Group 1 winner retired

The curtain has come down on the racing career of the millionaire galloper Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

The call has been made by trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and owners the Zame family in the wake of entire’s third placing in the G1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Stud options for the 5-year-old, who has been retired sound, are now being considered by his connections.

A NZ$65,000 Karaka purchase out of Haunui Farm’s draft in 2015, Jon Snow won four of his 23 starts and with a further eight placings he banked $1,823,500.

He was successful as a 2-year-old and from that point on all bar one of his races was in black type company, winning the G1 Australian Derby.

Jon Snow also claimed the G2 Tulloch S. and the G3 JRA Cup and placed at Group 1 level in the New Zealand Derby, Levin Classic, Caulfield S. and the Makybe Diva S.

He is a son of the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Orinda, who is a half-sister to the G3 King’s Plate and G3 Eclipse S. winner Mr Ubiquitos (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).

Jon Snow’s third dam is the G1 Avondale Cup winner Solveig (NZ) (Imposing) and the family of the G1 Sydney Cup winners Gallic (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Cross Swords (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}).

Wild Tally into Millions

Godolphin’s Tally (Street Cry {IRE}) has earned a wild card for horses that did not go through the Gold Coast Sale to the Magic Millions day.

By winning the Magic Millions Shoot Out H. at Doomben on Saturday, the 6-year-old gelding has gained entry into the Magic Millions Trophy on January 12.

It was an excellent result for Godolphin Australia manager Vin Cox, who oversaw the Magic Millions for more than a decade.

“I was a part of the decision to have a $10 million race day for Magic Millions. I must pay credit to former Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon who came up with the idea of wild cards,” Cox said.

“It really adds to the Brisbane summer carnival. For instance we have nine horses up here for the summer.”

Tally was well-rated in front by Brenton Avdulla and they never looked like being reeled in.

First winning strike for newcomer

Former Tasmanian galloper Mister Songman (Your Song) opened his Sydney account with a facile victory at Randwick.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained 4-year-old was taken straight to the front by Adam Hyeronimus and the short-priced favourite coasted clear to win the Vale John Marshall by a wide margin.

“There’s still a bit of improvement in him and obviously he’s a talented horse,” Bott said. “He’s done an excellent job since he arrived.”

Mister Songman had placed in both of his previous two starts from his new quarters and ridden in all his Sydney starts by Hyeronimus.

“He’s been going well and took just a bit of time to find his feet going this way around,” he said.

“The blinkers going on were always going to help and obviously he was dominant.”

Major reward at last

Trainer Kevin Kemp has never lost faith in Sold For Song (Collate) and his trust and patience was rewarded at Doomben.

He produced the 6-year-old to win the Buffering Quality, her first victory since she claimed the Listed Daybreak Lover S. in June, 2016.

The win also handed her a wild card into the $1 million Magic Millions Cup in two weeks,

“She has been so consistent in very good company. I reckon she has won more than $300,000 in minor placegetter prize money since her last win,” Kemp said.

“But I am just so thrilled she has won at last. We are off to the Magic Millions Cup at 1400 metres which will suit us down to the ground.

How could you not love her. She just tries so hard. I hope there are no cameras around because I am nearly crying.”

Sold For Song was ridden by Luke Tarrant, who said she had been suited by the fast early pace.

Welcome Matamata result

You’re Welcome (Camelot {GB}) started a possible Classic quest on a winning note at Matamata for a successful ownership partnership.

The 3-year-old had won a trial in impressive fashion at Te Aroha earlier this month and repeated that on race day when he won the KR Bell Electrical Maiden.

“He’s raced by the same owners that bought Te Akau Shark,” trainer Jamie Richards said.

Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}), the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile winner, was a NZ$230,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale purchase out of Lyndhurst Farm’s 2016 draft.

You’re Welcome was bought for NZ$200,000 out of Curraghmore’s consignment the following year, both sourced by Te Akau chief David Ellis.

“He (You’re Welcome) is still a work in progress and to quicken like he did was a good effort,” Richards said.

The G1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby is a potential target in the autumn for You’re Welcome.

“He’s still a little bit immature and we’ll give him three or four weeks and see what happens. Obviously, they are some pretty important owners for the stable so it’s an important result for them.”

Among the syndicate is high-profile rugby league identity Paul Gallen, captain of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

If you’ve got it, flaunt it

Flaunting (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) has booked her spot in next month’s Karaka Million at Ellerslie.

With a comfortable victory at Matamata, the youngster took her earnings to NZ$12,250 and historically that has been more than enough to secure a spot in the January 26 2-year-old feature.

“We may as well roll the dice, there’s NZ$1 million up for grabs,” part-owner and trainer David Greene said.

“She’s been a slow burner and probably not a real 2-year-old type, but we’re heading in the right direction so happy days.”

Offered by Haunui Farm during the Book 1 session at Karaka earlier this year, Flaunting was secured by Greene for NZ$40,000 and is out of the Elusive City (USA) mare Acapela (NZ).

It is the family of the G3 Victoria H. and G3 Moonga S. winner Volitant (Flying Spur).

Stakes race beckons filly

Black type options are being looked at for Wild Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park) in the wake of the lightly-tried filly’s breakthrough success at Matamata.

Trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott for breeder-owner Sir Peter Vela, she was making her fourth appearance when a comfortable winner on her home track.

“She had to sustain a long run and she was there to be run down and she got away from them the last bit,” Scott said.

“Her work had been really good and every race she’s had she’s run strongly and just lacked a bit of luck.

“We’ll probably look at the Desert Gold S. that might be a good option for her.”

Wild Seas is a daughter of Santangelo (Lonhro), who won six races and was placed at Group 3 level. She hails from the family of the G1 Hollywood Starlet S. winner Love Lock (USA) (Silver Ghost {USA}).

Sir Peter’s Pencarrow Stud will offer a half-sister, Lot 372, by Teofilo {IRE}) to Wild Seas during the Book 1 session at Karaka next month.