Smart 3YO in top form
Stakes winner Ef Troop (Spirit Of Boom) is back in business after successfully resuming in the Mitty’s H. at Doomben.
“He’s a very talented horse and I’ve got a lot of time for him,” trainer Tony Gollan said. “We’ve put all our eggs into a winter basket and you’ll see a lot more of him through the carnival.”
Eff Troop won the Listed Phelan Ready S. and finished runner-up in the G2 Todman Slipper S. last season.
Debut success
Con Te Partiro (USA) (Scat Daddy) was purchased in Kentucky to join the Newgate Farm broodmare band, but showed she had plenty to offer on the track with victory in the G3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone.
A Listed winner as a 3-year-old at Royal Ascot for trainer Wesley Ward, she was bought at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale for $575,000 last year. After two trials for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Con Te Partiro made her Australian debut on Saturday and got home late to beat Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}).
Review application
Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie has lodged an application for an internal review of a stewards' decision to disqualify him for four years on two charges of bringing racing into disrepute.
On Friday, stewards disqualified Currie two years on each charge under Australian Rules of racing AR 175 (a) but made them cumulative. Currie's barrister Jim Murdoch said an internal review application had been lodged with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission late on Friday.
Zacada back to best
Rugged stayer Zacada (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) turned some below par form around when he out-toughed his rivals under 60kg to take out the G3 Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup.
Having his first run since returning from a disappointing Sydney campaign that saw him finish well back in each of his three starts, the 2018 G1 Sydney Cup runner-up was back to his best for Saturday’s middle-distance feature.
“I don’t know whether the company was just too stiff or he didn’t cop some of those holding tracks he ran into,” Forsman said. “He was the class horse of the field and I didn’t think the weight was going to be an issue.”
Impressive progress
Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) has successfully bridged the gap from a Ballarat maiden win to victory in the Listed Vale Redoute's Choice S. at Caulfield.
Trained by Sydney-based Peter and Paul Snowden, Missile Mantra has done most of her work at their Melbourne base under the supervision of Andrew Angelone.
"Obviously there's options elsewhere, but it might be time to tip her out and bring her back for options later on," Angelone said. "But she'll tell us when she's had enough.”
Sleeping Beauty rewarded
Sleeping Beauty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) gained a deserved major race success when she took out Gr ISCL Rotorua S.
“She has raced consistently and honestly all season and this was no different,” co-trainer Andrew Scott said. “She was posted three deep on the speed and was entitled to be run down, but she was very brave.
“She seems to be holding up to this preparation really well and will only improve with this run under her belt,” he said.
Stakes prospect
Late season black type features will be on the programme of Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) following the 2-year-old’s dominant win at New Plymouth.
Trained by Clayton Chipperfield for breeders The Oaks Stud, the gelding was untroubled to claim the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race. He is from the family of the former Australian Horse of the Year and successful sire Lonhro.
Dream start
Apprentice Hazel Schofer had a day she’ll never forget at New Plymouth on her first day of race riding.
Her first mount was a winning one in the Hirepool Maiden aboard stable runner Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and she completed a double for employer Allan Sharrock by winning the final event, the Seaton Park H., on Collinstreet (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {Ire}).
