Breeding Racing

Weekend News | 21st February 2020

NEW Ms Catherine Wins Gr3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes

Weekend, 21st February 2020

	Mrgn.	Runners
	-	8. Ms Catherine (3) News J: Ms G Cartwright T: Henry Dwyer W: 55 kgs S: Shooting To Win D: Lucky Diva
	0.3L	1. Tenley (1) News J: Damian Lane T: James Cummings W: 57.5 kgs S: Medaglia D'Oro D: Fratianne
	1.1L	7. Don'ttelltheboss (4) News J: B Prebble T: R D Griffiths W: 55 kgs S: Street Boss D: Canterbury Hill
	1.3L	4. Sassy Salitage (2) News J: D Oliver T: G Eurell W: 56 kgs S: Toronado D: Kid Gloves

Track: Moonee Valley
Race: $160,000 Gr3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes (1200m)
Winner: 3YO filly Ms Catherine (Shooting To Win-Lucky Diva, by Perugino)
Placings: 3YO filly Tenley & 3YO filly Don'ttelltheboss
Winning Sire: Shooting To Win (Northern Meteor-Listen Here, by Elusive Quality)
Stud Farm: Darley
Trainer: Henry Dwyer
Jockey: Ms G Cartwright
Race record: 3 wins from 3 starts for $136,150 in earnings
Sales Info: N/A

NEW Tasmanian Oaks a Sunday Must Watch

Weekend, 21st February 2020

Sunday evenings aren’t normally on most racing fans’ television schedules, however this weekend offers something special. It’s no secret that Tasmanian racing has come of age – augmented by the quality of its bloodstock, the willingness and self-belief of its trainers to take their horses to successfully compete on the mainland, and feature carnivals that are increasingly on the radar of Australia’s big stables. Sunday’s Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) at Launceston would warrant a gander at any time, but another rematch between Mystical Pursuit and Still A Star promises a spine-tingler. By the same sire as All Star Mile and Gr1 Australian Guineas heroine Mystic Journey (and out of her half-sister), dual stakes-winner Mystical Pursuit has had to live a little in the shadow of Still A Star who is looking for her fourth stakes-win on the trot. Finally stepped up to a distance (2100m) in Hobart’s Strutt Stakes, Mystical Pursuit missed by a nose to Still A Star whose formline (latest on the left) looks imposing: 1112111222. Click here and then on Race 6 to watch the replay. The remaining six runners in the Oaks are all Victorian-trained, including entries from Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, and Lindsay Park.

Exceptional Renewal of The Hobartville

Weekend, 21st February 2020

If ever a Group 2 race could be called a disguised Group 1, it's this year's Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. Looking ahead to a weekend where Godolphin is blessed with a surfeit of chances in big races, trainer James Cummings reflected ahead of favourite Microphone's encore to a thrilling Gr2 Autumn Stakes victory at Caulfield: "The Hobartville is a race of champions and to have his name on the same list as the great horses who have won it would be most satisfying and would add significant stature to his stallion prospects." It also wouldn't do any harm to the credentials of Gr1 Sires' Produce Stakes winner Castelvecchio, who has come in for strong support following his second placing in the Gr1 Cox Plate at the back end of 2019's campaign. Neither of the Gr1-winning geldings Warning and Shadow Hero have anything to gain from a stud perspective, but both will be running on strongly and are capable of good runs first-up. Then there's Kubrick, a Group 1 winner but for a lip in the Gr1 JJ Atkins behind Prince Fawaz who makes his first appearance since a couple of below-par runs last September. Beaten a half-length by Dalasan in the Gr3 Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington in his last start, Brandenburg is yet to finish out of the placings in 7 starts and looks overs at $26.

Microphone

Microphone is favourite for the Hobartville (pic: Steve Hart)

Cummings Stable Dominates Rosehill Opener

Weekend, 21st February 2020

Although Sydney racegoers have become used to seeing some races filled with Chris Waller-trained entrants, it's far rarer for Godolphin runners to populate an event almost to the exclusion of any other stable. Saturday's opening race at Rosehill Gardens, on what promises to be a superb day of racing, is the exception to the rule, with five of the eight runners donning the blue army silks – all of them trained by James Cummings. Although the Mark Newnham-trained topweight shares the second line of betting at $5.00 with Godolphin's Deference, the Cummings stable's quintet is headed by race favourite Acumen. The other three stable entries are Camp Rifle, Jetski and Screenager.

Silver Slipper Debutant Kept Safe

Weekend, 21st February 2020

In the past eight years, one of Sydney's key Golden Slipper lead-ups, the Gr2 Silver Slipper has been won by these juveniles: Pierro, Sweet Idea, Mossfun, Headwater, Astern, She Will Reign, Sunlight and Time To Reign. Considering that Estijaab, runner-up behind Sunlight, subsequently won the Golden Slipper as did She Will Reign, Mossfun and Pierro, it's clearly not a race to which one sends a boy to do a man's job. That's why there's a lot of interest in North Pacific, a Team Hawkes entrant who is making his debut against vaunted opposition. The $800,000 sale-topper purchased by Orbis Bloodstock from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2019 Melbourne Premier Sale, North Pacific is by boom sire Brazen Beau from the family of 4-time Gr1 winner Metal Bender. In his only trial he was a hard-held runner-up behind fellow Silver Slipper runner Farnan where he looked to have plenty in reserve. The market is treading very warily with the first starter, keeping him safe at around $8.00 on the second line of betting behind odds-on chance Celsabeel who is attempting to qualify for the Golden Slipper herself.

North Pacific

2019's Inglis Premier sale-topper North Pacific (pic: inglis.com.au)

New Rosehill Polytrack Announced

Weekend, 21st February 2020

The Australian Turf Club (ATC) and Racing NSW will jointly fund the installation of a new Polytrack surface at Rosehill Gardens to continue Sydney racing’s upgrade of training facilities at all of its racecourses, reports racingnsw.com.au. The new Polytrack surface will replace the Pro-Ride surface following a lengthy consultation period with trainers at Rosehill Gardens. Installation of the new surface is due to commence in late April and be completed by late May. The latest project will mean each of Sydney’s four Australian Turf Club racecourses – Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, Warwick Farm and Canterbury Park – will have a Polytrack circuit. During wet weather, the Polytrack surface can also be used to conduct barrier trials if grass training and trial surfaces at each of the racecourses are affected. Australian Turf Club Chairman, Matthew McGrath, said Rosehill Gardens trainers had seen the success of Polytrack surfaces at Royal Randwick and Warwick Farm. “This project continues the strategic work in partnership with Racing NSW to continually enhance our training tracks,” Mr McGrath said. “Most pleasingly, the Polytrack surfaces are another improvement in horse welfare and are being recognised as being a major factor in the reduction of horse injuries during training.” Racing NSW Chairman, Russell Balding AO, said: “It is important that we continue to invest in our racing infrastructure assets and seek to have the best training facilities available. "This initiative also demonstrates what can be achieved through a close collaborative relationship between Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club.”

VRC Oaks Winner to Resume at Caulfield

Weekend, 21st February 2020

Gr1-winning filly Miami Bound will begin her autumn campaign at Caulfield on Saturday when she lines-up in the Gr2 Autumn Classic (1800m). The New Zealand-bred filly was a last-start winner of the Gr1 VRC Oaks (2500m) in , and trainer Danny O'Brien is looking forward to setting her on another Oaks bid, reports NZ Racing Desk. "She has had one trial and was just building fitness, but she went nicely and has had a couple of solid gallops the last couple of weeks," O'Brien said. "We have been very pleased with her." O'Brien advised the daughter of Reliable Man has matured since the spring and is looking forward to her resuming on Saturday where she will kick off her campaign carrying 30kg more than she did when winning the Kennedy Oaks. "She has definitely got the natural maturity, which you would expect from a spring 3YO to an autumn 3YO," observed O'Brien. "She will have the two runs in Melbourne, so Saturday – and then she runs at Moonee Valley in the Alister Clark (Gr2, 2040m). That gives us a two week break to the Vinery (Gr1, 2000m) and then two weeks to the (Australian) Oaks (G.1, 2400m)." O'Brien purchased Miami Bound out of Westbury Stud's 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $120,000.

Yulong Returns to Premier With Third Draft

Weekend, 21st February 2020

Fresh off an incredible 2019 breeding season where dual Gr1-winning foundation sire Grunt (O'Reilly-Ruqqaya, by Van Nistelrooy) was supported to the hilt, Victoria's Yulong, based at Nagambie, is bringing a lovely mix of yearlings to the 2020 Premier Yearling Sale. Managed by chief operating officer Sam Fairgray on behalf of big industry investor Yuesheng Zhang, Yulong's draft comprises 14 lots (8 colts & 6 fillies). Among the latter is an American Pharoah daughter of a winning Exceed and Excel half-sister to Gr1-placed Group-winning duo Sweynnese and Rimraam. The two yearlings by promising freshman Preferment include a colt whose grandam is a half-sister to NZ Champion 3YO Great Command. Sure to be super popular is a Written Tycoon colt who is the first foal of outstanding Gr1-performed racemare Gregers. The other Written Tycoon colt is from a stakes-placed grand-daughter of Let's Elope. Speed influences Zoustar (Widden Stud) and 's Exceed and Excel are responsible for another Yulong quartet that will have admirers.

Top 10 All-Star Mile Votes Released

Weekend, 21st February 2020

It’s official! Following last Sunday night’s All-Star Mile voting closure (blacked out for the preceding 50 hours), the ten horses most voted for by the racing public on both sides of the Tasman are now known. They include (in order of votes cast): Alligator Blood, Melody Belle, Kolding, Star Missile, Dalasan, Catalyst, Mr Quickie, Aristia, Heart of Puissance and Super Seth. The four emergencies are: Gold Fields, Begood Toya Mother, Black Heart Bart and Galaxy Raider. The final positions (minimum three wildcards) will be announced on 2 March, however before then there are two opportunities for runners to qualify to make up the field of fifteen; both Saturday’s Futurity Stakes and forthcoming Blamey Stakes carry win-and-you’re-in conditions. Should the winner of either or both those events come from the already qualified top ten contenders (above), then there will be another one or two wildcard qualifiers from those races at the discretion of a committee comprising officials from Racing Victoria and the Melbourne Racing Club.

Alligator Blood

Alligator Blood will carry the hopes of Queensland (pic: Steve Hart)

HKJC Chief Eyes Japan for Global Betting Pools

Weekend, 21st February 2020

On Wednesday in Cape Town, the thirty-eighth Asian Racing Conference got underway. Its chairman, Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges had to make his opening address in-abstentia due to the ongoing health crisis in Hong Kong associated with the coronavirus now named COVID-19. Appearing via satellite for his presentation, Engelbrecht-Bresges emphasised that, in his opinion, international commingling combined with a global circuit featuring the world’s best horses and jockeys, is where the future of the industry lies. Although Hong Kong, which has massive turnver, already has commingling agreements across 27 jurisdictions involving 61 partnerships, the highly respected administrator has a strong desire to see that include Japan and South Korea. “If you look at the quality of Japanese racing and its world-class horses, along with races like the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen with around US$600 million in liquidity, this would be an amazing value proposition and would definitely create another dimension in commingling,” said, noting, “I believe international commingling will be key for future development of racing as a global sport and through this concept we have the chance to really harvest the potential of our international racing.” Behind Engelbrecht-Bresges’ thought process is a belief that a massive pool where the dividend is the same for every punter around the world would be a huge deterrent to arbitrage by illegal bookmakers. The sheer volume and scope of the liquidity would likely see less dramatic fluctuations, and provide significant confidence for the betting public.

Luskin Park Dispersal Announced by Inglis

Weekend, 21st February 2020

Sales company has announced it will conduct a dispersal sale for one of Australia’s most respected thoroughbred nurseries, Luskin Park Stud. Situated in the lower Hunter Valley, the famed Luskin Park is the birthplace of many Australian champions including Golden Slipper winner Luskin Star and, more recently, the Gr1 winners Foxwedge (pictured) and Rock Classic. The decision to sell “the entire bloodstock holdings of Luskin Park Stud’’ comes following the untimely passing of stud proprietor Paul Whelan, the highly respected thoroughbred breeder and former NSW Police Minister, who died late last year. The unreserved sale which consists of 30 broodmares, race mares and weanlings – will be conducted at the Inglis Australian Weanling and Broodmare Sale (May 6,7,10,11) and The Chairman’s Sale (May 8). “Our family is particularly proud of the success my father had with Luskin Park Stud, but following his passing, now is the right time to sell both the breeding stock and property,” Luskin Park’s John Whelan said. “We’ve had a lot of fun racing quality mares such as Sprightly Lass, who twice defeated Santa Ana Lane at Stakes level. We’ll certainly be cheering on the progeny of our mares in the years ahead. We started out with Inglis many years ago and we’re thrilled they are handling this final sale for us.”

Foxwedge

Leading sprinter and sire Foxwedge (pic: Steve Hart)

Commercial Gems Among Luskin Park Dispersal

Weekend, 21st February 2020

Jonathan D’Arcy, ’ General Manager of Bloodstock Operations and International Developmen,t refected on what has been a long-standing relationship with Luskin Park: “Inglis is honoured to have been asked by the Whelan family to sell the bloodstock that the late Mr Whelan has spent that past 20 years developing. Paul was a great friend of the company and we had the pleasure of selling some outstanding yearlings for him and his family over many years including the G1 William Reid Stakes winner Foxwedge, for $925,000 at the Easter Sale of 2010.“ D’Arcy concluded, “This group of mares, racing stock and weanlings represents an outstanding opportunity for breeders and racing enthusiasts alike to buy into some very active and commercial families.’’ Highlights of the Luskin Park Stud dispersal include:

Sprightly Lass – stakes-winning Snitzel mare in foal to Pierro
Twelve Pack Shelly (USA) – stakes-winner, dam of SW Kentucky Miss
Late Spring (USA) – stakes-placed, in foal to Champion 3YO of last season The Autumn Sun
She’s A Wildcat – a full sister to Foxwedge and dam of unbeaten Sydney-winning 2YO Untamed
Weanling half relations to stakes-winners such as Kentucky Miss, Le Cordon Bleu and Sprightly Lass.

Synthetic Replacement Track for Churchill Downs

Weekend, 21st February 2020

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) will invest US$5.6 million to replace the existing track at Turfway Park with a new Tapeta synthetic track, reports thoroughbreddailynews.com. The removal of the existing Polytrack and installation of the new surface will commence immediately following the close of Turfway's Winter/Spring Meet at the end of March and is expected to be ready for the 2020 Holiday Meet beginning on 2 December 2020. "The Tapeta team are all delighted to have been chosen to install a Tapeta surface at Turfway Park," said Jan Wakefield, Vice President of Tapeta Footings, Inc. "We look forward to working with CDI and can only applaud them for a huge commitment in upgrading the entire facility. It is a huge boost for Northern Kentucky and comes at a welcome time for the racing industry." CDI operates three of the four synthetic tracks in the USA. "The agreement with Tapeta is the first of many exciting initiatives to come for Turfway," said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack and Turfway Park. "By partnering with Tapeta to provide the safest racing conditions for Turfway's winter meets, we will be able to deliver one of the key elements supporting our goal of bringing a first-class racing product to Northern Kentucky."

Weekend Black-Type Schedule

Weekend, 21st February 2020

Four Gr1 races form the bedrock of a compelling weekend of feature racing, sponsored by SUREWiSE, where even the Gr2 features are arguably at a similar level to the elite black-type races. At the very least, they're the keys to upcoming Gr1 events that the main protagonists are sure to find themselves in over the coming weeks. 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.