2YO excels at first Randwick trial

Exceed The Stars showed the precocious side of his pedigree when he won the first 2-year-old trial of the season at Randwick on Tuesday morning.

Prepared by Mark Newnham, the chestnut son of Star Witness (Starcraft {NZ}) sat in third spot before lengthening out in the straight to win his 740 metre heat comfortably under rider Tommy Berry.

Exceed The Stars was secured at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $220,000 by Darby Racing and De Burgh Equine. The colt is out of Exceed And Excite (Exceed And Excel), who won five times and she is a half-sister to the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S., winner Choice Bro (Choisir).

Meanwhile in New Zealand, Windsor Park shuttle stallion Charm Spirit (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {IRE}) is up and running after his unnamed 2-year-old won his first trial at Te Teko.

The Tony Pike-trained colt, the first foal of Moorluv (Dubawi {IRE}) and a $20,000 Karaka purchase, showed good gate speed and led all the way over 600 metres to beat Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel). She was a $380,000 buy and is out of a three-quarter sister to the Group winners Legless Veuve (NZ) (Pins) Tootsie (Pins).

The Charm Spirit youngster is from the family of the mighty Zabeel (NZ) (Sir Tristram {IRE}) and the multiple Group 1 winner Hallowed Crown (Street Sense {USA}).

Another chance for Chautauqua

Under siege sprinter Chautauqua (Encosta de Lago) has been given a barrier trial reprieve by Racing NSW stewards.

Following submissions on Tuesday from the 8-year-old’s connections, the enigmatic grey has been given another chance after an equine behaviourist, who wished to remain anonymous, told the panel he was confident he could turn the gelding’s starting manners around.

Stewards have said Chautauqua cannot trial again before September 22 and must then trial twice to their satisfaction before the Group 1 winner’s racing ticket is re-issued.

Impressive winner for Dundeel

Global Exchange has become the latest smart winner for young sire Dundeel, who has 3YOs this season.

The impressive colt from Keep The Faith mare Incredulous was third on debut behind Victorian Derby hope Approach Discreet, who subsequently won by over 8 lengths at Morphettville on Saturday.

Trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Global Exchange travelled comfortably and exploded clear in the straight, winning by a length despite showing his greenness. China Horse Club and Musk Creek share in the colt who was purchased from the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for $130,000.

Ciaron Maher has always spoken highly of the Dundeel progeny, "we have four, they’re all natural athletes with beautiful actions and very good brains."

Sweet plan for broodmare gem

Connections of Bagalollies (Zabeel {NZ}) quite rightly don’t see any need to change their breeding approach with their recently-crowned New Zealand Broodmare of the Year.

She has a Group 1 affinity with Tavistock (NZ) (Montjeu {IRE}) and will visit the Cambridge Stud stallion this season for the sixth time in the last eight years.

Previous visits have produced the Hong Kong Horse of the Year and multiple Group 1 winner Werther, the G3 New Zealand Cup winner Gobstopper and the G1 New Zealand Oaks placegetter Milseain.

“She hasn’t got a yearling as the previous filly was a November foal, but she’s due to foal to Tavistock any day now and she’ll definitely be going back there again,” said Libby Bleakley of Highden Park, where Bagalollies permanently resides.

“She’s just a lovely mare and keeps doing better and better. She enjoys the nice, quiet environment we have here.”

Bagalollies’ last Tavistock filly was purchased by agent Dean Hawthorne at Karaka earlier this year for NZ$500,000.

Count Balding’s Cup hope in

Count Octave (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the latest European performer to join the G1 Melbourne Cup trail.

Trainer Andrew Balding confirmed the four-year-old’s travelling plans after finishing runner-up to Stradivarius (IRE) (Sea The Stars {IRE}) in the G2 Lonsdale Cup.

“He was really good at York and hopefully he will now go to the Melbourne Cup,” Balding said.

“As long as he gets a run he won’t run anywhere else in between. That was why he ran in the Lonsdale Cup rather than in the Ebor.

“He would have to have won the Ebor to get in, whereas he could have run well in the Lonsdale Cup and qualified, which he did obviously, and in some style finishing as close to Stradivarius as that.

“It means we should get enough weight to get in it.”

Rusof eyeing major prize

Shafiq Rusof will have his first New Zealand Group 1 victory in his sights when he partners the pre-post favourite Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) in Saturday’s Tarzino Trophy at Hawke’s Bay.

The Malaysian-born jockey rode the four-year-old to victory last time out in the G2 Foxbridge Plate and he said she was in much better order now.

“I rode her in a gallop last Saturday and she has improved. She is much better than when she won the Foxbridge. I think she will be very hard to beat in the Tarzino over the 1400m with the way she worked last Saturday.”

Rusof began his association with Te Akau Racing at Matamata in 2009 under Mark Walker before following the trainer to Singapore, where he was champion apprentice. He returned to New Zealand last season to link up with Jamie Richards, who now has sole charge of the operation’s Matamata stable.