Team Australia wins Singapore jockey challenge

Kerrin McEvoy, Hugh Bowman and Mark Zahra took Team Australia to a narrow victory in Tuesday night’s inaugural PGI International Jockey Challenge at Kranji.

McEvoy claimed the only win of the trio aboard the Cliff Brown-trained Mister Yeoh in Race 3, while Bowman claimed one third and Zahra two fourths.

All up Team Australia compiled a final tally of 119 points, clear of Team UK (117) and Team South Africa (102).

“I’m very proud to have represented Australia,” Bowman said. “I was lucky to have not only world-class riders on my side, but also very good mates."

“It was a great team effort, and Kerrin obviously did very well with a winner and two placings, but we all worked together to bring up points for all of us.”

Individual riding honours went to South African jockey Aldo Domeyer (56 points) who edged out UK rider Rob Havlin (54), with McEvoy in third (51).

Amphitrite a Guineas possibility

Amphitrite (Sebring) remains on track for 3-year-old fillies' features later in the Spring with a hard-fought win in the Rose of May H. at Flemington on Wednesday.

Amphitrite made it two wins from as many starts this preparation working home from midfield to beat Sacharro (Magnus) with East Indiaman (Hinchinbrook).

She was a second acceptor for the G1 Thousand Guineas on Tuesday and she could be set to head towards that race on October 13.

"The ability she's showing, that may be the way we go," stable representative Darryn Murphy told Racing.com. "The mile won't be an issue, she relaxes so well, she’ll probably get further in time."

Amphitrite was a $50,000 buy at the Adelaide Magic Millions sale out of Ocean Dream, who is a half-sister to G1 winner Marble Halls as well as Tigereye, who is the dam of G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Sleek Chassis.

Sunset headed to Melbourne

Magic Sunset (Fighting Sun) won't go to the G1 Thousand Guineas but she will contest fillies' black-type racing in Melbourne after winning her maiden by six lengths over 1200m at Gawler.

Owned by JHB Syndications, bigger and better things await Magic Sunset after her win.

"She's still a bit wintery today, but she's coming in the coat," stable representative Calvin McEvoy said. "She's just going to improve again."

Merovee hits form

Former $1.6 million yearling Merovee (Frankel {GB}) broke through for his second career win at Rosehill on Wednesday.

The 4-year-old, who is out of More Strawberries, looks to be living up to his potential after working home well to win the TAB Hcp over 1500m by 1.5l.

Jockey James McDonald feels the entire is only now just working out how to race after 11 starts.

"It was nice to see him do that because I thought his run last start was ok. He left a bit in the locker there and was not giving his all, but he definitely did that today," he said.

"My opinion would be that he would stretch out over 10 furlongs. He's good over that kind of trip. He travels well. He's a more furnished colt as a 4-year-old. He's taken a little time but I think they’ll reap the rewards soon."

He comes the latest progeny of Frankel to win in recent weeks, joining Frankely Awesome, New Horizons and Miss Fabulass.

He is raced by some significant racing names, including Vinery Stud, Chris Waller, Rupert Legh and Werrett Bloodstock.

Deal's spring far from done

A trial on Friday will determine if Dealmaker (Dundeel {NZ}) heads towards the G1 Spring Champion S at Randwick on October 6.

The 3-year-old hasn't been seen since being narrowly beaten in the G2 Stan Fox S. at Rosehill on September 8 and he missed a run in the Gloaming S. when blood tests revealed he wasn't quite right.

However, the ambitions to get Dealmaker to a Group 1 this preparation are far from lost, and owner Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds said his performance at Randwick on Friday was crucial to his spring prospects.

"If he trials well, there is still a realistic chance he can get to the Spring Champion on Saturday week. If he gets through the trial, I think he’ll be fine," she said.

"He's an extremely talented colt. I think he's one of our most exciting prospects going forward."

12 horses depart Macedon Lodge in online sale

Twelve horses owned by Lloyd Williams and family have found new homes as part of the Hudson Conway reduction sale through Inglis.

4-year-old Elgin (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) went for the biggest pricetag at $160,000 in the digital sale having run third on debut earlier this month.

Kilimanjaro (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) sold for $140,000 having been placed three times in five starts since arriving from Ireland after finishing fourth in the 2015 G1 Irish Derby.

Aloft (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won the 2018 Listed Roy Higgins Quality, was sold for $75,000, while others sold include Crocodile Rock (Ire) for $60,000 (Galileo {Ire}) and Hans Holbein (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) for $45,000.

A full review of the sale will be featured in Friday's edition of TDN AusNZ.

HQ Insurance appoints Doughty, Morley

Equine insurance specialist Stuart Doughty has joined HQ Insurance as Business Development Manager, while Dean Morley has joined the company in a dual role of Account Executive and Media & Marketing Manager.

Doughty, formerly of Ausure Insurance, was delighted to join the company.

"I’m very excited to join Wayne (Aldridge - Managing Director) and the dynamic HQ team, they really are leaders in the field. Having the opportunity to now offer my clients the guaranteed renewal policy exclusive to HQ Insurance, among other superior offerings, is particularly appealing." Doughty said.

Morley worked with Sky Racing from 2010-2016 before spending a stint with bet365.

Aldridge said he was rapt to have Doughty and Morley on board.

Apprentice eyes Group 1 ride

Jasmine Fawcett hopes to take her association with star filly Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins) all the way to Group 1 level after breaking through for her first stakes success last weekend.

Matamata-based apprentice Fawcett is still buzzing from the biggest win of her career, but is keeping an eye on the prize, a ride on the Kevin and Pam Hughes-trained filly in November's G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

“She’s definitely up there with being one of the smartest fillies I’ve ever sat on. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to ride her and it is my goal to stick with her,” she said.

“They have not guaranteed me the ride but in saying that they don’t have a reason to take me off her,” she said. “It’s always a bit of a risk putting an apprentice on in a Group race but then again, I know the horse, I know the racecourse and I follow instructions."

“I don’t see a reason not to put me on. I’m confident and I’ve proven once already that I can handle the pressure so I don’t see why I can’t do it again.”

The win in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton Park last Saturday was a career highlight but Fawcett is not willing to rest on her laurels.

"Winning a stakes race was a big goal of mine and now that’s ticked off, I’ve just got more to look forward to achieving. It was a huge feeling for me and I’m very proud and grateful to have had the opportunity,” she said.