Chairman's Sale catalogue boosted

A number of quality mares have been added to the 2019 Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

They include Apologynotaccepted (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), a Group 2 performer in foal to Medaglia d’Oro (USA); Unequivocal (Not A Single Doubt), a multiple stakes performed sprinter in-foal to superstar stallion I Am Invincible; multiple Group winner Pecans (Skilled); Group 1 winner Russeting (Commands) who is in foal to No Nay Never (USA) and Group 3 winner Girl In Flight (Commands), who is in foal to Zoustar.

“We are very grateful for the support that the Chairman’s Sale is receiving and we are delighted with how the catalogue is coming together,” Inglis’ NSW Bloodstock Manager Chris Russell said.

“Apologynotaccepted was a high-class race mare in the United States and to have her in foal to Medaglia d’Oro is really something special, particularly considering we are not aware of any other mare in foal to him that will be available to the Australasian market this year.

“Pecans is a good-looking mare that will be compatible with most of Australia’s commercial stallions and I expect she will make mass appeal.

“I Am Invincible, Zoustar and No Nay Never are among the hottest commercial sires in the world, so to have access to mares in foal to each of them represents a great opportunity for buyers.”

Entries to The Chairman’s Sale, to be held at Riverside Stables on Friday, May 3, close 5pm on Friday, March 8.

Star colt in top order

While The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) has not run a place in two barrier trials, trainer Chris Waller is unperturbed ahead of the colt’s resuming run in the G2 Hobartville S. at Rosehill.

"He is about 10kg heavier than his impressive spring campaign, his attitude is fantastic and he has done everything we have asked him to do in his build-up to Saturday's race," Waller said.

Waller said The Autumn Sun was typical of his horses, including champion Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), who switch on come race day and nothing should be read into his trial form.

The Autumn Sun's first Group 1 target this carnival will be the Randwick Guineas with other options to be determined after that race.

Group 1 chance for Thompson

A break in Ben Thompson’s schedule has handed him a Group 1 opportunity aboard Bel Sonic (Bel Esprit) at Caulfield.

He is taking advantage of a race-free Sunday in Singapore to return home and partner the Jason Warren-trained sprinter in G1 Ladbrokes Oakleigh Plate.

"It was tough to get a ride to begin with, but I contacted Jason myself and was lucky enough to get on board.

"I'll get work out of the way on Saturday and then I'll spend a couple of days with the family before heading back here on Monday night for track work and trials on Tuesday."

Although Thompson has only ridden two winners from 69 rides he has had since moving to Singapore last month, he has 10 seconds placings.

"It's frustrating, but you can have the same runs at home," Thompson said.

Hartnell next in line

Godolphin's grand performer Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) will gain a start in the inaugural All-Star Mile should one of the 11 runners already named be withdrawn.

Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club on Thursday announced the 10 highest vote getters, headed by South Australian Balf's Choice (Written Tycoon), for the $5 million race at Flemington on March 16, along with the first wild card, Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}).

A further three wild cards will be announced by March 4 with the field and barriers to be finalised on March 12.

The provisional emergencies are ranked in order of prize money earned.

With Happy Clapper the leading earner of the 130 horses originally nominated for the race having received a wild card, Hartnell becomes first provisional emergency.

The list will be updated if a horse is withdrawn, secures one of the three remaining wild cards, or wins additional prize money.

2YO excites Snowden

The lure of two Group 1 runners in Melbourne would usually be sufficient to convince Paul Snowden to head south for the weekend.

But such is his anticipation ahead of the clash of McLaren (Exceed And Excel) with G1 Golden Slipper favourite Tassort (Brazen Beau) in the G2 Silver Slipper at Rosehill on Saturday, he is almost certain to travel to the Western Sydney track instead.

"I'd really like to stay here and see how this 2-year-old goes," Snowden, who co-trains the youngster with his father Peter, said.

"He's a super-talented horse, I feel. He's going to be better next preparation but we think we've got a two-year-old that can measure up and we're hoping he can do so."

Catch Me (I Am Invincible) will represent the stable in the G1 Blue Diamond S and new acquisition Land Of Plenty (Stratum) in the G1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Cummings up for the challenge

Anthony Cummings is looking forward to the unbeaten Vegadaze (Lope De Vega {Ire}) making his black type debut on Saturday.

He will take on The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) in the G2 Hobartville S. at Rosehill.

"He might finish up being the better horse, he might not, but I'm happy to take him on in this," Cummings said.

"We go there fourth run in, hard fit, ready to go for another run at 1400 metres and ready to take the step up to that grade, so I think we're in good shape."

Vegadaze only made his debut in January and he is yet to be beaten in three starts, his most recent win coming over Saturday's Rosehill course and distance three weeks ago.

Gaby loses favouritism

Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) has been displaced as favourite for the G1 Blue Diamond S. despite being given the all-clear to run in Melbourne's premier 2-year-old race.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly underwent a second inspection by Racing Victoria vets on Friday after showing signs of lameness in her right foreleg a day earlier.

Fellow Blue Diamond contender Shotmaker (Shooting To Win) has also been passed fit to run after showing signs of lameness on Thursday.

As a precaution both 2-year-olds will again be examined on arrival at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Anthony Freedman-trained Godolphin filly Lyre (Lonhro) has moved to $5.50 favouritism for the Group 1 race with Loving Gaby drifting to $6 while Shotmaker is a $14 chance.

Damien Thornton has been booked to ride the Tony McEvoy-trained Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock) after Barend Vorster was unable to make the trip from Singapore because of visa issues.

Group Two winner for Iffraaj

Charlie Appleby made a clean sweep of the three Group races at Meydan, highlighted by the win of Mythical Magic (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB }) in the G2 Zabeel Mile.

The 4-year-old son tracked the leading pair and finished off strongly to score by three lengths.

Iffraaj has been a long-time shuttler to New Zealand’s Haunui Farm and has sired nine individual Group 1 winners and has 5.6 percent stakes winners to runners.