Weekend News | 19th March 2021

• NEW BTP Top 30 Weekend Menu Bar Explained

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Overnight, a new Black Type Premiership section (see above) was integrated into Breeding&Racing’s menu bar. Each of Runners, 2YOs, 3YOs, 4YOs+, WFA and Sires has a name below it (except WFA as there were no WFA black type races last weekend). Grandslam is a good example in the 3YO category. Out of all 3YOs that finished last weekend’s black type racing in the Top 30 of their age-group category, Grandslam was the #1 mover, advancing 28 positions, hence the #1 Top 30 Weekend ?? sub headline. This will be updated after each Sunday. Click on each category to see the latest BTP category rankings for every horse that has either won or placed in black type races during the 2020-21 racing season. Their respective positional changes are up/down movement are signified by green and red arrows in the right-hand column.

• La Nina May have Last Golden Slipper Word

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  When forecasters suggested last year that the 2021 summer and autumn in Sydney were likely to be accompanied by inclement La Nina weather patterns, local racing officials probably buried their heads in their hands, whilst bookmakers rubbed their hands in glee. And so, it has come to pass. With five Group 1s carded, among them Australia's greatest stallion-making race the $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) for 2YOs, it seems that, at best, the Rosehill Gardens track will be somewhat heavy. At worst, it could be a bog-slog. Notwithstanding any implications for breeding purists and clockers who will need to determine just where the subsequent winner belongs in the Slipper's historical pecking order, punters are staring into an abyss. Already smarting from a half million-dollar quaddie payout in Melbourne a fortnight ago, followed a week later by another relative blow-out, punters will either need to be very shrewd or be gifted participants at pin-the-donkey. In some ways – the weight of money since the barrier draw corroborates this – there are two likely Golden Slipper scenarios: one, favourite Profiteer (Capitalist) jumps cleanly from near the fence and keeps his rivals at bay, or two, he jumps cleanly but finds the heavy conditions like quick-sand and gets reeled in. By whom, one may ask. Perhaps the answer lies with those horses that have a reasonable draw and proven soft/heavy form; possible options are Home Affairs ($16; I Am Invincible), Stay Inside ($5; Extreme Choice), O'President ($14; Fastnet Rock) and Four Moves Ahead ($6; Snitzel). Click on the link for the latest Unibet Golden Slipper prices.

  

  Home Affairs is drawn to make the Slipper interesting (pic: Steve Hart)

• Tendon Injury Forces Russian Camelot Retirement

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  One of Australia's current Group 1 stars has been retired. Danny O'Brien Racing announced in a press release on Thursday that Russian Camelot (Camelot-Lady Babooshka, by Cape Cross) would be retired after suffering a slight tear in his near-fore tendon while finishing second in the All-Star Mile. "Today is an extremely disappointing day for us all, however we will be forever indebted to such a magnificent horse who gave us all the most exhilarating experience that we will never forget," said managing owner John Wheeler. Russian Camelot, a £120,000 Tatts yearling purchase, won the Gr1 South Australian Derby as a 3YO, before winning the Gr1 Underwood Stakes while still a Northern Hemisphere 3YO, although weighted as a Southern Hemisphere 4YO. Overall, he won four of his eleven starts, and placed at Group 1 level in the WS Cox Plate, Caulfield Stakes, and Makybe Diva Stakes with earnings over $2.3 million. It is unclear what stud plans are in place for the magnificently performed son of Camelot (Montjeu) who is line-bred to stamina influence Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer).

• Dabernig Says Vic Preferred Choice for Solo Career

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Trainer Tom Dabernig is likely to stay in Victoria, instead of choosing Adelaide, to set up his own training establishment following Tuesday's announcement that he will leave Lindsay Park, reports racing.com. "Looking at Adelaide probably doesn't look a feasible option so it will be more likely be somewhere in Victoria I think," Dabernig explained. "We haven't locked in a location, we will start now that it has been released to look at some viable options. I have always had a desire to incorporate the beach into my training which is something I haven't been able to do. So if something that comes up in that area and it all looks feasible it is something I'd like to do. I would like to be up and running certainly by the end of the year." Dabernig has worked at Lindsay Park for 25 years, and joined David Hayes as co-trainer in 2014. "The message I would really like to get out there is that it has all been very amicable, and it is a decision I haven't taken lightly," Dabernig said. "I will be forever grateful for the Hayes family and the opportunities that they have given me. JD [Ben Hayes' brother] is coming into the partnership and there is also Will Hayes who is entrenched in his footy career (at the Western Bulldogs) but at some point he will be coming into it also. So with three of them I thought I won't stand in their road and step aside and I'll pursue an independent training career, which I am looking forward to and excited about." As co-trainer at Lindsay Park, Dabernig trained the winners of 19 Group 1 races, the first coming with imported entire Spillway (Rail Link-Flower Market, by Cadeaux Genereux) in the 2015 Gr1 Australian Cup.

• September Run Has History on Her Side

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Dynamic when defeating her male aged group contemporaries in the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) during the Spring, the performance of Chris Waller's 3YO filly September Run (Exceed and Excel-Pittsburg Flyer, Street Cry) in the Gr1 Newmarket Hcp last time out as the short-priced favourite was a complete forget run. Set to be ridden by Craig Williams, the filly heads to Moonee Valley on Friday night to contest the Gr1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), a race in which 3YO fillies Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) and Sunlight (Zoustar) have won in the past two years. With two wins at the distance, but never having raced at the track, the tight turning Valley circuit shouldn't pose any issues, as long as those back in the field aren't at a disadvantage, as the $380,000 Inglis Premier yearling sale purchase likes to settle just off the pace and power home late. Currently the second favourite just behind the Anthony Cummings-trained Libertini (I Am Invincible-Aloha, by Encosta de Lago), who comes into the race fresh off the back of a Canterbury barrier trial, the valuable dash does seem to be between the fillies and mares with the likes of Pippie (Written Tycoon), Bella Vella (Commands), Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) and Swats That (Shamus Award) all looking to have strong chances.

• No Doubt About His Wet Track Form

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Slightly disappointing when fifth in the Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) behind Wild Ruler (Snitzel), the Hawkes Racing trained 3yo colt Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt-Miss Sharapova, by Ustinov), the $1.1m Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduate from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, races second up in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. With the track expected to be extremely wet, Doubtland has outstanding wet track form, with 3 wins from 3 starts on soft and heavy tracks. Raced by Orbis Bloodstock, the Gr2 Danehill Stakes winner has the services of James McDonald and from barrier 3 should get a good run. Contesting the first race of the day, the inside of the track shouldn't be too cut up at that stage, and with his superior wet form, the colt looks an outstanding chance to achieve his third black-type win. Currently the third favourite behind the Joseph Pride-trained Private Eye (Al Maher-Confidential Queen, by Shamardal) who is unbeaten in his last five starts including three wins from four starts on wet tracks, as well as Tony Gollan's Queensland filly Isotope (Deep Field-Great Dansaar, by Choisir), a winner of four of her eight starts to date, a victory on Saturday will add some further gloss to Doubtland's full brother, Lot 429 at the upcoming Inglis Easter yearling sale.

• Kia Ora Stud Calls Time on Farnan Career

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  On Thursday, Kia Ora Stud announced the retirement of Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Farnan (Not a Single Doubt-Tallow, by Street Cry). Explaining the decision, co-trainer Adrian Bott revealed, "Niggling problems have interrupted our progress towards his big autumn targets, which were the Gr1 Galaxy and TJ Smith, with a possible tilt at a Royal Ascot campaign. Unfortunately, we have now run out of time." Kia Ora Stud manager Shane Wright said, "We were looking forward to him reclaiming his position as the leader of his generation. But he's a fabulous stallion prospect and we're confident he will uphold the tradition of success of Golden Slipper winners at stud. The likes of Capitalist, (Written Tycoon), Pierro (Lonhro) and Sebring (More Than Ready) show that the Slipper is the race that best demonstrates the qualities required to excel as a sire." Farnan won five of his eight starts and over $2 million, with all of his wins coming as a 2YO, and four of his five wins at stakes level. Farnan was a $550,000 graduate from the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is a half-brother to Listed winner Sandbar (Snitzel). Stud details are expected to be announced in due course.

• Three For Freshman Sire Winning Rupert

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Trained throughout his racetrack career by Bjorn Baker, Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon) achieved his third fist crop winner via the Baker-trained Keith (Winning Rupert-Tweet, by Magic Albert) who was successful on debut on Canberra on Wednesday. With four barrier trials under his belt to condition the colt for his debut, the Mitchell Bell-ridden Keith showed good speed away from the gates to take the lead, where he maintained that position throughout, pulling away around the home turn to win by just over two lengths eased down. Sold as a weanling through the draft of Newgate Farm for $35,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, the colt was then re-offered at the Inglis Classic yearling sale where Bjorn Baker and agent James Clarke Bloodstock parted with $90,000 to secure him from the draft of Attunga Stud. Currently sitting equal sixth on the first season sire table for number of winners, headed by his Newgate Farm barn mates Capitalist (Written Tycoon) and Flying Artie (Artie Schiller), Winning Rupert was unbeaten in two starts at two, making his debut in April of his juvenile season before tasting success in the Gr2 Champagne Stakes at Doomben at just his second start; then, as a 3YO, he broke the 1200m Doomben track record and 1300m Eagle Farm track record.

• Montefilia Takes On The Boys Again

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  The last time trainer David Payne's filly Montefilia (Kermadec-Bana Wu, by Shirocco) tackled the boys over 2000m on race day, the 3YO returned triumphant, winning the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes to add to the Gr1 Flight Stakes she had captured the start prior. This Saturday, the dual Gr1-winning filly will step out in the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas as the lone filly in the race. Taking on last start Gr1 Randwick Guineas winner Lion's Roar (Contributer) and Gr1 Australian Guineas winner Lunar Fox (Foxwedge), the Jason Collett-ridden filly is jumping to the 2000m second-up after a 5-length sixth in the Gr1 Surround Stakes over 1400m on her campaign resumption. Notably, in her Spring Champion Stakes win she defeated Lion's Roar by three parts of a length, with the Arrowfield Stud-raced Bucharest (Deep Impact), who will also race on Saturday, finishing in third. Sold through the Inglis Great Southern Sale as a weanling for $62,000 before returning connections $130,000 after selling as yearling at the Magic Millions from the draft of Tyreel Stud, Montefilia's record of four wins and over $1.1m in earnings from her nine starts to date assures her of a high standing as a broodmare prospect in the years to come.

  

  Montefilia takes on the males again (pic: Steve Hart)

• O'Hara Handling Charge Rules Out Championships

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Jockey Kathy O'Hara will miss The Championships after being given a three-week suspension over a handling charge, her first offense of this type in 18 years of riding, reports punters.com.au. Stewards charged her under AR129(2) for not giving her mount its full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible place in the field when she rode Sippity Sup (Sebring-Nursery Thyme, by Tale of the Cat) at Newcastle on February 18. O'Hara pleaded not guilty, however, stewards believed the way she rode Sippity Sup aggressively out of the gates was not in accordance with instructions from the Chris Waller stable, and she could have taken up a trailing position. The suspension will go from March 26 until April 15, meaning that O'Hara is clear to ride in this Saturday's meeting at Rosehill, where she has four rides, including Rocket Tiger (Cluster-Takook, by Keltrice) in the Gr1 Golden Slipper and Fiesta (I Am Invincible-Now Now, by Danehill Dancer) in the Group 1 Galaxy.

• Fastnet Rock's Coastwatch Shows Promise

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Becoming the sixth individual 2YO winner so far this season for Coolmore Australia's Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circ us, by Royal Academy), the Chris Waller Racing-trained Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock-Bullion Mansion, by Encosta de Lago) looks to have a bright future off the back of breaking his maiden on the Kensington track on Wednesday. Ridden by James McDonald, the $750,000 Inglis Easter purchase by Guy Mulcaster settled in a mid-field position and as the field tuned into the home straight, the colt pushed his way out and made ground to chase down the leader, the eventual third placed Maurice's Medad (Maurice). A half-brother to the ill-fated Gr1 Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt), the 2YO colt holds a nomination to the Gr1 Inglis Sires' Produce Stakes on April 3, a race over the same trip as his victory. Raced by a group of high-profile owners including Coolmore, Pencarrow Stud's Sir Peter Vela and Woppitt Bloodstock's Debbie Kepitis, who all also share in the ownership of Gr1 Golden Slipper colts O'President (Fastnet Rock) and Home Affair (I Am Invincible), Coastwatch raced as if he will appreciate further and could be a Guineas prospect at 3, just like his half-brother. Another half-brother, this time by Pierro, will be consigned by Coolmore Stud at the upcoming Inglis Easter yearling sale as Lot 228.

  

  Coastwatch was a $750k yearling (pic: inglis.com.au)

• QTIS Eligible Horses Dominated Gold Coast Meeting

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Six of the eight races on the QTIS Jewel Raceday last Saturday were won by QTIS eligible horses, reports racingqueensland.com.au. More than $1.45million was paid out to QTIS-registered winners across the six races. "The $2 million QTIS Jewel Raceday has quickly established itself as one of the highlights on the Queensland racing calendar," Racing Queensland CEO Mr Parnell said. "Our investment in the day, and the QTIS scheme more broadly, speaks volumes of our desire to support all sectors of the thoroughbred code including breeders, owners and trainers. With double prize money on offer for QTIS-registered horses, it was fantastic to see almost $1.5 million reinvested into our industry." The $500,000 2YO Jewel was won by Sweet Dolly (Real Saga-Sweet Cherub, by Canny Lad) who brought her record to four wins from four starts, while the 3YO Jewel was taken out by 3YO gelding Simply Fly (Spirit of Boom-Express Air, by Piccolo) – see below – who has now won six of his eight starts. The other QTIS eligible winners on the day were Australian Turf Club Trophy winner Flash Aah (Lucas Cranach-Never Despair, by Hotel Grand), TAB Military Rose Plate winner Jadentom (Rothesay-Like the Wind, by Deputy Govenor), Martin Collins Open Handicap winner Racecourse Road (Show a Heart-Kidnapper, by Red Ransom) and Sky Racing Class 6 Plate winner Say Haya (Rothesay-Unica Bahaya, by Piccolo).

• Maiden Osamu Breaks New Inglis Digital Ground

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Talented 3YO maiden gelding Osamu (Exceed and Excel-Written Dash, by Written Tycoon) has become the most expensive colt or gelding ever sold on Inglis Digital, one of many highlights of the March (Early) Online Sale, which grossed a whopping $4.4 million. Osamu (Exceed and Excel) was offered by Aquis Farm as part of a 34-strong racehorse reduction and was purchased by his incumbent trainer Annabel Neasham, in conjunction with Brian Maguire, for $340,000. Neasham – who also purchased the second top lot of the sale Maui Girl (Lope de Vega) for $240,000 – said Osamu was a horse she simply didn’t want to lose from her stable. “It’s obviously part of Aquis’ policy that the geldings don’t fit their business criteria, so I knew for a few weeks he was going to be offered on Inglis Digital as part of their racehorse reduction,” Neasham said. “That gave me some time to put together a group of existing clients to purchase him. I probably paid a bit more than I thought I’d have to, but the market is so unbelievably strong and I’m just delighted to have secured him.” Osamu was second as a juvenile in the Gr2 Skyline Stakes and finished runner-up in January's Gothic Stakes at Caulfield (see below).

• Aquis Farm Reduction Grosses $1.2 million

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  The Aquis Farm racehorse reduction – which included five racehorse shares – grossed more than $1.2 million alone at the Inglis March (Early) Online Sale which finished on Wednesday. In addition to record-setting Exceed and Excel gelding Osamu, other standout results for Aquis included Vital Verse (Medaglia d’Oro) purchased by Kody Nester Racing for $90,000, while former trainer Jack Pakis secured Palace House (Frankel) for $75,000. All-up, a total of 17 lots were sold for $50,000 or more in the March (Early) Sale. Other highlight results to emerge from the very successful sale included the purchase of 4YO mare Specialism (Safeguard), a stakes-performing 2YO in WA, which was bought for $90,000, while Khamsa (Stratum), offered in foal to Deep Field, and the stakes-producing Midnight Special (Zabeel) both sold for $80,000. The momentum of Inglis Digital looks set to continue, with more than 400 races won by Inglis Digital graduates this year alone as well as countless pinhook success stories, bolstering confidence in the online platform.

• Bride Backing Up at Albury on Friday

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Second last Saturday over 1900m at Rosehill, the Bjorn Baker-trained 5yo gelding Kiss The Bride (Savabeel-I Do, by No Excuses Needed) heads to Albury this Friday to contest the $200,000 Listed Albury Cup (2000m), a distance the Waikato Stud yearling sale graduate has previously been successful over. Currently a good-rated track, with the possibility of showers on Friday, the Kayla Nisbet-ridden Kiss The Bride does have form on all track surfaces, and from barrier 6, is likely to head forward and be in a strong position throughout. Set to have his eighth run this time in, Kiss The Bride will lack nothing on fitness, and while the Nick Ryan-trained race favourite Mahamedeis (Magnus-Elusive Magic, by Elusive Quality) does look hard to beat off recent form when sixth behind Star Of The Seas (Ocean Park) in the Gr2 Blamey Stakes, he hasn't greeted the judge in some seven months so may be a risk. Out of the Gr1 Makfi Challenge Stakes winner I Do, a half-sister to the Listed-winning, Gr3 placed Iggi Pop( Savabeel), a win on Friday for Kiss The Bide, would see his Waikato Stud-based multiple Champion Sire Savabeel )Zabeel-Savannah Success, by Siccess Express) achieve his one hundred and thirteenth individual stakes-winner.

• Weekend Black Type Premiership Schedule

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  Seven Group 1 races across the weekend pretty much tells the story – it's huge… Starting with Friday night's William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley, the non-stop elite action continues on Saturday (in time order) with the Ranvet Guineas, New Zealand Oaks, Rosehill Guineas, George Ryder Stakes, Golden Slipper and The Galaxy. Throw in a redoubtable supporting cast of an additional seventeen Group and Listed features, plus Sunday's ultra-important Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin, and it's a racing aficionado's nirvana. Whilst every effort is made to ensure information and the below race times (in Australian Eastern Summer Time order) are accurate, please consult official race cards if certainty is required.

  

  • FRI 4.50pm: Listed Albury Gold Cup (2000m) Albury
  • 8.00pm: Gr3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) The Valley
  • 9.00pm: Gr2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) The Valley
  • 9.30pm: Gr1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) The Valley
  • SAT 12.24pm: Listed NZ St Leger (2600m) Trentham
  • 12.30pm: Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) Rosehill
  • 1.00pm: Gr3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) Trentham
  • 1.10pm: Gr3 NE Manion Cup (2400m) Rosehill
  • 1.35pm: Gr2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) Trentham
  • 1.45pm: Gr3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) Rosehill
  • 2.15pm: Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) Trentham
  • 2.25pm: Gr1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) Rosehill
  • 2.55pm: Gr1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) Trentham
  • 3.05pm: Gr1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) Rosehill
  • 3.45pm: Gr1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) Rosehill
  • 4.10pm: Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) Mornington
  • 4.30pm: Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) Rosehill
  • 4.50pm: Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) Mornington
  • 5.10pm: Gr1 The Galaxy (1100m) Rosehill
  • 5.13pm: Listed Amelia Park Perth S. (1100m) Ascot
  • 5.45pm: Gr3 Epona Stakes (1990m) Rosehill
  • 6.27pm: Listed Grandstand Cup (1500m) Ascot
  • 7.40pm: Gr3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) Ascot
  • SUN 7.40pm: SR Hong Kong Derby (2000m) Sha Tin
  • 5.00pm: Listed South West Cup (2219m) Bunbury

• FRI 4.50pm: Listed Albury Gold Cup (2000m) Albury

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
  

• 5.00pm: Listed South West Cup (2219m) Bunbury

  Weekend, 19th March 2021
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