Brave Smash retired to stand at Aquis

Dual Group 1 winner Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}) will stand at Aquis Farm's Hunter Valley stud at Murrurundi after his retirement was confirmed on Thursday.

Brave Smash was the winner of both the G1 Futurity S. and G1 Manikato S. in a 34-start career, winning over $3.5m in prizemoney.

His owners, including Australian Bloodstock, who purchased him out of Japan in 2017, opted to retire him after he finished eighth in last Saturday's G1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai.

He will stand for $22,000 (inc GST) for his first season at Aquis in the Hunter Valley, alongside the likes of Invader, Jukebox, Spieth and Divine Prophet.

Nakeeta Jane headed to Legacy

Mark Newnham has confirmed Group 1 winning filly Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}) will contest the G1 Coolmore Legacy Stakes and not progress to the G1 Australian Oaks.

Racing NSW confirmed on Thursday that Newnham had requested Nakeeta Jane be removed from the nominations for the Oaks.

Nakeeta Jane was last seen when fourth in the G1 Vinery Stud S., with Newnham indicating afterwards that he felt she might not stay an Oaks journey.

“There are probably some doubts now on whether Nakeeta Jane stays – and there are also some doubts on her ability in the wet,” Newnham told Racenet.

“I don’t mind the Coolmore Legacy Stakes for her – I’ve had a look and Alizee (Sepoy) did a similar thing last year when she ran fourth in the Vinery and then came out and won the Coolmore Legacy.”

Newnham will be represented in the Oaks by Scarlet Dream (Sebring), while G1 VRC Oaks runner-up Greysful Glamour (Stratum) will contest the G3 Frank Packer Plate on April 20.

Sharrock chasing stakes double

Allan Sharrock will chase black-type at two venues this week with family members of one of his best racehorses, the multiple Group 1 winner Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}).

Sharrock will attempt to enhance the value of her daughter Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) when she runs in the G3 Property Brokers Arohanui Hospice Manawatu Breeders S. at Awapuni on Friday. Relative Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) contests the Listed NZB Airfreight S. at Riccarton on Saturday.

"If they could both get black-type and both being from the good mare's family, then they become very valuable broodmare prospects," Sharrock said.

Sinarahma has won two of her seven starts and Sharrock is looking forward to her stepping up to 2000m for the first time.

"Looking at this field, I don't think she's out of her depth. She's drawn five so she'll take up a good position and hopefully she'll be strong to the line," Sharrock said.

Our Hail Mary, who is out of Shez Sinsational's sister Repenting (NZ), is an $8 third favourite.

"We're rapt with her. She ripped her hoof and we had to bond it up last start, but she's run the second-quickest last 600 metres of the race," Sharrock said.

Mare has it all

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson is grateful that Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) has the ability to match her good looks and so are the owners he put into the filly that he paid NZ$240,000 for at the 2015 Karaka yearling sales.

"She was the nicest yearling I've ever seen and I thought to myself I have to buy her no matter what she costs," Richardson said.

Now a 5-year-old, Volpe Veloce will chase her second Group 1 win on Saturday when she steps out in the Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. at Te Aroha.

Until this year, Volpe Veloce had not won past 1200 metres since her 3-year-old season, but she stretched out to a strong 1600m last start to win the G2 Japan-New Zealand International Trophy under new rider Michael McNab.

"It was an awesome win. She really showed her true colours," said Richardson, who trains in partnership with Gavin Parker.

"She's won four races over a mile, but her previous three had all been as a 3-year-old. She's lost a bit of that early speed, but she's stronger now which is helping her a lot.”

Per Incanto gets fee bump

Off the back of two new Group 1 winners in the season to date, Little Avondale has increased the service fee of Per Incanto (USA) to NZ$17,500 plus GST in 2019.

The stakes-winning sprinting son of Street Cry (Ire) has made a considerable impression as a stallion in New Zealand and the recent Group 1 successes of Santa Monica (NZ) and Shadows Cast (NZ) have boosted his profile further.

With 11 stakes performers in the current season, Per Incanto is in third position on the NZ Sires premiership, while the popularity of his yearlings continues to grow, with strong results at the NZB National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

“The better credentialed books of mares he served when we increased his service fee are just getting to the track... two-year-olds Glenda Goodwitch and Hastobegood look real Guineas types," LA studmaster Sam Williams said.

Time Test (GB) remains at an unchanged service fee of $10,000 plus GST while Nadeem, sire of five new stakes performers in 2018/19, will stand at $5,000 plus GST.

Barrier a help for Pierata

Trainer Greg Hickman is hoping a change in luck with the barriers for Pierata (Pierro) can see the 4-year-old secure his first top-flight victory in the G1 Aquis TJ Smith S. on Saturday.

Pierata has drawn wider barriers his past two runs this campaign but will jump from barrier 2 in what is a crack field on Saturday.

“He hadn’t drawn a gate in his two runs this preparation but that all changes on Saturday and I think barriers are so important in races at this level,” Hickman told Racenet.

“The horse is in a good frame of mind, his work on Tuesday was good. He’ll handle whatever the track is and when you go through his form, I think he’s up to this."

“All I can do is put him into the race in good shape and it’s up to him to do the rest. Looking towards Saturday. I’m happy with the preparation and the way the draw’s fallen so we’ll see what happens.”

Newitt cleared in betting inquiry

Experienced jockey Craig Newitt has been cleared by Racing Victoria stewards after the conclusion of a betting inquiry.

Newitt, now based in Tasmania, fronted Victorian stewards in February, but RV confirmed on Thursday that it won't be continuing with the investigation.

"Having considered all the evidence before them, it has been determined that no action will be taken under the Rules of Racing," the RV statement said.

"Should new evidence come before the Stewards in the future then they reserve their right to re-open the investigation."

Newitt, who has ridden 35 Group 1 winners told Racing.com that if was a relief to be cleared.

"To be honest I wasn't too worried about it because I knew I'd done nothing wrong," Newitt said.

"Understandably the stewards had to go through their processes. I'm just looking to get on with it and have a big few months ahead."

"I'll be over riding at Caulfield next weekend and am really looking forward to Eastender's campaign, which will culminate in the Andrew Ramsden at Flemington in late May."

Winx to gallop on Saturday

Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) will have a special gallop on the course proper on Day 1 of The Championships, the week before what is expected to be her farewell in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S.

Winx will gallop at 11:50am this Saturday to give those who can not make her final appearance a chance to say farewell to the star.

“This Saturday not only has four Group 1 races during the great Sydney tradition of The Star Doncaster Mile and Harrolds Australian Derby, but an added star attraction in Winx,” Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said.

“Winx is a once in a lifetime champion and Sydney is getting one of its last chances to see her live in action this Saturday."

“We thank trainer Chris Waller for this opportunity and urge everyone to arrive early this Saturday to see Winx."

“We are starting to prepare to announce a sell out on Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes as early as next week, so fans need to lock general admission tickets in now for that day and also this Saturday.”