Doncaster champ out of reckoning

Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}) will not defend his G1 Doncaster Mile title and will instead be saved for the G1 Queen Elizabeth S.

The 8-year-old finished eighth in the All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 16 and was later found to have suffered a slight internal bleed.

The problem came to light after an endoscopy, which stewards said detected a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected the horse's racing performance.

His trainer Pat Webster said Happy Clapper was back to his old self at Randwick and would run in a 1200 metre barrier trial on the Friday before the Queen Elizabeth on April 13.

The gelding was given topweight of 59kg in the Doncaster, two kilograms more than he carried to win last year.

Happy Clapper's defection from the Doncaster leaves Godolphin stalwart Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) as topweight with 58kg.

Derby prospects looking good

Trainer Mike Moroney has two strong chances heading toward the G1 Australian Derby with Arrogant (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Chapada (Bullet Train {NZ}).

The pair finished second and third respectively in Saturday’s G1 Rosehill Guineas with Arrogant pushing hype colt The Autumn Sun to within a head.

“They’re both lovely chances in the Derby I would have thought,” Moroney said.

“Arrogant ran a great race over a mile and a-half in the New Zealand Derby and didn’t get a lot of luck. I think the give in the ground here is really going to help him too.

“Chapada was pretty luckless again on Saturday. He just got held up at the wrong time and he made really good ground. We’ve always thought after he was luckless in the VRC Derby that the Australian Derby is the right race for him.”

Marsh having another shot at Sydney

Stephen Marsh’s focus on the rich Sydney autumn carnival will now switch to a feature sprint after having no joy last weekend with his staying 3-year-olds.

The Cambridge trainer is hoping to have better luck with Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice) in the G3 Star Kingdom S. at Rosehill on Saturday after Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) failed to threaten in the G1 Rosehill Guineas.

“They’re both coming home for a spell,’’ Marsh said. “They’ll have a good break and we’ll look at spring racing for them.

While in Sydney, Marsh was able to cast his eye over Ardrossan, who missed a planned first-up run in the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick after recording an elevated temperature upon arrival from New Zealand.

‘’This race on Saturday will tighten him up again and there’s the Queensland carnival just around the corner, so we could look at that. But we’ll get through Saturday first before making any plans.”

Trainers eyeing another Guineas

Trainer Archie Alexander has another Listed Bendigo Guineas in his sights with Saccharo (Magnus).

Alexander won last year's edition with So Far Sokool (NZ) (Showcasing) and the trainer is bullish about his chances again..

Saccharo was gelded after his spring campaign last year, which included a fifth in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and fourth in the Group 3 Carbine Club S.

He resumed with a close third under a big weight on his home track at Ballarat this month and Alexander is convinced the step up to 1400m will suit him on Saturday.

"It looks the right race," Alexander said. "We won it last year with a horse that wouldn't be as good as him, so I'd like to think he will be a decent chance.

"I thought his first-up run was good. He had a big weight and things didn't really go right. Stepping up from 1200 to 1400 metres, everything looks good for him."

Jockeys’ role for Talty

Martin Talty has been appointed to the role of chief executive of the Australian Jockeys’ Association replacing Paul Innes, who is retiring.

Talty began his career as a racing journalist in Sydney and later held positions as Dubai Racing Club International racing manager and Victoria Racing Club executive general manager of racing.

Talty brought an outstanding level of experience to the position which he will formally begin at the end of the month.

"Martin Talty's application stood out among the 80 received,” AJA chairman Des O'Keeffe said.

“The board was unanimous that a stellar 30 year career in world racing, including executive roles with the Emirates Racing Authority, the Dubai Racing Club and most recently with the Victoria Racing Club, identified Martin as the perfect fit for this important role.”

Wishing for a winner

Apprentice Maddy Wishart has shown she is good under pressure and she will get another chance to prove it in the fourth round of the National Apprentices' Challenge.

Wishart, who is indentured to Group 1 winning trainer Paul Butterworth at Eagle Farm, has ridden 46 winners, 27 this season.

She is Queensland's nominated rider for the apprentices’ race at Strathalbyn in South Australia on Wednesday.

Star Adelaide rider Raquel Clark breathed new life into the Challenge with her win at Doomben last week as the series heads toward an exciting finish.

The final two rounds of the Challenge will be held at Strathalbyn and Sandown in Melbourne over the next two weeks.

After the Doomben heat, Queensland leads on 17 points, but Victoria (13) and South Australia (10) are in striking distance.