Two stakes races will be run at Flemington on Thursday. Although there'll be plenty of interest in the juvenile Listed ANZAC Day Stakes over 1400m, Gai Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, will have an opportunity to equal the Listed VRC St Leger-winning record established by her late father Tommy Smith. The stable will saddle Ganbare (Maurice) in pursuit of a sixth succesin the race. On paper, the Group 1-performed stayer will need to find a few lengths over the 2800m trip, however the training duo also highly rated Teofilo Star (Teofilo) carded for the 2500m William Newton Handicap earlier on the day. At Otaki in New Zealand, the Listed ANZAC Mile features several quality horses in the second last race on the card. Whilst every effort is made to ensure race times (in AEDT) are accurate, please consult official race cards if certainty is required.
Thurs 2.23pm: Listed ANZAC Day Mile (1600m) Otaki
3.20pm: Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400m) Flemington
3.55pm: Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) Flemington
Yulong's Acquisition Chases First Australian Win
Thursday, 25th April 2024
Recently purchased from her New Zealand connections, Gr1 New Zealand Oaks-winning filly Pulchritudinous (Wrote-Showus, by Pentire) will make her first Australian start on Saturday when she lines up for new owners Yulong in the Gr1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville. Trainers G Waterhouse & A Bott sent her to the trials recently where she finished a solid third over 1200m, and on Saturday with Tim Clark in the saddle, the pair have drawn nicely in barrier seven. If she can cope with the drop back in trip from the 2400m to the 2000m, then the filly looks a leading contender, as do fellow New Zealand-bred fillies Positivity (Almanzor-Pussy O'Reilly, by O'Reilly) and Qali Al Farrasha (Almanzor-Nucleonic, by Burgundy) who finished second and third behind her in the NZ Oaks. Of the local contingent, the Patrick Payne-trained Wings Of Song (Mendelssohn-Tortoni, by Strategic) comes into the race in outstanding form, winning her past six starts including three Listed races, as well as the Gr3 Auraria Stakes last start over 1800m. Already a winner over 2100m in the Listed Tasmanian Oaks, the filly has proven her ability over a trip, and being from the family of Champion Stayer Tie The Knot (Nassipour), she will surely look the winner at some stage in the home straight. Beaten into fourth place in the Gr1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) should be good enough to see the P & P Snowden trained Queen Of Dragons (Pierro-Entrancing, by Exceed And Excel) capable of making a case for herself here especially with those ahead of her in the Vinery going on to place in the Gr1 Australian Oaks (2400m) next start.
Pulchritudinous wins the New Zealand Oaks (pic: Race Images Peter Rubery)
Yarraman Park Stallions Hold Sangster Weight
Thursday, 25th April 2024
With only a two-kilo weight spread between the 14 runners in this Saturday's $1m Gr1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville, the standard weight-for-age conditions of the race are sure to see it a tight contest. Unbeaten this time in, highlighted by a dominant display in the Listed Sunlight Classic down the Flemington 1200m straight last start, the Ciaron Maher trained Estriella (I Am Invincible-Madrigals, by Lonhro) looks capable of giving her Yarraman Park-based sire his 16th individual Gr1 winner. If there are any chinks in her armour, stablemate and last start Gr1 William Reid Stakes third placed I Am Me (I Am Invincible-Mefnooda, by Medaglia D'oro) looks more than capable of taking the prize and becoming the next elite level winner for her Champion sire. With two other runners in the field by the dual Australian Leading Sire in Wonderful Tonight (I Am Invincible-Forever Loved, by High Chaparral) and Waltz On By (I Am Invincible-Stay With Me, by Street Cry), it would not surprise to see I Am Invincible further extend his lead in the premiership ahead of what is surely a third title at the end of the season. With the Yarraman Park sires experiencing a brilliant run of late, I Am Invincible's barn mate, and son Hellbent, is riding high on the second Gr1 victory of his daughter Magic Time (Hellbent), a winner of the Gr1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) last weekend and this Saturday Benedetta (Hellbent-Whatalovelyday, by Domesday) has the right form lines to become his second Gr1 winner in the space of a week. A winner of the Gr3 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) last start at the track, the Jason Warren-trained mare had come off two Gr1 fourth placed efforts and with her confidence boosting win last start, she looks right on track to give her Melbourne Cup winning owner Laurence Eales his next big winner.
Estriella is a massive talent (pic: Mark Gatt)
Gluyas' Two-Pronged Chairman's Assault
Thursday, 25th April 2024
Having trained three of the last ten winners of the Gr3 Chairman's Stakes in partnership with father-in-law Leon Macdonald, trainer Andrew Gluyas has accepted with two runners in this Saturday's South Australian Derby lead-up attempting to win the race in his own name for the first time. Leading contender Air Assault (Justify-Elegant Eagle, by Zabeel) comes into the race off three consecutive wins since resuming from a spell including a narrow victory last time out over 1800m in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas. The half-brother to Gr1 winner Go Indy Go (Bernardini) is yet to win past 1800m with his best effort being third in the Gr2 Vase over 2040m at Moonee Valley, so we still need to be convinced on the distance query. What complicates his assignment even further is that he has drawn wide in barrier 12 of 13, and considering he likes to race handy, if not lead, hopefully he won't use up too much energy going forward. The second runner for the stable, who is also an emergency in the Gr1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), 3YO filly Seeking Stardom (Tosen Stardom-Scarlet Moretta, by Fastnet Rock) produced an outstanding effort two starts back in lesser grade at Murray Bridge to win by 6.5-lengths before finishing sixth in the Gr3 Auraria Stakes last start. Racing handy in the past, from barrier 4 the filly is likely to go forward and take up the running and if she's left alone in front, she may prove hard to run down.
Large Field Assembled For Tobin Bronze
Thursday, 25th April 2024
A total of 17 final acceptances were taken on Wednesday morning ahead of Saturday's $250,000 Gr2 Tobin Bronze Stakes, with many of the runners on paper all appearing to have a chance. With multiple form lines coming into the race including the Gr2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint and the Listed Redevla Stakes, it could be a recent 1200m race at Sandown that holds the key to the winning chances. Sold for $975,000 through the Amarina Farm draft at the Inglis Easter yearling sale, the M Price & M Kent Jnr trained Pivot City (Not a Single Doubt-Di Lusso, by Lonhro) has always promised plenty, and while he hasn't made an impact to date in black type racing to date, this Saturday's Tobin Bronze Stakes may just be his day. A two-time winner from six starts to date, the colt is a half-brother to the Gr2-winning, Gr1 placed Contessa Vanessa (Bullbars) from the family of Shuffle Dancer (I Am Invincible) who herself appears a leading chance in the Gr2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes which will be run as the very next race on the nine-race card. With Blake Shinn sticking with the colt after riding the 3YO to success last time out, Pivot City has drawn barrier seven, and although he is on equal weights to some very talented stakes winners, this colt is one to watch. A winner of just shy of $1m in earnings, the Ben, Will & JD Hayes trained Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel-Florabella, by Exceed And Excel) is clearly the one to beat on form, especially at the weights, and if he can overcome barrier 16, the Mark Zahra-ridden stakes winner should be charging home late. A winner of her first three starts before ending her campaign with third in the Gr1 Thousand Guineas where she started second favourite, Mitchell Freedman's Sky Bird (Exosphere-Real Desire, by Wanted) resumed with a fifth carrying 61kg at Bendigo over 1100m. Stepping up to 1200m and a significant drop in weights is likely to see a return to form for the Beau Mertens-ridden filly.
Bold Bastille Appears Unbeatable at Caulfield
Thursday, 25th April 2024
With four wins from five starts, three at black type level, and last time out in the Vobis Showdown at Bendigo, the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau-Chloe in Paris, by Exceed And Excel) will starts a short-priced favourite in Saturday's $1m TBV Vobis Platinum Showdown at Caulfield. Capable of jumping and maintaining a solid tempo before kicking away, jockey Luke Currie is likely to employ similar tactics from barrier 3 in the large 16-horse field. Next in the betting is the Rosemont Stud-bred and raced Lincolnshire (Starspangledbanner-Furnival, by Street Cry), an impressive debut winner in the Listed Dequetteville Stakes at Morphettville for trainers P G Moody & K Coleman. While she wouldn't have looked out of place in the Gr3 Breeders' Stakes at Morphettville, a race those that placed behind her will contest, connections have decided to chase the lucrative prizemoney on offer at Caulfield and will have to contend with a wide draw after being allocated 12 of 16 at this stage. As the only two runners under double figure odds in the betting, if Bold Bastille has an off day, Lincolnshire will surely be ready to pounce with that filly looking to appreciate the step up in distance here.
The Princess Stakes Crown Up for Grabs
Thursday, 25th April 2024
Having drawn the outside in barrier 23, Michael Nolan's Exotique Miss (Under the Louvre-Outlandish, by Redoute's Choice) has been installed the favourite in Saturday's Listed Aquis Stallions Princess Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm. Backing up off her win last Saturday in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m), in which she jumped from barrier 14 of 17, the Robbie Dolan-ridden filly will be chasing her fourth consecutive win come Saturday. Although her sire was a winner up to only 1400m, Exotique Miss is from the family of Gr1 VRC Oaks winner Slight Chance (Centaine), so one would expect the step up to the mile should pose no concern for the favourite. Not seen since finishing fourth in the Gr1 VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Spring off the back off a win in the Gr2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m), the G Waterhouse & A Bott-trained Amazonian Lass (More Than Ready-Dynastic Lady, by Fastnet Rock) has been readied for her first up assignment with two barrier trials efforts. From barrier 8, jockey Ryan Maloney will have the option to go forward and take up the lead in what is her usual racing pattern, the only question is will she be vulnerable late and be able hold off any of those charging home late. There is no question she has the class to win the race but may be one to watch in 3 races over slightly further in the weeks to come. Training three winners in the last eight years of the race, more than any other trainer, C J Waller will be represented by five runners in Saturday's edition with his best on paper appearing to be Torryburn Stud sold Mare of Mt Buller (Dundeel-Aliberani, by Redoute's Choice), who has unfortunately drawn wide in barrier 18.
Keshi Boom's Racing Comeback Gathers Momentum
Thursday, 25th April 2024
The progress of filly Keshi Boom continues to please jockey William Pike as her much-anticipated return to racing gathers momentum, reports rwwa.com.au. All eyes are focused on the unbeaten Grant and Alana Williams-trained 3YO, who completed a campaign clean sweep that culminated in winning the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m)-Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) double. Having her second 950m hit out at Lark Hill on Monday, Pike said Keshi Boom (Spirit Of Boom-Pearls For Me, by Red Dazzler) took an important step towards her comeback in a four-horse heat. Keshi Boom ran a comfortable 1.5 length third and importantly was doing her best work late over the last 50m when bridging the gap on Savage One. Pike said Keshi Boom was on track for her race return. "I thought she peaked on her effort on her first trial, which is understandable. Today, every time I asked she gave me an effort and felt good in doing it," Pike told The Races WA. He adds, "She didn't miss a beat and her attitude was beautiful and her stride perfect. It was only a trial and I think she's going well." Pike believes that team Williams are likely to delay Keshi Boom's return until the Belmont season.
Meagher Eyes Doomben 10,000 Slot for Arentee
Thursday, 25th April 2024
Trainer Chris Meagher will aim for the sky and throw in a nomination for next month's Gr1 Doomben 10,000 if Arentee can place in The Archer at Rockhampton's Callaghan Park on Sunday, reports racingqueensland.com.au. Arentee (Territories-Autumn, by O'Reilly) is third favourite at $10 for the third running of the 1300 metre Weight-For-Age feature behind $2.20 favourite Strait Acer. Arentee will be ridden by former champion Singapore jockey Vlad Duric who has made an immediate impact since his arrival in Queensland. The Territories gelding will be having his first start at Callaghan Park but has hit form at the right time following his all the way win over 1350 metres at Doomben last start. Meagher picked up his slot for The Archer within 24 hours of Arentee claiming his seventh race of his career. "I got a call back that night from a syndicate who was interested and it was confirmed the following day. The syndicate is called The Bucket List, and they were looking at some others including one from Sydney but they chose Arentee," Meagher said. He is unsure if Duric has ridden at Rockhampton before and will rely on his experience with the long 600 metre straight often the death knell for front runners. Meagher is confident Arentee will cope with the long straight and is delighted with the 5YO's progress this campaign, noting, "The way to ride him is to bounce and go forward and get into a nice rhythm. If we get a suitable track, a good draw and if he can be in the first three entering the straight they'll know he's there."
The Horse Walker That’s Stood the Test of Time
Thursday, 25th April 2024
Readers of Black Type Racing will have seen the large Irongate Banner at the top of the News column. Placed in a premium position, it is a pertinent fit for Irongate, one of Australia’s notable equine industry’s success stories across many years, now boasting over 600 horse walkers worldwide. Also well known for manufacturing Colourbond roofing for its walkers, Irongate’s slogan proudly states, ‘The World’s most affordable, dependable and durable horse exercise machine.’ Operating from its state-of-the-art engineering facility in Adelaide, South Australia, where the thoroughbred industry is currently enjoying a boom period, Irongate has been building world class exercise machines since 1995. Using only locally produced steel, Australian-owned Irongate is now one of the largest horse exercise machine businesses globally, having earned a well-deserved reputation for producing bespoke walkers for stables, breaking in facilities and racetracks. All walkers are made to order, and not flat-packed. A former assistant trainer for a leading Adelaide stable, Business Development Manager Samantha Barr enthuses that other key selling points for Irongate include the product support that’s offered, fast turn around from order to delivery and installation, and no-obligation quotes.
Irongate's walkers are renowned worldwide (pic: supplied)
Hawaii Five Oh Added to 2024 Vinery Roster
Thursday, 25th April 2024
Leading Hunter Valley nursery, Vinery Stud, has announced its 2024 stallion roster and service fees. Whilst adding exciting newcomer Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible-Aloha, by Encosta de Lago) to its seven-strong line up, breeders will be pleased to know that there have been no service fee increases this year. “With breeders in mind, we have held our fees to the same level this year,” said Vinery’s General Manager Peter Orton. “We believe our stallions are of a very high quality, while also representing fantastic value and give breeders the best possible chance on a return on their investment.” Hawaii Five Oh is a dual Group 3-winning son of two-time Australian Champion sire I Am Invincible and is a stallion with a point of difference in his female family, with his first five dams all being Stakes winners. This begins with his Group 1 winning mother Aloha, who won the 2011 edition of the ATC Coolmore Classic before embarking on a successful career as a producer. Hawaii Five Oh is the only stallion at stud in Australia with the distinction of having all his first five dams as black type winners and Vinery’s General Manager points to depth of pedigree as something the Stud constantly strives for in its stallions. “It’s so important to us and Hawaii Five Oh was a superior athlete as well as being a spectacular-looking horse. He’s good-sized and well-balanced with perfect conformation.” HAWAII FIVE OH (I Am Invincible) will stand for an introductory fee of $16,500 and joins an up and coming roster with Group 1 winning stallions Ole Kirk and Exceedance on the cusp of successful stud careers at Vinery.
2024 Vinery Stud Stallion Profiles
Thursday, 25th April 2024
Aside from incoming debutant Hawaii Five Oh (see above item), Vinery’s original half dozen stallion roster from 2023 remains intact, with no increase to service fees, all of which are GST inclusive with payment on a Live Foal basis. Their individual profiles are below:
OLE KIRK (Written Tycoon) was the talking horse this year amongst the young stallions with first crop yearlings sold in 2024. Demand for his stock at the major yearling sales began instantly with a filly selling for $1 million at the Magic Millions to the bid of Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock. Other notable stables including Hawkes Racing, Waterhouse/Bott, Ciaron Maher, Peter Moody, Chris Waller, Annabel Neasham, Tony Gollan, Price/Kent, Ryan/Alexiou, Bjorn Baker, Kris Lees and Tony McEvoy also secured yearlings by Ole Kirk. A dual Group 1 winner on the track who was crowned Champion 3YO of his year, Ole Kirk offers breeders a complete outcross to Danehill blood. An exciting young stallion with strong commercial appeal, his fee will remain unchanged at $55,000.
EXCEEDANCE (Exceed And Excel) is a former winner of the Group 1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes, a race with such a rich history of producing top class stallions. Exceedance’s early first crop 2YO success this season is a strong indicator that he too is set for a successful career at stud. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained dual Group 3 winner Dublin Down is amongst four early winners for this young sire during the current season. Sandown winner Flyer is another to have already tasted victory and is set to feature in the Group 3 SAJC Breeders Stakes this weekend. His quick start as a young proven stallion has brought strong attention to his progeny at this year’s yearling sales and his second crop sold to a high of $520,000 at the Sydney Easter sale recently.Exceedance remains at $33,000 for 2024.
ALL TOO HARD (Casino Prince) continues to demonstrate what a value proven source of top-class racehorses he is, having already produced elite level horses such as multiple Group 1 winners Alligator Blood, Forbidden Love, Behemoth and Champion Sprinter Wellington. A prolific winner getter, All Too Hard has finished in the Top Ten stallions in the country by individual winners in every season since 2019. He has now amassed 24 Stakes winners with progeny earnings of over $91million, giving him average earnings of over $128,000 per runner.The strong success his progeny have enjoyed across Australasia has resulted in a higher demand for his stock in the marketplace, where his yearlings have sold up to ten times his service fee both this year and last.All Too Hard will remain at $38,500 this season.
STAR TURN (Star Witness) has one of the highest strike rates for any proven stallion at stud at a very high 74.2% winners to runners. He started the season by breaking the 2yo Southern Hemisphere sale record when the colt from Commonwealth sold to $825,000 at the NZB Ready to Run Sale. With Group 1 winner Startantes among 13 Stakes horses from his first crop, the progeny of this young stallion are destined to feature more at Stakes level in the future with his two largest crops to-date currently two-year-olds and yearlings. Star Turn will stand for $27,500 again this season and is another of our proven sires who traded strongly at the yearling sales this year, selling to a high of $360,000.
HEADWATER (Exceed And Excel) enters the last quarter of the season with the potential of gaining another title as he is currently a joint leader on the Australian 2YO Winners. He claimed the Australian First Season sire winners premiership in 2019-20 and was Champion Australian Second Season sire in 2020-21.He joined Too Darn Hot (GB) at the top of the Australian 2YO winnerstable with eight winners when Furrina scored a front-running victory at Bendigo this month. His large group of juvenile victors is headed by Listed SAJC Without Fear Stakes winner Pure Aqua.Headwater will stand for $9,900 this season.
CASINO PRINCE (Flying Spur) welcomed in the New Year when Casino Seventeen won the $1million Perth Cup (Gr.2, 2400m) at Ascot in January and since then three other Stakes horses and 46 winners have joined the winners circle for their sire this season. When it comes to breeding to race there are no better value stallions than Casino Prince, who has a staggering 70% winners to runners strike rate and he will remain at a $5,500 service fee.
2024 Service Fees Announced by Cambridge
Thursday, 25th April 2024
New Zealand's Cambridge Stud has unveiled its 2024 stallion service fees following the introduction of a new world-class addition to their lineup. The partnership with Juddmonte Farms brings the multiple Group 1-performed champion Chaldean (Frankel) to the Southern Hemisphere for his first season, priced at $35,000 + GST, with a cap of 120 mares. Almanzor (Wootton Bassett), a triple Group 1 winner, has had a profitable season and his service fee is set at $30,000 + GST. This season he's produced seven stakes winners, with standouts including the Sydney Cup duo Circle Of Fire and Athabascan. CEO Henry Plumptre praises Almanzor’s consistent Group performance and anticipates high demand. Hello Youmzain's service fee is also $30,000 + GST, reflecting his progeny's high sales achievements, including a $425,000 top sale at Karaka. His yearlings have averaged over $171,000 and have shown a 92 percent clearance rate at auctions, indicating high expectations for his 2YOs. Sword Of State, Snitzel’s high class son and a Champion 2YO, will have a service fee of $15,000 + GST. His foals have been well-received, exhibiting all the qualities one has come to expect from the lineage. Finally, Embellish, a son of Savabeel and a Gr1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner, has produced six stakes performers from his first crop, including Australian Listed winner Bold Soul. Plumptre notes that despite a modest fee, Embellish stands out with the second-highest number of 3YO winners in New Zealand. His service fee is competitively set at $5,000 + GST.
Almanzor's smart son Circle of Fire (pic: Steve Hart)
Classic Trials in UK Showing Decline
Thursday, 25th April 2024
Racing journalist Greg Wood has opined that the need for the traditional Classic trials are in decline, reports theguardian.com. "Guineas trials now seem to have been consigned to history too. Four of the 11 runners in Saturday's Greenham Stakes, including Esquire, the winner, were geldings, and therefore unable to run in any British Classics. As for the Craven meeting at Newmarket last week, Haatem, who took the main 2000 Guineas trial, is 25-1 for the Classic on 4 May, while Pretty Crystal, the Nell Gwyn Stakes winner, will need to be supplemented to run in the 1,000 Guineas the following day," wrote Wood. He observed that modern training methods have made traditional trials largely unnecessary for top racing yards. Nearly all of the 2,000 Guineas winners since 2004, with the exception of Frankel, Night Of Thunder, Poetic Flare, and Makfi, have effectively started their season in the Classic itself. Even Chaldean, the victor from the previous year who will stand at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand in 2024, experienced an unusual journey, beginning in the Greenham where Frankie Dettori was unseated shortly after the start, prompting the horse to gallop freely to the finish line. Whether the diminishing significance of Guineas trials truly impacts the overall landscape of racing is debatable.
