Daily News Wrap

5 min read

Dunn escapes break

Dylan Dunn has been cleared of a broken ankle after a nasty fall at Sale on Sunday.

It was initially feared that the 24-year-old had suffered a break when he was dislodged from Maldestro (Best Choice) in Race 3 at Sale and he was transported to hospital.

But his jockey father Dwayne later tweeted that scans had shown that Dunn had not broken his ankle but would require stitches on a nasty gash on his leg.

Dunn only returned to the saddle in September last year an 18-month sabbatical, riding 42 winners, including 10 so far this month.

Smooth picks up Cup hope

Matthew Smith's increased focus on European stayers will see German Group 3 winner Sweet Thomas (Ger) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) join the Warwick Farm trainer's stable.

Smith confirmed to Racenet that the 7-year-old, a winner of the G3 Deutsches St Leger over 3000m at Dortmund last year, would be aimed towards this year's G1 Melbourne Cup after finishing up his campaign in Germany.

“There’s a chance he might run next week in Germany but the main thing is he’s passed the qualification standard for the Cup so that’s the start of the dream.” Smith said.

Smith has also secured European stakes-performers Monreal (Ire) (Peintre Celebre {USA}) and Milk Man (USA) (Kitten's Joy {USA}) for his stables in what he said is a deliberate trend.

“We sat down a couple of years ago and felt we needed to change our business model,” Smith said.

“Whether we like it or not we are in the entertainment business and we were noticing more and more people wanted to buy into a horse and have it ready to race."

Cummings confident in Alizee

James Cummings is extremely confident in the All-Star Mile prospects of Alizee (Sepoy) after the star mare collected her third Group 1 victory in Saturday's Futurity S.

Cummings said Alizee would go into the March 16 $5m feature without another run, but he may look to give her an exhibition gallop at Flemington on March 9.

“We’ll take her to the All-Star Mile but I’d love permission from the VRC to bring the mare to Australian Cup day and give her a look around - it would be great for Alizee to have a little pipe opener and look around the track on a race day,” Cummings told RSN.

“All systems are go and I really like the position we are in going to the All-Star Mile.”

Waugh' pair headed to Randwick Championships

Safado (Lonhro) produced a strong finish to head a quinella for trainer Kim Waugh in the Polytrack Provincial Championship qualifier at Hawkesbury on Sunday.

Ridden by Jason Collett the 4-year-old proved too tough for Spring Charlie (Myboycharlie {Ire}) in the final stages to book her spot in the $500,000 Provincial Final at Randwick on April 13.

Safado was having just his fifth start but relished being back on the track where he won so impressively in his maiden 12 months ago.

The Greg McFarlane trained It’s So Obvious (Krupt) was third and also qualifies for the final.

Invador's late Derby bid in the balance

Lisa Latta is hoping that Platinum Invador (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) can join stablemates Sir Nate (NZ) (Nadeem) and Lincoln Falls (Dundeel {NZ}) in next Saturday's G1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby.

Platinum Invador won at Otaki on Saturday to lift himself to 19th on the Order Of Entry for the Ellerslie feature, just one spot out of a guaranteed run.

“It’s really in the lap of the gods now,” Latta said.

“We’ve done all we can and it would be good to get a start with him as I think we have all seen he is very much a genuine stayer and will be suited by the 2400m of the Derby."

“It’s not ideal that we might have to race three weeks in a row, but he has pulled up well and if he can make the final field, I think he will acquit himself well.”

All-Star ambassadors announced

Racing Victoria has confirmed the owner ambassadors for the 10 publicly elected horses in The All-Star Mile.

As part of the voting for the inaugural race, those who entered were also given a chance to be drawn as an owner ambassador, which would see them win $250,000 if their horse salutes.

They will receive a minimum of $10,000, with the four owner ambassadors tied to the wildcards set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Alizee - Aaron Campbell (Greensborough, VIC)

Amphitrite - Blake Hutchins (Berwick, VIC)

Balf's Choice - Adam Durdin (Angle Vale, SA)

Foundry - Gerard Dooley (Ballarat, VIC)

Grunt - Jonathon Monasso (Doncaster, VIC)

Man of His Word - Hanna Bellew (Wollongbar, NSW)

Material Man - Zoe Austen (Ivanhoe, VIC)

Moss 'n' Dale - Jodie Finnegan (Yarra Glen, VIC)

Mr Money Bags - Ashlee Hammond (Flemington, VIC)

Urban Ruler - Ron Trezise (Bunbury, WA)

The prize distribution is as follows:

1st $250,000

2nd $80,000

3rd $40,000

4th $25,000

5th $15,000

6th-14th $10,000 each