Wyndspelle dodges wet Captain Cook

Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) will likely head towards the G1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie after the wet track forced his withdrawal from the G1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes. at Trentham

Co-trainer Johno Benner said there are a multitude of options throughout the summer for Wyndspelle.

“I went and walked the Trentham track on Thursday and I thought it was genuinely in the heavy range,” Benner said. “They had quite a wet day there with light rain all day.

“I don’t know what it is doing down there today (Friday) but you’d think they’d need a pretty dry day and some high winds to get it back into the slow range. Definitely the damage has been done in my opinion.”

The Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day looks to be the most logical next destination, but a $100,000 race at Awapuni a few days earlier is also on the radar.

“Nothing is set in concrete and we will make a decision midway through next week as to where we are thinking, but there are options galore for him,” he said.

“He loves being in work and he’s a colt that is triple Group One placed, so it would be nice to win a Group One with him. If we can do that, then he can secure a stud future once his racing career comes to an end.”

Parr inquiry to resume

The inquiry into Josh Parr’s November 17 ride aboard Godolphin galloper Roheryn (Lonhro) will resume at Rosehill on Saturday.

Roheryn was beaten 2.25l by Chess Star (Fighting Sun) when a short price in the 2019 Membership Sprint after settling at the rear of the field.

Stewards opened an inquiry into the ride, and have been checking betting and phone records. The inquiry is set to conclude on Saturday at Rosehill.

Meanwhile, stewards have announced they will hear charges against suspended trainer Ben Smith next week.

Smith was stood down in September following a stewards’ raid on his stables after initial results from two post-race swabs returned irregularities to cobalt.

All in Brawl ready to rumble

John Price is hopeful his promising 3-year-old All In Brawl (War) can resume with a win at Pakenham on Saturday.

An impressive winner on the Geelong Synthetic on debut, All in Brawl then ran second at his second start at Moonee Valley in August.

Price said he was happy to take any win and the John Duff and Co BM70 on Saturday looked entirely suitable.

"He’s had a nice spell and a good preparation. He’s a little bit of a wayward horse, but his jump-out the other day was first-class,” Price said.

“I get quite confident and then closer to the race I get nervous. I’m hoping the jump-out has him tuned right-up for the 1000m. He’s familiar with the Pakenham surrounds having trialled there and Ben Melham gels with him just beautifully."

Price was fairly open in his assessment of where the horse could get to.

“People enquire what I have got picked out for him, and I say ‘Any race on a Saturday will do me.’" He said,

“We are very lucky these days with treadmills and water-walkers. You can give horses short or long spells and have them ready whenever you want."

“He’ll have two or three runs and hopefully prove he does go alright. He will get those races under his belt and then see what there is."

“I’m looking at a race like the Euclase S. in Adelaide with him. Hopefully it all comes off."

Tattersalls December winds up

It was a low-key finish to the Tattersalls December Sale, with 113 lots selling on Day 4 for a total of 609,500 guineas with a clearance rate of 74%.

Those results took the four-day December Mares Sale turnover to 60,712,100 guineas for the 728 lots sold and the average and median at 83,396 guineas and 20,500 guineas respectively.

The top-priced lot on the final day went to Tweenhills Farm and Stud, who paid 68,000 guineas for Poyle Dee Dee (GB), the daughter of Oasis Dream (GB), who is in foal to Hot Streak (IRE).

She has already produced three winners including the 7-time winner Poyle Vinnie (GB) (Piccolo {GB}) and is from the family of G2 winner Jemima.

Her colt by Hot Streak was purchased by Shadwell at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale for 150,000 guineas.

"Her colt really was the pick of the Hot Streak yearlings. He was bought by Shadwell and is going into training with John Gosden – he really is a lovely horse. This mare is back in foal to Hot Streak and will probably visit Zoustar next spring," Hannah Wall of Tweenhills said.

Racing Women's initiative comes to Perth

Magic Millions has extended its successful Magic Millions Racing Women's initiative to Perth.

A new $75,000 Bonus will be shared between the first three eligible 100% female owned (or leased) horses in finishing order in the $250,000 Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic, commencing in 2020.

A $60,000 Bonus (and trophy) will be paid to the first eligible runner past the post, $10,000 for second and $5,000 for third.

MMRW founder and Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page-Harvey said she was excited to see the concept head to Western Australia.

"The Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic in February 2020 is already in the diary. Magic Millions Racing Women has brought many women so much joy, but one thing it continues to give us all is a reason to look forward, to plan ahead - it gives us a reason to come together. Racing really should be described as a team sport," she said.

"We are thrilled and grateful for the support of RWWA. I love that it is the thoroughbred racing industry that continue to champion female participation in a way that we know makes a material difference. Lip service is easy - actual investment drives change and growth."

The initiative is also supported by Racing and Wagering Western Australia.

McLean faces RAD Board on Monday

Trainer Jarrod McLean fronts the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Monday to face charges of making false or misleading statements to stewards.

The charge is related to McLean's Group 1 winner Trap For Fools (Poet's Voice {GB}), who will contest Saturday's G1 Kingston Town S in Perth.

Less than 48 hours after the race, McLean will need to explain his actions of advising stewards that Trap For Fools would be moved to Darren Weir's stables at Warrnambool in October when a stable inspection indicated the 5-year-old was already there.

The situation led to Trap For Fools being withdrawn from the G3 Coongy Cup at Caulfield.

McLean's correspondence with stewards has led to him being charged under AR 175 (gg), which states.

"The Principal Racing Authority (or the Stewards exercising powers delegated to them) may penalise: Any person who makes any false or misleading statement or declaration in respect of any matter in connection with the administration or control of racing."