communication tool into the mainstream of commerce of the thoroughbred industry. (March 12) Tale Of The Cat's Stakes Tally Grows My Trusty Cat & Catalissa “added further lustre to the growing world-wide tally of stakes-winners for Tale Of The Cat” when successful in the US last weekend, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Making her 3YO debut, My Trusty Cat won the Listed Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park, while Catalissa won the Listed Texas Heritage Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. The North American wins accompanied Tale Of the Cat colt Inamorato’s 6-lengths triumph in the G2 Al Bastikiya Prestige Stakes at Nad al Sheba in Dubai, stamping him among Godolphin's top Kentucky Derby hopes for 2003. Tale Of The Cat was leading 2002 freshman sire for winners in the US & currently leads NZ’s First Season Sires table. His progeny made a huge impact at NZ’s Karaka yearling sales last year & his 2YOs are now hitting their straps throughout Australasia. In NZ this season Gr3 Eclipse Stakes winner Ubiquitous has been a flag-bearer, while another son Scaredee Cat was a stakes winner in Australia at the Melbourne spring carnival. (March 12) Glenmorgan Stud Boasts Cat Connection New Zealand’s Glenmorgan Stud is boasting its connection with Tale Of The Cat, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. In 2002 Glenmorgan stood Tale Of The Cat’s multiple Gr1 winning half-brother Minardi, who was rated Champion 2YO of Europe in 2000. Minardi will be returning to stand at Glenmorgan in 2003 at an unchanged fee of NZ$15,000 plus GST. (March 12) Storm Cat Makes Mark As Sire of Sires Meanwhile Tale Of The Cat’s sire Storm Cat continues to make his mark as both a sire & sire of sires. (Storm Cat led the US sires’ table in 2002, with 15 individual stakes winners.) Storm Cat’s reputation as a sire of sires in Australasia was further enhanced at the weekend when Living Spirit, a daughter of Hennessy, won the Gr3 T.B.V. Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes for 2YO’s at Flemington. “The success of Tale Of The Cat & Hennessy augurs well for another son of Storm Cat set to make his mark as an exciting sire prospect,” noted thoroughbrednews.co.nz. European classic winner Black Minnaloushe stood his 1st southern hemisphere season at NZ’s Windsor Park Stud last spring & covered 122 blue-chip mares. An unbeaten stakes-winning 2YO & dual Gr1-winning 3YO, Black Minnaloushe returns for his 2nd southern sojourn in August. (March 12) Silverbulletday Produces Filly By Storm Cat And in North America, 2-time champion Silverbulletday produced her 2nd foal, a bay filly by Storm Cat, at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The daughter of Silver Deputy (out of Rokeby Rose, by Tom Rolfe) will be bred back to Storm Cat. Silverbulletday earned US champion honors as a 2YO & 3YO for owner Mike Pegram by winning 5 Gr1 races, including the 1998 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, 1999 Gr1 Kentucky Oaks & 1999 Gr1 Alabama Stakes. She retired after the 2000 season with US$3,093,207 in earnings. Silverbulletday’s 1st foal is an unnamed yearling colt by A.P.Indy. (March 12) Early 2003 US Juvenile Auction Trends: Concentration At Top US breeding bible The Thoroughbred Times has analysed the first 3 major North American juvenile actions of 2003 (February Ocala Breeders, Fasig-Tipton Calder & Barretts March Selected 2YOs-In-Training) & summed up: They “held their own globally”, but exhibited growing “concentration at the top.” In a nutshell: overall statistics for 2002 & 2003 are almost identical (4.9% more horses sold, average down 3.7% to US$158,006, total receipts 1.1% higher, & buy-back rate virtually the same). However detailed analysis revealed: the average price for the 34 most expensive horses sold (the top 10% of the market) climbed 16.4% higher; conversely the average price for every other 10% slice of the market for selected 2YOs declined. Worse still, average price for 2YOs smack in the middle of the price range declined more than 20%. The Thoroughbred Times summed up: “When 2YO consignors complain that there is no middle market, they are right. It is clear that, without the 5 7-figure horses sold at the 3 sales, these results would look very depressing indeed.” Topped by last week’s spectacular world-record price of US$2.7-million for a Sea Of Secrets colt at Barretts, those 5 horses added US$7.3 million to the total receipts for the 3 sales; without those 5, total receipts would have declined 10.7% & the average would have dropped 12.6%. (March 12) Unraced Son Of A.P.Indy To Stand In Arkansas Heatherway Inc’s A.P.Million, an unraced son of Kentucky sire A.P.Indy, will stand his first season in 2003 at Diamond Legends Farm in Arkansas, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 3YO is the 2nd foal out of Brink (by Forty Niner), a winning half-sister to stakes winners District & Spire. He is a half-brother to Future Minister (a winning son of Deputy Minister) & a 2YO Forestry filly named Stoic. (March 12) Arromanches To Stand In West Virginia Arromanches, a stakes-placed winning son of Relaunch, will stand at Cyndy O’Bannon’s Beau Ridge Farm near historic Bunker Hill in West Virginia, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Nicknamed the “gray win machine,” the 10-year-old won 31 of 78 career starts over 8 racing seasons – including 10-in-a-row during a 9-month stretch from May 2001-February 2002 at Monmouth Park, Belmont Park & Aqueduct. "We looked at his past performance & almost could not believe this horse," O’Bannon quipped. "He’s gonna offer speed & soundness." Bred in Virginia by Burning Daylight Farms, Arromanches is out of the stakes-winning Sauce Boat mare Perfect Roux. (March 12) Florida Stallion Mister Jolie Dies While Breeding Florida stallion Mister Jolie, half-brother to Gr1 winner Jolie’s Halo & sire of 4 stakes winners from his first 3 crops, has died at Hidden Point Farm in Florida from a ruptured aorta during breeding. Mister Jolie was 13. Hidden Point Farm manager Barry Long told thoroughbredtimes.com: "He was one of the better looking stallions by Valid Appeal. He showed a lot of talent during his career & already has shown a lot of versatility as a sire." Mister Jolie sired stakes winners on turf & dirt, including: Joseph O’Farrell Stakes winner Hana Highway; & Rapid Ryan, winner of the 2001 Kevin McHugh Memorial Handicap at Rockingham. Mister Jolie won 7 of 21 career starts, including a pair of stakes. Out of the unraced Sir Ivor mare Jolie Jolie, Mister Jolie is a half-brother to Jolie’s Halo, stakes winners Cougarized & Pleasant Jolie, & stakes producer Northern Jolie. (March 12) Full Sister To Riskaverse Born At Valkyre Stud The Bink has produced her 4th foal, a filly by Dynaformer, at Catherine Parke’s Valkyre Stud in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The filly’s breeding makes her a full sister to 2002 Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes winner Riskaverse & a half-sister to 2001 Gr3 Valley View Stakes winner Cozzy Corner. Valkyre Stud raised Riskaverse, whom his breeder Fox Ridge Farm has campaigned to 5 wins from 13 starts. (March 12) Lead Kindly Light Dies While Foaling US Gr3 winner Lead Kindly Light, dam of Gr1 winner Gold Fever & stakes winner Emanating, has died at Kentucky’s Claiborne Farm while foaling a Quiet American filly (who also died). Claiborne assistant manager Gus Koch told thoroughbredtimes.com: "She was a kindly matron who was very well liked. We just hated to lose her." Bred & owned by Cynthia Phipps, the 20-year-old daughter of Majestic Light had not been booked to a stallion for the 2003 breeding season. Out of Gr1-placed winning Damascus mare Arabian Dancer (a half-sister to multiple Gr1 winner Versailles Treaty), Lead Kindly Light was a half-sister to Gr3 winner & Kentucky sire Out of Place. Gold Fever won 7 of 18 career starts, including the 1996 Gr1 NYRA Mile Handicap, Gr3 Discovery Handicap & Gr3 Riva Ridge Stakes. Emanating won the 1998 Polly Drummond Stakes & placed in the Gr1 Test Stakes (G1), Gr2 Lake Placid Handicap & Gr3 All Along Stakes. Lead Kindly Light herself won 6 from 23 starts, including the 1987 Gr3 Athenia Handicap. (March 12) Irish Bookmaker’s Advertisement Sparks Controversy Wednesdsay morning odd-spot! Complaints about a “suggestive advertisement” for British bookmaking firm Paddy Power, showing 2 schoolchildren kissing on a park bench, are being investigated by the UK’s advertising watchdog, reported racingpost.co.uk. In the advertisement, the boy has his arm around the girl who has "Evens" written across her blouse & "2-1" shown on her skirt. Complainants said the advertisement was "irresponsible" & “encouraged under-age sex.” It is 1 of 3 Paddy Power advertisements “under investigation by the Advertising Standards Authority.” Paddy Power was ordered to withdraw a poster 2 years ago after the ASA ruled it was “offensive to old people”: it made fun of 2 elderly women crossing the road in the path of an on-coming lorry. (March 12) Dubai Possibility For Newmarket Winner Belle Du Jour Plans for dual Australian Gr1 winner Belle Du Jour remain “up in the air,” reported racenet.com.au. The 5YO mare, trained by Clarry Conners, was due to go to the quarantine paddock at Strawberry Hills Stud tomorrow in preparation for Europe, but now these plans may be put aside. Conners explained: "John Singleton is calling an emergency meeting! The offers are flying in thick & fast now she's won the Newmarket. They want her in Dubai for the Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m). I don't need a meeting I know where I want to take her & that's Dubai! If she goes to France I lose her; if she goes to Dubai she stays with me & I take her there.” Conners noted the Dubai Golden Shaheen is worth US$2 million & is run on dirt over 1200m for 3Yos & up: "It's 3 weeks away (on March 29) & the run & timing would be perfect for her. She would fly out next week & have 10 days in which to settle in before the race." (March 11) Northerly Cruises to Victory In Gr1 Australian Cup Meanwhile Australia’s weight-for-age champion Northerly (Serheed-North Bell) took his career record to 19 wins, 5 2nds & 2 3rds (just 5 unplaced) from 31 starts, when he easily accounted for his rivals in the $1.25 million Gr1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington yesterday. The 4-lengths win took 6YO gelding Northerly’s prize-money total to $8,855,950 - 2nd behind Sunline’s $11.2 million on Australasia’s all-time list; following Northerly are: Tie The Knot $6.2 million; Octagonal $5.89 million; Super Impose $5.66 million; Might And Power $5.27 million; Better Loosen Up $4.77 million; & Ethereal $4.76 million). (March 11) Serheed Maintains Lead On Aust Sires List Northerly’s continued success means that, although he has sired just 2 stakes winners all season, the deceased Nijinsky stallion Serheed remains on track to become the first ever West Australian-based sire to win the Australian Sires Premiership. Northerly’s Gr1 Australian Cup victory “added a further $817,500 to the $1 million lead Serheed currently experiences over 2nd placed Danehill,” reported racenet.com.au. While Danehill has unearthed several leading Golden Slipper candidates, Northerly remains aimed at a similarly lucrative series of feature weight-for-age staying races during the up-coming Sydney autumn carnival. Result: it will take an extremely favourable set of circumstances for Danehill to topple Serheed for the title. Northerly is currently heading for the $400,000 Gr1 Ranvet Stakes on March 29 & $2 million Gr1 The BMW on April 12, possibly followed by a tilt at the $3 million Singapore International Cup on May 17. (March 11) Winestock Wins Gr1 VRC Sires Produce Stakes In Australia’s other Gr1 event at Flemington yesterday, 2YO Winestock won the $400,000 Gr1 VRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) from Fresh Boy. It was a case of deja vu for many spectators, as the duo had also filled the quinella in last month’s $500,000 Inglis Premier Race – Winestock sold for $21,000 at the Inglis 2002 Melbourne Premier Sale & Fresh Boy sold for $30,000 at the same sale. As jockey Brett Prebble brought Winestock back to the official enclosure, elated trainer Terry O’Sullivan declared: “Sensational ride. It’s a wonderful thrill. I’ve never trained a Gr1 winner before. We only paid $21,000 for him - he’s bloody cheap now!” Winestock’s winnings now top $500,000. Bred at Emirates Park in Victoria, Winestock is by El Moxie from Philhal (now deceased), a winning half-sister to former smart Kiwi juvenile Tasman Dancer. (March 11) Gr1 Sires Produce ‘3-On-The-Trot’ For Inglis Inglis sale graduates have taken out the last 3 runnings of the time honoured Gr1 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes. Winestock ($21,000 at 2002 Premier Sale) joins previous winners Pillaging ($45,000 at 2001 Classic Sale) & Spectatorial (2000 Easter $80,000 at 2000 Easter sale). (March 11) Scarce El Moxie Youngsters At Melbourne Autumn Sale In the aftermath of Winestock’s VRC Sires Produce Stakes victory, Inglis bloodstock consultant Tara Madgwick also noted: “El Moxie has been enjoying a real purple patch of late &, if you’re in the market for one of his yearlings. then you’d better grab a catalogue for the 2003 Autumn Yearling Sale at Oaklands in Melbourne (April 7-8). In 2001, El Moxie produced just 29 live foals, so his yearlings are a bit tough to find. We have 4 catalogued for Autumn, 3 colts & a filly, all from the Emirates Park operation at Diggers Rest in Victoria.” (March 11) Pride of Tahnee Boasts 8th Consecutive Winner At the other end of the racing spectrum from Northerly & Winestock’s high-profile triumphs at Flemington, Aucash For All won a lowly maiden at Sale. Significantly the 4YO gelded son of Octagonal became the 8th consecutive winner for wonderful broodmare Pride Of Tahnee (Best Western-Tahnee’s Pride, by Boucher), reported racenet.com.au. Aucash For All is a half-brother to: VATC Gr1 Oakleigh Plate winner Singing The Blues (by Bluebird); STC Gr1 George Ryder Stakes winner & $1.4 million earner Referral (by Dr Grace); & $4.5 million earner Shogun Lodge (by Grand Lodge) who has competed in 50 consecutive stakes races with 12 wins & 18 places (including victories in the Gr1 AJC George Main Stakes, Gr1 AJC Epsom Handicap & Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes). Pride Of Tahnee has produced only one foal since Aucash For All, a colt also by Octagonal purchased for $300,000 at the 2002 Easter Yearling Sale. (March 11) Lashed Proves A Bargain Buy Top filly Lashed returned to the winner’s circle over the weekend with victory in the Gr2 VRC Kewney Stakes at Flemington. The daughter of Encosta de Lago has now earned $600,000 in prize-money for owner Sir Patrick Hogan – not bad for a $40,000 purchase at the 2001 Inglis Premier sale. In addition, of course, she’ll also make a lovely addition to the Cambridge Stud broodmare band when her racing days are over. (March 11) New Stakes-Winner For Tristalove Tristalove’s daughter Diamond Like won her first stakes race, the Listed CJC Melbourne Racing Club Lightning Handicap, in track record time at Trentham in New Zealand at the weekend. The 3YO Danehill filly beat the older horses by nearly 5 lengths, running a blistering 55.21 seconds for 1000m. Cambridge Stud will offer a half-brother to Diamond Like & her recently retired Gr1-winning brother Viking Ruler at this year’s Inglis Easter Sale. “The Grand Lodge colt is guaranteed to be one of the star attractions during the final session,” predicted Inglis marketing manager Melissa O’Gorman. (March 11) Fly To The Stars Filly Tops Ashwell Farm Sale NZ’s Ashwell Farm conducted its innovative Japanese-style Foal Sale over the weekend. The event commenced with a parade of Ashwell Farm's 4 resident stallions: D'Cash: Shinko King (sire of recent Gr1 NZ Oaks winning filly Bramble Rose); Painted Black: & Kingfisher Mill. Highest price of the sale was NZ$33,000 for a filly by first crop sire Fly To The Stars out of Peat (making her a half-sister to Gr2 winner & multiple Gr1 placed galloper Travellin' Man). A total of 20 foals sold for an average of NZ$7,153. (March 11) David Hayes Lands Treble in Hong Kong Expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes scored a treble at Sha Tin on the weekend to cement 3rd spot (with 32 season winners) on the current Hong Kong trainers’ premiership table – but still 16 wins behind run-away leader & fellow Aussie expat John Size (48 wins). And former Sydney hoop Shane Dye remains co-leader in the race for the HK jockeys’ title, tied on 52 wins with South African Douglas Whyte; they’re 13 clear of the rest of the field. (March 11) Que Expresion Takes Gr1 Singapore Lion City Cup Que Expresion won the weight-for-age S$350,000 (A$330,000) Gr1 Singapore Lion City Cup (1200m) at Kranji by over 2 lengths from Bon Amie & Gunong Mas. The Lion City Cup is also the first leg of the 2003 Singapore Sprint Series. (March 11) Starrer Lands US Gr1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap Favourite Starrer won the US$300,000 Gr1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (9 furlongs) at Santa Anita, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, the 5YO daughter of Dynaformer’s time of 1:48.20 was the fastest for the Santa Margarita (restricted to older fillies & mares) since Paseana won the 1992 edition in 1:47.48 en route to her first Eclipse Award as champion older mare. Since finishing 4th to eventual Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff in October, Starrer has reeled off 3 consecutive wins (the latest follows the Gr1 Santa Maria Handicap on February 16 & Gr2 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park on December 15). Bred by Wind Hill Farm, Starrer now has 6 wins & 8 placings in 20 starts (& US$1,043,033 prize-money) for owner George Krikorian, who purchased her for US$35,000 at the 1999 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. She is one of 5 winners out of the graded stakes-placed Relaunch mare To The Hunt (a half-sister to Gr2 winner American Royale). (March 11) Pimilco & Laurel Park US$420 Million ‘Overhaul’ If Slots Approved The Maryland Jockey Club has announced a massive US$420-million plan to rebuild Pimlico Race Course & Laurel Park, provided the state’s General Assembly approves Governor Robert Ehrlich’s plan to add 11,500 slot machines to the state’s racetracks. Ehrlich’s proposal would put 3,500 slot machines at each of Pimlico, Laurel & Rosecroft Raceway, plus another 1,000 machines at a track to be built in Allegany County. According to the construction plans, the grandstands & club-houses at Pimlico & Laurel would be rebuilt to accommodate the slots. Maryland Jockey Club’s chief operating officer Lou Raffetto told the Baltimore Sun newspaper: "The plan is to do everything first-class, including the horse barns. If we get slots, the amount of work that needs to be done is incredible. It will take an effort of gigantic proportions. But there’s no thinking it’s not going to happen. Everybody is looking forward to the end result — 2 new racetracks & a training center we can be proud of." Should the state approve slots, Maryland Jockey Club will begin tearing down Laurel in April & Pimlico in June, with construction to begin in November. Work at Pimlico would be completed in time for the Gr1 Preakness Stakes to be run there as scheduled in 2004. (March 11) Horse Racing Ireland’s 5-Year Strategic Plan Horse Racing Ireland’s Strategic Plan for the Development of the Irish Thoroughbred Industry 2003–2007 has been launched by Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism John O’Donogue. The plan details the “key goals & strategies which will enable HRI to achieve its mission of developing & promoting Ireland as a world centre of excellence for horseracing & breeding.” The 5-Year Strategic Plan is available on the website www.horseracingireland.ie. (March 11) Elusive Quality, Street Cry & Noverre Join Darley Aust Roster Darley has announced a roster of 10 international stallions – including 5 new sires – to stand at its Aberdeen stud in the NSW Hunter Valley for the 2003 breeding season. The new Darley shuttle sires are US champion Elusive Quality, Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry, champion European miler Noverre, multiple Gr1 winner Tobougg & US Group winner E Dubai. Also returning after missing the 2002 southern hemisphere breeding season is King’s Best. They will supplement the return of Darley’s 2002 Hunter Valley-based shuttle sires Carnegie, Fantastic Light, Xaar & Lujain. The expansion of the Darley roster follows the purchase of the Kelvinside property of former jockey Hilton Cope, which has been re-developed by Darley. (March 10) Don’t Forget . . . Tobougg & E Dubai Too Darley’s Australian manager Oliver Tait summed up: “Darley has selected an exceptional roster of horses to join Carnegie for the 2003 season. We have several who are noted for their excellence at 2, others who have set records & numerous champions. All are extremely well-bred & we are particularly pleased to be able to introduce to Australia a proven stallion as exciting & as brilliant as Elusive Quality. He’s already produced 2 stakes winners to Danzig line mares, which bodes well for a big future here in Australia.” Details of the 5 new stallions are: Elusive Quality (Gone West): was champion US freshman sire in 2002; produced 8 stakes-winners from his sensational first crop including Gr1 winner Elusive City. Street Cry (Machiavellian): highest rated juvenile of his generation in the US & winner of the Gr1 Dubai World Cup; retired last year as the highest rated horse in the world in 2002. Noverre (Rahy): brilliant European champion 3YO miler & Gr1 juvenile regarded as the most precocious son of champion sire Rahy. Tobougg (Barathea): unbeaten champion UK juvenile colt after winning Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes (beating Mozart) & Gr1 Prix de la Salamandre; as a 3YO, finished 3rd in the 2nd fastest Epsom Derby in history. E Dubai (Mr. Prospector): winner of Dwyer Stakes in record time, emulating other outstanding Mr Prospector stallions Seeking The Gold & Gone West. (March 10) And Then There’s . . . King’s Best, Carnegie & Fantastic Light! Darley manager Oliver Tait added he was sure the return of King’s Best (Kingmambo), a world champion miler who was prevented from returning to Australia last spring due to injury, will be another major asset for Darley this year, alongside Carnegie (who began his shuttle seasons in New Zealand, where he produced outstanding classic winners Amalfi & Carnegie Express). Also returning are: World Racing Series champion & record-breaking Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Fantastic Light, who successfully completed his first Australian season in 2002; Xaar, the highest rated juvenile standing in Australia; & Lujain, winner of Europe’s top 6-furlong race for youngsters. (March 10) Dubai Pulls Out Of World Racing Series The future of the 14-event World Racing Series “is in doubt following the withdrawal of the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The series, launched in Dubai in 1999 (including the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley as its Australian leg), has been without a sponsor since 2001 when Emirates Airlines withdrew its support. Dubai World Cup committee chairman Les Benton said World Series executives “have been notified of the withdrawal,” but he did not reveal reasons for the decision. The Dubai World Cup will be run for the 8th time at Nad Al Sheba on March 29 & was also scheduled as first leg of the 2003 World Racing Series (the opening event will now be the Gr1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong on April 27). (March 10) Farish Raises Doubts About Dubai World Cup Meeting Meanwhile William Farish, US Ambassador to Great Britain & one of the most powerful figures in American racing (as owner of Kentucky’s famous Lanes End Farm), has “expressed doubts about the Dubai World Cup meeting being held as planned on March 29, due to the threat of war with Iraq,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. US media have reported Farish regards war with Iraq as “inevitable” & fears it may result in the cancellation of the Dubai World Cup program. "I think it’s going to be a very tough decision for them," Farish told the Lexington Herald-Leader, referring to World Cup officials. "Nobody knows whether we’re going to war or not, or how long it’s going to last if we do." Farish said he believes the Iraqi crisis will come to a head by the end of the week. (March 10) Dubai World Cup ‘Definitely On’ Replies Les Benton But Dubai World Cup Committee chairman Les Benton replied the world’s richest race meeting is definitely on - & this year’s program will boast a record number of international runners. Benton declared: “The Dubai World Cup will go ahead. There is absolutely no doubt. Recent reports are totally inaccurate & incorrect. All systems are go for March 29 & we are looking forward to staging the most successful Dubai World Cup to date. We are anticipating a record number of overseas runners & the highest number of American entries for the event." (March 10) Ipi Tombe & Grandera Shine At Dubai ‘Super Saturday’ On the racetrack itself, outstanding South African mare Ipi Tombe firmed as favourite for the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Duty Free on March 29’s Dubai World Cup program with another dominant performance in the Gr3 Jebel Hatta on the inaugural ‘Super Saturday’ program at Nad Al Sheba. Trainer Mike de Kock confirmed Ipi Tombe will run in the Dubai Duty Free & not the Dubai World Cup: “The plan has been for the Dubai Duty Free & it is a little late to change our minds now. There was a time when we thought about the Dubai World Cup. I think she’ll act on dirt, but the partners were a little hesitant & you can’t blame them. She handles the turf so well, so why start experimenting now?” And reigning World Series champion Grandera (Grand Lodge-Bordighera, by Alysheba) scored in the Gr2 Maktoum Challenge Round 3 over 2000m. However after the race there was speculation trainer Saeed bin Suroor was pondering whether to press ahead for the US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup or revert to the turf for the Dubai Duty Free. Godolphin already has ruling Dubai World Cup favourite Moon Ballad, while a switch to the Dubai Duty Free would see Grandera take on Ipi Tombe, a mouth-watering prospect for spectators. (Grandera’s sire, Gr1 winner Grand Lodge, shuttles between Coolmore in Ireland & Woodlands Stud in Australia.) (March 10) Aust Trainers Branded ‘Gutless’ & ‘Chicken-Hearted’ Meanwhile provocative Daily Telegraph columnist Jeff Wells, under the headline “Locals Take Easy Money”, noted that Les Benton last week branded the trainers of Australia’s best horses “gutless” for boycotting this year’s World Cup program. Wells declared this morning: “The Americans are flocking to join the European & Godolphin stars. . . But our best are staying at home, mostly avoiding each other & feasting on the easy pickings. Today’s weak $1.25 million Australian Cup at Flemington, with Northerly at odds-on, is a stark example. . . Australian racing remains a house of cards, albeit a royal deck. . . Benton has a point. It is a world game now & we are looking chicken-hearted. . . Maybe there is too much money in our racing.” (March 10) River Serenade Tops Inglis Melb March Thoroughbred Sale Baramul Stud paid $80,000 for River Serenade (by Hurricane Sky) to top the Inglis Melbourne March Thoroughbred Sale in Victoria. Sold by Contract Racing, the 3YO is a winning sister to recent Gr1 Oakleigh Plate winner River Dove (both out of the stakes-winner Ride The Rapids). VATC Rancher Stakes winner Ebony Night sold for $56,000. And Seaside Attraction, with a filly foal at foot to Last Tycoon & in foal to Rubiton, sold for $50,000 to Mark Pilkington. Overall the sale grossed $1,295,640 for 270 lots sold, with an 88% clearance rate. (March 10) Metal Storm Filly Takes Perth Magic Millions Classic Trainer David Harrison’s filly Rose Of Thunder (Metal Storm-Zarta Rose) won the $102,000 Sportingbet Australia Perth Magic Millions Classic (1100m) at Ascot. Rose Of Thunder was purchased for $50,000 at last year’s Perth Yearling sale & was bred at Mungrup Stud. She is by Metal Storm from Zarta Rose, a half-sister to top NZ filly Stone Rose. The MM Classic place-getters were Pretty Smik & Woodlore. The winners’s stablemate & race favourite Buster’s Yousha finished 4th. Trainer Harrison bought Buster’s Yousha at last year’s Perth Yearling sale for just $11,000 - & had already tripled his return before the weekend’s race. Buster’s Yousha is by Chanteclair out of the good race mare Regal Rebecca (a winner of 8 races). Her full sister is listed for the 2nd day of selling at this week’s Magic Millions sale, which begins tomorrow at Belmont Park. (March 10) Untouchable’s Debut Adds Another Danehill To Slipper Mix The win by Untouchable (owned by Darley Australia) on debut at Randwick also excited super-sire Danehill’s supporters at Coolmore, who already count top Danehill juveniles Exceed And Excel & Olympus among the leading contenders for Australia’s premier 2YO sprint, the $3 million Gr1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on April12. Exuberant trainer Gai Waterhouse declared Untouchable (Danehill-Canny Miss) is “the best colt I’ve got.” She told The Sun-Herald the $950,000 blue-blood will “rattle the Slipper. He’s got power, height, strength & wonderful reach as he gallops. This run will bring him on in leaps & bounds.” The other top Danehill Slipper contenders are with leading trainers Clarry Connors (Olympus) & Tim Martin (Exceed And Excel). (March 10) Tidy Reports 70% Increase in Early Slipper Betting Betting interest in this year's Golden Slipper is “higher than ever, with leading Sydney bookmaker Col Tidy reporting a 70& increase on this time last year,” noted aapracingandsports.com.au. Tidy has Blue Diamond Stakes winner Roedean favourite for the Slipper, but said punters were flocking to horses not yet assured of a start: "There's a lot of interest in horses like Exceed And Excel, who didn't step out until last Thursday at Canterbury. Resister. who finished 4th to him, is another one they want, along with Niello. But I think the form all comes back to the Blue Diamond. It is genuine Gr1 form & Roedean & Kusi, who finished 2nd, are the ones to beat. We're holding 70% more than at this time a year ago. The interest in this year's Slipper is unbelievable. It looks like being the biggest betting Golden Slipper in my time." (The John Hawkes-trained Niello, a full brother to Lonhro, is scheduled to contest a Warwick Farm barrier trial tomorrow ahead of his return to racing.) Tidy’s latest betting market is: 6-1 Rodean & Secret Land; 7-1 Hasna, Untouchable, Kusi & Legally Bay; 10-1 Exceed And Excel & Polar Success; 14-1 Niello; 16-1 Ultimate Fever; 20-1 Olympus & How Funny. (March 10) Belle Du Jour Grabs $1 Million Gr1 Newmarket Before European Trip Belle Du Jour (ridden by Danny Nikolic) landed the $1 million Gr1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington in what may have been her last Australian start. She is scheduled to enter quarantine on Wednesday before heading to the French stables of John Hammond next month, followed by a stud trip to Danehill at Coolmore in Ireland later in the year. However The Daily Telegraph reported owners John Singleton, Gerry Rose & Bob Hawke are now considering (before she departs for Europe): one more Australian run, possibly in the Gr1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill later this month; or a tilt at the $3.25 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) on the March 29 Dubai World Cup program; or Singapore’s $1 million Kris Flyer Sprint (1200m). Meanwhile at Flemington, emotional trainer Clarry Conners pulled out his handkerchief & cried tears of joy after the 5YO daughter of Dehere added another Gr1 victory to her previous success in the 2000 Gr1 Golden Slipper. Conners told The Sun-Herald: "They say Golden Slipper winners don't race on, but she has - & always in the highest calibre races. I’ve been telling everyone that she's the best she's been in her life. She's just flying. She’s been a beautiful mare to me over the last 3 years.” Belle Du Jour (who won from Bel Esprit & Super Impressive) now has 9 wins & 8 placings from 31 career starts & just under $3 million in prize-money. Running into a head-wind, Belle Du Jour's time of 1:08.64 was only 1.48 seconds outside the course record held by Iglesia. (March 10) Thorn Park Caps Wonderful Week For Spinning World It’s been a huge week for Coolmore’s stallion Spinning World. He’s notched 2 winners in Japan (3YO Siberian Hawk & 4YO Spinning Magic), 2 winners in America (Commander’s Flag & Cycle of Life) & a 5-length blitz by Kepler in England. Then to top off the week came 3YO Thorn Park’s (Spinning World-Joy) commanding victory in the $150,000 Gr2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. (March 10) Big Week For Coolmore’s Peintre Celebre And don’t forget Coolmore’s Peintre Celebre. Himself a Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), Grand Prix de Paris & Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe winner as a 3YO, his first northern-hemisphere 3YOs are gearing up for their Classic trials. In Italy his 3YO colt Picasso Blu began his own Classic lead-up with a 3-length victory. Meanwhile in Australia Peintre Celebre had another winner from his first small (northern hemisphere conceived) crop, with the victory in Melbourne of Gooree Pastoral Company’s Lee Freedman-trained filly Lianga Bay. And the tip from inside the Coolmore camp: Watch for Gai Waterhouse’s recent trial winner Moon Mambo, another Gooree colour-bearer. (March 10) Hennessy Lands 3-State Treble Former Coolmore shuttle stallion Hennessy landed a 3-state treble (including a pair of stakes races) on the weekend, noted racenet.com.au. Swettenham Stud’s homebred 2YO filly Living Spirit (Hennessy-Livelihood, by Rory’s Jester) won the $151,000 Gr3 T.B.V. Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1200m) at Flemington; 3YO filly For The Good Times (Hennessy-Auvergne Miss, by Semipalatinsk) notched her 4th win in 6 starts in the $40,000 Listed Malaysia Airlines Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville; & 4YO gelding Grand Armee (Hennessy–Tambou, by Marauding) won his 4th race from 5 starts in the $50,000 Lindemans Wines Handicap (1200m) at Randwick. Hennessy (Storm Cat-Island Kitty, by Hawaii) shuttled to Australia for 5 seasons from 1997 to 2001. (March 10) Ustinov Seeking Stud Home A new home “is being sought for the royally-bred stallion prospect Ustinov,” reported The Australian newspaper. Breeder-owner Denis Marks announced Ustinov’s retirement on the weekend & “is keen to place the 4YO bay horse in a stud career.” Gr2 winner Ustinov is by Mr Prospector horse Seeking The Gold from champion staying mare Let’s Elope (by Nassipour). (March 10) Matter Of Honour Banned For Life Paul Perry's Matter Of Honour (a half-brother to former champion & Melbourne Cup winner Might And Power) has been banned from racing for life in Australia after bleeding for the 2nd time. Despite bleeding from both nostrils, the promising sprinter finished 2nd behind Belle Ball over 1400m at Flemington. “Perry believes the horse could now race on in the USA, where he can be treated for the problem with Lasix,” reported racenet.com.au. Matter Of Honour has had 30 starts for 7 wins, 7 placings & $387,585 in prize-money. (March 10) Aust 800m Record Set At Dalby The Dalby Race Club boasts “the honour of now holding an Australian record for an 800m sprint,” reported racenet.com.au. Star Of Florida easily won the 800m $10,000 Open Santro Ainsworth Lightning in a new record of 43.87secs. Dalby spokesperson Michael Kelly, who spent last week trying to confirm an official Australian 800m record, said: "We contacted the Brisbane stewards &, after some ringing around, they said the record in Tasmania was 45 seconds for the half-mile. The Ipswich 800m record is also 45, but Dalby's best prior to today was 44.7 run by Our Emily Rosie in February 1997." Star Of Florida (ridden by Dan Craven & carrying 58kgs) won by 3.5 three lengths. (March 10) Section Timing Via Chip In Jockey’s Cap Accurate sectional timing was discussed at last week’s Asian Racing Conference in Auckland. The Sydney Morning Herald reported former AJC & HKJC chief steward John Schreck explained how HK racing authorities “searched the world & came up with a timing system from Israel which has a transponder (put in the jockey’s cap) about the size of a credit card. It measures via satellite the distance a horse covers in a race & the speed it travels from one point to another.” (March 10) Advisory Panel To Help Young Jockeys Racing NSW stewards have authorised formation of a new Riders’ Advisory Panel to help “correct mistakes & errors of judgment by apprentices & inexperienced riders” under guidance from high-profile senior jockeys. Racing NSW chairman of stewards Ray Murrihy explained: “We believe this is a stepping stone to helping young riders move up the ranks by receiving advice as to how & why a certain incident may have happened - & how to prevent it in the future. Once one of our stewards pin-points an error with a youngster’s riding, which needs to be addressed, we will then refer the rider - in the company of their master - to the panel for corrective advice. We have been discussing this at length with the NSW Jockeys Association & at this stage, members would include Malcolm Fitzgerald (Racing NSW Apprentice Mentor) & jockeys like Darren Beadman & even some former riders. It is an exciting initiative & is likely to be much less traumatic for a youngster than having to face a panel of stewards.” Paul Innes, secretary of the NSW Jockeys Association, commented: “This is an excellent initiative & it can only help make our apprentices better & safer riders. It will go a long way to improving safety in our sport.” Australian Trainer’s Association (NSW Branch) President Ron Leemon added: “I am fully supportive of anything which educates the riders of the future.” (March 10) Jockey Charged With Murder Meanwhile a “shocking tragedy” in Rockhampton has resulted in Queensland jockey Jason Piper being arrested for murder. Det-Sgt Paul Dalton from Rockhampton police told racenet.com.au: "We can confirm that Jason Piper has been arrested for the murder of a 16-year-old male, Ronald Andrew Brown, & that Piper has been remanded in custody for a date to be fixed for the next court hearing." Police said Brown died of multiple stab wounds, with the weapon believed to have been a kitchen knife. Piper, who is based in Rockhampton, has had 165 rides in the last 12 months for 24 wins & 43 placings, but was recently stood down due to on-going weight problems. (March 10) Mitsubishi’s $1 Million Sponsorship For Country Racing Queensland Racing announced a new 2-year sponsorship arrangement with Mitsubishi Motors Australia, through sponsorship of the 2003 Mitsubishi Country Cups Thoroughbred Racing Series. The overall national sponsorship, which is unique & the first multi-state deal of its type, involves Queensland, NSW, Victoria & South Australia & will inject over $1 million into country racing across the nation over the next 2 years. In Queensland, the sponsorship will provide an additional $180,000 in race prize-money alone. "Mitsubishi is proud to show our support & commitment to Australian rural communities, who have been struggling with tough times due to the drought," said Mitsubishi’s national marketing manager Richard Emery. "The local Cup day is the one day on the sporting calendar when the whole community comes together as one. Mitsubishi wants to help celebrate that community spirit. We hope this sponsorship will provide them with the opportunity to further enjoy country racing." Queensland Racing regional operations manager Col Truscott added: "All 12 participating race clubs in this State are very enthusiastic about the sponsorship of the series, which will take racing to a higher level." (March 10) NZ 3YO Star St Reims Heading To Sydney NZ Mercedes Derby winner St Reims (by Zabeel) returned to NZ racing with victory in the Cellacc Metric Mile (1600m) at Hastings. The brother of former top race mare Champagne is now booked to fly to Sydney at the end of March – with owner Rob McAnulty, trainer Chris McNab & jockey Greg Childs targetting the $500,000 Rosehill Guineas & $2 million Gr1 AJC Derby at Randwick. (March 10) New Racing Bill Goes Through NZ Parliament The New Zealand Parliament passed the revolutionary Racing Bill on Friday. It abolishes both the NZ Racing Industry Board & NZ Totalisator Agency Board & replaces them with a merged entity called the New Zealand Racing Board. Racing Industry Board & TAB chairman Rick Bettle told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "This has been a long process involving years of industry consultaton to achieve broad agreement on the shape of the Bill. It is an important piece of legislation which will reduce the uncertainty in the industry & provide substantial benefits. We look forward to efficient, streamlined administration with better co-ordination of services. Racing will have much more control over its own affairs & greater responsibility & accountability for its actions. We will be able to take advantage of technological changes & maximise contributions to racing & those involved in it. The NZRB’s key roles will be to promote racing, facilitate & promote betting on races & sports, as well as maximising profits for the long-term benefit of NZ racing.” (March 10) Come See You Takes Singapore Classic Trainer Ivan Allan’s Hong Kong raider Come See You (Sri Pekan-Landrail, by Storm Bird) won the S$1 million (A$940,000) Singapore Classic over 1800m. Come See You (ridden by Weichong Marwing) nosed out Moon Shadow (by Bellotto), with local hero & 2002 Singapore Horse-Of-The-Year Smart Bet (by Cossack Warrior) 3rd. Come See You has now won 4 of his 19 races. (March 10) Composure Noses Elloluv In Gr1 Santa Anita Oaks Composure (by Touch Gold) edged out arch-rival Elloluv in the US$300,000 Gr1 Santa Anita Oaks – a repeat of their finish in the Gr1 Las Virgenes Stakes a month ago. Composure has now won 4 of her 8 starts & jockey Jerry Bailey told thoroughbredtimes.com she “could be a good fit” in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby: “It’s a tough challenge for a filly, but if you get one that’s good enough, I have no problem with it. Trainer Bob Baffert doesn’t make many mistakes. If she runs in the Derby, it’ll be because he thinks she belongs there." Composure is out of the Gr3 stakes winning Alleged mare Party Cited. (March 10) Neck Injury Threatens Laffit Pincay’s Career Laffit Pincay junior, the jockey with more wins than anyone else in US racing history, broke a bone in his neck - “an injury that could end his career” - when thrown from a mount during a race at Santa Anita. He will spend the next 8 weeks in a cast, his son told bloodhorse.com, noting: “We expect a full recovery, but a decision on his career will be made at a future date.'' Pincay, 56, (who has ridden 9,531 winners) was initially thought to have merely muscle contusions to the back of his neck, but subsequent hospital examination revealed “the injury is far more serious.” Pincay will now be fitted with a halo cast & leave the Los Angeles hospital after a day or 2 of rest. The fractured bone is cervical 2, one of the upper-most 7 vertebrae of the spine, track spokesman Vince Bruun said. (March 10) Sons Of Mr Prospector & Seattle Slew Stand At Castle Peak Like The Prospects (a winning son of Mr Prospector) & Alystar Slew (an unraced son of Seattle Slew) will join the stallion roster at Castle Peak Farm near Ottawa in Canada, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Like The Prospects won 1 race in 5 starts. Out of the Gr1-winning Nijinsky II mare Likeable Style, 6YO Like The Prospects is a half-brother to stakes-placed winner Special Times. And 5YO Alystar Slew is out of the unraced Alydar mare Beautiful Aly. He is a half-brother to stakes-placed winner Kindred Soul & to winning Nijinsky II mare Tegwen (dam of English Gr1 winner Teffiano). He hails from the immediate family of Gr1 winner Jeanne Jones & Gr2 winner Belle of Perintown. (March 10) Inglis Easter Catalogue Launched In Sydney At an exclusive Sydney harbourside function yesterday, William Inglis & Son managing director Reg Inglis launched the catalogue for the 2003 Easter Yearling Sale on April 22-24. Associate director Jonathan D’Arcy declared the 524-strong catalogue “outstanding”. Among the highlights: 42 yearlings from champion sire Danehill’s penultimate local crop (including millionaire Bonanova’s first foal from Tyreel Stud, the 2nd Danehill-Sommes Sound colt from Stratheden Stud, a Danehill-Champagne colt from Cambridge Stud, & a Danehill colt from Emirates Park out of Hurricane Sky & Umatilla’s half-sister Show Dancing); 3 Arrowfield Stud yearlings by deceased global super-sire Sunday Silence (from dams Phantom Creek, Sensation & Felicitation); 4 yearlings from deceased breed-shaper Nureyev (including a Segenhoe colt out of a half-sister to champion US mare Miesque); a Zabeel full-sister to boom 2YO Subscribe (ex Gr1 winner Danelagh) from Coolmore, for whom connections have already knocked back an Arab offer in excess of $1 million; a Red Ransom half-brother to Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Catbird from Vinery; a Flying Spur half-brother to Thorn Park from Wakefield Stud; a Redoute’s Choice half-brother to Zabeel from Arrowfield; a Rubiton full sister to Innovation Girl from Willow Park; the much-spruiked Grand Lodge half-brother to Viking Ruler (ex Tristalove) from Cambridge. However Inglis marketing manager Melissa O’Gorman also noted that “with a median price of not much more than $100,000, the Easter Yearling Sale continues to offer outstanding value for money.” (March 7) Belle Du Jour’s Last Aust Start? Former Golden Slipper winner Belle Du Jour “may be having her final race start in Australia” when she lines up in tomorrow’s $1 million Gr1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington. The 2000 Slipper heroine will enter quarantine next Wednesday before leaving for a European campaign. Trainer Clarry Conners told The Daily Telegraph: “She’s going great, couldn’t be better.” After starts in France & possibly England, owner John Singleton has Belle Du Jour booked to go to Danehill at Coolmore Stud In Ireland. (March 7) Beadman Enters ‘Jockey Pressure’ Debate Top Sydney jockey Darren Beadman has added his colourfully-worded opinion to the recent ‘jockey pressure’ debate in today’s Sydney Morning Herald: “Throw a lot of money in a pot, add endless amounts of opinion, a thoroughbred & people & you’ve got instant pressure. You’ve got horse racing & its unique recipe for making the heat of human blood just about rise to boil. From where I’m doing the steering, the pressure has never been as intense. The heat in the jockeys’ kitchen has been turned right up. Everyone has an opinion & fair enough . . . Punters sitting at home even get several different angles of a race nowadays. It wasn’t that long ago the couch punter relied on radio calls. Jockeys could sit wide & no-one knew any different. Not anymore. At home they are even getting some stewards’ video footage . . . Maybe people should start thinking like a trainer & a jockey. Trainers have programs for horses & the jockey must return them intact. Flog them first-up & the trainer has nothing but a tired animal that needs at least a week off. It is a delicate balance a jockey must steer. He can be ridiculed, abused & applauded all at the same time. It depends on who is offering the opinion & whether they have won or lost. It all adds to the pressure & I don’t for a second think it will get any better for jockeys because it is racing’s lot. It is a melting pot.” (March 7) Lindsay Park Heading For All-Time Record Lindsay Park marketing manager Sam Hayes put it bluntly: “We are currently sitting on 198 winners for the 2002-03 season. If we reach the 200-winner mark this weekend, it will be the fastest 200 in Lindsay Park's history.” And that 200th winner (whenever it comes) will also represent Lindsay Park's 3,000th winner since the late Colin Hayes' retirement in 1990. (Colin Hayes himself trained 5,333 winners in his career.) To the end of February, South Australia’s Lindsay Park (& current trainer Tony McEvoy) were 12 winners in front of its previous best-ever season in 1991-92, when David Hayes trained 306 winners in total. Lindsay Park is also hoping to add to its tally of 141 Gr1 winners this weekend, with North Boy & El Nino in the Newmarket & Fields Of Omagh in the Australian Cup. (March 7) Williams Weekend Dash From HK To Melbourne Jockey Craig Williams has been granted permission by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to ride in Melbourne on Monday, reported racenet.com.au. Williams has been booked to pilot Natural Blitz for trainer Doug Harrison in the Gr1 Australian Cup at Flemington. Natural Blitz (Dehere-Mohave Dancer) is the only 3YO in the Cup & won the MRC Shannons Classic (1800m) last start on March 1. However this time he’s up against weight-for-age heavy-weights: Northerly; Don Eduardo; Fields Of Omagh; Distinctly Secret; Mr Trickster; Borelli; & Osca Eric. (March 7) Queensland Crime Commission Finds ‘No Improper Conduct’ Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley welcomed the completion of a Crime & Misconduct Commission investigation into allegations of inappropriate influence in the selection of the new Queensland Racing Board. Bentley declared: “It totally vindicates the process that resulted in the appointment of the Board & chair of Queensland Racing, & found nothing to substantiate claims of interference by the Racing Minister. The CMC also determined that allegations of improper interference by the Racing Minister in the administration of any of the racing control bodies were not substantiated. It is extremely disturbing that a few people are prepared to go to great lengths to resist the reform process that the new Board has embarked upon. It is my hope this finding by the CMC closes a sorry chapter of attempted sabotage by a few individuals, with questionable personal agendas, who are hell-bent on derailing major changes needed to protect the future of Queensland racing.” (March 7) Asian Racing Conference: Britain Rejects Internet Betting Pact The British Horseracing Board “has told its counterparts across Asia & Australasia that it cannot add its name to an intended global policy to combat the pirating of racing's product by off-shore bookmakers,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “The search for widespread support for a Good Neighbour Policy among racing nations worried at losing betting turnover ended when Tristram Ricketts, the BHB's secretary-general, said acceptance would be practically impossible in the UK.” Earlier this week, all 19 members of the Asian Racing Federation (including Australia & NZ) had signed up to the policy in response to a growing "invasion" of overseas betting websites &, more recently, betting exchanges which it is claimed put nothing back into the local supplier providing the racing product. Murray Acklin, chairman of the Asian Racing Federation, said it was hoped a policy could be recommended to the international racing conference held annually in Paris; indeed Japan & Hong Kong had already signed an agreement in December. However Ricketts highlighted major differences in Britain's racing structure: "In Hong Kong & Japan respectively, chairman Ronald Arculli & President Takahashi control virtually everything that moves. They control the racing, they control the betting & they control the racetracks. On the other hand the BHB, as the governing authority in Great Britain, controls no betting, controls no racecourses & controls, at present, very limited central funding for the industry. So simply we are not, ourselves, able to subscribe to precisely the sort of Good Neighbour Policy that is being so strongly advocated." On the contrary, Ricketts said, the British government was actively encouraging British bookmakers to compete for international business, where it was legal do so. (March 7) Asian Racing Conference: Banned UK Drug Now Acceptable In Aust The UK Jockey Club & other regulatory bodies have been “caught on the back foot by learning that the banned drug found last year in top 2YO Elusive City has unilaterally been passed as acceptable for the last month by Australian racing authorities,” reported racingpost.co.uk. ”The unexpected development was dropped from a clear sky at the Asian Racing Conference in New Zealand in a speech delivered not by one of the Australian racing officials, but by equine vet Dr Ruth Davis.” Davis said since February a list of previously banned substances had been removed & those removed included Omeprazole, the ulcer treatment found in samples taken from UK 2YO star Elusive City after his win in the prestigious Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last year. (The Gerard Butler-trained colt was subsequently disqualified from that win, as well as from an earlier victory after which the same substance - used under the trade name Gastrogard - was also discovered.) Other substances removed from the Australian banned list were antibiotics (except procaine penicillin), worming products, mucolytic agents & vaccines. Davis, a consultant to the Australian racing industry, was unequivocal as to the impact of the change, saying: "This is a huge step forward & Australian racing should be congratulated. We hope other medications can be removed & believe there is scope for similar changes in other jurisdictions." But racingpost.co.uk reported the news “certainly came as a surprise to Christopher Foster, the Jockey Club's executive director & vice-chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, of which Australia is a member & which has worked hard on an agreed anti-doping approach.” Foster declared: “Some of the Australian changes are not in accord with the international agreement which defines prohibited substances. We urge countries to use the agreed structures available for debate & decision, if we are to maintain an international level playing field." The unilateral action was later confirmed by Andrew Harding, secretary general for the Australian Racing Board, who added that it had not been intended to put noses out of joint. (March 7) Asian Racing Conference: Korea’s Major Expansion Plans The number of racehorses in training in Korea will increase from 1,400 to 2,300 in the next 3 years, Korea Racing Association representative Park Yang-Tae revealed yesterday. Among a number of exciting projections for racing growth in Korea, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz, were: Increased attendance from 16.2 million (2002) to 23 million (2006). Building a new racecourse at Busan (to be completed in December 2004) to compliment existing tracks at Seoul & Jeju. Increase in betting turnover from US$6.3 billion (2002) to US$10.3 billion (2006). Increase in the number of foals from 915 (2002) to 1,015 (2006). Increasing the number of off-course betting centers from 28 (2003) to 48 (2006). Park Yang-Tae revealed current Korean betting figures are already huge - the average attendance at race-meetings (either on-course or at one of 28 off-course betting centers) is 200,000 & each patron wagers an average US$400 per person per day. Park Yang-Tae noted racecourses in Korea had been developed as “family parks”, not merely a place for betting for adults: “We have developed the inside of the racetrack into a family park which includes children’s playground, promenades, soccer fields & horse-back riding. ‘Racing fan days’ offer free admission & drinks to patrons. We have made efforts to enlarge the racing fan base & diversify betting methods. Focusing on younger generations & family fans has been an important commitment.” (March 7) Asian Racing Conference: Off-Track Betting Dominates Turkey Turkey Jockey Club representative Sadettin Atig explained only 3% of betting turnover in Turkey is generated on racecourses, with 97% of total betting off-track. Thoroughbrednews.co.nz reported Atig explained: “During past years the Jockey Club of Turkey had steady growth of revenues due to expansion of the off-track agents network.” Betting in Turkey is carried out on the pari-mutuel system & no bookmaking is allowed. The totalisator system is located at Istanbul racetrack, with 400 on-track terminals at 7 different racetracks & 2,000 betting terminals at more than 1,700 off-track agents across Turkey. The most popular type of betting is ‘Pick 6’, which accounts for 59% of total Turkish betting revenue. The average number of tickets sold per day is 700,000 & the average bet per ticket is US$3. (March 7) Silver Slipper Emphasises Tragedy Of Snippets Death Last weekend’s Silver Slipper Stakes result at Rosehill Gardens “underlined what a loss the premature death of top sire Snippets means to the industry,” noted aapracingandsports.com.au. Snippets sired not only 2YO filly winner Hasna (Snippets-They Say, by Thirty Six Red), but also 3rd placed Legally Bay (Snippets-Decidity, by Last Tycoon). Hasna, who has won 4 of her 6 starts, was bred by Emma Boling & reared at The Pines Stud on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. She was foaled on Collingrove Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley & returned to the Robert Sangster-owned stud for yearling sale preparation. Collingrove took her to the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale & sold her to George Altomonte’s Corumbene Stud for $160,000. Hasna is out of the imported American mare They Say, a daughter of Seattle Slew’s notable grandson Thirty Six Red (US Gr1 winner, 2nd in Gr1 Belmont Stakes & 3rd in Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic) from a mare by Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. Hasna’s next dam American Legacy was a half-sister by Hail To Reason to one of the Northern Dancer’s greatest females Fanfreluche. (Among 5 stakes winners out of Fanfreluche was Sir Ivor mare Grand Luxe, grandam of Golden Slipper winner & sire Flying Spur & great grandam of Gr1 winning sire Encosta de Lago.) American Legacy was also a half-sister to Somfas (producer of 3 stakes winners including imported Danzig sire Snaadee). (March 7) Belong To Me’s 3rd Stakes Winner from 1st Aust Crop Gooree Pastoral Company’s Vital Agreement became the 3rd stakes winner from the first Australian crop by Danzig’s son Belong To Me, when he won the Listed $100,000 Gosford Guineas (1600m), noted racenet.com.au. A Gooree Stud home-bred, Vital Agreement is the 2nd foal & 2nd stakes winner out of the top class mare Vital Consent. A daughter of Blushing Groom stallion Pre Emptive Strike, Vital Consent carried the Gooree colours to victory in 5 of 29 career starts, including the 1995 Listed Emancipation Stakes. Vital Consent’s first live foal is Dehere gelding Red Hanigan (winner of 4 of his 13 starts, including the Gr2 STC Pago Pago Stakes & Listed STC Eskimo Prince Quality Handicap, plus 3rd behind Ha Ha & Excellerator in the 2001 Gr1 Golden Slipper). Vital Consent has a 2YO filly by Peintre Celebre (named Messalina), a yearling colt also by the former Prix de l’arc de Triomphe winner, a weanling filly by King Of Kings & was served by Thunder Gulch last season. (March 7) Election Fever 1: $10 Million ‘Direct Grant’ To Country Racing There must be a NSW election around the corner! Shadow Racing Minister Ian Armstrong announced that, if elected, a Liberal-National Party Coalition government would give the country racing sector $10 million in a “direct grant” called the Country Racing Enhancement program (designed to revitalise racing in rural race centres). Armstrong explained: “This program is recognition that the racing industry must be provided with appropriate incentives in order for it to rediscover & build on its traditional pre-eminence in breeding & training. Country raceclubs provide the very foundation of racing & deserve support to ensure they remain viable.” NSW Country Racing Council chief executive Brian Judd told The Daily Telegraph: “I’m pleased to see the Coalition’s policy concentrating on country racing.” (March 7) Election Fever 2: NSW ‘Betting Tax Cuts’ To Match Victoria Coalition shadow Racing Minister Ian Armstrong also hinted at possible “wagering taxation cuts” to ensure NSW’s racing industry remained competitive with Victoria. “We will examine racing taxation as part of the Coalition’s taxation review,” he boldly promised. (March 7) Election Fever 3: ‘Independent Review’ Of Racing NSW And shadow Racing Minister Ian Armstrong also warned that a Coalition government would conduct “an independent review” of the operations of Racing NSW, 8 years after the Carr Labor Government conducted the last review. Armstrong asserted: “The structure established by Labor has failed to fulfill the expectations of many stake-holders in the racing industry . . . We will appoint an independent advisory panel, comprising representative of all sectors of the thoroughbred racing industry, to undertake a fresh review of the overall structure governing thoroughbred racing.” The Daily Telegraph noted: “The Labor Party is expected to launch its racing policy within days.” (March 7) Bart Cummings Notches 50th Anniversary Legendary Australian trainer Bart ‘The Cups King’ Cummings, 75, celebrates 50 years as a trainer (including 11 Melbourne Cups & 245 Gr1 winners among over 6,000 race victories) during the Sydney autumn carnival. Both the Australian Jockey Club & Sydney Turf Club “are planning to mark the occasion with special presentations to racing’s living legend,” reported The Daily Telegraph. (March 7) Wellington Offers Marquetry Colt As Raffle Prize The man who selected & bought the yearling for this year’s Wellington Race Club Yearling Raffle “is so enthused he wants to win it himself,” reports Wellington secretary Janian McMillan. Jonathan D’Arcy from Inglis was given the task of finding a quality yearling from the draft submitted for the Inglis January Classic Sale in Sydney & securing it for the Wellington club. He selected a colt by American stakes winner Marquetry, from the Zephyr Zip mare Gift Of Wings (a placed half-sister to La Caissiere). Marquetry won 10 US races, including 3 Gr1 events - the Hollywood Gold Cup (10f), Meadowlands Cup (9f) by 8 lengths & Del Mar Eddie Read Hcp (9f). “This colt is a beautiful type, big & strong,” D’Arcy said. “He has the makings of a horse that will race as a 2YO. I like him so much that I will certainly be buying tickets in the raffle.” Tickets are $25 & the draw occurs after the running of Wellington’s feature 2YO race, the $35,000 McDonald’s Central West Wellington Boot (1100m), on Monday 26 March. The raffle was introduced by the Wellington club 3 years ago to give added impetus to its Wellington Boot Carnival & “give people an opportunity to enter into ownership of a racehorse for little outlay.” (The first yearling, now 3YO Newcastle Crown, was won by Newcastle businessman Reg Mawhinney; Newcastle Crown is trained at Bathurst by Leanne Aspros & has won 3 races.) (March 7) Holiday For Albury Gold Cup An application to NSW Minister for Industrial Relations John Della Bosca has resulted in a gazetted half-day holiday for the 2003 Albury Gold Cup race meeting on Friday April 4. Noting this is the 6th successive year the NSW Government has granted the holiday, Albury Racing Club chief executive Paul Carroll said: “Since the inception of the holiday on Cup day, crowds have grown tremendously. Before the half-day holiday was first gazetted in 1998, attendances were about 4,000. But the crowds have grown enormously since then & last year we had a record of 12,642 people through the gate.” Carroll added arrangements have also been completed for a country music extravaganza (a major fund-raiser for Cancer research) to follow the 2-day Cup carnival on Saturday April 5. (March 7) Godolphin Wants McEvoy To Stay In Dubai For World Cup Godolphin has taken up the option to retain the services of South Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy until the end of March, ensuring his presence at the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 29. McEvoy’s manager Glen D’Arcy told The Sydney Morning Herald: “ Kerrin was originally only going for 5 weeks, but there was always the option that, if he could get a ride at the World Cup meeting, he would stay. There remains a possibility he may even get a ride in the Dubai World Cup, but either way he is needed by Godolphin for the meeting. He is riding a heap of work & the opportunities are slowly coming up for him & he is making the most of them.” McEvoy had ridden 2 winners & 3 2nds in his 5-week stint. But, as if on cue, last night at the Nad Al Sheba track he rode another winner (Mr Jebel Ali for trainer Satish Seemar) & a 2nd. And tomorrow at the ‘Super Saturday’ meeting he is reunited with Melbourne Cup 3rd place-getter Beekeeper in the Gr3 Dubai Cit of Gold, as 1 of his 4 rides. (March 7) Sulamani & Grandera Head Dubai ‘Super Saturday’ Meanwhile Godolphin’s international stars Sulamani & Grandera head a galaxy of stars entered for Dubai’s inaugural ‘Super Saturday’ at Nad Al Sheba tomorrow, a preview for the Dubai World Cup meeting 3 weeks later. Each race on the ‘Super Saturday’ program is run over the same course & distance as those at the world’s richest race meeting on March 29 (except the 1800m Al Bastakiya, 2nd leg of the Dubai Triple Crown & lead-up to the UAE Derby). Among other international stars entered for ‘Super Saturday’ are Godolphin’s 2002 UAE Derby winner Essence of Dubai, outstanding South African mare Ipi Tombe, Gerard Butler’s pair Common World & Compton Dragon, Dermot Weld’s One More Round & Afgnoyoh, UAE 2000 Guineas winner Victory Moon, as well as Passport Pride from Kevin McAuliffe’s stable in Saudi Arabia, Argentinian Gr1 winner Rodeno from Jerry Barton’s stable in Saudi Arabia & Uruguay’s champion 3YO Impaciente GG who is now trained in Dubai by Aditiyan Selvaratnam. “Super Saturday is new to the Emirates racing calendar, but looking at the strength of the entries it clearly has been met with approval by all trainers,” said Emirates Racing Association chief executive Les Benton. “The Dubai World Cup is 3 weeks away & Super Saturday begins the countdown.” (March 7) Smart Bet Heads Singapore Classic Defence And in Singapore, recently crowned 2002 Horse-Of-The-Year Smart Bet will spearhead the local defence against overseas representatives in tonight’s S$1 million (A$940,000) Singapore Classic over 1800m. Smart Bet won last year’s Singapore Derby, Raffles Cup & Singapore Gold Cup, & the Mohd Yusof-trained gelding returned last Sunday to win the Chairman's Trophy over 1800m. Other Singapore Classic contenders include Patrick Shaw’s Palace Line (last year’s winner of this race) & his stablemates Blizz Bless & Tytola (champion 2YO in South Africa), Donald Baertschiger’s Moon Shadow, Patrick Busuttin’s former Singapore Horse-Of-The-Year Bocelli & 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winning-stablemate Fire House, the Malcolm Thwaites-trained Marco Boy, Laurie Laxon’s Thunderaway & fellow former Melbourne Cup-winning trainer John Meagher’s Steal a Scene, Charles Leck’s Kash is King & Douglas Dragon's Sky Frontier. The overseas attack is led by Ekraar from Godolphin (the American-bred finished 4th in the Gr1 Hong Kong Vase during the Hong Kong Cup International races at Sha Tin in December), Come See You (from Hong Kong trained by Ivan Allan), & Malaysian contenders Opposing Force (who won the Perak Derby & Sprint Trophy at Penang for Richard Lines) & Confluence (who recently won the Coronation Cup & Piala Emas Sultan Selangor for Francis Nathan). Tonight’s meeting also features the S$350,000 (A$330,000) Gr1 Singapore Lion City Cup. (March 7) US May Repeal 30% Tax On Foreign Wagers The US House of Representatives yesterday considered a Bill that would eliminate the 30% tax foreign-based gamblers currently pay on wagers on American racing. "It would almost certainly increase foreign wagering on US horse racing," US National Thoroughbred Racing Association commissioner Tim Smith told the Washington Post newspaper. The 30% tax does not deter people from other countries from wagering on US racing, only wagering into US pools. “However, eliminating the tax could invite that money into a US track’s commingled pool, thus improving its attraction to all bettors with better odds,” noted thoroughbredtimes.com. Smith argued the tax break would cost the government almost nothing, because there is so little money coming into American pools from outside the country. "There’s no money coming in because nobody’s stupid enough to place a bet in our betting pools knowing they have to give away 30% of their money," quipped Louisiana Representative Jim McCrery (who has met with the NTRA & the American Horse Council over the years regarding the tax). NTRA commissioner Smith noted Canadians, for example, wager about US$700 million a year on US races; that money would end up in US pools & boost industry business. (March 7) World Record US$2.7 Million For Sea Of Secrets Colt The world record for a 2YO sold at public auction was smashed when a chestnut colt from the first crop of Storm Cat stallion Sea Of Secrets colt brought US$2.7 million (A$4.38 million) at the Barretts March Select Sale in California. High-profile US trainer Bob Baffert & his geologist client Charles ‘Chuck’ Fipke (founder of Dia Met Minerals who made his fortune in the diamond business) won a furious bidding battle against New Jersey bloodstock agent Buzz Chace & Oregon lumberman Aaron Jones. Hall-of-Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, sitting beside Bob Lewis, was also in the hunt for the colt. The previous record was US$2 million (for LaSalle Street & Morocco in 1999, & for Gotham City in 2000). Baffert told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Chuck, he doesn’t like to lose. He was cool the whole time. Chuck knows a good horse. And he’s a beautiful horse & he’s well bred. My job is to try to win the Kentucky Derby with him." The colt was produced from the winning Tasso mare Swift Spirit & is a half-brother to mulitple stakes winner Friendly Spirit (by Friendly Lover). Becky Thomas of Sequel Bloodstock consigned him to the auction after purchasing him for only US$30,000 at the 2002 Fasig-Tipton July select yearling sale. She owned the colt in partnership with Lewis Lakin. Asked to comment on the price, Thomas declared to bloodhorse.com: "I'm dumbfounded!" (March 6) So . . . Who Exactly Is Sea Of Secrets? Sea Of Secrets (Storm Cat-Love From Mum, by Mr Prospector) had 10 starts for 4 wins & 2 placings on the track & US$155,757 in prize-money. He was undefeated in 2 starts as a 2YO. Then as a 3YO he won the Gr2 San Vicente Stakes at Hollywood Park over 1400m, as well as an allowance race (in which he beat subsequent Gr1 winner Artax by 8.5 lengths & earned an impressive Beyer speed reading of 110). He boasts similar line breeding to boom stallion Tale Of The Cat. Sea Of Secrets currently stands for just US$5,000 at Walmac International Stud in Kentucky. (March 6) US$1 Million For El Prado Colt The record-setting Sea Of Secrets colt was not the only 7-figure purchase during the Barretts sale. An El Prado colt (a half-brother to 2-time Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap winner Milwaukee Brew) consigned by Chapman Farms elicited a bid of US$1 million (A$1.62 million) from the partnership of Stuart Tsujimoto & William Schettine. Tsujimoto was seated with James Chapman during the bidding; Chapman’s son & consignor Jim Chapman will train the colt. Tsujimoto told thoroughbredtimes.com: "He seems to be a real nice horse. He didn’t work that fast & everybody is looking for speed. He’s got a nice big stride & was just playing out there. He’ll probably run this year, later on, when they get past 6 furlongs." (March 6) Average & Median Fall At Barretts 2YO Select Sale Despite the world record Sea Of Secrets colt, the Barretts March Sale Of Selected 2YOs-In-Training “was hit with a huge number of buy-backs & decreases in average & median,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Only 86 of 167 juveniles offered were sold (51.5%) for a total US$12,228,000. Average price was US$142,186 (down 5.2%) & median was US$60,000 (down 33.3%). Barretts president Jerry McMahon told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Our sale zigged when the market zagged. I’d say we survived in a difficult market & had some tremendous enthusiasm at the top. The horse business has a bias toward selling much higher percentages of our product. A lot of auctions, where the strike rate is 50%, are looked at as good. We’re not used to that in the horse business." (March 6) Betting Exchange Dramas In UK The betting exchange controversy has really heated-up in the UK, with major developments on several fronts reported racingpost.co.uk: Punters were barred from using mobile phones in the betting ring at Lingfield as part of a crackdown on on-course trade with betting exchanges. National Joint Pitch Council general manager Tim Moore explained: "It has always been the rule & the NJPC has obviously been asked by the Levy Board to enforce it, so that punters don't use mobile phones in the ring." He confirmed the crack-down was “linked to the last month's Levy Board decision to apply a rule that prevents on-course bookmakers taking or laying bets through exchanges.” The National Joint Pitch Council (which administers the betting ring) confirmed the ban on on-course bookmakers using betting exchanges as a “hedging facility” will come into force as soon as “legal clearance” for its rule which “prohibits bets being laid off with anyone other than an authorised bookmaker” is confirmed. Lawyers consulted by the NJPC were expected to give their verdict in London today. British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill declared bookmakers “must stop using betting exchanges to hedge bets if the SP system is to survive.” Savill believes the use of exchanges will adversely affect the way UK betting markets are formed &, if the practice continues, the official British SP system may have to end. He told attheraces TV: "Off-course bookmakers would like to see the official SP system continue. But if on-course bookmakers are allowed to hedge with betting exchanges, margins are going to drop & they will not be able to maintain the SP system. And nor should they be expected to. There's a limit to how much they can take in terms of reductions in margins. They've got overheads, they've got to make a profit & they've got decide at what level horse-racing, to them, is reaching a level of unprofitability they find unacceptable.” (March 6) Victoria’s Tabcorp Merges With Queensland Casino Victorian wagering giant Tabcorp Holdings & Queensland casino group Jupiters announced they intend to merge. “The merged entity is expected to have annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation & amortisation of more than $700 million &, combined with an investment grade credit rating, will be well positioned to pursue growth opportunities in Queensland & abroad,” the announcement noted. Jupiters revealed it would undertake “a trade sale, initial public offering or demerger of its Centrebet business as it did not fit with Tabcorp's international growth priorities.” And aapracibngandsports.com.au reported: “Analysts said Centrebet was valued at about $180 million to $200 million. It has been facing intense competition of late from direct betting exchanges, particularly UK rival betfair.com.” (March 6) Asian Racing Conference: Call For ‘Bleeder’ Rule Revision Internationally successful NZ trainer John Wheeler called for “Australasian racing authorities to revise the stand-down period for horses that bleed,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. “We still have this archaic rule in Australia & NZ of a 3-month stand-down period for the first bleed & life for the 2nd, which is not based on any scientific findings &, at the very least, is old fashioned & out-dated. The rules won’t change because our administrators & stipendiary stewards don’t understand the issue, & the science department is not strong enough to effect change. Maybe between the trainers & the scientists we can get together to change things.” NZ Equine Research Foundation chairman Dr Brian Goulden backed Wheeler’s assertions, referring to less strict controls in the UK & US: “There is no set period in the UK, & in the US it varies from 10 days in New York to slightly longer periods in other states. When the 3-month category was made years ago, they didn’t even have the technology to ascertain where a bleed originated from. Diagnosis has moved a long way from there & we should now be working towards a satisfactory resolution for the betterment of racing.” (March 6) Asian Racing Conference: Track Injury Statistics Massey University researcher Dr Nigel Perkins presented a “racetrack wastage” study. During a 3-year examination of a population of more than 1500 NZ racehorses, Perkins & his team found “the most serious cause of wastage in the performing thoroughbred is musculoskeletal related, with 35% forced out of work by fractures,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Next most common cause of loss was shin soreness (25%), just over double the rate for ligament & tendon problems. This latter group had the highest non-return rate, with 62% failing to make it back to trials or races. In the musculoskeletal category, 52% never returned to the racetrack, while just 17% of the clinically less serious shin sore group did not make reappearance. The research found 5YOs to be the most “efficient” racehorses, defined by their spending just 20% of their time at that age out of work. Either side of that age showed gradual slides, down to 40% spell rate for 2YOs & even lower rates for horses as they approached double digit age. (March 6) Asian Racing Conference: CT Scans Developed For Horses Professor Elwyn Firth of Massey University revealed the same technology used to take CAT scans on humans “is being re-developed for horses as a means of reducing racetrack injury,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The computer tomography imaging equipment could be used “to measure the amount of mineral in various parts of the horse’s bone. It can be used as an accurate way of measuring the bone density & size in a horse . The image produced is a cross section slice of the bone. Knowing the bone size allows us to determine its strength. From a CT scan we will be able to detect horses in danger of fracture. Horses will be able to be trained specifically to pressure & increase bone strength. It will be able to restrict difficulties of catastrophic injury.” Professor Firth said Massey University had spent 2.5 years already researching “the logistics of adapting the CT equipment used on humans to horses & the new equine imaging equipment will be the first of its type in the world.” The 60kg machines used on horses will be portable & far less costly than the CAT scan equipment used in hospitals, which are worth millions of dollars. The cost of a horse CT scanner would be in the vicinity of NZ$130,000 & is expected to be available to the public within 5 years. Massey University is part of a 4-member international group, known as the Global Equine Research Alliance, to help fund similar research projects to the equine CT scanner. The others are Colorado State University in the US, Utrecht University in the Netherlands & the Royal Veterinary College in London. “The specific goal is to reduce athletic injury in racing horses,” Prof Firth noted. “The first project for this new group, with funding of NZ$1.3 million, is to examine conditioning exercise of very young horses.” (March 6) Asian Racing Conference: Japan's New Polytrack Reduces Injury Yutaka Mizuno Ph.D, director of the racehorse hospital at Japan’s Miho Training Centre, posed the question: Humans look after our own feet with quality running shoes, so why not treat horses the same way? Thoroughbrednews.co.nz reported Mizuno told the Conference: “Running shoes are known to reduce the shock of ground contact & also maintain the active force peak during the stance phase, as well as having adequate grip feature to avoid slipping or from tripping over. Our Polytrack woodchip track has resulted in a remarkable decrease in the numbers & incidence-rate of fractures in horses, which may be credited to the high shock-absorbing character of the surface. From this point of track characteristics, the implementation of the woodchip track resulted in a great success in preventing accidents during training.” The Miho Training Centre is home to approximately 2300 racehorses, mainly trained on the woodchip track & a sand track. The Polytrack is composed of a mixture of disposal electric wire tube, polyester fibre & silican sand, whose every particle is coated with wax. The track was put into use in 1993 & statistical data shows occurrences of bone fractures in horses started to decrease at a remarkable rate in 1994 & after 1997 it levelled off. (March 6) Asian Racing Conference: New Advisory Panel For Major Race Planning Aiming specifically to “in the near future, further improve Asia's standing in world racing,” the Asian Racing Federation's Grading & Race Planning Advisory Committee has been formed with the goal of “establishing common ground between racing jurisdictions when grading races globally, & discussing development matters like an ARF Series or World Series.” The GRPC will not yet be responsible for deciding the status of Group races (that role will remain with the International Cataloguing & Standards Committee); rather, it will make recommendations to the ICSC concerning promotions or demotions to different events in the international calendar. Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (who will also act as GRPC chairman) explained: "Pattern races should be comparable & this advisory body will harmonize the process by which races are graded. One of the main goals is to consider the terms of reference of the Federation's GRPC - that is, to establish the criteria on how member countries formulate their Pattern races, & how we can raise these to a higher profile internationally." HKJC senior handicapper Ciaran Kennelly, who has been appointed GRPC secretary, noted: "This will be of great benefit to Asian racing, as Asian Racing Federation countries will have a louder voice in the overall decision-making process." (March 6) General Nediym Keeps Producing Stakes Winners When 2YO gelding Snip Attack won the Listed $98,000 Lils Gold Soverien Stakes at Mowbray last week, it capped a great month for Shaun & Cate Darcy’s Ballymore Thoroughbreds in the NSW Hunter Valley, home of General Nediym in 2003. Snip Attack joins Gr2 Maribyrnong Plate winner Ra Sun & Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Regimental Gal as winning progeny of the former Gr1 Newmarket Handicap winner. In addition, of course, General Nediym “continues to set a furious pace atop the 2YO sires table,” reported racenet.com.au. Indeed General Nediym (Nediym-Military Belle) currently leads the Freshman Australian Sires List with $850,805 - over $300,000 clear of international star Red Ransom. And General Nediym's total from his 3 winners thus far also ranks him 2nd (just $29,000 behind Flying Spur) on the Australian 2YO List. (March 6) Hawkesbury Offers $2,000 ‘Trainer Lucky Draws’ Hawkesbury Race Club has announced 3 “Lucky Draw Trainers Race Days” on Sunday March 16, Thursday March 27 & Thursday April 24. Before each race with 8 or more starters, names of trainers who are on-course will go into a barrel for a draw to win $2,000. (March 6) Scone Cup Meeting Boasts $450,000 Prize-Money With $450,000 prize-money, the Peptech Scone Cup on Friday May 16 boasts it is “the richest day of racing on the NSW country circuit.” The program also includes the Listed William Inglis/Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Dark Jewel Classic & the Inglis 2YO Challenge. As part of the big Scone weekend, the William Inglis Scone Thoroughbred Sales follow on Sunday May 18. (March 6) Record US Contingent Aims For Dubai Despite War Threat Many of North America’s most accomplished trainers “have decided to send their best horses to Dubai for the world’s richest racing program, despite the imminent threat of the US declaring war on nearby Iraq,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The lure of the $26 million Dubai World Cup program on March 29, added to the United Arab Emirates’s track record of hospitality since 1996, has quelled anxieties. A record number of American horses — at least 15 as of yesterday “with several more waiting on the outcome of prep races or late invitations & supplementary nominations” — were preparing to fly to Dubai. (Previously the highest number of American runners was 12 last year, following 8 in 2001.) Trainer Richard Mandella (who has saddled 6 World Cup runners since 1996, finishing 2nd three times with Soul Of The Matter in 1996, Siphon in 1997 & Malek in 1999) quipped: "Sure I’m as concerned as anyone. But if I’ve got a good reason to go, then I’m going. We know our way around over there, we’re familiar with the people & it’s a great place to visit." This year Mandella is aiming Pleasantly Perfect at the $10 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup & Redatorre at the $3.4 million Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes. Trainer John Salzman (who has 2001 champion filly Xtra Heat in the $3.4 million Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, the world’s richest sprint in which she finished 3rd last year) joked: “The potential battle lines are 750 miles away. And she runs pretty fast. So if I have to, I can hop on her & get out of there.” Trainer Steve Asmussen (who led all North American trainers in 2002 with 407 wins & is planning his first trip to Dubai with Iowa Derby winner Easyfromthegitgo, nominated to the $1.7 million Gr2 Godolphin Mile) said: "I don’t think they’ll shoot at the horse! And this falls under the under the category with me that ignorance of global politics is bliss. The horse is doing extremely well & this is a unique opportunity. But of course, I hope nothing happens for a lot of reasons, the least of which is horse racing." Trainer Jeff Mullins (who has Captain Squire in the Golden Shaheen) commented: "I don’t have any concerns. I’m going whether there’s war or not. They fly you over there on Emirates Airline. There’s probably no safer place to be." Mullins added he also hopes to receive a last-minute invitation for stakes winner Lusty Latin (3rd in last year’s Gr1 Santa Anita Derby) to run in the Godolphin Mile & he is ready to RSVP with a quick "yes." Trainer Scott Lake (North America’s leading conditioner by wins with 337 in 2000 & an Eclipse Award finalist, who with 2-time Eclipse Award-winning owner Richard Englander hopes to run Gr2 winner My Cousin Matt in the Golden Shaheen) said: "My life is horse racing & that’s what I look at. I don’t worry about the danger. In fact, I’m excited about it." Trainer Mark Hennig (who has trained horses for Dubai’s ruling Maktoum family) said he & owner Edward Evans discussed the war situation before opting to aim Gr1 winner Gygistar at the Golden Shaheen: "We’re planning on going.” Three-time Eclipse Award winner Bobby Frankel is the most high-profile trainer who has wavered as war has loomed. He still had not made a final decision about whether 2002 Gr1 Travers Stakes winner Medaglia d’Oro would compete in the World Cup, although he was training the El Prado colt for the race: "I want to run in Dubai, but you never know what’s going to happen with the war. It changes every day.” Congaree is the most notable American horse who apparently will not run in the World Cup due to the threat of war. Trainer Bob Baffert wanted to sent the Gr1 winner to the race (which Baffert has won twice, with Silver Charm in 1998 & Captain Steve in 2001), but Stonerside Stable owner Robert McNair said he would rather aim Congaree at the Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap. Trainer Todd Pletcher is still to make a decision about multiple Gr1 winner Harlan’s Holiday. (March 6) Japan Invites 4 US Horses To $2.5 Million Race Meanwhile US-based sprinters Disturbingthepeace, Echo Eddie, Nuclear Debate & Avanzado have been invited by the Japan Racing Association to compete in the $2.5 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo racecourse on March 30, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 6-furlong race is for 4YOs & older, with a limit of just 5 foreign-trained horses. Darrell Vienna trains 3 of the 4 US runners - & now faces the dilemma that Disturbingthepeace & Echo Eddie have both also received invitations to compete in the $3.4 million Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 29 at Nad al Sheba racecourse. Vienna said Disturbingthepeace (a multiple Gr2 winner) is expected to make the trip to Dubai, while Echo Eddie (a multiple stakes winner who finished 2nd in the Golden Shaheen last year) could be sidelined with a foot injury. Vienna also trains Gr1 winner Nuclear Debate (an 8YO Geiger Counter gelding who has competed in 6 countries & ranked as Europe’s leading sprinter in 2000). Meanwhile Cees Stable’s Avanzado (who made his Northern Hemisphere debut for trainer Doug O’Neill last August, after beginning his career in Argentina) won the Gr2 Palos Verdes Handicap on January 26 & “is considered a probable runner in the Golden Shaheen.” (March 6) Civilisation To Naylee Farm In West Virginia Civilisation, a 5YO son of Gr1 winner Gone West & half-brother to several graded stakes winners, will stand at Naylee Farm in West Virginia. The Juddmonte Farms homebred lost an eye in an accident that ended his racing career. "We are delighted to be able to stand a stallion of Civilisation’s caliber," Renee Moore of Naylee Farm told thoroughbredtimes.com. "Sons of Gone West have absolutely lit up the sires lists coast-to-coast, & he is bred on the exact pattern as Gone West’s top son Grand Slam, & very similarly to Elusive Quality & Double Honor." Kentucky-bred Civilisation is one of 4 foals out of the Gr1-winning El Gran Senor mare Toussaud. Toussaud has produced Gr1 winners Chester House, Honest Lady & Chiselling, graded stakes winner Decarchy & stakes-placed winner Empire Maker (who is scheduled to start in the Gr1 Florida Derby on March 15). (March 6) New Stallion Buddha Has First Mares In Foal US first-year stallion Buddha has his first 3 mares in foal, according to Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm near Lexington in Kentucky. The mares (Bullets All Day, Regal Consort & Statuesque) were bred to the 4YO Gr1-winning son of Unbridled’s Song on February 9, 10 & 11 reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Buddha was retired from racing in October 2002 due to a muscle tear in his hind quarter & has since stood at Hill ‘n’ Dale for US$15,000. Bred in Kentucky by Farmfellow Farms, Buddha won 3 races in 4 starts & was unbeaten in his 3YO campaign. He won the Gr1 2002 Wood Memorial Stakes before being sidelined with the muscle tear. (March 6) Delago Brom Bound For Eliza Park Eliza Park has secured 2003 Gr1 VRC Australian Guineas winner Delago Brom for stud duties. Just a week after announcing the enlistment of Japanese wonder horse Grass Wonder on a dual-hemisphere basis, the Romsey operation has seized the opportunity to purchase breeding rights to the 3YO colt (who suffered a career-ending injury barely a week after his dashing Guineas triumph at Flemington). The Guineas victory took Delago Brom’s record to 4 wins & 2 2nd placings from just 10 outings. Delago Brom was the first Gr1 winner sired by top-class racehorse & now successful commercial stallion Encosta de Lago. A Gr1 winner whose own track career came to a strikingly similar conclusion, Encosta de Lago’s stud record already features 8 individual stakes winners (including Delago Brom, Chong Tong, Gold Lottey, Lashed & Titanic Jack) from just 3 foal crops to race. Delago Brom is from multiple stakes winning mare Brompton Cross, winner of 4 races from 1400-1650m (including the VRC Gr2 Edward Manifold Stakes & VATC Listed Tranquil Star Stakes). Owner Otto Hoffelner & Eliza Park each intend to retain a major stake in Delago Brom, with the stud making a select number of shares available for purchase. Delago Brom will stand at a service fee of $8,000+GST with a Live Foal Guarantee. (March 5) Lady Annaliese Sold To America Meanwhile New Zealand Oaks place-getter Lady Annaliese (by Groom Dancer) has been sold to Californian interests. The Lisa Latta-trained filly showed her class when 3rd to NZ Bloodstock’s Filly-OF-The-Year series winner Bramble Rose (by Shinko King) & The Jewel (by O’Reilly) in NZ’s premier distaff classic at Trentham in January. She was owned by keen NZ racing supporters John & Lynn Street. (March 5) Snail Gary Sold To Hong Kong And 3YO Queensland galloper Snail Gary (Canadian Silver-Squire Princess) is “heading to the highly successful Hong Kong stable of leading trainer John Size,” reported racenet.com.au. The gelding’s owner Drew Crouch accepted an offer of $145,000 from a client of Size after Snail Gary’s impressive Eagle Farm win on February 15. Crouch paid just $12,000 for Snail Gary as a yearling from the Magic Millions Sales & raced him 7 times for 4 wins & 2 2nds. (March 5) Dozen Louisiana Horses Test Positive For EPO Twelve horses who raced at Louisiana’s Delta Downs & Fair Grounds tracks in the past 4 weeks have tested positive for the banned substance erythropoietin (commonly referred to as EPO). Erythropoietin promotes the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Steven Barker of the Louisiana racing laboratory told US Daily Racing Form that test results show EPO, which is illegal in racing, “is being abused in Louisiana.” The positive tests follow recent similar results in Texas & New York, where new high-tech tests have exposed widespread use of EPO. Baker noted: “We’re going to use the results to come up with a list of trainers & veterinarians who may be using the drug, & then use that for any follow-up investigations. If we start to get multiple hits on the same trainer, & there is a certain veterinarian associated with him, then we can have some confidence in coming up with a degree of probable cause." The Association of Racing Commissioners International lists EPO as Class 2 drug, which means that it is "not generally accepted as therapeutic", while having "a high potential to affect performance." (March 5) World Series Still Seeking Sponsor For 14-Race Tour After more than a year searching, “the World Series Racing Championship may be edging closer to signing a sponsor & thus gaining the financial backing that could be essential to its future.” But despite “on-going discussions” with major companies in the financial services & automotive sectors, World Series officials “do not expect to wrap-up a sponsorship deal before the first race”, the Gr1 Dubai World Cup on March 29. "There are several hats in the ring," Alastair Donald of the International Racing Bureau, which assists in promoting the World Series, told thoroughbredtimes.com. "There are some fairly active discussions going on. The World Cup, however, probably is too imminent for an agreement covering all 14 Gr1 races that comprise the series. Additionally, the uncertain political situation in the Middle East has not offered the optimum situation for a sponsor to hasten to conclude a deal.” Representatives from the racetracks & organizations that participate in the series met in New York City for their annual meeting at the end of January. They were joined by officials from one of the sponsor candidates who wanted to learn more about the event (which includes races in Hong Kong, Singapore, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Canada & the US). Two English-based sponsorship development agencies, Premiere Ltd & Pathstock Ltd, have worked with series officials in recruiting backers to supply capital that would help keep the races on international television. About US$5 million annually has been sought from a sponsor. (March 5) McKeown Moves South To Hall’s Melbourne Stable Ross McKeown, manager of leading Queensland trainer Bruce McLachlan’s Thornhill Park complex for the last 4 years, has accepted an offer from Melbourne trainer David Hall to become general manager of David Hall Racing Stables, reported racenet.com.au. Before his time with McLachlan, McKeown, 41, spent 7 years with Magic Millions, 6 years with QBBS & then 3 years as chief executive of Cairns Jockey Club. McKeown’s position at Thornhill Park has been taken by Alan Walker, previously racing manager for the Sunshine Coast Turf Club. (March 5) Mineshaft A ‘Delite’ For Willowbend There was good weekend news for David Lucas at Willowbend Stud. In the US, Mineshaft (A.P.Indy-Prospectors Delite, by Mr Prospector) won the prestigious US$500,000 Gr2 New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds – news which “will be greeted warmly by David Lucas, who stands Mineshaft’s stakes winning half-brother Monashee Mountain (by Danzig) alongside Clang & Legal Option” at Willowbend, reported racenet.com.au. Mineshaft began his career in Europe but, since switching to the dirt in the US, he has won 4 of his 5 starts & finished 2nd in the other. Mineshaft’s dam Prospectors Delite (Mr Prospector) won 6 of 9 starts, including the Gr1 Ashland Stakes, Gr1 Acorn Stakes & Gr3 Fair Grounds Oaks. Including Mineshaft & Monashee Mountain, Prospectors Delite has produced 5 stakes winners from 5 foals - led by 6-time Gr1 winner Tomisue's Delight (a full sister to Mineshaft & Rock Slide) & Delta Music (by Dixieland Band). (March 5) Dehere Approaching 50 Individual Stakes-Winners Further to our report on Monday (3-State Treble For Arrowfield’s Dehere) noting that Arrowfield Stud’s Dehere had landed winners down the 3 Australian eastern seaboard states on Saturday (Natural Blitz in the Gr2 Shannons Classic at Caulfield; Bollinger at Rosehill Gardens; & Ecstasy at Eagle Farm), Dehere is closing on the milestone of 50 individual stakes-winners, after another surge of black type success in both hemispheres. In addition to his Australian success, Dehere produced another stakes-winner in America. As a result, Dehere now has 3 new stakes-winners in the first 2 months of the US season, taking his total of black type winners around the world to 47. In Florida, Dehere’s daughter Win’s Fair Lady won the Listed Wayward Lass Stakes by a massive 10 lengths. (March 5) Inglis Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale Preview Catalogues for the 2003 Inglis Autumn Yearling Sale at Oaklands in Melbourne (on April 7 & 8) will be available later this week featuring 348 yearlings by a wide range of popular sires such as Bianconi, Bubble Gum Fellow, Canny Lad, Danehill Dancer, Danzero, Desert Prince, El Moxie, Encosta de Lago, Fasliyev, Favorite Trick, General Nediym, Grand Lodge, Hurricane Sky, Last Tycoon, Octagonal, Perugino, Quest for Fame, Rubiton, Snippets, Strategic & Umatilla. Inglis marketing & public relations manager Melissa O’Gorman noted: “The Autumn Yearling Sale has long been regarded as a popular destination for bargain hunters &, with an average price of about $10,000, there are opportunities galore. The majority of yearlings are SuperVOBIS qualified & all horses purchased will be eligible to compete in the $1 million Heroic Championship & $500,000 Inglis Premier Race.” Sale highlights include: a half-sister by Thunder Gulch to outstanding galloper Brave Chief (winner of the VATC Gr2 Sandown Classic); a Fasliyev colt from Ascorbic (winner of the VRC Gr2 Edward Manifold Stakes); a Hurricane Sky filly from stakes-winner Falcon Walk. (March 5) Woodlands Offers 20 Yearlings At Autumn Sale Sure to be popular at the Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale will be a draft of 20 yearlings from Woodlands Stud. The selection includes: a three-quarter brother-in-blood to stakes-winner Greeting, by Canny Lad from Neutral; a half-sister to stakes-placed sprinter Barnacles, by Quest for Fame from Senlis; a half-brother to stakes-placed Effervescence, by Quest for Fame from Social Whirl; a colt by Commands from Tendrils (winner of the Listed SAJC Dequetteville Stakes). (March 5) New Magic Millions National Sale ‘Flooded With Entries’ The new Magic Millions National Sale “is set to be a ground breaking success, with a flood of entries to date, including some of the best broodmares in the land, with coverings by our most sought after sires,” reported marketing & media manager Annie McDonald. Entries for ‘The National Sale’ on the Gold Coast (May 4-7) close this Friday. (The National Winter Yearling Sale on Sunday May 4 replaces the previous Winter Carnival Yearling Sale traditionally held in June; the National Broodmare & Weanling Sale follows over May 5-7.) Among the Group & Stakes-winning mares entered to date are: Ateates (AJC Gr2 Silver Shadow Stakes); Fair Embrace (MVRC Gr2 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes); Suzy Grey (SAJC Gr2 Sweettenham Stud Stakes); Galapagos Girl (VATC Gr3 Mannerism Stakes); Procrastinate (VATC Gr3 Tristarc Stakes); Gold Lottey (VRC Gr3 Vanity Stakes); Watch (AJC Gr3 Gimcrack Stakes); Regal Sea (STC Gr3 Kingston Town Stakes & 2nd Gr1 Queensland Oaks); Presumed Innocent (SAJC Listed Dequetteville Stakes); Lilting (AJC Listed Widden Stakes); De Lollies (AJC Listed Gimcrack Stakes); & Settlers Cove (STC Listed Birthday Card Quality Handicap). There are broodmares by Sadlers Wells, Danehill, Sir Tristram, Marscay, Snippets, Don’t Say Halo, Zabeel, Biscay, Kris, Diesis, Twig Moss, Luskin Star, Danzatore, Kenmare & Scenic. The covering sires include Giant’s Causeway, Fusaichi Pegasus, Carnegie, Spinning World, Galileo, Royal Academy, High Yield, Thunder Gulch, Mull Of Kintyre, Octagonal, Redoute’s Choice, Flying Spur, Lion Hunter, Commands & Fasliyev. There are weanlings by Anabaa, Catbird, Commands, Danehill, Danzero, Desert King, End Sweep, Encosta De Lago, Fusaichi Pegasus, Fasliyev, Flying Spur, Fuji Kiseki, Grand Lodge, Kings Best, Lion Hunter, Redoute’s Choice, Snippets & Zabeel. And there are yearlings by Danehill, Fasliyev, Catbird, Lion Hunter, General Nediym, Octagonal, King Of Kings, Snippets, Shovhog, Clang, Desert King, Woodman, Canny Lad, Danehill Dancer, Flying Spur, Thunder Gulch & Shinko Forest. (March 5) Centre Stalls Top SA ‘First Crop’ Seller For Willow Grove Willow Grove Stud in South Australia is celebrating the achievement of its stallion Centre Stalls as the State’s leading first crop sire on sales performance. By leading Sadler’s Wells sire-son In The Wings, Centre Stalls had his first crop yearlings sell at this year’s Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale & many will enter leading stables (including those of Lee Freedman, Rick Hore-Lacy, Ken Sweeney & David Balfour). From the same family as celebrated mare Eight Carat, Centre Stalls had the top seller ($44,000) in the Summer Session – where most of his yearlings sold – & averaged $20,966 from 15 to sell overall. Centre Stalls is a stakes-winning Gr1 placed miler who stood in 2002 at $3,850 inc GST. (March 5) Hogan Highlights Viking Ruler’s ‘Stunning Gene Pool’ Cambridge Stud’s new sire for 2003, Viking Ruler (by Danehill), is due to arrive at Sir Patrick & Lady Justine Hogan’s famous Waikato thoroughbred breeding farm next week. A jubilant Sir Patrick told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "To have a stallion prospect with such a stunning gene pool is great news for the NZ & Australian breeding industry. In the first 3 generations of Viking Ruler’s pedigree there is the combined resources of the 2 best stallions seen in Australasia in modern times, Danehill & Sir Tristram, & certainly the greatest mare seen ‘down under’ of all time, Eight Carat. His sire Danehill is the greatest sire I have ever seen in Australia or NZ in my time in the breeding industry. His dam Tristalove is a dual Gr1 winner & Gr1 producer. She is by Sir Tristram, who in my opinion is the second best sire we have seen in NZ or Australia. His second dam Diamond Lover is a Gr1 winner & a dual Gr1 producer (Don Eduardo & Tristalove) & she is herself a half-sister to the champion galloper Octagonal & to Gr1 winners Kaapstad, Marquise & Mouawad. Viking Ruler’s 3rd dam is none other than all-time champion broodmare of NZ & Australia Eight Carat." The syndicate which raced Viking Ruler will remain involved in his stud career; it comprises NZ’s Cambridge Stud, Whakanui Stud, The Oaks Stud & Trelawney Stud, plus Australia’s Brooklyn Lodge & Werai Park Stud, as well as Kiwis Bob Emery, Gerald Shand & Peter Walker, & Aussie counterpart Ken Rose. (March 5) Subscribe Win Supports Hogan On Zabeel 2YOs Meanwhile the barn-storming win by Subscribe in last weekend’s Listed Verve Clicquot Stakes underlines the assertion by Sir Patrick Hogan that stock of his champion stallion Zabeel “are worth campaigning as 2YOs.” In only his 2nd start, Subscribe stunned many Caulfield racegoers when he sprouted wings to take the 1200m race. "For the past 2 years I’ve been pushing the barrow to trainers that horses by Zabeel should be given their chance as 2YOs," Sir Patrick told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. "At the very least they will get an education that will set them up for racing at 3 years. This horse proves that they can be up to performing in good class as well." Subscribe was bred at Hogan’s Cambridge Stud after his dam, the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Danelagh, was sent across to NZ by her owners (a partnership headed by West Australian Keith Biggs). Her first mating to Zabeel produced Subscribe, who was subsequently sold in the Cambridge Stud draft at last year’s Karaka Premier Sale to Lloyd Williams for NZ$300,000. (March 5) Flemington Track Given ‘All Clear’ After Construction Dip The Flemington track has been given the ‘all clear’ for this weekend’s dual Gr1 Newmarket Handicap & Australian Cup meetings to go ahead “after construction of a tunnel caused the track to sink slightly following rain,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Chief steward Des Gleeson said some horses "dipped" at the 900m at the Flemington meeting last week, which was a cause for concern. The 900m is where the new horse tunnel is being constructed. Gleeson said the problem was hard to detect, but track manager Terry Watson had “400 square metres of turf taken up so that the area could be properly inspected.” Watson said filling had been put in, the area compacted & the turf relaid. Three horses worked on the course proper over 1400m yesterday morning & another 5 competed in a barrier trial before steward Robert Montgomerie, who reported to Gleeson that the jockeys were satisfied with the surface. Jockeys Greg Childs, Brett Prebble, Vin Hall, Luke Currie & Jason Patton rode in the trial. Childs said a horse he rode at Flemington last week dipped at the 900m, but the problem had been fixed. He said the horse he rode in the trial "looked at it because of the different colour of the grass", but apart from that the surface was fine. (March 5) US Horse-Of-The-Year Lady’s Secret Dies After Foaling Lady’s Secret, the 21-year-old gray daughter of Secretariat who won 1986 US Horse-Of-The-Year & champion older female honors, has died soon after producing a foal to General Meeting at Valley Creek Farm in California. "She went very quietly, but we have no idea what happened," Kim Glenney (who with husband John purchased the mare at the 1998 Keeneland November breeding stock sale for US$750,000) told thoroughbredtimes.com. "But she was 21 & we knew something like that would come eventually." Lady’s Secret won 25 races in 45 starts, including a stunning 11 Gr1 victories (among them the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Whitney Handicap, Maskette Stakes, Shuvee Handicap, La Canada Stakes, Ruffian Handicap, Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap & Beldame Stakes). Lady’s Secret was out of the stakes-winning Icecapade mare Great Lady M & was a half-sister to stakes winner Missy Slew. Lady’s Secret has produced 12 foals, including 8 starters & 4 winners. (March 5) Thunderello To Cover First Mares This Week US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up Thunderello will cover his first mares this week, after arriving at John Jones Junior’s Walmac International. The 4YO son of Montbrook expects to stand to a full book in his first season for a fee of US$7,500. "Thunderello’s retirement to Walmac has had the phone ringing off the hook," Jones told thoroughbredtimes.com. "We all saw how fast & game he was in the Breeders’ Cup, & anyone who sees him in person is in awe of how good looking he is." Thunderello set the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint & finished just 2.5 lengths behind eventual champion sprinter Orientate. The Florida-bred then pulled up with a career-ending leg injury in the Gr1 Frank De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes at Laurel Park in November. Thunderello won 3 of 7 starts in 2 seasons of racing. Bred by Four Horsemens Ranch, Thunderello is out of the unplaced In Reality mare On The Square & is a half-brother to stakes winners Square Up The Bet & Ms Deep Pockets. (March 5) Malibu Wesley Moves To Liberty Stud John Franks’s Malibu Wesley, a son of Storm Cat who formerly stood at McMahon Of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, has moved to Jim Scott’s Liberty Stud in New York state. An 8YO out of Gr2 winner La Spia (by Capote), Malibu Wesley won 2 of 21 career starts. He was a US$425,000 purchase at the 1996 Keeneland July Selected Yearling Sale & was resold for US$900,000 8 months later at the 1997 Barretts March 2YOs-In-Training Sale. "I’m very excited to have a son of Storm Cat standing at Liberty Stud," Scott told thoroughbredtimes.com. "Malibu Wesley is as good looking a horse as you will see & his pedigree is impeccable, going back to Seattle Slew on his dam’s side. He’ll cross with a wide variety of mares." (March 5) New UK Stallions Have First Mares Scanned In Foal Meanwhile in the UK, “several new stallions have had their first mares scanned in foal,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Among them are Beat Hollow, Dilshaan, Keltos, Kyllachy, Sagacity, Slickly & Traditionally. Four-time Gr1 winner Beat Hollow (Sadler's Wells-Wemyss Bight, by Dancing Brave) stands at Banstead Manor Stud for £15,000 ($A40,000). Among the mares he is set to cover are Gr2 winner & high-class producer Divine Danse (a half-sister to Pursuit Of Love) & Karlaya (full-sister to Gr3 heroine Kithanga, dam of UK St Leger victor Milan). The first 2 mares to scan in foal to Dilshaan (winner of the Racing Post Trophy in 2000) are Gift Box (Danehill Dancer's half-sister) & Tavildara (a Kahyasi half-sister to stakes winner Tavildaran, by Dilshaan's sire Darshaan). Also in Dilshaan's book are half-sisters to King Of Kings, Redback, Val Royal & Waajib. Dilshaan's fee at Tara Stud in Ireland is €6,000 ($A11,000). Lockinge Stakes victor Keltos (Kendor-Loxandra, by Last Tycoon), who will shuttle from Airlie Stud in Ireland to Alwyn Park Stud in Western Australia, has a first book headed by Gr2 winner Fair Of The Furze (dam of Derby Italiano hero White Muzzle & granddam of Dubai World Cup winner Almutawakel). Keltos stands for €10,000 (A$18,000). Top sprinter Kyllachy (Pivotal-Pretty Poppy, by Song) has a full book of 100 outside mares added to his Cheveley Park Stud-owned mare duties. They include half-sisters to Danceabout, First Trump, Golden Apples, Sacrament & Spanish Fern, as well as half-sisters to the dams of Rock Of Gibraltar & Son Pardo. Cheveley Park resident Kyllachy's 2003 fee is £7,500 (A$21,000). Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner & top-rated French 3YO Sagacity (Highest Honor-Saganeca, by Sagace) has a full book of 85 mares this season, including 10 stakes winners or producers. He stands at Haras de la Huderie for €2,500 (A$4,600). Slickly (Linamix-Slipstream Queen, by Conquistador Cielo) commands a fee of €8,000 (A$15,000) at Haras du Logis. The 4-time Gr1 winner's first 2 mares were Carnia (half-sister to Califet) & Mandalay (a close relative of top-class miler & sire Priolo) Traditionally (Mr Prospector-Personal Ensign, by Private Account), a Gr1 winner from an outstanding North American family, stands at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland for €12,700 (A$23,000). His first mare, a Ballylinch homebred, was Gr3 winner Wild Bluebell (a Bluebird half-sister to Gr1 scorer Priory Belle & dam of 2 winners to date). (March 5) Doncaster Bloodstock Cancels Autumn Sale UK sales company Doncaster Bloodstock has cancelled this year's Doncaster Autumn Sale “as a result of the changes to the 2003 British & Irish yearling sales calendar,’ reported racingpost.co.uk. The auction had been scheduled for September 22, the day before the Goffs Orby Sale will begin this year after a contentious shuffling of dates between Goffs & Tattersalls. Doncaster was concerned the sale would lose clientele, as many people travel to Ireland at least a day before the Orby sale. Managing director Henry Beeby explained: "We have unfortunately become caught in the cross-fire between other sales companies, but have decided to concentrate on our far larger sales (August 5-7 & October 20-21), both of which are extremely successful and popular." (March 5) Asian Racing Federation Targets Internet Betting The 20 Asian Racing Federation countries unanimously agreed yesterday in Auckland to adopt a ‘Good Neighbour Policy’ aimed at curbing the spread of unregulated internet bookmakers & betting exchanges. The policy, first adopted by Japan & Hong Kong last year, says no domestic betting organisation will accept bets from residents in another jurisdiction & neither will solicit, market or advertise wagering in another country without prior authorisation from the other jurisdiction. The member countries are Australia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The Australian Racing Board will be responsible for enforcing the ‘Good Neighbour Policy’, but “its effectiveness will rely on considerable legislative support from Federal & State Governments” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. (March 4) Ladbrokes Appeals Against Dutch Court Ruling On Website Betting Meanwhile UK bookmaking firm Ladbrokes will appeal against a decision by a court in Holland that has barred Dutch residents from placing certain bets via its website, reported racingpost.co.uk. The court upheld a challenge by the state monopoly operator De Lotto, which has an exclusive licence for organising sports betting in Holland. John O’Reilly, managing director of Ladbrokes e-gaming division, said the company is also preparing to go to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg as soon as possible. Reilly said: “We believe the Dutch ruling breaches the principles of free & fair trade across the European single market." (March 4) Asian Racing Conference: Schreck Warns On Betting Exchanges The latest international gambling craze – the betting exchange – “poses a real threat to the integrity of horse racing,” according to Hong Kong Jockey Club senior consultant & former AJC chief stipendiary steward John Schreck. “It is a cancer that threatens to ruin the horse-racing industry. They are already beginning to have an effect on the integrity of racing & have the potential to do enormous harm to the industry in general,” Schreck told a business session on wagering at the Asian Racing Conference reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. “They have only just begun to spring up, but already are proliferating across the world as more & more conscienceless people grab at the chance to get rich quick at the expense of world racing. My view is that the only way horse racing can survive this threat to its integrity is for it to be made illegal for anybody to have transactions with betting exchanges.” (March 4) Asian Racing Conference: Artificial Insemination Debate Another of the thoroughbred breeding industry’s most contentious issues, artificial insemination, also triggered “lively discussion” during yesterday’s Breeding Business session at the Asian Racing Conference, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Professor Twink Allen, the NZ-born head of the Equine Fertility Unit at Newmarket in England, asserted the thoroughbred industry “is a laughing stock amongst other equine codes in its refusal to properly discuss, let alone implement, artificial insemination. It hasn’t disintegrated those other codes and it’s an issue that we can’t just keep walking away from. I say why not inseminate when there is so much trouble gone to by using other technology.” Dr John Digby, Keeper of the Australian Stud Book, identified a lack of desire to talk or write about the topic: “When you hear people say we shouldn’t talk about it, there is a problem.” Dr Digby & Professor Allen were both of the opinion that, even if artificial insemination was introduced, it would not entirely compromise stallion shuttling. “It would modify shuttling dramatically if it did come in,” Dr Digby said. “Shuttle stallions are here to stay,” added Professor Allen, “because as in the standard-bred code, some stallions would not be able to function by that means due to problems in semen transportation.” Asian Racing Federation chairman Murray Acklin was clear in stating the authorities’ stance on artificial insemination: “The International Stud Book Committee does not support AI. The Stud Book’s duty is to record foalings, not the means by which they eventuate. Until such time as the breeders of the world want artificial insemination, there will be no moves to make regulatory changes. It is a breeders’ issue to implement change. The Stud Book authorities are only the regulators.” (March 4) HK Leads Asian Racing Push For Global Position Meanwhile the 29th Asian Racing Conference in Auckland this week “is being staged to strengthen the Asian Racing Federation's position in global racing,” according to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. A 25-strong delegation from the HKJC has traveled to NZ “for the various Business Sessions, discussing topics ranging from cross-border protection of the racing product, to international race planning & veterinary issues.” Key HKJC participants include chairman Ronald Arculli, chief executive Lawrence Wong, senior consultant of Racing Control John Schreck, & the executive directors & senior officials from the Racing, Betting, Finance, Security, Charities, Veterinary & IT Departments. (March 4) Weekend Winner Highlights Easter Sale Opportunity The Brad Marzato-trained juvenile Subscribe, labelled “the best 2YO produced by Zabeel since the mighty Octagonal” (following her weekend victory in the MRC’s Listed Veuve Clicquot Stakes), has a full sister coming to the Inglis Easter Yearling sale. Consigned by Coolmore Australia as agent, the filly is the 2nd foal of Danelagh (winner of the 1998 Gr1 VATC Blue Diamond Stakes). “She’s a really nice filly,” said Brett Howard of Coolmore Australia. “I like her a lot. She’s a mix of Zabeel & Danehill, you can see both of them in her.” (March 4) Brocco’s Stakes Success Welcomed At Slade New Zealand’s Slade Farm “resurrected the southern hemisphere breeding career of former US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Brocco” last season, reported racenet.com.au – and recent results support that judgement. Promising 4YO Brocco mare Miss Helterskelter won the $70,000 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Randwick, and Mr Trickster (another 4YO from Brocco’s 3rd crop) scored one of the biggest upsets on Australian tracks in years when he defeated Northerly in the Listed $101,000 Victoria Gold Cup at Flemington. A $35,000 purchase at the 2002 Magic Millions Sale, Mr Trickster has won 5 of his 17 starts. (March 4) Danehill Broodmares Spotlight Easter Offerings Danehill broodmares had a big weekend. Apart from Subscribe in the Listed Veuve Clicquot Stakes, there was also Gr3 winner Gordo in Sydney & Mr Trickster’s shock victory over Australia’s weight-for-age champion Northerly in the MRC’s Listed Victoria Gold Cup. Mr Trickster’s dam Lady Danette will be represented by a Fuji Kiseki filly from Arrowfield Stud as agent, at the Easter Yearling sale. The youngster is one of 19 Easter yearlings from daughters of Danehill. (March 4) Zabeel Produces Pair Of Gr2 Winners Not to be outdone, mares by arch rival Zabeel produced a pair of Gr2 winners at the weekend: improving 3YO Natural Blitz & talented Kiwi filly Raspberry Ripple. Daughters of Zabeel account for 9 Easter yearlings, including “Cambridge Stud’s much-talked-about Danehill colt from outstanding racemare Champagne” noted Inglis marketing & public relations manager Melissa O’Gorman. (March 4) Regrowth’s Relation For Auction At Easter Sale Exciting juvenile Regrowth, winner of the Listed VRC Waltzing Lily Quality, has a half-sister listed for the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Segenhoe Stud will offer the Flying Spur filly, from former smart 2YO True Blonde (a half-sister to outstanding racehorse & sire Snippets). (March 4) Winning Debut For Society Party’s Latest Runner Ultra-consistent broodmare Society Party (by Far North) produced her 9th winner from 10 foals to race when the Peter Moody-trained 2YO More Perignon (a first starter by Perugino) made a winning debut & scored by 4.5 lengths at Colac on Sunday, reported racenet.com.au. The previous day Society Party’s stakes winning son Party Boy (by Jeune) won over 2200m at Ascot. Society Party “continues to produce winner after winner, including stake winners Party Boy & Rory's Classic, & stakes-placed Renoirvista & Lucky Punch. The only non-winner to date is the 3YO filly Soiree Girl (by Rory’s Jester), who has been placed at her only 2 starts. Last year Society Party foaled a Lion Hunter colt & is now in foal to Octagonal. (March 4) Kia Ora Stud Back In The Limelight Historic Kia Ora Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley marked its return to the thoroughbred breeding ranks with yesterday’s announcement that it will sponsor the Sydney Turf Club’s Gr1 Canterbury Guineas on March 22. The Canterbury Guineas is first leg of the Sydney autumn Triple Crown for 3YOs & Australia’s only Gr1 under lights. Kia Ora Stud was established in 1912 by the great Percy Miller, rated by many as “our greatest breeder of the past century.” By 1948 Kia Ora was hailed as the “largest establishment of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.” From 1925 until 1958 Kia Ora dominated Australian racing, producing 8 Melbourne Cup winners, 6 Derby winners, 14 Oaks winners & countless winners of the Cox Plate, Australia Cup, Caulfield Cup, St Ledger & Sydney Cup, & selling 2,476 yearlings at the prestigious Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale. Among many champions to have emerged from the stud were Windbag, Amounis, Murray Stream, Avenger, All Love, Feminist, Loquacious, Hydrogen, Hyperion, Peter Pan, Chatham, Winooka & Shannon. Fellow Hunter Valley farms Coolmore Australia, Darley Australia & Arrowfield Stud also sponsor Gr1 events during the STC’s Golden Slipper Festival. (March 4) Kia Ora’s Quality Easter Sale Draft Kia Ora’s Easter draft numbered an enormous 105 yearlings in 1949, & in 2003 Kia Ora will once again sell Easter yearlings under its own banner with a select draft of 16 yearlings, including: a Peintre Celebre-Cleobelle colt; Red Ransom-Crimson Road filly; Peintre Celebre-Darmala colt; Grand Lodge-Emporium colt; Zabeel-Folklore filly; Redoute’s Choice-Kalamarco colt; Desert Prince-Lakshimi filly; Grand Lodge-Minegold filly; Redoute’s Choice-Patrona filly; Zabeel-Polgar filly; Red Ransom-Restful Place filly; Peintre Celebre-Rich Pageantry colt; Gilded Time-Slew O’Diamond filly; Fasliyev-Striking Destiny colt; Flying Spur-Tirumani filly; & Peintire Celebre-Tyrises colt. (March 4) Big Week For Deceased Stallion Aliocha Deceased stallion Aliocha has had a very big week, reported racenet.com.au. First his battle-hardened son St Andrews won the Gr3 Launceston Cup for the 3rd time. Then at the Tasmanian Breeders Select Yearling Sale, one of Aliocha’s last crop of yearlings (a colt out of Lady Loughmore) was sold for $30,000 - 2nd highest price of the sale. Finally on Sunday, 5YO gelding Wobbly nosed out Our Guided Missile in the $50,000 Carlton Colac Gold Cup; & Wobbly is a full brother to the Aliocha-Lady Loughmore colt which sold for $30,000 at the Tasmanian Breeders Sale. (March 4) US Success For Anabaa It was also a big weekend for Widden stud’s shuttle stallion Anabaa. Following the 2nd successive Gr1 victory by his 3YO son Yell in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, “the champion Danzig sprinter has sired a Gr3 winner in the US,” reported racenet.com.au. The US$100,000 Gr3 Suwannee River Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Sunday was won by the Anabaa 5YO mare Amonita (Anabaa-Spectacular Joke, by Spectacular Bid), who began her career in France. Amonita has now started 14 times for 6 wins & 3 2nds (including a victory in the French Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac). (March 4) Golden Slipper’s 5-Year Tourism Contract Parramatta Lord Mayor Paul Garrard yesterday signed an agreement with Sydney Turf Club aimed at transforming the $3,000,000 AAMI Golden Slipper “into the Race that galvanises a Region.” Garrard & STC chief executive Michael Kenny finalised a Memorandum Of Understanding that will “provide a boost to the Parramatta economy by increasing its tourism exposure in the business district.” Garrard explained: “The Golden Slipper is one of the classic horse-racing events in Australia. Yet in the past, if you visited Parramatta on the day of the big race, you wouldn’t have known it was on. This agreement will change all that. Parramatta City Council & Sydney Turf Club agree that we must do all we can to encourage interest in the race to boost tourism & create job opportunities in hotels, shops, restaurants & other businesses.” The 5-year agreement spells out a joint-funding approach to activities such as providing low cost decoration opportunities for businesses, bunting, colour co-ordinated civic gardens, city decorations, entertainment & fun competitions. (March 4) Opening Of Sandown’s New Hillside Track Melbourne Racing Club chief executive Peter Sweeney revealed a number of initiatives at Sandown’s meeting on Sunday March 16, marking the Grand Opening of the new Hillside track (which establishes Sandown as Melbourne's first ever dual-circuit racecourse). The meeting will be a free day for patrons, with entry being a voluntary donation of a gold coin & all proceeds going to the Victoria State Emergency Service. There will also be $60,000 in prize give-aways on the day & a free cocktail function prior to the first race. Following extensive redevelopment during 2002, Sandown's 2 newly-created tracks have been named Hillside & Lakeside, & will operate as separate identities in sharing the distribution of Sandown's 43 fixtures per season. (March 4) NZ Filly Sunday Whisper Heading To US The Chris McNab-trained 3YO filly Sunday Whisper (by Sunday Silence) made her final NZ track appearance when finishing 5th in the Gr2 $100,000 Fayette Park Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie last weekend. She will now head to the US on Saturday to join Simon Bray’s California stable, but will continue to race under her current ownership of Auckland bloodstock consultant Rob McAnulty & Hong Kong businessmen Peter Yip & Richard Hui. (March 4) $3,000 Inglis Bargain Cleans-Up In Hong Kong Former stakes-winning Perth 3YO Lord Mason - the cheapest stakes-winner sold by Inglis in the 2002-2003 Australian racing season – won in Hong Kong last weekend under his new name Equator Kid. The horse was originally knocked down for just $3,000 at the 1999 June Weanling Sale in Melbourne, before being re-offered as a yearling in Adelaide & finding his way to Perth. Last summer Lord Mason made his name as one of the best young stayers in Western Australia. Then trained by Vernon Brockman, the son of Kenvain won 5 of 8 starts (including 2 Listed events & a 2nd in the Gr1 WATC Derby). Now prepared by former Australian trainer David Hayes in HK, Equator Kid recorded an impressive win in Class 1 company over 1800 metres. (March 4) Inglis Pin-Hook Bargain Also Scores In HK Meanwhile Whata Feeling scored at Happy Valley, also for expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes. The Geiger Counter 3YO was pin-hooked from the 2001 Inglis Sires’ Produce Sale for just $32,500 by Melbourne bloodstock agent Rob Roulston & re-offered at the 2001 Inglis Australian Breeze-Up Sale where he fetched $90,000. His dam Decoy Doll is a half-sister to champion galloper Red Anchor. (March 4) Aldebaran Wins US Gr1 San Carlos Handicap After 5 previous placings in Gr1 races over the last 2 years, Aldebaran broke through for his first Gr1 victory with a smashing 5 lengths win in the US$200,000 San Carlos Handicap (7 furlongs) at Santa Anita Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Aldebaran, a 5YO son of Mr Prospector, finished 2nd in 5 straight starts during one stretch last year, including the Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, the Gr1 Forego Handicap at Saratoga Race Course & the Gr1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont. He now has 4 wins & 13 placings in 18 career starts for the Niarchos family’s Flaxman Holdings (who also bred him). Kentucky-bred Aldebaran is one of 5 winners out of the multiple Gr1-winning Private Account mare Chimes of Freedom. He is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Good Journey, stakes winner Tomisue’s Indy & Gr2-placed winner Sea of Showers. He also represents the immediate family of UK Gr1 winner Aviance, Gr1 winner Denon & Irish classic winner & 1997 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Spinning World. (March 4) South American Stakes Placing For New Arrowfield Sire Chile’s reigning Horse-Of-The-Year & Champion Turf Male, Ballistic (Barkerville–Balladry, by In Reality), made a triumphant return to racing with a 3.5 length victory in the Gr2 Verano Arturo Cousino Lyon Stakes over 2000 metres on turf at Club Hipico. Ballistic defeated Hermitage (by Arrowfield Stud’s exciting new sire Hussonet) with Great Brother (Seekers Reward) a neck away 3rd. (March 4) South African Gr1 Quinella For Sire Western Winter Surveyor defeated Yard-Arm & Allied Prospect in the first leg of the R322,500 (A$65,000) Gr1 Triple Crown (1600m) at Turffontein in South Africa on the weekend. The result “proved a triumph for Lammerskraal Stud, who not only stand Western Winter (sire of the winner & runner-up) but bred both the winner & runner-up & race the latter,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Surveyor (Western Winter–Crescent Fields, by Northfields) is a 3YO gelding who has now won 7 of his 14 starts; he is a half-brother to Listed winner Lunar Fields, while the dam is a stakes-winning half-sister to champion Argentine miler & sire Lord At War. Surveyor is the first Gr1 winner for Western Winter. (March 4) Argentine Filly Takes First Leg Of South African Gr1 Triple Crown In the other South African Gr1 on the weekend, Argentine-bred filly Paraca (Kitwood–Paraguaya, by Country Doctor) established her claims as best filly of her age by taking the first leg of the Gr1 Fillies Triple Crown, the R198,750 (A$40,000) Triple Tiara (1600m) for 3YO fillies. Paraca led from the outset & won untroubled by 3 lengths. Paraca has now won 6 of her 9 races. Her Granddam is a half-sister to champion mare Paseana. (March 4) US Breeders’ Cup Pick-6-Scandal To Become Movie US actor & comedian Robert Wuhl will co-write, direct & act as executive producer for a movie version of the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Ultra-Pick-6 betting scandal, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The movie will be based on a series of articles published in The New York Times by Eclipse Award-winning turf writer Joe Drape, which revealed the scheme whereby 3 former Drexel University friends were able to change their wagers after the Breeders’ Cup races had been run. Officials raised the alarm when the former fraternity brothers were the only winners of the US$3 million jackpot. (March 4) UK Plans ‘Wall-To-Wall’ Sunday Racing UK trainers’ representatives have “called for caution” in the wake of the British Horseracing Board’s proposals for the introduction of “wall-to-wall Sunday racing next year.” BHB communications director Alan Delmonte confirmed to racingpost.co.uk that it was “in the early stages of planning a massive increase in the number of Sunday fixtures.” However Delmonte added the “ability of racing's workforce to cope with the change would be a major factor in any change.” UK National Trainers' Federation chief executive Rupert Arnold declared: "Sunday racing should be quality racing & there are doubts about whether it would be possible to sustain that quality if Sunday fixtures are extended to 52 weeks per year.” (March 4) $1.1 Million Arab Offer For Perth 2YO Arab interests made a shock $1.1 million offer for a Perth-owned yearling filly by Zabeel (out of Blue Diamond Stakes winner Danelagh), after the filly’s 2YO brother Subscribe won at Caulfield on the weekend. The filly is owned by a syndicate headed by leading WA owner Keith Biggs & including prominent WA racing figures John Jones & Rod Russell. The West Australian newspaper reported the $1.1 million offer “must be accepted within the next 24 hours or it will lapse.” Biggs also headed the syndicate which raced Danelagh & sold her as a broodmare to overseas interests last year for $1.2 million. Biggs told the newspaper his syndicate was likely to reject the offer: "We'll probably keep the yearling & race her. Her value will soar if Subscribe wins the Golden Slipper Stakes.” Subscribe stamped himself as a potential Gr1 winner with a dominant win at Caulfield at only his 2nd start. He is raced by Melbourne’s biggest owner Lloyd Williams & cost $240,000 as a yearling. (March 3) Innovation Girl Retired With injury Exciting Melbourne 3YO filly Innovation Girl has been retired after suffering a fractured canon bone when finishing 2nd behind Yell in Saturday's Gr1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield. Innovation Girl (Rubiton-Bright Gleam) totalled 10 wins (including the Gr2 VRC Ascot Vale Stakes, Gr3 MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes, Gr3 SAJC Dermody Stakes & Gr3 MRC The Debonair) & 4 placings (including a 3rd in last month’s Gr1 Orr Stakes) from her 15 starts for $977,900 prize-money. (March 3) HK Cup Winner Jim And Tonic Retired French globetrotter Jim And Tonic, who won the Gr1 Hong Kong Cup in 1999, will not race again. Francois Doumen, trainer of the 9YO son of Double Bend, has given up trying to bring the gelding back after a disappointing workout on Saturday at Chantilly. His last race was a 5th in the 2002 Gr2 Prix Dollar on October 5 at Longchamp. Doumen told racingpost.co.uk: "At 9, his tyres are not exactly brand new. And he seems to have lost his will to fight. ‘Jimmy’ will join us on our Normandy farm. I am afraid we will spoil him. I may use him as a hack though, as I do not want him to get bored." Bred in France at Elizabeth Doumen’s Haras d’Ecouves, Jim And Tonic was gelded as a 2YO following an abscess in a hoof that needed a long recovery. He ends his 39-start career with 13 wins from 7-11 furlongs (including the 1998 HK International Bowl, 1999 Gr2 HK Queen Elizabeth II Cup & 2001 Gr2 Dubai Duty Free Stakes) &17 placings (including 2nd in both the 2000 & 2001 HK Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Canada’s 1998 Gr1 Woodbine Mile, France’s 1998 Gr1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, England’s 1999 Gr1 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes & both the 2000 & 2001 Gr1 Singapore International Cup). He earned $8,510,000 prize-money. (March 3) $110,000 Commands Colt Tops Magic Millions Gold Coast Premier Queensland-based agent Neil Jenkinson paid top price of $110,000 for a black colt by Commands at yesterday’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Premier Sale. The sale sold 220 lots (clearance rate 77.2%), grossed $3,520,000 (up 40% on last year’s $2,515,000) & averaged $16,000 (up 13.9% on last year’s $14,050). Magic Millions marketing & media manager Annie McDonald reported the buying bench included international visitors Tan Thong Lai & W.F.Tang from Malaysia, Malcolm Thwaites from Singapore, Alan Kaye from New Zealand & various Hong Kong operatives. Other significant prices included: $67,500 (by Magic Millions as agent for Malaysian-based W.F.Tang) for a chestnut Desert King-Miss Scarlet colt offered by Bahram Stud Farm on Queendland’s Darling Downs. $65,000 (by JR Solutions of Queensland) for a brown Sanction-Sovereign Romance colt offered by Raheen Stud on the Darling Downs as agent. $65,000 (by Singapore’s Malcolm Thwaites) for a chestnut Telesto-Grameen colt offered by Royston Stud at Beaudesert. $60,000 (by Magic Millions as agent for an undisclosed Malaysian buyer) for a chestnut Shinko Forest-Imposelle colt offered by Glenlogan Park Stud at Innisplain. $60,000 (by Kevin Dixon) for a grey Lion Hunter-Lady Scholar colt offered by Oakwood Farm at Haigslea as agent for Bonnie Vale Thoroughbreds. $60,000 (by S.B & J.Laming) for a brown Commands-Hula Guest filly offered by Ellinthorpe Stud at Allora. (March 3) Tasmanian Yearling Sale Average & Aggregate Rise Meanwhile last week’s Tasmanian Yearling Sale in Launceston registered increases in both average (from $7,489 to $9,064) & aggregate (from $516,750 to $634,500), reported appracingandsports.com.au. Top price of $32,000 was paid for a sister to smart West Quest juvenile Chicks In Charge. Next best was a bid of $30,000 for the full brother to stakes-winners Wobbley & Lochi. (March 3) Sydney ‘Super-Club’ Proposal’ Hosed Down Leading Sydney racing commentator Ken Callander told his readers in The Daily Telegraph: “You can forget all the stories about the AJC & the STC amalgamating. The only way it can happen is for there to be a take-over of the STC by the AJC & I can assure you the STC, a highly successful club, will not let that happen. For the ‘amalgamation’ to go through, the AJC wants 9 of the 15 committee, the chairman, the CEO & it to be based at Randwick. Who’s kidding who?” (March 3) HKJC’s Lawrence Wong Elected Asian Racing Federation Chairman Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Lawrence Wong was elected chairman of the Asian Racing Federation, as the 29th Asian Racing Conference began in Auckland yesterday. Australian Racing Board chairman Bob Charley was elected vice-chairman, along with Naoki Koike (who becomes head of the Japan Racing Association later this month). The ARF comprises 20 controlling bodies of horseracing stretching from Hong Kong to Turkey, & Australia to South Africa. Wong takes over from New Zealand’s Murray Acklin. (March 3) Wong Attacks Off-Shore Bettors As ‘Parasitical & Illegal Pirates’ New Asian Racing Federation chairman Lawrence Wong went straight onto the attack in Auckland by declaring: "No doubt racing will deal with important issues over the coming years, but surely none will be as pressing as the threat posed to racing's very fabric by unlimited, unregulated & uncontrolled betting companies that contribute nothing to our sport, & nothing to society. Together racing's governing bodies must take immediate & firm action against these off-shore operators. I urge ARF members not just to take a united front against these parasitical & illegal pirates that threaten racing's integrity, but also to lobby their respective governments to help arrest this problem." All 20 nations unanimously adopted the Good Neighbour Policy which says no organisation will accept bets from residents in the other jurisdiction & neither will solicit, market or advertise wagering without prior authorisation from the other jurisdiction. (March 3) Internet Betting Hot Topic At Auckland’s Asian Racing Conference The implications of internet gambling on the international horse racing community will be one of the major talking points at the 29th Asian Racing Federation’s annual conference in Auckland this week. More than 500 key racing administrators, owners, breeders & club officials from the 20 nations represented under the Asian Racing Federation banner, along with leaders from other racing jurisdictions around the world, are attending the conference which was officially opened yesterday by NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark. NZ Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Allan Fenwick said the wagering issue will be a vital subject among the business sessions: “The rapid growth of internet gambling & the emergence of exchange betting (where people bet directly on-line against each other through a betting exchange) has all sorts of implications for traditional horse racing organisatons such as the TAB & racing clubs. Modern technologies have ushered in a new environment of Unlimited, Unregulated & Uncontrolled gambling known as 3U gambling. The social & political consequences of 3U gambling are numerous. Erosion of tax revenue, loss of regulatory control over gambling issues, increase in social cost such as under-age & pathological gambling are but a few." (March 3) Queensland Jockeys Withdraw From Strike The Queensland Jockeys’ Association has agreed to withdraw its support for industrial action at Doomben, Gold Coast & Toowoomba next weekend, following a meeting between Queensland Racing Board chairman Bob Bentley & chief executive Jeremy Turner, & QJA chairman Richard Pratt & deputy Jason Taylor. Bentley announced: “The decision followed an agreement by Queensland Racing to meet a state-wide delegation of jockeys to address a number of concerns that they expressed. We have agreed to open the lines of communication with the QJA to ensure a greater level of understanding of industry issues affecting their members. This should certainly avert such action in the future. It was a very positive meeting. We listened to their concerns in relation to the proposed industry reforms, especially those relating to a rationalisation of country racing & changes to the Friday circuit. We told them a strike had the potential to undermine the credibility of the Queensland racing industry at a time when we are striving to demonstrate to the Government that the industry is getting its house in order and is an important contributor to the state economy.” (March 3) Murrihy Rejects Jockey Claims On Stewards & Race Pressure Meanwhile NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy yesterday rejected recent comments that jockeys were being “put under too much pressure in races, which was contributing to the recent spate of falls.” Murrihy told racenet.com.au: "We spend 6 hours every race day telling riders to give each other more room. There's a rule that says a jockey must give his mount every reasonable & permissible hope in a race, it doesn't say to do anything dangerous. And in 3 recent falls in NSW, the riders involved were senior riders not apprentices. I think the pressure comes from within. There are 2 big stables in Sydney & there is a lot of pressure to be successful & jockeys have to work hard to ride for them." Murrihy noted officials were “constantly looking at ways to ensure safety equipment gave the best possible protection” & said the next step was likely to be the availability of an improved helmet: “We are pushing hard to get the helmet upgraded to the European & American standards." (March 3) Female Jockeys Ride The Card At Bundaberg And it was Ladies Day at Bundaberg on Saturday when all 5 races on the program were won by female jockeys, reported racenet.com.au. Toni Kruger won the 1st & 2nd races; apprentice Dallas Van Bekkum took the 3rd; Tammy Unwin won the 4th; & Desiree Gill saluted in the last. (March 3) Another Aust Gr1 Victory For Yell Jack & Bob Ingham’s 3YO gelding Yell (ridden by Darren Gauci) landed his second Gr1 victory in the weight-for-age $400,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Yell (Anabaa-Vocalist, by Bluebird) defeated Innovation Girl, Roman Arch & La Bella Dame. At his previous start, Yell won the Gr1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8, & now boasts 6 wins, 4 2nds & 2 3rds from 13 starts. (March 3) Anabaa’s Southern Hemisphere Value Yell represents Shuttle sire Anabaa's 2nd Australian Gr1 victory. Anabaa’s previous international Gr1 winners include Amonita (Prix Marcel Boussac), Anabaa Blue (Prix du Jockey-Club), Precision (also known as Anabar, Hong Kong Cup) & Rouvres (Prix Jean Prat). He serves the southern hemisphere season at Widden Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley (last year’s fee was $44,000 including GST), & is presently covering mares at Haras du Quesnay for a fee of €45,000 (A$83,000) reported thoroughbredtimes.com. (March 3) Amazing Gr1 Run Continues For Widden With Yell’s Gr1 Futurity victory, the Thompson family’s Widden Stud logged its 7th Gr1 victory by Widden sired runners from the 28 Gr1 races run in Australia so far this season, reported racenet.com.au. Among the Widden sires, 3 have had Gr1 winners from their 1st crop: Helissio (by Fairy King) is the sire of Victoria Derby & Caulfield Guineas winner Helenus: Filante (by Star Way) is the sire of Caulfield 1000 Guineas winner Macedon Lady; & Belong To Me (by Danzig) is the sire of Victorian Oaks winner Bulla Borghese. Yell comes from shuttle sire Anabaa’s 2nd Australian-born crop, while Epsom Handicap