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Alsehpina set for Toorak
West Australian mare Alsephina (Star Turn) looks set for another Group 1 opportunity in the Toorak Handicap (1600m) after Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) was ruled out of the contest. Connections had been wary of taking on the front-running star, awaiting a decision on her path before committing to the Toorak over the Catanach’s 150 Years Vase (Gr 3, 1600m) on the same card. “Like a lot of trainers, we’re just waiting to see what Pride Of Jenni does,” said Grant Williams, who trains in partnership with Alana Williams. “My preference would be the Group 1. Our grand final is the Empire Rose and we wanted to get there a hundred per cent. I’m just not sure having to chase a champ like that would suit us going into that mares’ race. We’ll wait and see.” Alsephina followed her first-up third in the Let’s Elope Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) with a strong win in the Stocks Stakes (Gr 2, 1514m) at Moonee Valley last start, and will strive for a maiden Group 1 success after placing in the Railway Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) in Perth last November.
Waterhouse bullish about Guineas pair
Gai Waterhouse took just one of her two Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) hopefuls to the course-proper gallops on Tuesday, but is equally confident in the pair delivering in the $3 million contest on Saturday. Wanaruah (Snitzel), who finished a fighting third behind Angel Capital (Harry Angel) at his first Melbourne outing in the Guineas Prelude (Gr 3, 1400m) last month, galloped at the track five days out from the Classic, while Golden Rose (Gr 1, 1400m) placegetter Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) completed his Guineas preparation at Waterhouse’s Flemington stables. “We just worked him [Mayfair] at Flemington – we thought that was enough for him,” Waterhouse told Racing.com. “He’s travelled a lot of miles to come down [from Sydney] and he seems a happy chappy. He’s a very good colt and very underrated. He could easily take out the Guineas – he’s a class individual.” Waterhouse, who trains the pair in partnership with Adrian Bott, has no qualms about the distance for Wanaruah. “We brought him here as we thought he needed that extra experience,” she added. “I think he’ll do it [run 1600 metres] with his eyes shut. I think that’s exactly what he’s looking for. “He was a horse that was stepped up in class [last start] and he didn’t shirk his duty at all. He was very good.” Mayfair was dealt gate ten of 11, while Wanaruah will jump from barrier three.
No plans formulated for Craig
Co-trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will make the decision whether Craig (Territories) heads to the Toorak Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) or Might And Power Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Caulfield this weekend after his gallop on Wednesday morning. Last seen finishing second in the Sandown Guineas (Gr 3, 1500m), Craig would face a strong field in either Group 1 this weekend, but Young believes the progressive gelding can play his part whichever race they choose to tackle with him. “He’s going to have a gallop tomorrow morning and then we’ll just get his blood back and make sure everything’s perfect,” Young told Racing.com. “It’s just good to have these horses running at this time of year. I thought his run at Sandown was absolutely super. It was a bit disappointing him not winning it, he ran second, but the horse that won is a very good horse. The main aim is The Golden Eagle, he might get in there now running second in a Group 3, he got given 15 points so hopefully he can tackle that further down the track.”
Cup hope Mahrajaan in good order for Herbert Power
New Zealand raider Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy) is in good shape ahead of his tilt at Saturday’s Herbert Power Stakes (Gr 2, 2400m) at Caulfield. Trained by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, the six-year-old gelding is a Group 2 winner in his native New Zealand and with a start already guaranteed in the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) connections are just hoping for a strong performance this weekend. “He’s guaranteed a run in the Cup now, he’s 23rd in order and as we know they run 24 so he’s in the race, but we didn’t want to run him if he’s not going to perform to his best,” Ritchie said. “He’s going to run in the Herbert Power (Gr.2, 2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and he’s probably not well weighted with 58 kilograms, he’s got a bit more pudding than we would have liked. If he can perform well, then having a first Melbourne Cup runner would be fantastic and a great experience for myself and the owners. He’s an athletic sort of horse, clean-winded and he’s certainly in great spirits. I think his first two runs back in this time have been far superior to his earlier runs over shorter distances.”
Coleman heads to Rosehill
Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) runner-up Coleman (Pierata) will bid to get his spring carnival back on track when he contests the Roman Consul Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The Matt Laurie-trained colt has finished sixth in both in the Moir (Gr 1, 1000m) and Manikato Stakes at The Valley in his two starts this campaign, but Laurie believes he is on track to bounce back to form ahead of his ultimate goal of the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) on November 2. “We think he is going well, but maybe Moonee Valley isn’t conducive to getting the best out of him,” Laurie told Racing.com. “Kerrin [McEvoy] still felt the horse went well [in the Manikato], but he wasn’t able to get onto that rhythm like he can on a big track. I feel like he’s going really well in his trackwork, he looks a million bucks and hopefully we will be able to get him on the board.” McEvoy will stick with the son of Pierata (Pierro), who arrived in Sydney last week where he campaigned in the autumn for placed finishes in the Pago Pago Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) and Inglis Sires’ Produce (Gr 1, 1400m) as well as the Golden Slipper. Coleman will return to Melbourne after Saturday and have a quiet trial the week before the Coolmore Stud Stakes, for which he is rated a $13 chance.
Buckaroo likely for Cup crack
The rapidly improving Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) is likely to have his next start in the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) on October 19, with connections keen to take advantage of his allotted handicap mark. Winner of both the Chelmsford Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) and Underwood Stakes (Gr 1, 1800m) last month, Buckaroo moved into $6 favouritism from $11 for the $5 million Group 1 after his narrow second behind classy mare Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) in last weekend’s Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m). Part-owner Ozzie Kheir said the six-year-old looks well-treated with 54.5 kilograms in the Caulfield showpiece, fueling the idea to bypass weight-for-age company in the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m). “We are leaning towards the Caulfield Cup,” Kheir told Racing.com. “He really has one chance to run in a Caulfield Cup and can always contest a Cox Plate at weight-for-age next year. It took a peak performance in Australia from Via Sistina on Saturday to beat him, so that’s very good form. He’s got 54.5 kilograms and looks well-suited. There’s always that question mark as to whether he could run it out, but the way he finished in the Turnbull, it was the run of a horse that will be strong over 2400 metres. He ran over 2400 metres for the only time in the Tancred last autumn and he ran OK, but he’s a different horse this time around.” Joao Moreira is set to continue his association with the Chris Waller-trained gelding, having partnered him in both the Underwood and Turnbull Stakes.
Third declarations for Cup and Cox
The third declarations for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate were released on Tuesday, with 33 third acceptors for the Caulfield Cup on October 19 and 26 left in contention for the Cox Plate on October 26. Connections of spring Group 1 winners Via Sistina and Buckaroo are keeping their options open, with both imports among third declarations for both the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate. Notable omissions from the Caulfield Cup declarations were Place Du Carrousel (Lope De Vega), Ceolwulf (Tavistock), Kovalica (Ocean Park), Royal Patronage (Wootton Bassett) and Point King (Zoffany). Japanese contender Warp Speed (Star Witness) is set to be the only international runner in Caulfield’s marquee event, while major players Eliyass (Almanzor), Land Legend (Galileo), Zardozi (Kingman), and Warmonger (War Decree) all stood their ground. Meanwhile, Pride Of Jenni, Mr Brightside (Bullbars), Japanese raider Prognosis (Deep Impact) and three-year-old Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot) all remain on course for a Cox Plate showdown, and Caulfield Guineas hopefuls Evaporate and Wanaruah were also paid-up to take on their elders in the $5 million Group 1 at The Valley. Of the 26 remaining in the race for the Cox Plate, two are from overseas, with favourite Prognosis joined by Docklands (Massaat), who is prepared by Harry Eustace in the UK. Monday holds a final late-entry fee of $200,000 for older horses, and $100,000 for three-year-olds who have emerged through the Guineas over the weekend.
Patience with Kinesiology
Chris Waller will take a patient approach with import Kinesiology (Study Of Man), who may take a similar path to the trainer’s former inmate Soulcombe (Frankel) on arrival. The northern hemisphere three-year-old is 48th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry and will arrive in Australia with the second shipment of European horses later this month. The maiden winner boasts four stakes placings, including second in a Group 3 over 2400 metres at Leopardstown, from seven starts under trainer Jessica Harrington. He was first past the post in the Vinnie Roe Stakes (Listed, 2800m) but demoted to second on protest. The son of Study Of Man (Deep Impact) could take a similar approach to Soulcombe, who claimed the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 3, 2600m) before returning the following spring to run second in the Melbourne Cup. “He is [a Melbourne Cup contender] but he’d need to do everything right between now and then,” Waller told Racing.com. “We want to run in the Spring Carnival but like we did with Soulcombe a few years ago, we might run him in the Queen Elizabeth if he’s not quite ready. That can be a great launching pad for 12 months’ time. Sometimes they need a bit of time to adjust to our Australian racing, which is quite quick and a different style.” Kinesiology is rated $101 in Sportsbet’s Melbourne Cup market.
Growing Empire selected for Everest
The Yulong Investments-raced colt Growing Empire (Zoustar) will represent the operation in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 19, it was revealed on Tuesday. The inclusion of the three-year-old gives Ciaron Maher three of the 11 runners in the $20 million contest, as the trainer is also set to saddle Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) and I Am Me (I Am Invincible) in the elite field. Yulong general manager Vin Cox said Growing Empire’s last-start second to fitter stablemate Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon) in the Manikato Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) was the impetus for their decision. “Growing Empire is a hugely exciting colt for Mr Zhang and the whole Yulong team, he’s extremely talented with a blistering turn of foot,” Cox said. “On his last start, he showed us he is a true Group 1 competitor. Three-year-olds have an outstanding record in The Everest and Growing Empire has every chance to build on that success.” The son of Zoustar (Northern Meteor) boasts four wins from six starts, all at stakes level, and while yet to race in Sydney, has extensive barrier trial experience going clockwise. Yulong confirmed Kerrin Mcevoy, who has won the feature three times, has been booked to ride.
Zahra to ride Giga Kick
Mark Zahra has picked up the ride on Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in The Everest after rider James McDonald informed connections he will be riding Joliestar for Chris Waller. It will be a second ride in the race for Zahra, who finished second on Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega) in 2019. The 2022 Everest winner, Giga Kick resumed from nearly 12 months on the sidelines with an unplaced run under McDonald in the Concorde Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) at Randwick before a fourth-placed effort, again with McDonald in the plate, in the Premiere Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Randwick last Saturday.
Ndola sent for spell
Ndola (Justify) will not race again this spring with connections opting to give the talented three-year-old a spell. While there was discussion that the JD, Ben and Will Hayes-trained Justify (Scatt Daddy) colt could head to the Caulfield Guineas following his last-start win at Sandown over 1400 metres on September 28, a decision was made to give the horse a break. “We’ve just allowed him the time to go to the paddock and grow and develop,” JD Hayes told Racing.com. “He’s going to be a lovely autumn horse and he’ll look to be back at the races by late January, early February.” Ndola raced throughout the winter and early spring, and boasts three wins from his five career starts to date.
Chain Of Lightning retired
Last season’s T.J. Smith Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun) has been retired to stud. The three-time Group winner was purchased by Zhijun Zhao Yulong Investments earlier this year for $2.5 million and will now join the company’s band of elite broodmares. Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the six-year-old daughter of Fighting Sun (Northern Meteor) last raced finishing down the field in the Yulong colours in the Gilgai Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) last Saturday. Chain Of Lightning was a winner of eight of her 25 career starts, and earned connections more than $2.7m in prize-money.
Purton secures Cups ride
Zac Purton has locked in his ride for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. The Hong Kong-based rider was announced as the jockey for Land Legend (Galileo) for both races following the Chris Waller-trained galloper’s impressive win in last Saturday’s Metropolitan (Gr 1, 2400m). The Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed the news in a press release on Tuesday afternoon. “Jockey Purton will return to Hong Kong immediately following those race meetings to fulfil his riding engagements in Hong Kong,” the release read. Land Legend is currently an $18 chance for the Melbourne Cup, having drifted out to as much as $51 after markets opened. Land Legend was given a 1kg penalty to 53 kilograms in both Cups following his Metropolitan victory. “Land Legend’s performance in the Metropolitan was most impressive, drawing away from the rest of the pack with runner-up, VRC Oaks winner Zardozi,” Racing Victoria’s head of handicapping David Hegan said. “Whilst it was only the narrowest of margins, it was a performance that was worthy of a penalty from a horse that was only third-up from almost a year off the scene. The one kilogram penalty is the same that was afforded to No Compromise (Pins) (2022) and Montefilia (Kermadec) (2021) after their respective victories in the Metropolitan.”
Pride Of Jenni crowned Australia’s best
Pride Of Jenni’s brilliant 2023-24 season was recognised at an awards ceremony in Adelaide on Tuesday night, with the star mare crowned the Australian Horse of the Year. Pride Of Jenni’s incredible season included three Group 1 wins in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as victory in the All-Star Mile (1600m), and she polled more votes than Cups hero Without A Fight (Teofilo) and star sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible). The award is voted on by key administrators and members of the racing media. An emotional Tony Ottobre said his late daughter Jenni was the catalyst for his significant investment in the thoroughbred industry and she is the reason the ‘Jenni’ dynasty exists on Australian racetracks. “It’s been nine years now and we think of her everyday,” Ottobre said. “Jenni was an exceptional child and she was in the top 5 per cent of whatever she did. She had a big heart, she tried really hard and I think Pride of Jenni is the same. She’s a warhorse and she doesn’t give up. “We came into this [racing] to have a little bit of fun and to keep our daughter’s memory alive, so to be standing here is mind boggling.” Earlier, Pride Of Jenni was named the Champion Middle Distance Horse of the Year in a category that included Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) and Mr Brightside as finalists.
Riff Rocket honoured
Less than a month after his death, gifted stayer Riff Rocket (American Pharoah) was crowned Australia’s Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding for the 2023-24 season with owner Debbie Kepitis accepting the award at the Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards in Adelaide on Tuesday night. During a brilliant three-year-old season, Riff Rocket won the Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m), ATC Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) and Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m), as well as two other stakes races. He was at the pointy end of betting markets for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup before his unsuccessful battle with colic earlier in the spring. Riff Rocket’s breeder and owner said the gelding took her on an amazing journey in a short time. “Receiving this recognition for Riff Rocket evokes many feelings for us,” Kepitis said. “We are so proud of him and can’t believe the journey he took us on. He was born, raised, grazed and broken in at Coolmore. We are saddened to have lost him but so lucky to have enjoyed him for his short life.” Steffi Magnetica (All Too Hard), who defeated the older horses in the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr 1, 1400m), was crowned the Champion Australian Three-Year-Old Filly. Broadsiding, who is the odds-on favourite to add a fourth Group 1 win to his CV in Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas, was crowned the Australia’s Champion Two-Year-Old after a season that included wins in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes in Sydney and the Group 1 J.J. Atkins Stakes in Brisbane.
Early signs positive for injured Lam
Injured jockey Ivy Lam remains in an induced coma in ICU after a race fall on Monday but there is optimism she will make a full recovery. The 23-year-old fell when her mount Jacobs Gate (War) suffered a suspected heart attack in a 1500-metre handicap at Gawler and was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with a serious head injury. Racing SA CEO Vaughn Lynch said that while Ivy has suffered some bleeding on the brain and fractured vertebrae, it looks as though surgery will be avoided and early signs for a full recovery are positive. Lam’s employer and the trainer of Jacob’s Gate Damien Moyle said it has been a harrowing time for his stable. “It’s been a rough 24 hours and a very sombre morning at the stables,” Moyle told Racing.com. “There were a few nervous hours there yesterday but it’s relieving that at this stage, the news is positive for Ivy.”
Lafferty moved out of ICU
Laura Lafferty has been moved out of ICU following a fall at Ballarat last Thursday. Lafferty was flown to The Alfred Hospital following the fall, which left her with a number of internal injuries. The VJA provided a positive update regarding Lafferty’s health on Tuesday afternoon. “Laura Lafferty has been moved from ICU into a trauma ward at the Alfred. Laura continues to improve, family appreciate all the industry support,” a VJA statement read.