Happy Clapper, Rawiller casualties from G1
Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}) will serve a three-month ban after bleeding from both nostrils in the G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington on Saturday.
The three-time Group 1 winner finished fifth, beaten 2.7l by winner Grunt (O'Reilly {NZ}) but pulled up with a bleed post-race.
Meanwhile, Jockey Brad Rawiller received a 12-meeting ban as a result of two incidents in the Flemington feature.
Rawiller, who rode Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars), was suspended for careless riding after causing interference to Happy Clapper near the 200m and to The Taj Mahal (Galileo {Ire}) and Kementari (Lonhro) near the 1400m.
He can return to riding on Friday September 28, the day of the G1 Moir S. meeting at Moonee Valley.
Metrop next for Avilius
Avilius (GB) (Pivoyal {GB}) will take his unbeaten Australian run to the Heineken 3 The Metropolitan next after yet another impressive victory at Randwick on Saturday.
Avilius produced his trademark fast finish to comfortably win the G3 The Agency Real Estate Kingston Town Stakes and make it three wins since his arrival in Australia.
Stable representative Darren Beadman said while the likes of the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup were on the horizon for the 5-year-old, he would go through the G1 Metrop on September 29 where he has just 54kg.
“He can’t be penalised because of the set weights penalties for this race for the Metropolitan and the cups so if the team decides to go that way and at the moment the world is his oyster and he is a horse with a bright future,” Beadman said.
Jockey Glyn Schofield was suspended from Thursday September 20 until Friday September 28 for careless riding aboard Avilius for interference caused to Salsonic (Hinchinbrook) and Big Duke (Raven's Pass {USA}).
Epsom on agenda for Siege of Quebec
A breakthrough black-type win in the G3 Bill Ritchie H. for Siege of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) has him ready to tackle the G1 Epsom H. at his next start.
Having disappointed when he failed on the wet track at Rosehill seven days ago, Siege of Quebec bounced back to his best, charging late to edge out Pierata (Pierro) and add a valuable G3 to his resume as a prospective stallion.
But a tilt at the G1 Randwick mile, where he is currently allotted just 50kg, is on his agenda in the short term as he looks to live up to his reputation of being a horse which has sold for over $1 million on two occasions.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott has confidence Siege of Quebec can measure up in that class.
“That has always been the aim for him. Always thought that would be a lovely race for him getting out to the mile as his preferred trip and we see him now as a lightweight chance," Bott said.
"It’s great we have been able to get into the race. He can show us what he’s made of."
Tests to determine Redzel's future
Veterinary tests will determine what path is taken with reigning The Everest champion Redzel (Snitzel) after he missed The G2 Bowerman Office Furniture Shorts at Randwick.
Redzel was a raceday scratching having shown signs of muscle soreness when he was inspected in his box on Saturday morning.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden believes the 6-year-old may have injured himself in the box overnight on Friday.
"He went out for a walk before he exercised and he struggled to get out of the box, he was that stiff and sore. He's obviously got cast somewhere, but there's not a mark on him," he told Sky Sports Radio.
"Something has happened with him during the night that wasn't there yesterday, we’ve got the right people on him."
Redzel was scheduled to go to the G2 Premiere S on September 29 next ahead of the defence of his Everest title on October 13.
Mullins duo headed for Flemington
Willie Mullins pair Thomas Hobson (GB) (Hailing {USA}) and Max Dynamite (Fr) (Great Journey {Jpn}) are bound for the G1 Melbourne Cup after finishing 1-2 in Friday's G2 Doncaster Cup.
Max Dynamite, twice a Melbourne Cup place-getter, charged to the front late in the 3600m race but was overpowered by his stablemate in the final stages, with Thomas Hobson, who was sixth in the 2017 Melbourne Cup, going one better than he did in the same race last year.
"We had thought both horses were working better at home than they had been running, so it's great to see their home work coming out in them,” Mullins said.
"I doubt they'll run before the Melbourne Cup, but I haven't spoken to Rich (owner Rich Ricci) yet. I imagine that books their tickets there."
"I imagine Thomas Hobson winning will put him way up the order of entry, as they call it there, and last year he got in - he was sixth last year from a draw which was way-out wide?"
Thomas Hobson, now a 9-year-old, is currently 71st in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup with 52kg, but a 1kg penalty would see him rocket up to the mid-40s.
Max Dynamite has 54kg is currently 35th, which given natural attrition should be fine to get him in the race for the third time.
Camelot on the board in NZ
Camelot (GB) has sired winners all around the racing world and on Saturday he added New Zealand to that list.
His handsome son Blue On Black stepped out for the second time at Ruakaka and he produced a smart performance to triumph in the Almanzor at Cambridge Stud Maiden.
“He’s a beautiful looking horse and beautifully bred,” trainer Anne Herbert said. “He’s got a really good brain and I’m earmarking the Derby for him.”
A NZ$90,000 Karaka purchase, he is out of Arlington Rock (Fastnet Rock) and a grandson of the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S., winner Arlingtonboulevard (Spinning World.)
Blue On Black also completed a winning double for the stable, following the lead of Wings (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) who was successful in the Tavistock at Cambridge Stud Maiden.
Import impresses rider
Jockey Lisa Allpress has tipped a bright future for the imported Igraine (GER) (Galileo {IRE}) after partnering her to a hollow victory at Awapuni on Saturday.
They went straight to the front and, despite racing keenly, the six-year-old quickened when asked to and she strolled home by five and a-half lengths.
“Stepping up over ground was always going to be a good thing,” she said. “It was a struggle to pull her up and she’s a lovely mare, sure to be a cups mare this season.”
Igraine has now won three of her four New Zealand starts under the guidance of Te Awamutu trainer Robert Priscott. She was purchased for 65,000 guineas at Tattersalls December Mare Sale by agent Paul Moroney on behalf of Trelawney Stud.
A half-sister to the stakes winner Ito (GER) (Adlerflug {GER}), she is out of Iora (GER) (Konigsstuhl {GER}) who is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Illo (GER) (Tertullian {USA}).
Pacy mare back in business
Multiple stakes winner Prom Queen (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) made a stress-free return to racing on Saturday.
The speedster resumed in the Patron’s Trophy at Ruakaka and she proved far too slick for her opposition, leading all the way and coasting clear in the closing 250 metres.
“I never get nervous before a race, but I do with her. What can I say – just too fast,” co-trainer Kenny Rae said.
Prom Queen is now likely to try to add her to black type record in next month’s G3 Sweynesse S., before a possible trip to Riccarton for the G3 Stewards’ S.
The mare was making her first appearance at Ruakaka since a three-start Queensland winter campaign, during which she collected two minor placings.
Wild weather forces cancellation
The threat of super Typhoon Mangkhut has forced the Hong Kong Jockey Club to cancel their meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The club is considering a replacement meeting to be held on December 29, subject to Government approval, with details to be announced in due course.
