Cliff’s Edge and Humidor for Memsie

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will launch a two-pronged attack on Melbourne’s first Group 1 race of the new season. Cliff’s Edge (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) will represent the stable in Saturday’s Memsie S. at Caulfield.

Cliff's Edge was beaten three-quarters of a length into second place by Mystic Journey (Needs Further) in the G2 P B Lawrence S. at Caulfield on August 17. Maher said that performance had brought on Cliff's Edge, who will be racing third-up in Saturday's 1400m weight-for-age contest.

"He's flying. That was a huge run the other day," Maher said.

While Mystic Journey will bypass the Memsie, Godolphin trainer James Cummings has confirmed star mare Alizee (Sepoy) will run, along with stablemate Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).

Maher is looking forward to Humidor making his debut for the stable. Previously trained by Darren Weir, Humidor won the Memsie S. second-up last year and will be entering Saturday's race first-up this time around.

Maher said after two official trials and a jump-out, Humidor was ready to make his racetrack return after missing the autumn with a leg Injury. Humidor will be ridden by Damian Lane, who was aboard the gelding when he ran third to Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) in last year's Cox Plate.

"He's had three trials now and he's ready to go, but will be improved by the run," Maher said. "He's a quirky bugger but he seems free and happy and Damian Lane knows him very well and he's happy with him."

Maher is aiming Humidor towards a third attempt at the Cox Plate after his second and third in the past two years. The trainer does not believe the gelding has lost any of his ability after his injury lay-off. "He's shown me enough but I haven't squeezed him that hard yet," Maher said.

Hastings and Perth on Endless Drama’s agenda

Tony Pike is pleased with his last-start G2 Foxbridge Plate winner Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the build-up to next Saturday’s Tarzino Trophy at Hastings, the first Group 1 race of the New Zealand season.

“Endless Drama has thrived since his last run and I’m pleased with him heading into Hastings,” Pike said.

“We are going to take his campaign on a run-by-run basis with the plan being to tackle the Tarzino and then go to the second day for the Windsor Park Plate."

“He will have a brief let-up and then we will head to Perth for the Winterbottom S. first-up in late November. The Winterbottom appeals as a perfect race for him and we saw just how well he goes fresh in the Foxbridge, so I think he will be well placed for that challenge.”

Tallyho Twinkletoe completes Grand National double

Champion jumper Wells (Galileo {Ire}) came up short in his bid for a record fourth win in the E-Cycle Solutions Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat on Sunday, finishing third behind a rising star of jumps racing, Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) (St Reims {NZ}).

A last-start winner of the Grand National Hurdle, Tallyho Twinkletoe mastered the switch to steeplechasing with ease. Ridden by Aaron Kuru for trainer Patrick Payne, he powered away to win by nine lengths. Spying On You (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) passed Wells in the last 150m to finish second. Tallyho Twinkletoe has now had 21 starts for 11 wins, and he has won six of his seven starts over jumps.

Murphy escapes serious injury

Apprentice Jackson Murphy has escaped serious injury after a fall at the Gold Coast. Murphy was tossed from favourite Dream Master (Dream Ahead {USA}) shortly after the start in the fifth race on Saturday.

He was taken to hospital for observation but released on Saturday night. Murphy posted a message on social media thanking his well-wishers and reporting he had muscle soreness and a “bruised ego”. He said he hoped to ride trackwork on Monday morning. Chief steward Peter Chadwick said the panel reviewed the fall footage and determined Dream Master had blundered at the start and then wanted to buck.

Dream Master must now trial satisfactorily twice before being allowed to race again. Murphy returned recently after spending four months on the sidelines after breaking a wrist in a fall at Doomben in December, which cost him any chance to win the Brisbane apprentices' premiership.

Country Racing Victoria award winners crowned

Hundreds of people have once again attended the Country Racing Victoria Awards, held on Saturday night in Melbourne. Big winners were announced from all across the state, with Cranbourne Turf Club taking out the Country Racing Victoria Club of the Year Award.

CRV says the Cranbourne Turf Club received the honour because they are a very progressive club, with plenty of capital works in motion. Additionally, they have strong ties with the local community, and make a point of holding community and charity focused race days. During the 2018-19 racing season, they helped to raise money for a number of groups via race days such as Pinker Pinker Day, Do It For Dolly Day, and their Multicultural Night Festival. Last season’s Cranbourne Cup Day was attended by over 5,500 people, which was up by nearly 1,000 people on the previous year’s Cup Day.

Geoff Whiffin, Chairman Cranbourne Turf Club, said, “We are delighted to win the prestigious award of Victorian Country Racing Club of the Year. “

"We were delighted to win this award back in 2010/11 as well, and on behalf of my fellow committee members, I would like to thank Country Racing Victoria and its Board for recognising what has been another fantastic year for our Club.”

The Donald & District Racing Club won the Community Club of the Year Award for their community involvement and engagement. They hold six race meetings per year, and always make the most of them. Last season, 1,171 people attended Donald Cup Day.

Penny Penfold, Club Manager Donald & District Racing Club, said, “It is a great honour to be crowned Country Racing Victoria’s Community Club of the Year. We are committed and passionate to thoroughbred racing in Donald and the Donald Community. To be acknowledged as Community Club of the Year is a wonderful reward for the staff and committee of the Donald & District Racing Club.”

Award winners:

bet365 Country Racing Victoria Horse of the Year: Barry The Baptist (Hard Spun {USA})

Red Tomato Neville Wilson Medal for Country Racing Victoria Jockey of the Year: Linda Meech

TAC Country Racing Victoria Apprentice Jockey of the Year Award: Teodore Nugent

St Andrews Beach Brewery George Hanlon Trophy: David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig

Melbourne Parkview Hotel Tony Shanahan Award for Services to Country Racing Victoria: Carl Barry

Kelly Sports Country Racing Victoria Event of the Year: bet365 Geelong Cup

Crocmedia Country Racing Victoria Media Award: Adam Bourke

Polytrack and lights for Gold Coast

The Gold Coast Turf Club is confident it will not lose any meetings, including during the Magic Millions carnival, when a new Polytrack is installed and upgrades of existing racecourse surfaces is carried out. The GCTC will file its final submission on the tracks early next month and expects Treasury to take about three months to review it.

All being well, work on the new Polytrack will start early in the new year. Plans to put lights in at the track are also being processed and they are likely to be installed at the end of the 2020/21 season. GCTC chief executive Steve Lines said the Polytrack and the surface upgrades were needed urgently.

"We have been working on this for a long time and it is exciting that it isn't far off," Lines said.

"It is important to note that while the Polytrack is mainly for training purposes, it will also be suitable for racing. It means when the course proper is being upgraded, we can hold meetings on it."

“We shouldn't lose any meetings. We will be able to program our meetings around the Magic Millions, so no work is scheduled during the carnival."

Lines said lights were also a priority for the club and it was hoped to have them installed for racing in late 2021.

"There are now more than 500 horses in work at the Gold Coast and it is vital we carry out this work," he said.

Fell Swoop on target

Canberra trainer Matthew Dale has the $1.3 million Kosciuszko at Randwick in his sights with stable stalwart Fell Swoop (Not a Single Doubt), who will begin his campaign in Melbourne. Fell Swoop, a multiple stakes winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter, is scheduled to kick off in the Listed Chandler Macleod S. at Moonee Valley on September 7.

Dale has also pencilled in the Listed Testa Rossa S. at Caulfield on September 29, with The Kosciuszko on October 19.

"That's our plan for him at this stage and I'm really happy with him," Dale said.

"All the indicators are that he is coming up every bit as good or better than last preparation, and last preparation he won a Listed race at Randwick and was narrowly beaten in a Group 2 in Melbourne behind Whispering Brook (Hinchinbrook). He was also only beaten a bit under two lengths in the G1 William Reid. "

"He has come up well and he trialled nicely on Tuesday at Rosehill, which was just what I wanted to see from him. He's sound and fresh in the mind. Even though he's 8, he's carrying on like a young horse."

The Kosciuszko is restricted to NSW country or ACT-trained horses, and Dale believes Fell Swoop has the right credentials to be picked up by one of the 14 people who win a slot in the race.

"You never know until you're picked, but he would be one of the top four horses naturally to select,” he said.

“So I'd imagine people would be mad not to pick him up. "It's a track and distance that he won a Listed race over last preparation (Razor Sharp). But he has also placed in two TJ Smiths. So he'd be very hard to beat, you'd imagine, in a race like that."