US Navy Flag enters quarantine

Coolmore’s The Everest candidate US Navy Flag (USA) (War Front {USA}) has entered quarantine having put in his final piece of work for trainer Aidan O’Brien earlier this week.

"He did a half-speed over six furlongs and I was very happy with him," said O'Brien of the G1 July Cup winner who was also a dual Group 1 winner at two.

"He is going to quarantine on Thursday to go to Sydney. He had a tough early part of the season and he needed a break after the July Cup, and, to be fair, that was the right thing to do. Then this race popped up and it's worth trying with him. He was a very fast horse last year and the minute we brought him back to six this year we saw what happened."

ATC chairman steps down

Australian Turf Club chairman Lauri Macri will step down from the role.

Macri sent a letter to ATC members on Thursday of his intention to retire as chairman and has convened a special ATC board meeting for Tuesday to elect a new chair and vice-chair.

"I will always remain very grateful to members of the Sydney Turf Club for electing me as a director in 2010," Macri said. "It has also been a great privilege to serve two four-year terms as an independent director of ATC, including the past two years as chairman."

"But now is the right time for succession planning and a transition to allow others to lead the ATC. I will remain as a director for as long as I am required before my term expires later this year."

Gai Vieira critically injured in car accident

The thoroughbred industry is awaiting further news on the condition of prominent owner Gai Vieira after she was involved in a serious car accident in Sydney earlier this week.

Vieira's family, including her husband Bert, own star sprinter Trapeze Artist (Snitzel {Aus}), who is the current favourite for The TAB Everest and is set to resume in the G2 Theo Marks S. at Rosehill on Saturday.

Her Mercedes was struck by a police patrol car in Cronulla on Wednesday and she was rushed to St George Hospital and underwent surgery. Her condition is listed as critical but stable.

Her three-year-old grandson, who was in the back seat of the car, has been released from hospital

Trainer Gerald Ryan was among those to offer words of support to the Viera family.

“Our thoughts are with Gai, Bert and the family at the moment,” Ryan said. “They say behind every successful man there’s a great woman and Gai is a true reflection of that statement."

Trainer has question mark over trip

The only reservation Ron Quinton has about Daysee Doom (Domesday {Aus}) when she resumes in the G2 Sheraco S. at Rosehill is the distance.

“She could be a little bit vulnerable with the 1200 metres,” he said.

“In her early years she could handle the shorter distances, but as she's got older and up against better opposition she seems to be a bit better over a touch longer.”

As the winner of the G1 Coolmore Classic, she will carry topweight of 58kg on Saturday and 3kg than Sheraco favourite Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt {AUS}).

Daysee Doom has been ultra-consistent during her 22-start career, returning a cheque on no less than 20 occasions.

Regular rider Andrew Adkins will continue his association with Daysee Doom, who provided him with his first Group 1 win when successful in the Coolmore Classic.

Snitzel colt impresses on debut

Gerald Ryan may have unearthed another talented Snitzel colt with Mansa Musa a comfortable winner on debut at Gosford on Thursday.

Ridden by Josh Parr, Mansa Musa set the pace throughout in an 1100m maiden and while he only had 1.15L clear on his rivals on the line, never looked like getting beaten.

A $75,000 buy by Gainsborough Lodge as a weanling, Mansa Musa was passed in short of his $200,000 reserve at the 2017 Easter Sales, and was retained and sent to Ryan.

He looks to have some ability and Ryan was pleased with what he saw in his first start.

"He'd only had one trial coming into this so he'll take plenty of improvement," Ryan said.

"He's been shinsore a few times, so we've just had to be patient, but he's always shown ability."

Mansa Musa is from One Sweet Day (Elusive Quality {USA}), who was subsequently sold to Aquis from Luskin Park the year after she foaled this Snitzel colt. Bred in Ireland, she is from a strong American family, with her grand-dam Race the Wild Wind {USA}) a G1 winner.

Tapit colt also shows ability

Securing his second win at Gosford was Mandalong Tapit (Tapit {USA}).

Bred by Spendthrift in the USA to Southern Hemisphere time, he was sold for $300,000 as a yearling to Ric Pisaturo at Mandalong Park, as one of only three Tapit yearlings sold in Australia in 2017.

His dam Euphrosyne (USA) (Harlan's Holiday {USA}) was a Group 3 winner with her dam also a blacktype winner. Mandalong Tapit's sire Tapit is a revelation in the United States, securing Champion sire honours in 2014, 2015, and 2016. He stands for US$300,000 at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky.

The win secured a double for trainer Gary Nickson at Gosford.

Galileo colt arrives

Multiple Group 1 winner Silent Achiever (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) has produced a colt to champion sire Galileo (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}).

Owned by Valachi Downs principal Kevin Hickman, the youngster is her third foal with her 2-year-old by Frankel (GB) (Galileo {IRE}) in New Zealand and his younger brother is due in Matamata later this year. Silent Achiever is booked to visit Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {IRE}).

Silent Achiever won the G1 BMW S.M the G1 Ranvet S., the G1 New Zealand Derby and the G1 New Zealand S.

Watch: The '16 Silent Achiever x Frankel filly, now named, Lady Faustina

Filly on Guineas trial

Assertive Play's (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) classic hopes will be on the line when she makes her Melbourne debut on Saturday.

Unbeaten in two starts last season, the filly will resume in the Listed Ladbrokes Atlantic Jewel S., with her performance to give trainer Phillip Stokes a guide with the G1 Thousand Guineas in mind.

“We will head her that way, but if we think she maybe is not quite up to that she could always go to the Edward Manifold Stakes or something,” he said.

The G2 Edward Manifold for fillies at Flemington on October 6 is a week before the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.

Tried and true approach

Champion trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are heading down a familiar path with Listed Wanganui Guineas contender Botti (NZ) (Jakkalberry {IRE}).

Saturday’s race will mark the chestnut’s seasonal debut and a campaign that has the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G1 VRC Derby on the 3-year-old’s programme.

Baker and Forsman won the 2016 Wanganui Guineas with Highlad (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE}) and he subsequently finished a respectable eighth in the VRC Derby, a race won by the stable with Botti’s three-quarter brother Lion Tamer (NZ) (Storming Home {USA}).

Raced by his breeder Luigi Muollo and raced by him with his brother Tony and father Antonio, Botti won his only start last season and Forsman said he is in great shape to resume.

Hayes planning to expand in Sydney

Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes has suggested the training partnership will be expanding its base in Sydney, adding to the main headquarters at Euroa, a stable at Flemington and a small eight-horse stable at Randwick.

Hayes told Punters,com.au that a lack of city-class midweek races during September and October in Melbourne made having a bigger Sydney stable attractive, indicating that up to 30 horses would be trained out of the Sydney base. He indicated that he wants a slice of the bigger prize money and BOBS bonus money on offer in Sydney.

"I'm predicting it will be a trend Melbourne trainers will have to look at to be competitive nationally," Hayes said.

Jockey Chris Brown mourned

New Zealand born jockey Chris Brown has passed away in Victoria after a short illness.

Brown rode with success over jumps in New Zealand before moving to Australia and working with the likes of Gai Waterhouse, Peter Moody and David Hayes. He rode winners in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Based at Euroa, the 47-year-old last rode at a race in Bendigo in June.

VJA executive officer Matt Hyland paid tribute to Brown, who will have a memorial service on September 13 at Benalla racecourse.

“Chris dedicated his entire working life to racing. Our rider group are deeply saddened at the news of Chris’ passing and will miss him and the significant contribution he made to our industry," Hyland said.