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Exciting prospects catalogued for Inglis Digital (Early) July Sale
Group 1-placed colt Mayfair (Fastnet Rock), a 26-strong Godolphin draft and shares in multiple other Group 1 performers headline an exciting catalogue for the Inglis Digital July (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
A total of 608 lots have been catalogued – including 260 racehorses (119 race fillies), 166 broodmares, 77 racehorse shares, 53 weanlings, 48 yearlings, 3 unbroken stock and 1 stallion share.
Beaten just 0.4 lengths when third behind Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot) and Traffic Warden (Street Boss) in last year’s Golden Rose (Gr 1, 1400m), Mayfair was also a runner-up in Group company behind Storm Boy (Justify) and Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel), and looks an ideal candidate for the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) later this year.
The Godolphin draft is catalogued as lots 1-26 and includes Group 1-placed gelding Lavalier (Microphone), who finished third in the South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) and fourth in the Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) at his past two starts. Also among the Godolphin offerings are Group 3 winners Pisces (Frosted) and Spacewalk (Exosphere).
Among the other highlights are five per cent shares in last-start Tatt’s Tiara (Gr 1, 1400m) runner-up Abounding (Rich Enuff), dual Group 1 winner Overpass (Vancouver), Group 1-producing sire All Too Hard (Casino Prince), and Group 1-places stakes winner Statuario (D’Argento), as well as a 12.5 per cent share in the progressive Getafix (Calyx), who won his most recent start by almost six lengths at Randwick and will aim to follow up that win in a 1400-metre handicap at Randwick on Saturday, provided he gets a start as the second emergency.
Also on offer are mares in foal to the likes of All Too Hard, Blue Point (Shamardal), Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel), Cylinder (Exceed And Excel), Exceedance (Exceed And Excel), Peltzer (So You Think) and Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry), as well as yearlings and weanlings by the likes of Anamoe (Street Boss), Farnan (Not A Single Doubt), Ghaiyyath (Dubawi), Shamus Award (Snitzel), Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo).
The final countdown of bidding for the July (Early) Sale begins from 10am Wednesday.
Fresh Kosciuszko takes trip to Caulfield
Trainer Dan Meagher is hoping fresh legs and a return to weight-for-age conditions can spark Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) back to form in Saturday’s Sir John Monash Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Caulfield. The former Singapore star has had two Australian runs since relocating, finishing third first-up at Flemington before a midfield effort at Sandown over 1400 metres last month. He now drops back in trip to 1100 metres – the shortest distance he’s ever contested – but Meagher is confident the seven-year-old has the class to figure. “He was disappointing on face value last time but at the end of the day he [Ryan Houston, jockey] had to make a decision, and he led, which was fine,” Meagher told RSN. “But he had to go up that hill, he was carrying topweight, and he hadn’t led for two-and-a-half years, and it probably didn’t suit him to do that on that day. He probably should have come back a little bit and at the end of the day he had been racing in weight-for-age races for the last three years in Singapore and Hong Kong, so giving weight to horses when he is getting older is probably not ideal for him anymore.” Meagher opted not to give Lim’s Kosciuszko a jump-out between runs in order to keep him sharp. “I think sometimes these older horses enjoy not being extended in distance and they like to come back in distance and have the fresh legs,” he said. Jason Maskiell takes over from Houston in the saddle, with the pair set to jump from barrier three.
Jimmy The Bear chasing milestone win
Jimmy The Bear (Jimmy Creed) will chase a slice of stable history when he lines up in the VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The rising seven-year-old is stepping to 2000 metres for only the second time in his career and is a dominant $1.55 favourite to claim his 12th win, a result that would draw him level with jumper No Song No Supper (Song Of Tara) as the most prolific winner under co-trainer Patrick Payne’s care. Victory would also take him past $1.36 million in prize-money, making him the trainer’s highest earner ahead of Widgee Turf (Turffontein) and Rubisaki (Rubick). “I think it’s the right time,” Payne, who entered a training partnership with his sister Michelle Payne last September, told Racing.com. “When we’ve gone to 2000 metres before he hasn’t raced to his best, but it was a bit inconclusive, but I think it’s the right race with the right weight. He usually races well at Caulfield so I think it’s a worthwhile risk.” The gelding will again be partnered by Billy Egan, who rode him to VRC-CRV Winter Championship Final (Listed, 1600m) victory at Flemington last Saturday. “It wasn’t an easy run but he seems okay,” Payne said.
Prix De Turn to make race return
Group 2 winner Prix De Turn (Turn Me Loose) will make an unexpected racetrack return in Saturday’s Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield. The rising seven-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing down the track in the 2023 Yarra Valley Cup (1968m), and was initially retired after a string of issues kept him from delivering on his early promise. The 2022 Alister Clark Stakes (Gr 2, 2040m) winner had two victories from 18 starts before being spelled indefinitely, but trainer Matthew Brown said he has returned sound and happy. “He’s a horse that has pretty average conformation, and feet, and always had niggling issues,” Brown said. “He’s talented, but the issues caught up with him and in the end, he was putting in some poor runs for a reason. We had people that were going to take him as a show-horse or an eventer, but nine or ten months later he was still sitting in the paddock at our place.” With two recent Cranbourne jump-outs under his belt, Brown said Saturday would be used as a measuring stick. “Saturday is going to be pretty much like a third trial for him, but his two trials have been OK, and he closed off well on a pretty wet track last time behind some pretty sharp ones,” he said. “All signs are that he is fit, he’s healthy and in a good headspace.” Apprentice Rose Hammond takes the ride, with her three-kilo claim dropping Prix De Turn’s impost to 50kg.
Getafix waits on a run as stable eye strong finish
As Tom Charlton and John O’Shea prepare to close out their first full season in partnership, much of the attention at Randwick on Saturday rests on whether promising three-year-old gelding Getafix gains a start. The colt is a $2.50 equal favourite for the TAB Handicap (1400m) despite sitting second as the emergency. Getafix showed his talent in emphatic fashion last-start when bolting in by almost six lengths on the Kensington track, and Charlton is hopeful the gelding will get the chance to back it up ahead of the final countdown of bidding for the Inglis Digital (Early) July Sale, where a 12.5 per cent share in the son of Calyx (Kingman) is on offer (Lot 308). “He was always one of our top-rated juveniles alongside Linebacker,” Charlton said. “Last time we finally saw him relax, and he let down powerfully off a soft ride.” Jason Collett has been booked for the provisional ride, and Charlton is confident the pairing will suit. “Jason’s kind hands and patient style should complement the horse,” he said. “He’s never been the easiest mentally, but that last win could be the confidence boost he needed.”
Jolly pair lead strong Murray Bridge team
Caladan (Tassort) and The Sprinkler (Smart Missile) headline a strong ten-horse team Richard and Chantelle Jolly will saddle up at Murray Bridge on Saturday. Promising three-year-old Caladan looks to make it three straight wins when he lines up as favourite in the Benchmark 66 (1000m). The gelding has impressed with victories at Balaklava and Murray Bridge and signalled he’s come on further with a sharp recent trial at Morphettville. “He just keeps stepping up to the mark,” Jolly said. “We elected to give him a little breather and he had a jump-out last week – he looks hard to beat from barrier two.” A win on Saturday could see Caladan earn a crack at the Lightning Stakes (Listed, 1050m) at the end of the month. Meanwhile, The Sprinkler will aim to bounce back in the Benchmark 68 (1400m) after a luckless run at Morphettville on June 28. “He won well two starts ago at Murray Bridge, and his last run was a total forgive,” Jolly said. “He never got a crack at them and probably should’ve nearly won.” Despite drawing the outside barrier of 16, Jolly is upbeat about the gelding’s chances against older horses. “If they’re getting back and running on, it won’t be a disadvantage, that’s what he’ll be doing. He’s got good ability.” Jake Toeroek rides both Caladan and The Sprinkler.
Kennedy takes pressure off premiership race
Jaylah Kennedy is staying grounded despite being firmly in contention for the Melbourne apprentices’ premiership. The 24-year-old sits two wins behind Tom Prebble with six metro meetings remaining, but says she’s heeding advice from her manager Brady McArdle to not let the battle consume her. “Winning it is not off the cards but I’m not going to over-think it,” Kennedy told Racing.com. “My manager has been fantastic. He said while it would be cool to have that premiership beside my name, it’s not going to make or break my career.” Last year’s runner-up, Kennedy has 22 city winners this season despite missing a month through injury and losing a couple due to disqualifications. “It’s been a good season…outriding my claim is something I’m working hard to do and that would be something I’d be proud of.” Kennedy needs 35 more metro wins before her apprenticeship ends in 2027 to do so. At Caulfield on Saturday, Kennedy has four rides to Prebble’s two and will partner Sixteen Reasons (Jukebox) in the Sir John Monash Stakes – her first ride at that level outside of pin-up horse Berkeley Square (Territories). “She may be over the odds… There’s no reason why she can’t be in the finish,” Kennedy said. She’ll also link with her boss Dan O’Sullivan’s Group 2-winning filly Too Darn Discreet (Too Darn Hot), who resumes over 1400 metres after a light autumn. “She’s so talented… I told my boss she’s a Group 1 horse,” she added.
Besanko to continue family legacy
Ray Besanko’s training career is entering its final chapter, and the fourth generation of his family is poised to take up the reins. The 72-year-old, who followed his father and grandfather – both named Jack – into the racing game in 1973, plans to step back at the end of the 2025–26 season. Before then, daughter Kasey will officially take over the stable. “I’ll go for another 12 months but I will hand 90 per cent of them over to Kasey,” Besanko told Racing.com. “I’ll keep one or two and I’ll keep my eye on Kasey.” While initially reluctant to see her pursue the gruelling profession, Besanko now fully embraces his daughter’s determination. “She had a great job at Racing Victoria and always loved horses – she was into show jumping – but when she told me she wanted to train, I said, ‘I don’t want you to.’ But she was determined.” For the past 20 years, Kasey has worked full-time with her father and was instrumental in developing their Pearcedale property. Besanko hopes her licence will be granted next week, with stable hopeful Illyivy (Flying Artie) among the first horses to officially transfer to her name. The filly, bred and weaned by Kasey, lines up again at Caulfield on Saturday after a luckless second to Xarpo (The Autumn Sun) last-start.
Godolphin announce new trainers
Godolphin Australia has finalised its roster of public trainers ahead of the 2025–26 season, with horses to be split among nine stables across NSW and Victoria. The high-profile trainers include Anthony and Sam Freedman, Ben, JD and Will Hayes, Bjorn Baker, Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher, Gary Portelli, Joe Pride, Michael Freedman, and Tony and Calvin McEvoy. Godolphin Australia MD Andy Makiv said the level of interest and calibre of trainers was pleasing, following the move away from the private training model previously led by James Cummings. “We were delighted with the interest shown, the trainers we did meet with, and ultimately the trainers we have engaged,” Makiv said. “It certainly wasn’t an easy decision, and it doesn’t preclude opportunities for others in the future.” Among the notable allocations are Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) and Tentyris (Street Boss) will join Anthony and Sam Freedman, Zardozi (Kingman) to Ciaron Maher, Golden Mile (Astern) to Joe Pride, Pericles (Street Boss) to Bjorn Baker, and Commemorative (I Am Invincible) and Beiwacht (Bivouac) to Chris Waller.
Newcastle set to host annual Pink Race Day
Newcastle Racecourse will be awash in pink this Saturday as it hosts its annual Pink Race Day in partnership with the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation (HBCF). Now a staple of the track’s racing calendar, Pink Race Day supports local families affected by breast cancer. Funds raised go directly to HBCF to provide essential services and support throughout the Hunter region. Newcastle Racecourse has donated five private Igloo experiences to HBCF to give to families currently navigating their breast cancer journey. Each Igloo includes trackside views and full hospitality. “This event is about more than racing,” Newcastle Racecourse CEO Duane Dowell said. “It’s about coming together as a community to support families during one of the toughest times in their lives.” A live Pink tribute act will cap off the day. With the support of Clubs in the Community, the event has continued to grow annually, with organisers hoping to raise record funds in 2025. Tickets remain available via Newcastle Racecourse’s website.