First winner for Shooting to Win
Darley's Shooting To Win has his first winner after Intrepidacious led all the way to win the Fastlane Karting Plate at Canterbury on Friday night.
The John O'Shea-trained filly was well-rated in front by Tye Angland and scored by 2.8l in a milestone moment for her sire.
She was just the second runner for Shooting To Win, the 2014 Caulfield Guineas winner who stands for $22,000.
Intrepidacious was a $180,000 buy for Randwick Bloodstock Agency and Mystery Downs at this year's Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale.
She is out of Courageous Kitty (Fastnet Rock), an unraced daughter of Group 1 winning mare Rostova. Rostova produced a 2-year-old winner of her own in Anaheed (Fastnet Rock) two weeks; ago, while her three-year-old colt by Frankel, Farooq, was runner-up in this week's G3 Geelong Classic.
More joy for Rosemont
Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff) added to a massive week for Rosemont Stud with his win in the $150,000 VOBIS Gold Star at Moonee Valley on Friday night and he is now set to go on to the G1 Kennedy Mile.
Rosemont won their home Cup at Geelong on Wednesday with Runaway (Manhattan Rain) and Iconoclasm, given a perfect ride by John Allen, continued his strong form holding off Widgee Turf (Turffontein) to claim the rich VOBIS bonus.
Rosemont principal Anthony Mithen confirmed after the win that the Darren Weir trained 4-year-old would now back-up on Derby Day at Flemington in the Group 1 mile race.
The win was especially significant for Mithen as Toorak Toff was the stallion they stood at their stud near Geelong before his recent move to Kingsley Park in Tasmania.
Blinkers the trick for Humidor
Darren Weir is hoping a gear change ahead of Saturday's G1 Cox Plate can prove the key to Humidor (NZ) (Teofilio {Ire}) finding the form which saw him nearly beat Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) in last year's race.
Humidor is coming off a last-start third behind Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Ladbrokes S. and will wear blinkers on Saturday in a bid to get back to winning ways.
“Humidor has had a really good preparation. We have held the blinkers off until we get them on this race and try and find a bit there," Weir told RSN.
“I think he’s in great shape going into the race but gee it would be hard to see him running any better than he did last year.
“I’m just hoping that he can run as good as he did last year, and you’d be some chance of running in the money with him,” Weir said.
Weir said he doesn’t feel either Humidor or his other chance, Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}), can beat Winx, but expects both of them to be competitive with the other runners.
“I’d be surprised (if they won) but both horses are in good shape and I’m just happy to have a couple of runners in the race,” Weir said.
“(Kings Will Dream) has come through the (Caulfield Cup) well. He didn’t get the best of luck last Saturday, but that’s a part of racing. When he stumbled out of the barrier he got further back than what we wanted, but he has had a good week."
“In trackwork there is not a lot between them (Kings Will Dream and Humidor) but probably Humidor has performed a smidgeon better. Hopefully they both can run well."
Kiwi warhorse chasing two in a row
Kiwi-bred and owned stayer Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) will be chasing consecutive G2 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup victories on Saturday.
The G1 Sydney Cup winner has been unplaced in all of his three starts this spring and trainer Chris Waller is looking for improvement from the evergreen stayer.
Who Shot Thebarman winning the 2017 Moonee Valley Gold Cup
“He gets back on a good track on Saturday and up to a more suitable distance so from barrier seven it should see him settle midfield,” Waller said.
“His fitness levels seem fine and he has arrived safely and settled back into Flemington without any issues.”
While the G1 Melbourne Cup remains the ultimate spring goal for the 10-year-old, Waller said a decision will be made on the remainder of his spring campaign after Saturday.
“It is a stronger race than what he won last year, but nonetheless it is a good yard stick as to where he might be heading beyond Saturday,” he said.
Spendthrift announces 50-day deal
Spendthrift Australia has announced a new promotion for breeders called the "Spendthrift 50 Day Deal” in conjunction with Fulmen Park, Longwood.
"It’s quite simple really: book your mare into any Spendthrift stallion, send her to Fulmen Park Longwood, and for $1,650 inc. GST you are provided with 50 days of agistment, reproductive vet work and walk-on transportation for that mare,” said Garry Cuddy, General Manager at Spendthrift Australia.
“At this time of year, there are still plenty of mares to be bred, and we see this as a wonderful opportunity for breeders from all over Australia to get involved with our innovative breeding programs – Breed Secure and Share The Upside – while also getting an incredible deal on agistment.”
Spendthrift Australia has four stallions on its “Breed Secure” program, including Hampton Court, Jimmy Creed (USA), Swear and Warrior’s Reward (USA), while there are two new stallions on its “Share The Upside” program this year, Gold Standard and Overshare.
Allen free to ride in Derby
John Allen will be free to take the ride on Extra Brut (Domesday) in next week's G1 Victoria Derby after getting a meeting taken off his eight-day ban.
Allan received the ban at the Geelong meeting on Wednesday but successfully argued to the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board that the offence warranted a lesser suspension.
He can now ride the current second favourite, who is trained by Darren Weir, in the $2 million race.
Allen rides on Saturday at Moonee Valley, highlighted by Kings Will Dream (Ire) in the Cox Plate, while he also has Group 2 rides on Tosen Basil (Moonee Valley Cup), Cliff's Edge (Crystal Mile) and Anjana (Aquis Farm Fillies Challenge).
Scholarship applications invited
Applications are open for the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s International Management Scholarship.
“We are looking for a talented, driven, motivated individual with leadership and management potential who intend to further their career in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Industry,” the Association said.
The successful applicant will receive an all-expenses paid, bonded trip of 30 weeks to experience the operational infrastructure, systems and management of three of the Northern Hemisphere's leading stud farms in England, Coolmore Stud in Ireland and Taylor Made in Kentucky.
The purpose of this Scholarship is to identify existing and potential managers within the New Zealand thoroughbred industry and offer them an opportunity to broaden their knowledge and experience and highlight career options available within the international bloodstock business.
Applicants require a good general knowledge of the thoroughbred industry and experience in the management and handling of horses of all ages.
Top target for mare
Talented mare Darscape Princess (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) is warming up for a return to Group 1 competition.
The lightly-raced 5-year-old, who has won five of her 14 starts, finished a close last-start sixth when resuming the G3 Taranaki Breeders’ S.
“I was pleased with her that day and there’s a lot of improvement to come, she was only beaten a length and a-half,” trainer Fraser Auret.
“She’ll go to Palmerston North next for an open 1400 metre handicap and head up for the G2 Tauranga S., and that will be three weeks before the G1 Captain Cook S.”
Darscape Princess made one appearance at Group 1 level last season when she finished runner-up in the New Zealand S.
Blood to the fore
Laurant (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Fratello (NZ) (Savabeel) ran up to their rich pedigrees when making their respective debuts at Pukekohe Park on Friday.
The former was first on stage and she finished powerfully to win the Oscar On Main Maiden over 1200 metres.
“Her trials had been great and there’s a fair bit of upside about her,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.
“She’s very well bred, but still a bit green and quite a long filly.
“She’s been through a few growing stages and she’ll be better in the autumn.”
Laurant is out of the Carnegie (IRE) mare Petit Verdon (NZ), who is doing an excellent job at stud.
She is also the dam of the Group winners Antonio Lombardo (NZ) (Pins) and Master Of Arts (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}). Petit Verdon is a sister to the G1 VRC Derby winner Amalfi (NZ).
The Brendan and Jo Lindsay-bred and owned Fratello took control of the Splice Construction Maiden 300 metres from home and it was game over from that point, with the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained 3-year-old coasting to victory.
Out of the Group 1 performer J’Adane (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), Fratello is a half-brother to his gifted Group 3 winning stablemates Von Tunzelman (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE})
