Doncaster on the Shark’s radar

The G1 Doncaster H., is on the autumn programme of the exciting Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}).

The 4-year-old will head to the spelling paddock this week after his undefeated spring campaign, which culminated in his romp to victory in the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.

“He left the South Island on Saturday morning and got back Sunday afternoon, he’s going to be thoroughly checked over by our veterinary team before he goes out to Te Akau Stud for a well-deserved break,” Richards said.

“I would say the horse will go to Australia and we were thinking we would like to aim him at the Doncaster.”

Richards said he has been involved with some quality horses at Te Akau and is excited about Te Akau Shark.

“We have been very fortunate since I have been training to have had the likes of Gingernuts, Melody Belle and Xtravagant. We have a bit of a yard stick of what you think is good work and good racing and he really stepped up to the mark.

“It is great to have a choice of where to go (this autumn) and we think he is a horse good enough to go over to Australia and be competitive.”

Doughty vows to fight on

Kelly Doughty says she won’t give up fighting a 12-month disqualification on a cobalt presentation charge.

Doughty faced two charges and was found not guilty of administration, but guilty of presenting a horse to race with a cobalt level above the allowable threshold.

The charges arose from a urine sample taken from Blue Book (Denmarket), who won at Doomben on November 11 last year.

Doughty appealed and had been given a stay of proceedings to continue training.

“I am waiting for an internal review and depending on that result we have an option to go to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a further appeal,” she said.

Doughty's case is considered an important test as she pleaded not guilty on the grounds of the presence of inorganic compared to organic compounds of cobalt.

She argued the presence of organic compounds would not constitute a prohibited substance.

Doughty also argued the urine specific gravity (USG) of the sample should be determined particularly in cases involving animals in a state of dehydration, as it was possible the results of analysis could be adversely affected by the level.

Stewards found any requirement to differentiate between organic and inorganic compounds was irrelevant as once the level exceeded the threshold the presence of cobalt was determined to be a prohibited substance.

They said they found there was no evidence Doughty had administered cobalt, but found the cobalt level was above the threshold and she was therefore guilty of only the second charge.

Stelvio continues 3YO theme

Stelvio (JPN) (Lord Kanaloa {JPN}) became the second 3-year-old in as many years and only the fifth since its inception in 1984 to land Japan’s G1 Mile Championship.

He held off a late run from defending champion Persian Knight (JPN) (Harbinger {GB}) by a diminishing head.

In winning for the fourth time in his nine starts, Stelvio becomes the second Group 1 winner for his successful young sire.

The mount of visiting jockey William Buick, Stelvio settled three back on the fence and took an inside run to mount his winning challenge.

Stelvio is the second Group 1 winner out of a daughter of 2002 G1 Japan Cup winner Falbrav (IRE), joining 2014 G1 Oka Sho winner Harp Star (JPN) (Deep Impact {JPN}).

L’Archetto missed to 2014 Japan Cup hero Epiphaneia (JPN) in 2017 and produced a Rulership (JPN) filly earlier this year.

Stayer to chase further silverware

Following a hat-trick of wins, Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) will pursue higher summer staying goals.

Trained by Bill Thurlow, Glory Days was successful at Hawera and New Plymouth before she claimed her home track feature, the Steelform Roofing Waverley Cup, on Sunday.

“I’ve always thought she would be at her best over ground, but I’ve just waited to try her,” Thurlow said.

“She’s not very big, but she finishes her races off well. She’s won seven races and until this one she hadn’t won by much more than a half-length at the most.

“She’s by Red Giant from a Montjeu mare so she’s bred to stay.

“She’ll go up in the ratings now and have to race in open races. She’ll probably go to the Wanganui Cup next then I could take her north.”

The Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge Wanganui Cup will be run on December 1 and then Thurlow will look toward the G3 Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup at Te Rapa a fortnight later.

Glory Days holds nominations for the G3 City Of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and the G1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup on March 9.

“If she went well at Te Rapa I’d have to look at the City Of Auckland Cup,” Thurlow said.

“Ideally I’d like to be able to give her a run that way round (right-handed) before it, but there’s nothing for her.”