Daily News Wrap

The Autumn Sun has five Oaks runners

Arrowfield Stud's The Autumn Sun will have five runners in this Saturday’s G1 Australasian Oaks. Vibrant Sun comes into the race having won the G3 Alexandra S. at her last start, while Cocoa Sun is also a last start winner.

The other three fillies representing the multiple Group 1 producing sire are Private Legacy, The Autumn Belle, and Harvest Moon.

Vinnie juvenile aims to make it two from two

Trainer Ron Quinton will run 2-year-old filly Rantan (I Am Invincible) at Rosehill on Saturday in the Bookmaker Recognition Day H. She won on debut at the beginning of April and this will be her second start.

“She went to Newcastle and got the job done. She gave them a nice start into the straight and ran them down to win,” Quinton told Racingnsw.com.au.

“She’s a filly I really like and I think she’s going to make a lovely 3-year-old. Whatever happens she’ll go to the paddock and be prepared for the spring.”

Debutant winner for Pierata

Trainer David McColm unleashed a good juvenile on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday when 2-year-old gelding Pareto (Pierata) won on debut. He is the second foal of Group 1-placed winner O'Rachael (Northern Meteor), who ran third in the G1 Diamond S. in New Zealand behind Heroic Valour and Wyndspelle (NZ) who both stand at stud.

Pierata has six winners including two Group 3 winners from his first crop.

Neindorf keen for Sangster chance

Jockey Lachy Neindorf will ride Phillip Stokes’ Climbing Star (Zoustar) in the G1 Robert Sangster S. on Saturday at Morphettville.

“I’m really looking forward to riding Climbing Star. She’s in a rich vein of form at the moment and mares can seem to keep that rolling,” Neindoft told Racing.com.

He has ridden eight winners from his last 50 rides. He injured his arm on 3 April but has since returned to raceday riding.

Jockey Schiller gets treble at Kensington on Anzac Day

Jockey Tyler Schiller had a great day out on Anzac Day at Kensington-Randwick winning three races in succession. He won race four on Kokoro (Real Impact {Jpn}), race five on 3-year-old filly Bright Red (Pierro), and race six on Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel).

Nash Rawiller book-ended the day winning the first on Call Me Gorgeous (Deep Field) and the last on Magnatear (Written Tycoon).

Moroney making good progress in hospital

Trainer Mike Moroney’s stable has confirmed that he is making good progress.

“Michael's breathing is still assisted by a ventilator and he is undergoing physiotherapy and treatment for that,” the statement read.

“He is communicating with the teams at Ballymore Stables' Flemington and Matamata bases, discussing racing and training programs.

“Michael and the team are most grateful for the numerous well wishes received from all corners of the globe over the past fortnight and also for the continuing support from clients, family and friends. The videos sent have been well received and have provided a great tonic.”

Astern mare makes it three in succession

Trainer Dan O’Sullivan’s 4-year-old mare Moor Mumm (Astern) won her third race in succession on Thursday at the Flemington Anzac Day meeting.

“I’m just absolutely rapt – it’s a good group of owners here, a lot of family, my wife named the horse and owns the horse,” O’Sullivan told Racing.com.

“She was only a cheap little buy, and now to get three in a row and get her to win at Flemington, it’s huge, just huge.”

She now has four wins from 13 starts with earnings over $110,000. Her trainer purchased her for $6,000 from Erinvale Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Cummings to venture north with favourite Strait Acer

Edward Cummings will make his first visit to Rockhampton for Sunday’s $775,000 The Archer with 4-year-old gelding Strait Acer (Headwater). The Group 1-placed winner of five races is the favourite for Queensland’s slot race.

"I've never been to Rockhampton before and I was noncommittal when we got a couple of early offers from slot-holders to run Strait Acer in the race,” Cummings told Racenet.com.au.

"I was just worried about the travel and there were some things weren't skewed in our favour. But as time wore on, Jonathan Davies from Aquis made an offer that was just too good to refuse.”

Free entry for racing fans at Rosehill on Saturday

Australian Turf Club and NSW Bookmakers Cooperative will recognise bookmakers past and present as part of this Saturday’s meeting at Rosehill Gardens with free general admission.

“On track bookmakers have been a major part of Sydney racing for over 150 years and have matched their opinions with punters in a sometimes winner take all game,” Chairman of the NSW Bookmakers Cooperative David Dwyer told racingnsw.com.au.

“The Cooperative and bookmakers are very grateful to the Australian Turf Club for this recognition day which is the only one of it's type in the nation.”

Super Easy relocates to Western Australia

Hallmark Stud have announced their stallion Super Easy (NZ) will relocate to Western Australia after the horse was purchased by Lewthwaite Thoroughbreds. A Listed winner and Group 1-placed son of Darci Brahma (NZ), Super Easy has seven stakes winners, led by Group 1 winner Bonny Lass (NZ).

“We will be sad to see him go but excited he will get new opportunities at this stage of his career,” Hallmark Stud principal Mark Baker told Loveracing.nz.

Five strong team for Te Akau in Adelaide

Te Akau Racing will have five runners at the Group 1 meeting at Morphettville on Saturday, led by Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) who runs in G1 Australasian Oaks, and Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) who runs in the G1 Robert Sangster S.

“It is a great day of racing and the added prizemoney on offer has really added a lot of interest to the fields that have been assembled,” trainer Mark Walker told Loveracing.nz.

Their other three runners are Sans Doute (Not A Single Doubt) in the G3 John Hawkes S., Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) in the G2 Queen of the South S., and Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) in the G2 Tobin Bronze S.

Impending filly ready to G3 Breeders S.

3-year-old filly Impendabelle (Impending) will run first up in Saturday’s G3 Cambridge Breeders’ S. at Te Rapa.

“She’s looking fantastic after a month in the paddock, she’s been pretty unlucky not to win a Group 1 this season, but she’s been very consistent,” trainer Tony Pike told Loveracing.nz.

A Group 2 winner at two, and again as a spring 3-year-old, Impendabelle has three wins from 11 starts with earnings over $380,000.

Golden Sixty beatable if it keeps raining

Jockey Luke Morris believes that Hong Kong champion Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) can be beaten in Sunday’s G1 FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin, if it keeps raining. Morris will ride British raider Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation {USA}).

“Golden Sixty is probably the best horse in the world and on his last start in December he probably looked just as good as he’s ever done, which at his age is quite incredible,” Morris told scmp.com.

“Brave Emperor is very versatile ground-wise and I suppose the local horses and the Japanese horses may not be quite so effective on a wet track. If the ground does come up soft on Sunday, I think he has a massive chance.”

Whyte gets 200 wins as a trainer in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s most successful jockey, Douglas Whyte, reached a small but significant milestone with his 200th win as a trainer on Wednesday night at Happy Valley with Majestic Knight (Redoute’s Choice).

“Two hundred is very special, but there’s a lot of trainers that have achieved a lot more than me, so I’m at the bottom at the moment and stepping my way up,” Whyte told scmp.com.

A double for Pierre Ng extended his lead in the trainer’s championship to seven. He won with Beauty Waves (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) and I Can (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

First leg of Japan’s Dirt Triple Crown

White colt Amante Bianco (Jpn) (Henny Hughes {USA}) ran out a one-length winner of the Listed Haneda Hai over 1800 metres at Oi Racecourse on Wednesday. The race is the first leg of the NAR Japanese Dirt Triple Crown.

Amante Bianco’s dam, Listed winner Yukichan (Jpn) (Kurofone {Jpn}) is a half-sister to the winning dam of Group 1-winning white fan favourite Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofone {Jpn}) and Group 1 winner and Champion Sprinter Mama Cocha (Jpn) (Kurofone {Jpn}).

Veterinarian and racing advisor Devolz dies

International Federation of Horseracing Authorities' advisor Dr. Roland Devolz has died at the age of 83, France Galop announced on Wednesday.

“Dr. Devolz has left a lasting mark on French and international horse racing by his competence, his foresight, his dedication and his absolutely unique personality,” said Henri Pouret, deputy CEO of France Galop.

“He was constantly concerned to make himself available at all times and to share his knowledge widely with the sole objective of guaranteeing the best administration of the races. He will be missed by many of us. France Galop has, in these sad circumstances, a heartfelt thought for his family and loved ones.”

Wooded full brother to skip Guineas

Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is unlikely to contest the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas and instead be pointed for the May 1 G3 Ascot Commonwealth Cup Trial S., according to trainer Adrian Murray.

“Bucanero goes to Ascot, he's in the six-furlong race. It's highly unlikely he will go for the Guineas,” Murray said.

“We're going to campaign him as a sprinter, his brother (Wooded {Ire}) won a Group 1 over five furlongs and he shows us an awful lot of speed. The Guineas could just kill him in the last couple of furlongs.”

Wooded stood at Swettenham Stud for $22,000 in 2023 and his 2024 fee hasn’t been announced yet.

Top of the market strong at Goffs Doncaster Breeze Ups

With 23 more lots than in 2023, turnover at the Goffs Breeze Up Sale climbed by 3 per cent to £10,359,700 (AU$21.1 million). The top of the market remained strong but with a certain level of shakiness to the middle and lower tiers. That was reflected in a 81 per cent clearance rate compared to 86 per cent in 2023. The average fell 1 per cent to £62,035 (AU$119,000) while the median dropped 10 per cent to £36,000 (AU$69,000).

“It was always going to be difficult to build on the massive advances made by this sale in 2023 and part way through the day, it was looking unlikely that we would achieve this feat. But the sale appeared to gather momentum as the day progressed and finished with a flourish to deliver a record turnover for the Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale. These results were aided by a top price of £420,000 (AU$805,000), 12 horses selling for £200,000 (AU$383,000) or more and 28 horses achieving a price of £100,000 (AU$191,500) or above,” said Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent.

Lot 168, a bay filly by Havana Grey (GB) from In Trutina (GB) (Firebreak {GB}) topped the sale at £420,000 (AU$805,000), purchased by Stroud Coleman.