Anthony Boyd airlifted after fall
Victorian jockey Anthony Boyd has been placed in an induced coma after a fall at trackwork at Ballarat on Thursday.
The 31-year-old was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital after the incident. The Victorian Jockeys Association provided an update on Boyd's condition on Thursday afternoon, saying the rider has been cleared of serious damage but will remain in ICU for further observation. Boyd is apprenticed to Matt Cumani at Ballarat and recently rode his 100th winner.
Also on Thursday, Queensland jockey Wanderson D'Avila suffered a suspected broken wrist in a fall in the first race at Townsville.
Winx 'better than ever' ahead of record attempt
Trainer Chris Waller believes his superstar mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) may have not hit her peak in an ominous warning to her rivals ahead of her return in the G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Waller was super-impressed with the 7-year-old in her final trackwork hitout at Rosehill on Thursday, as she eyes a new Australian record for consecutive victories.
"It’s almost impossible for a horse to get better than Winx but there's a chance," he said. “I think there’s more chance of her improving than going backwards.”
Jockey Hugh Bowman was equally as excited ahead of Winx's clash with 10 rivals in the race named in her honour.
"Everything suggests she is a happy individual and I can't wait for the race," he said.
Marsh on weather watch
Stephen Marsh is hoping for improved track conditions at Te Rapa on Saturday for the former star Singapore galloper War Affair (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
War Affair was a Champion in Singapore before returning back to New Zealand
The Cambridge trainer has his fingers crossed for overhead improvement when the eight-year-old opens his New Zealand career in the G2 Lisa Chittick Memorial Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa on Saturday.
“We really need the rain to go away, he’s a good to dead track horse but he needs to run,” Marsh said. “He has to finish in the top three to get into the Tarzino Trophy.”
Formerly trained by Marsh’s father Bruce, War Affair was crowned Champion 2-year-old in Singapore in 2013, Horse of the Year and Champion 3-year-old in Singapore in 2014, and Champion 4-year-old and Miler in Singapore in 2015.
The gelding has undergone wind operations and on his return home he was spelled for six months at Trelawney Stud. They bred and sold the son of Kristique (USA) (Kris S {USA}), whose dam Nastique (USA) (Naskra {USA}) was a dual Group One winner, for $70,000 at Karaka in 2012.
Leading stayer changes hands
Top level European performer Torcedor (IRE) (Fastnet Rock {AUS}) has been sold by his New Zealand-dominated ownership syndicate. The 6-year-old is a multiple stakes winner and also made his presence felt at the highest level.
“He’s been bought by the German bloodstock agent Ronald Rauscher and he told me it’s some owners from his country that are going to race him,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis, who initially purchased the horse. “They are looking at racing him in some international races in the next 12 months, but whether that includes the Melbourne Cup or not I don’t know.
“It’s been a hugely successful exercise for us. I bought him for 70,000 euros at Deauville and he was raced by Sir Peter Vela, Sir Patrick Hogan and Laurie Laxon with Mohammed Moussa, a friend of ours who is a Canadian businessman. We’ve sold him for a substantial seven figure sum and I’d like to wish the new owners all the very best.”
“We’ve sold him for a substantial seven figure sum and I’d like to wish the new owners all the very best.” - David Ellis.
Initially trained by David Wachman and latterly by Jessica Harrington, Torcedor won five races including the G3 Vintage Crop S., and the G3 Sagaro S. He also placed in the G1 Ascot Gold Cup, the G1 Goodwood Cup and the G1 Irish St Leger. “He’s beaten most of the best stayers around and it was a great thrill to have seen him race in the tangerine colours,” Ellis said.
Torcedor is a son of Magnolia Lane (IRE (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), a half-sister to the outstanding distance performer Yeats (Sadler’s Wells) who was Europe’s champion stayer for four consecutive years from 2006-2009 and a four-time winner of the G1 Ascot Gold Cup. It is also the family of the G1 Prix Royal Oaks winner Alcazar (IRE) (Alzao {USA}) and the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Lady Of Chad (IRE) (Last Tycoon {IRE}).
Filly making good progress
Well-bred three-year-old Encore Encore (Fastnet Rock) is making all the right moves ahead of her debut.
The $350,000 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase made her first trial appearance at Te Teko this week and duly won her 840 metre heat in the hands of Shafiq Rusof.
“She had a bit of an issue that held her up last season, but she is a filly that we’ve got a fair bit of time for,” trainer Jamie Richards said.
Encore Encore is a daughter of Keep on Singing (USA) (Hennessy {USA}) who is a grand-daughter of the G1 Hollywood Oaks winner Pattern Step (USA) (Nureyev {USA}).
