Snowden happy with Redzel

Outstanding sprinter Redzel (Snitzel) is back on track in his bid to defend his $13 million The Everest title.

He missed a run in the G2 Shorts at Randwick last Saturday due to muscle soreness, but co-trainer Peter Snowden said all was now well again with the 6-year-old.

“His work this (Tuesday) morning was really good. We put a saddle back on him and got the all clear from the vets and he was very keen, full of himself and very fresh, so all is well with the horse.”

Snowden also confirmed Redzel will likely take his place in the G2 Premiere Stakes on September 29 ahead of The Everest two weeks later.

“He’ll have a gallop on Thursday and we’ll likely race him again at Randwick in the Premiere Stakes,” he said. “He’ll need another race leading into The Everest and that should get him exactly where we want him.

“It was a minor setback as he’s just missed his planned lead up race, but I’m confident we can get him to where we need him and he’ll be in good order for The Everest.”

Cup focus for Avilius

A start in the G1 The Metropolitan has been ruled out for the in-form Godolphin stayer Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}.

The pre-post favourite will instead be targeted at the G1 Melbourne Cup and secure a berth by winning the G3 The Bart Cummings.

“We feel that giving Avilius a look at Flemington with the hope of gaining a start in the Melbourne Cup is the right way to go with the horse,” trainer James Cummings said.

“"We discussed this as a team and are confident this is the best lead-up to the Cup and we are all extremely excited to be going down this path.”

Avilius is unbeaten in three Australian starts, culminating in his last-start victory in the G3 Kingston Town S.

Talented 3YO to join Weir’s team

Smart filly Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) is to do her future racing Australia.

“Darren Weir’s clients have taken fifty per cent, Jomara Bloodstock have taken 25 per cent and the original ownership group have retained 25 per cent,” trainer Nick Bishara said.

“The fact that she is still so raw and does a lot wrong and still wins her races easily, the upside to her is enormous.

“She is three and all of the three-year-old Classics are in front of her.

“She’s very exciting and it’s good that she is going to get an opportunity to race for some great prizemoney and we’re still part of it.”

Bishara was delighted that the original ownership syndicate, including himself, would be able to continue to enjoy the ride. Fellow New Zealanders Mark and John Carter and their sister Rachel, who race under the Jomara Bloodstock banner, will also be involved.

Verry Elleegant was runner-up on debut as a 2-year-old last season and is unbeaten in two appearances this term.

Absolemm off to a flyer

Pierro’s well-related daughter Absolemm made the perfect start to her career on the synthetic track at Pakenham on Wednesday.

The 3-year-old is trained by Robbie Griffiths and the ease of her first-up success suggested she can make her mark in much stronger company.

Absolemm was a $200,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase and is the first foal of the American-bred mare Nothin But A Dream (First Defence {USA}).

She is a half-sister to five winners and is from a strong North American black type family has also has a fine record in Australia.

Among its members are the Sir Owen Glenn-owned pair of the multiple Group 1 winner Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) and the G1 Doomben Cup winner Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock). Saturday’s G3 Bill Ritchie H., winner Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) also appears on the pedigree page.

Cram appointed Chairman

Racing Victoria (RV) has elevated Robert Cram to Chairman of Stewards with immediate effect.

First employed by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) as a Cadet Stipendiary Steward in 1982, he assumed the role of Chairman of Stewards in the South Western, Ballarat District and Northern District regions of Victoria while also serving as the director of the state’s apprentice jockey training program from 1991-1996.

Cram was elevated to the position of Senior Stipendiary Steward in 1996 before being appointed Deputy Chairman of Stewards – Non Raceday Integrity & Compliance by RV in 2005.

He assumed the role of Manager – Integrity Services for two years from 2008 before returning to the position of Deputy Chairman of Stewards in 2010, serving in that role since under Bailey.

Cram has shared the position of Acting Chairman of Stewards since July 2018 and has been appointed following a worldwide search.

Green light for sprinter to trial

Approval has been given for Chautauqua (Encosta de Lago) to trial in Melbourne this Friday.

Racing Victoria's newly-appointed chairman of stewards, Robert Cram, confirmed on Tuesday that Racing Victoria and Racing New South Wales have agreed that the currently-banned sprinter could trial at the Flemington jump-outs on Friday.

Chautauqua has failed to leave the barrier cleanly in numerous trials and jump-outs in the last few months.

If he does trial satisfactorily in Melbourne, he will still be required to trial satisfactorily again before he can return to the races.

Foal competition

Supporters of Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE} have been given the chance to win a prize pack worth more than $20,000.

Breeders with foals the Group 1 winner are eligible to enter their youngsters through the farm’s website (link below) from September 14 through to November 30 and voting will open on December 1.

Fill in the entry form and upload a foal photo and, once it has been processed by Waikato Stud, it will appear on the competition page.

The foal which has received the highest number of votes when the competition closes at 5pm (NZT) on December 21 will be crowned as the winner and the owner will receive a nomination to Tivaci to use in 2019 and a limited-edition Stoney Creek Tivaci jacket.

“Tivaci has left an outstanding group of foals so far and we’re really impressed with their quality, size and physiques,” Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick said.

“We want to give breeders a chance to show off their Tivaci foals so came up with the idea of running a foal photo competition where the winner will be rewarded with a nomination to Tivaci.”