Daily News Wrap

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McEvoy's fillies on show

Saturday looms as an important day for Tony McEvoy's two star three-year-old fillies Sunlight (Zoustar) and Oohood (I Am Invincible).

Ahead of her run in the G3 Quezette S., at Caulfield on Saturday, McEvoy told RSN that Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Sunlight has taken great improvement from her first-up run when second in the Listed Lightning S., at Morphettville.

“She is still as good as she was if not better. The question is how much the others have improved," he said.

Oohood lines up in the G2 Silver Shadow S., and while she remains a maiden, McEvoy has lofty goals for the multiple Group 1-placed filly.

“She will run in the Princess Series, before we run in the Golden Rose and the Flight Stakes. If she runs well against the boys in the Golden Rose, it is worth considering running in the Caulfield Guineas," he said.

More glory for Waller and Winx

It was another Waller and Winx romp at the NSW Racing’s Night of Champions awards held at Royal Randwick on Thursday night.

Chris Waller won his eighth successive Bart Cummings Medal as the leading performer in NSW racing, while his champion mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) was awarded NSW Champion Horse of the Year and Middle-Distance Horse of the Year.

Estijaab (Snitzel) was awarded 2-year-old of the Year, Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) the best 3-year-old, Redzel (Snitzel) the best sprinter and Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) the best stayer.

Well-related Milseain back on track

Valuable mare Milseain (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who holds a nomination for the G1 Cox Plate, will make her Australian debut in the Nicholas Moraitis Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.

A multiple New Zealand Group placegetter for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, the four-year-old transferred to Kris Lees’ Newcastle stable two months ago and will be ridden by Tommy Berry.

Purchased by Sona Bloodstock out of Highden Park’s 2016 draft at Karaka for $300,000, Milseain is a sister to the former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther and to the G3 New Zealand Cup winner Gobstopper. They are out of the Zabeel (NZ) mare Bagalollies (NZ).

Ready2 Race and Spring Thoroughbred Sale catalogues available

Inglis has released its catalogue for its Ready2Race Sale at Riverside on Monday, October 15 and the Spring Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands Junction on September 7.

There are 183 2-year-olds listed in the Ready2Race catalogue including siblings to recent Group 1 winners Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}) and Sopressa (So You Think), the progeny of Group 1 winners Heavenly Glow (Spinning World {USA}), I Do (No Excuse Needed {GB}) and Quintessential (NZ) (Fast 'N' Famous) and close relatives to Estijaab (Snitzel) and Shoot Out (High Chaparral {IRE}).

This year's sale has been moved to coincide with the running of The Everest, the world's richest turf race, at Randwick on October 13.

The highlights of the Spring Thoroughbred Sale in Melbourne include G2 Wakeful S winner Tiamo Grace (Monaco Consul {NZ}) as well as several city winners.

Pressure on in Foxbridge

The Group 1 hopes of emerging sprinter Julius (Swiss Ace) will go on the line at Te Rapa on Saturday.

He needs a top three finish in the G2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate as he is currently only 21st in order of entry for the G1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings a fortnight later.

“He only had three runs in the whole of last season and now he’d be having three in a month,” trainer John Bell said. “We’ve looked after him and now he’s ready for it.

The strapping seven-year-old took his record to seven wins from 11 appearances when he successfully resumed last time with trainer John Bell then describing Julius as “75 per cent ready.”

Clock counting down for mare

The connections of I Am Coldplay (NZ) (Savabeel) are hoping the mare can make the most of her limited racing opportunities.

A dual Group 2 winner from Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s stable, she will debut for Sydney trainer Chris Waller in Saturday’s Ryde Toyota Toy Show Quality at Randwick.

I Am Coldplay, who has had two trials outings ahead of resuming, is raced by Gary Wallace and Waikato Stud’s Garry Chittick and will be served by champion Australian sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) at Arrowfield Stud this spring.

Group One plans

South Island sprinter Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa) will be given opportunities to build on his Group 1 record this preparation.

The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained gelding caused a boil over last season when he won the G1 Telegraph at odds of better than 70-1 and he has again been set for the Trentham feature.

The G1 Sistema Railway at Ellerslie and the G3 Stewards’ Stakes on his home Riccarton track are also on the short course specialist’s programme.

“He’s been back in a while and he’ll have one run before the Stewards, probably in the Pegasus Stakes,” Michael Pitman said.