McDonald outed for Cox Plate
James McDonald will miss Cox Plate day after receiving a 11- meeting suspension for careless riding on Saturday at Caulfield.
McDonald, who celebrated a Group 1 win aboard The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice), had his day soured with an 11-meeting ban for his ride on Meryl (Epaulette) in the G3 Thoroughbred Club S.
Craig Williams was outed for seven meetings, starting next Sunday, for his ride on board the winner Champagne Boom (Spirit of Boom) in the Listed Inglis Debutant S. The suspension rules him out of Manikato S. night, but he can ride on Cox Plate Day.
International jockey James Doyle, who received a seven-day suspension when he last rode in Caulfield, was outed for 10 meetings for his ride on Blair House (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who was second in the G1 Ladbrokes S.
Ben Allan was also suspended in that race for careless riding aboard Night's Watch (Redwood {GB}), copping a 10-meeting ban, while Jamie Mott and Jordan Childs were outed for 10 and seven meetings respectively.
Yucatan an epic Herbert Power winner
Yucatan (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}) ended an outstanding day of racing at Caulfield with an extraordinary staying performance to stake an undeniable claim for higher honours.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained 5-year-old destroyed his opposition in Saturday’s G2 Ladbrokes Herbert Power S., to put him to the forefront of spring carnival Cups discussions.
“He was terrific and it’s great credit to Aidan and all his team and Coolmore that they let the family come into this horse,” part-owner Nick Williams said.
“James (McDonald) gave him a great ride and it was a very arrogant win, quite extraordinary.”
Yucatan sat wide in the field before McDonald let him roll to hit the front 500 metres from home.
The entire was out on his own soon after and he strolled to the post with McDonald high in the stirrups as he went to the post untouched.
“It was great that James didn’t have to ride him that last furlong,” Williams said.
“I’d be saying that he’s the Melbourne Cup winner in waiting.”
The victory completed a Group 1 double for McDonald, who had earlier ridden The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) to a blazing win in the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas, and he was suitably impressed by Yucatan.
“Aidan had him primed for this. He’s very good and was wide all the way, but he’s a European horse and you just let him stride along and I had loops in the reins all the way,” he said. “It’s great to ride a winner in these colours.”
My Hamada put down
Charlie Appleby's raider My Hamada (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) was put down after a freak accident at trackwork on Saturday morning.
The 5-year-old pulled up lame near the winning post and had been taken to the Werribee Veterinary Hospital, but unfortunately he could not be saved after it was revealed he had fractured his near hind leg.
"On vet's advice, the nature of the injury left us no alternative. The kindest course of action was to euthanise the horse," Appleby said.
Racing as Hamada, he won five of seven career starts, most recently the G2 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury on August 18.
Stablemate Emotionless (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) is recovering from an injury suffered last week. Emotionless will be inspected on Monday by RV Stewards to assess is he is fit to contest next week's G1 Caulfield Cup.
G1 target for Iconoclasm
Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff {Ire) could be set to step up to the G1 Kennedy Mile after he returned to form with a 2.25l win in the Listed Weekend Hussler S. at Caulfield.
The 4-year-old had recent throat surgery and returned to the track in style thanks to a superb ride by Ben Allan to claim the first stake-success for his sire.
Managing owner Anthony Mithen said he was optimistic that Iconoclasm could measure up to Group 1 class in the Kennedy, which is run on the first day of the Flemington carnival.
"Weiry said last night, 'he likes Flemington and there is a mile Group 1 race there'. He might have struggles to get into with his rating before today but now we hope and dream that we could maybe get there," Mithen said.
"Caulfield Guineas day and derby Day are the days that racing people want their horses in action and it would be nice to think we can get to both those days."
"I think he’ll come on from that run. Given it has been five weeks between runs."
Trainer undecided on Guineas bid
Frank Ritchie remains lukewarm on a trip south for the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas for the unbeaten Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach {IRE}).
“I always worry about the long trip home by road from Riccarton,” he said.
“He’s nominated for the Karaka Million 3-year-old race as well so we’ll have a think and work it out.”
Dawn Patrol was a winner on debut and on Saturday he accounted for a competitive line-up in the Fairview Motors Matamata.
“He was three wide with cover, but he can really sprint and that’s a key element to a good horse,” Ritchie said.
Dawn Patrol came wide on the turn and once rider Opie Bosson asked him for a serious effort he shot well clear.
The chestnut was purchased by owner Rex Jensen for NZ$20,000 out of Mapperley Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale series at Karaka.
Dawn Patrol is out of the Star Way (GB) mare Dazzling (NZ), who is a sister to the dam of the G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Boundless (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}) and a half-sister to the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner Veyron (NZ) (Thorn Park).
Stayer bounces back to best
Nymph Monte (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) bounced back to winning ways with a dominant victory in the South Taranaki Hawera Cup.
The 7-year-old appreciated a genuine tempo and when rider Shaiq Rusof asked the gelding for a serious effort on straightening he rounded off strongly to beat Ladies First (NZ) (Dylan Thomas {IRE}).
“We knew there would be a lot of pace and he drew one and jumped well,” trainer Grant Nicholson said.
“He got off the fence at the right time and got the job done. At this stage, we might possibly go to the Feilding Cup.”
Nymph Monte is out of the Grosvenor mare Grove Nymph (NZ), who is a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand S., and G1 Easter H., winner Field Dancer (NZ) (Star Way {USA}) and his brother, the Gr1 Sydney Cup winner Just A Dancer (NZ).
Plunge comes off
Direct Capital (NZ) (Keeper) was the subject of inspired support at Matamata on Saturday.
Off the back of an unplaced but unlucky run at Taupo, the 5-year-old was backed in from an opening quote of NZ$26 to start second favourite at NZ$6.50 and he duly obliged with victory in the G & S McKenzie Bulk Transport H.
The jockey charged with guiding the Karen Nicholson-trained Direct Capital’s fortunes was apprentice Ashvin Goindasamy.
“He jumped well, but there was too much speed so I stayed in midfield,” he said.
“Karen said to go wide so I did on the corner and he ran home really well.”
Direct Capital is out of Waitui Pearl (NZ) (Royal Academy {USA}) and while an absence of black type form early in the pedigree, further back are the European Group 1 winners Fleet (IRE) (Immortality {GB}), Pourparler (IRE) (Hugh Lupus {FR}) and Display (GB) (Rustam {GB}).
