In foal Flamingo flies

Flamingo (NZ) (Pins) secured an important piece of black-type in winning the Listed Property Brokers Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ S, at Tauherenikau on Wednesday.

The mare, prepared by Emma and David Haworth at Foxton, is bred and raced by Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick and is in foal to Savabeel.

While there is already plenty of black-type on the pedigree page, with her dam Bird (NZ) (Danasinga) a stakes winner, she added some extra value to her future progeny as she powered clear to win with authority.

“She’s done such a fabulous job,” Emma Haworth said. “I’m just so grateful to be able to do this for Waikato Stud, who have supported me since I started."

“As sad as it is to say she’s going, since she’s been in-foal she has just grown another leg.”

It was the second leg of a treble for jockey Rosie Myers, who had steered Artiste (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) to victory in the WCM Legal Wairarapa Cup and later won on Beyond The Fort (NZ) (Niagara).

Sky Boy's autumn over

The G1 Doncaster Mile campaign of Sky Boy (Pendragon {NZ}) is over before it ever really began after injury forced the 4-year-old to the paddock.

Sky Boy had loomed as one of the leading chances for the Doncaster after putting together a run of five wins in the spring, culminating in his win in the G2 Villers S. at Randwick in December.

However, owners Think Big Stud have reported that a soft-tissue injury suffered earlier this week will prevent his return to the track for the autumn and possibly for the remainder of 2019.

The Anthony Cummings galloper has won seven of his 12 starts to date and over $400,000 in prizemoney.

Inaugural Explorer Cadetship underway

The inaugural intake of 30 aspiring racing professionals for the Thoroughbred Industry Careers Explorer Cadetship have begun their year-long program at the Australian Racing and Equine Academy in Richmond.

The Program, which is designed to provide an educational pathway for young people looking for careers in the Australian thoroughbred breeding and racing industry, has begun its initial three-month practical and theoretical learning block.

Students will then spend 4.5 months with a leading trainer and the same time with a leading stud as part of work placements, which also includes ongoing mentoring and guidance.

“The Cadets have predominantly come from rural areas right across Australia, with most of them starting their riding instruction at Pony Club from a young age, some having ridden horses for mustering and campdrafting while others have competed at state level equestrian competitions," TIC CEO Lindy Maurice said.

"Our goal for these students is for them to get a feel for both the breeding and racing industries before they decide which area they would like to pursue further. At this early stage of the program, a lot have expressed ambitions to be professional track riders whilst a couple would like to become veterinarians. They all have one thing in common, their love of horses."

Former Weir quartet highlight capacity Orr

A full field of 16 will contest the first Group 1 of 2019, the CF Orr S. with four of them having recently transferred from the stables of disqualified trainer Darren Weir.

Last start G2 Australia S. winner Whispering Brook (Hinchinbrook), now back with Simon Miller, is joined by Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}), now with Kris Lees, and two other former stablemates, Land Of Plenty (Stratum) and Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Land Of Plenty is now with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace while Lindsay Park, who also have So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) and Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) in the race, have taken over the training of the promising Fifty Stars.

James Cummings' Kementari (Lonhro) heads the market, first-up from his ninth in the G1 VRC Sprint Classic in the spring.

Godolphin also have last start G1 Cantala S. winner Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) in the 1400m race.

There is also a capacity field of 16 for the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude for the fillies, while the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude for the colts has attracted ten runners.

Estijaab ready despite bumpy preparation

Co-trainer John Hawkes admits Estijaab's (Snitzel) build up to her first race since last year's G1 Golden Slipper S has been less than ideal but insists the star filly is 'ready to go'.

Estijaab dropped jockey Brenton Avdulla at the start in her most recent trial last week before galloping on without him.

She returns as one of the key runners in the $1m Inglis Sprint at Warwick Farm on Saturday. Given she has spent almost 11 months off the racetrack after a tie back operation, it was hardly the preparation Team Hawkes would have wanted.

"It doesn’t help, it can’t be ideal but you can’t do anything about it. That’s how it is and you’ve just got to move on,’’ Hawkes told Racing NSW.

“You have to work around it. She’s ready to go, she’s done enough at home to go to the races."

“We gave her plenty of trackwork, that’s what happened so that’s how it is.’’

“It’s a good race to start off in. She’s well in at the weights so that is a plus,’’ he said. “Hopefully she comes back okay but until you go to the races you’ve got no idea."