Smart sprinter back into work

Breeding issues will see a gifted sprinter returning to work to chase a Group 1 victory at the Queensland winter carnival.

Menari (Snitzel) won the G2 The Run To The Rose and finished third in the G1 Golden Rose S. during an eight-start career for trainer Gerald Ryan before a tendon injury forced his retirement.

His performances earned him a spot on the Newgate Farm roster, but poor fertility in his first season has resulted in a change of tack.

Scans of the tendon look promising, although Ryan said there were no future guarantees, and the 4-year-old will be back in the stable within the next four weeks to work toward a return to the track.

The mission in front of Menari has been successfully accomplished in the past with Daybreak Lover (Namnan {USA}) returning from a season at stud to win his second G1 Stradbroke H. in 1986.

Bred by television personality Mike Willessee’s Trans Media Group, the Danny Duke-trained Daybreak Lover subsequently resumed his stud career.

He enjoyed only modest success with his tally of 188 winners including just four Listed successes.

Queensland stallions well-represented

Young stallions Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo) and Better Than Ready (More Than Ready {USA}) are set to waive the Queensland breeding flag at Saturday’s Gold Coast meeting.

They each have strong chances in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas.

First-season sire Better Than Ready, who stands Lyndhurst Stud, has four leading chances in the juvenile feature - The Odyssey, Betaima, Better Reflection and Girls Are Ready.

“It is stating the obvious to say having four of his first crop in the Millions is a boost and an honour,” studmaster Jeff Kruger said.

Spirit of Boom has favourite Outback Barbie and second favourite Boomsara in the Guineas and Champagne Boom in the Classic.

Spirit of Boom stands at Eureka Stud on the Darling Downs and studmaster Scott McAlpine said the two young stallions were each doing their bit for the Queensland breeding industry.

“We help each other as much as possible and send each other mares,” he said.

Patience rewarded at Caulfield

Caulfield conditioner Nick Ryan was delighted for his owner Rex Gorell following an eye-catching winning debut from Columbus Circle (Street Boss {USA}) on his home track.

“I’m really pleased, he gave me my first horse to train and he’s been very patient with this one and it’s paid off,” he said.

“I’ve always had a high opinion of him and had him ready to go before the spring, but he had foot abscesses.”

Ridden by James Winks, Columbus Circle raced in the trail and was hemmed in for a long way down the straight before a gap opened and the 3-year-old showed sharp acceleration to put his rivals away in the Ladbrokes Plate.

“It’s terrific, James and I have done a lot of work with this horse,” Ryan said. “He relaxed in behind them and showed a brilliant turn of foot. There’s a lot more to come, James stayed cool and got him out and got the job done.

A $72,500 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale buy, Columbus Circle is the first foal to race for his dam Perfect Fragment (Wanted), who is a half-sister to Trelawney Stud’s G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Boundless (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy).

She has produced the Listed Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup winner Richie McHorse (Redoute’s Choice).

Cleary staying loyal

Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary is sticking by his jockey for in Saturday's $2 million 2YO Classic (1200m).

He is more than happy for Jess Taylor to retain the mount on Girls Are Ready (Better Than Ready) in the juvenile feature.

“There were a few trying to white-ant her for the ride, but there is no surprise about it. She knows the filly and has won twice on her,” Cleary said.

“Dad always had a policy of if it wasn't broken, why fix it, and I stick with that.”

Cleary’s father Frank won the Classic in 1992 with Clan O’Sullivan (Zoffany {USA}).

Taylor was on the Gold Coast on Tuesday to ride in a beach promotion, but returned to Sydney to ride at Canterbury the following day and Tegan Harrison has been helping with Girls Are Ready, who worked on Wednesday morning.

“I put my mum and my wife in her with some of their friends so the filly is eligible for the all-women syndicate bonus,” Cleary said.

Clearly is renowned for being laid-back, but admits he can hardly wait for Saturday.

“It is great day and I always love coming to the Coast but this I something special,” he said.

Group 1 challenge for colt

Expensive yearling Autumn Flash (Snitzel) will have the opportunity on Saturday to repay his purchase with a Group 1 victory.

He will have an early test at the top level in the Levin Classic at Trentham.

The colt has won one from four appearances and his connections are hoping he has taken improvement out of his last-start fourth placing over 1200 metres at Matamata last month.

“He was a little disappointing last time, we are just hoping he can bounce back to his previous form,” said Andrew Scott, who trains in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan. “When he won his maiden he looked quite good.

“We know it’s a bit of a quantum leap stepping up to a Group 1 race, but they are only three once and we’ve got a strong belief that he is a promising horse.

“We’ll try and take advantage of the small field and hopefully he can be competitive.”

Autumn Flash was a $600,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for Hermitage Thoroughbreds, who share in the ownership of the boom Australian colt The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice), and is a half-brother to the Listed Welcome S. winner Sassy ‘N’ Smart (Smart Missile).

Their dam Panorama Ridge (USA) (Empire Maler {USA}) is a daughter of the dual French Group 1 winner Nebraska Tornado (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}).

Chap’s cool for Manifold

Co-trainer Tom Dabernig won’t be surprised to see a bold first-up showing from Cool Chap (High Chaparral {IRE}) in Saturday’s Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington over 1400 metres.

In his first start back from a spell in March last year, Cool Chap was narrowly beaten when third in the G3 Autumn Handicap over the same course and distance.

The following start he ran second to Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {IRE}) in the G2 Blamey S.

Dabernig said the 6-year-old, the winner of four of his 34 starts, was in great order.

“He's one of those horses that it's hard to know what sort of preparation he will be in for, but you certainly couldn't fault him on his work and how he is,” Dabernig said.

“While he's got a bit of age on him, he's a very sound horse and hopefully fresh he will run well.

“He seems to be in great order. He's one of those horses that has to be left alone and let balance and finish off.

“If you fall into the trap of trying to ride him forward he doesn't tend to finish off.

“He has run a lot of competitive races without winning as many, but he's definitely got the ability.”

Change of luck overdue

Dolcetto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will look to turn his fortunes around at Trentham on Saturday.

The gelding had no luck on his last visit for a Group 1 test and will have a chance to bounce back in the G3 Tui – Backing A Winner since 1889 Anniversary H.

“He had a very unlucky run in the Captain Cook, he got flattened in that,” trainer Sylvia Kay said.

“He was probably a bit wide in the Manawatu Challenge Stakes, but he went a good race (to finish third) and hopefully he won’t be so wide this time.”

Kay has been satisfied with Dolcetto in the lead-up to the race and is hopeful of a solid showing by her runner.

“I’m never confident because so much seems to happen lately, we have had a bit of a bad run,” she said.

“But I can’t do anything more than I’ve done and the horse is eating and working well and I just hope everything goes nicely on the day.

“He seems pretty good. It would have been nicer to have drawn a wee bit closer, but he’s not on the outside so I suppose that is something.

“It’s a lovely track, let’s hope he can do the job.”

Dolcetto will head into the race in a freshened state, after his stakes-placing in the Manawatu Challenge Stakes last month, with the aim of having him primed for his major summer target, the G1 Thorndon Mile on Saturday week.