Chautauqua banned from races and trials
Racing NSW stewards have all but ended the career of star sprinter Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago {Aus}) after ruling they would no longer accept nominations for the grey to race or barrier trial.
Chautauqua has refused to jump at a series of barrier trials, while his most recent trial at Rosehill last Saturday saw him miss the start by 15 lengths before charging home to finish second.
But despite proving somewhat competitive on that occasion, the stewards determined he had not passed the required standard and he is preliminarily prevented from entering racing in all Australian jurisdictions.
Stewards will hear submissions from the managing owner of Chautauqua Rupert Legh and other shareholders before a final decision is delivered on Tuesday.
Van Dyck Looks The Real Deal
The Coolmore partners’ 2-year-old colt Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), out of Group 1 producer Believe’n’Succeed (Exceed and Excel), made it three straight wins with a second black-type score in Sunday’s G2 Futurity S. at The Curragh in Ireland.
Believe’n’Succeed, who was listed-placed herself on the track, was bought by Coolmore for $1.1-million at Magic Millions in 2014 just months after her daughter Bounding (Lonhro) won the G1 Railway S. in New Zealand. Bounding would go on to sell to Stonestreet Thoroughbreds for A$1.9-million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2016 and she produced a colt foal by Curlin in Kentucky this year before being bred to War Front.
Anthony Van Dyck is Believe’N’Succeed’s first progeny in Ireland. Trainer Aidan O’Brien said he will now aim for the G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. at The Curragh on Sept. 16. “I’d say he’ll get a mile well, we always viewed him as a horse that would get middle distances next season,” O’Brien said.
Pierata to miss The Everest
Pierata (Pierro {Aus}) is headed towards the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. after a change of plan from his trainer Greg Hickman.
A winner if the G2 Missile S. at his previous start, there had been discussions over the 4-year-old contending for one of the remaining spots in The Everest.
But Hickman has questions over whether Pierata is seasoned enough to take on an elite sprint field in the $13 million The Everest and has opted to head towards a G1 race this spring, with an eye towards a possible stud career for the son of Pierro.
Pierata will be next seen in the G2 Tramway S. at Randwick this Saturday before progressing to the G1 race at Caulfield on Sept 22.
Partnership ready to bloom
The new partnership of Roger James and Robert Wellwood could capture their first Group 1 winner with 6-year old Von Tunzelman (NZ) {Zabeel {NZ}) this spring.
Von Tunzelman won the G3 Trentham Stakes in January and Wellwood is hopeful he can measure up to Group 1 class in the Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 6.
“He has come back in good fashion and is more mature now,” he said. “We hopefully can pick up another nice Group race with him throughout the season over the 2000m range.”
“He does hold a nomination for the Livamol Classic, but he will really have to put his hand up to warrant going there.”
Von Tunzelman is set to resume over 1400m in early September.
Boyd home after fall
Victorian jockey Anthony Boyd has returned home from hospital to continue his recovery from a trackwork fall.
Boyd was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital and was placed in an induced coma after the fall at Ballarat racecourse on August 16.
His recovery has been a slow process and while he is still suffering seizures as the result of the injuries he received, he has been discharged.
Meanwhile, Victoria's champion apprentice Ben Allen remains hospitalised with a mystery illness.
Allen is hoping blood tests can determine the precise nature of the virus, which caused him significant back pain and forced him to give up his book of rides at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
