Viddora in doubt
Australian sprinter Viddora (I Am Invincible) is in doubt for Sunday's Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club issued a statement noting the mare was found to be lame in the off-side hind leg.
"Dr Peter Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation and Welfare, has advised the stewards that Viddora, trained by Lloyd Kennewell and which is entered for the stated race (Chairman's Sprint Prize), was noted to be lame in its right hind leg following trackwork this morning,” it read.
"Viddora will continue to be closely monitored and a further release issued at the appropriate time."
Viddora
16 for Better Than Ready
Better Than Ready stretched his lead when it comes to winners in the first-season sire table with a 16th winner from his first crop.
The Lyndhurst Stud stallion's latest winner came from the Paul Butterworth-trained Wishfilly, who narrowly triumphed in a 1200m maiden at Ipswich.
Out of Hussonova (Hussonet {USA}), she was an $18,000 buy for Alchemy Racing Syndications at the Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Wishfilly as a yearling
Double figures for Rubick
Coolmore's Rubick notched his 10th winner of his first-season with the colt Ruuca impressing on debut in a 1200m maiden at Ipswich.
The Toby Edmonds trained Ruuca enjoyed the heavy conditions to win by two lengths, allowing Rubick to draw level with Deep Field on 10 winners, six fewer than Better Than Ready.
Out of Mining Tycoon (Redoute's Choice), Ruuca was a $150,000 Magic Millions purchase for his trainer and races for a host of owners including Aquis Farm.
Redzel on track for Victory
Trainer Peter Snowden is adamant he has star sprinter Redzel (Snitzel) back on track after he was easily beaten at his last two runs.
Snowden told Racing.com that he had given the dual Everest winner too much time off after the spring, but he was ready to put his best forward in Saturday's G2 Victory S. at Eagle Farm.
"He looks fit now - he looks the best he's ever looked," Snowden said. "I gave him six weeks off (after last spring's VRC Sprint Classic) and I shouldn't have done it."
"It was just too long off for a horse of his age now. He's a stable horse and I shouldn't have given him that long a break."
"But he'll be running well on Saturday and then he'll go to the (Doomben) 10,000 two weeks later."
Redzel
Hickman fined
Group 1 winning trainer Greg Hickman was fined $5000 after pleading guilty to taking a horse to the races with a prohibited substance in its system.
Hickman, who prepared Pierata (Pierro) to win the G1 All Aged S. last weekend, faced Racing NSW stewards after a low level of meloxicam was detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from Braces (Duporth) at Rosehill on February 27.
After hearing the evidence the inquiry was unable to determine the cause for the detection.
Hard draw for Hightail
A bad barrier has dealt Hightail (Written Tycoon) a difficult but not impossible hand in Saturday's $1 million Ladbrokes Showdown at Caulfield.
That's the opinion of co-trainer Peter Snowden, who thinks the Magic Millions 2YO Classic placegetter is capable of overcoming barrier 17.
Hightail
"Ten years ago, I would have thrown myself on the ground with that draw, but not these days," Snowden told Racing.com.
"There's nothing I can do about it. We've got to just try and get cover somewhere. You never know, sometimes you get a bit of luck, but you really need it from out there."
"You can make your own luck from (barrier) one to eight but outside of that, you rely on something happening for you."
The favourite Prince of Sussex (Toronado {Ire}) came up with barrier nine, while the well-fancied Sartorial Splendor (Brazen Beau) will jump from the inside alley.
Spell beckons for Supera
Supera's (NZ) (Savabeel) season will come to a close in Saturday's G2 Travis S. at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Co-trainer Ken Kelso confirmed the 4-year-old mare, a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter this campaign, would head to the paddock, win, lose or draw.
Supera
“She’s come a long way in a short time, Kelso said. “She was always going to take time being by Savabeel and out of the family of Ethereal."
“It hasn’t always been easy as she can be head strong and she’s had a few temperament issues which are improving."
“We’re just lucky that Sir Peter (Vela) has allowed us to take our time with her and she’s kept improving right through so hopefully there’s better things to come next season.”
