Draw proves no worry

Pre-race fears about a wide barrier for I Am Someone (Onemorenomore) in the Listed Wangoom H. at Warrnambool were allayed with a smart ride from Dean Holland.

Holland dropped the favourite back from the start and stayed closer to the fence near the turn and took advantage of a clear run closest to the fence for a comfortable victory.

“He is tough and when he finds cover he gives his best, but I was worried about the draw,” trainer Paul Preusker said.

Stablemates on a par

Co-trainer Adrian Bott maintains there is little between stablemates Aeecee Beau (Rubick) and Minted (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) ahead of their clash in Saturday’s #theraces H., a maiden for 2-year-olds, at Randwick.

"I'm really upbeat about both of their chances and their careers going forward," Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said. "They've shown early ability and I think that's been there for everyone to see in their trials.”

Cracking start

The new Anderson-Heathcote training partnership has made a flying start with Vienna Moon (Purrealist) winning at Eagle Farm.

Five-times Brisbane premier trainer Robert Heathcote and rising star Chris Anderson announced they were going into a partnership six weeks ago and their first success came with their second runner.

Pelonomena top Cup hope

Pelonomena (Americain {USA}) is in outstanding touch with four wins from his last five appearances and he can add a Listed success to his record on Thursday. Off the minimum, the 4-year-old appeals as a top prospect in the Sungold Milk Warrnambool Mitchell.

He will receive four kilos from the topweight Furion (GB) (Camelot {GB}), who looks a definite danger despite his 58kg topweight. Azuro (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) stays well and drew attention to his prospects with a strong last-start third at Sandown and Light The Waves (Blackfriars) is another in-form contender with two wins on the bounce.

Omaha Beach to Spendthrift on retirement

B. Wayne Hughes’s Spendthrift Farm has entered into an agreement with Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm to acquire the breeding rights to G1 Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach (USA) (War Front {USA}), who is currently the 4-1 favourite in Saturday’s G1 Kentucky Derby.

“First, I’d like to thank Rick Porter for the opportunity to stand such a special horse as Omaha Beach,” said Hughes. “We believe Omaha Beach is one of the best stallion prospects to come around in recent years and see him as a big part of the future at Spendthrift."

Omaha Beach will be ridden on Saturday by his regular jockey Mike Smith.

Queensland Derby focus

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman have Lord Arthur (Camelot {GB}) and Bobby Dee (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) on a path toward the G1 Queensland Derby.

The pair were last seen in the G2 Championship S. at Ellerslie a fortnight ago, where Lord Arthur stormed home from the rear of the field to land the spoils, while Bobby Dee finished a game third.

Testing unit upgrade

Queensland's racing laboratory has increased its capabilities to test for a wider range of substances after a major upgrade.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission boss Ross Barnett said a range of high-tech analytical chemistry instruments were donated to Queensland universities to help train the next generation of racing scientists.

"It was to make way for the acquisition of the latest equipment to test for a growing range of prohibited substances regulated under the national rules of racing across racing codes," he said.

Nominations refused

Racing Queensland has invoked a new rule to refuse nominations for this weekend’s racing from controversial trainer Ben Currie, who is facing 42 allegations dating back to April last year involving an array of different charges.

Racing Queensland refused his nominations under the revamped AR 55 which was changed in March. RQ said it was its role to manage and operate codes of racing in a way that ensured public confidence in the racing industry in Queensland.

Vale John Fletcher

The racing industry is mourning the sudden passing of John Fletcher, 89, who had been a member of the Racing NSW Appeal Panel since its inception more than 22 years ago.

He had also sat on the Board of Illawarra Turf Club and was a life member, was Vice-Chairman of South-East Racing Association from 1982 and became Chairman of SERA from 1989 until Illawarra Turf Club joined the NSW Provincial Association in 1993.