Last Microphone service

The final nomination for 2020 to the Group 1-winning colt Microphone will be sold as Lot 83 during New Zealand Bloodstock’s Weanling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.

The online sale is now live and the nomination has been offered by Darley with all proceeds going to the CatWalk Trust.

“We’re proud to be supporting the CatWalk Trust, they are big picture people who work for big picture results. It’s not just about one person, it’s about thousands of people,” Darley Head of Sales Alastair Pulford said.

To register as a bidder for the New Zealand Bloodstock auction follow the link below. Bidding will run for 11 days with the first lot closing on Sunday, June 21 at 3pm (NZST).

Ex-Waller runner wins

One-time Chris Waller-trained Ancient Spirit (Ger) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) claimed another stakes success, defeating the Lloyd Williams-owned Buckhurst (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the Listed Heritage S. at Navan in Ireland.

Ancient Spirit, who was twice a Group 2 winner in Germany, raced in Australia as Advance Yulong for two starts, before returning to Europe, where he has rediscovered his best form.

Still in the ownership of Mr Yuesheng Zhang, he has joined the stable of Jessica Harrington and marked another stakes success under a perfectly-judged ride from Shane Foley.

Kept wide initially before crossing over to lead after a furlong, he was tackled by last year's G3 International S. and G3 Royal Whip S. winner Buckhurst in the final stages and may have been headed briefly, but showed tenacity to prevail.

"I think he'll get a lot of confidence from today. He's very versatile and I think he'll go on any ground. He's just a good, solid horse and an exciting, fun horse to have for all those Group and Listed races," stable representative Kate Harington said. "He could be anything if he keeps improving like he has."

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Buckhurst is on a likely path to the Melbourne spring features.

Sky’s the limit

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Sky Horse (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will be looking to bag her first stakes victory when she contests the G2 The Roses at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The lightly-raced daughter filly has won two of her five career starts and finished fourth last start in the G3 Gunsynd Classic.

“She is clearly progressive and we have spaced her runs nicely,” Eustace said. “I’m looking forward to Saturday. She is a lovely filly who is really only just getting the hang of things right now.

“It was a really good run the other day from a long way back. She has drawn nicely on Saturday, which will be a big help. Her work on Monday was strong and we are quite confident. We think she will be hard to beat.”

One more chance

The connections of Winter Bride (Not A Single Doubt) have rethought their retirement date for the multiple Group winner.

The G1 Stradbroke H. was to have been her final race, but and an encouraging effort for a close eighth has earned her one more outing in Saturday’s G2 Quincy Dane Ripper S.

Co-trainer Toby Edmonds said the 5-year-old had come through the race well and deserved her spot in the line-up with Robbie Fradd to take the mount.

Popular filly

A filly from the first crop of Not This Time (USA) was the first juvenile to hit the seven-figure mark at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Spring Sale, realising US$1.35 million (AU$1.94 million) to agent Gary Young, who was acting on behalf of an undisclosed client.

It was the first million-dollar sale for the Gladwells’ Top Line Sales. They purchased the filly for US$135,000 (AU$194,590) at KEESEP for a partnership that included their good friend Mark Marino.

Welcome back

Members and owners with runners will be allowed on-course at Rosehill on Saturday for the first time since COVID-19 closed the gates.

All patrons will be monitored by state-of-the-art thermal imaging cameras, which take body temperatures as part of the ATC’s extensive health measures for racing participants, patrons and staff.

“We are delighted to welcome Australian Turf Club Members back to the track at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday,” ATC Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said.

“While it is not quite the same experience members may be used to as we strictly adhere to the NSW Government Public Health Order, it will give them a race day experience that can’t be matched at home or on TV.”

Sale live

New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale is live, with the 82-lot catalogue available to view on Gavelhouse Plus.

Bidding on the weanling sale launched on Thursday and will run for an 11-day period, with the first lot closing on Sunday, June 21 at 3pm.

While the sale may be new, New Zealand Bloodstock weanling graduates are no strangers to success, having recorded nine Group 1 wins and 81 stakes wins in the last six seasons, headlined by recent G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), a NZ$5000 weanling purchase in 2017.

The line-up includes progeny by leading sires such as Savabeel, Darci Brahma (NZ), Ocean Park (NZ) and Tavistock (NZ), and for the first time buyers will get the opportunity to secure lots by freshman sires Almanzor (Fr) and Time Test (GB).

Breakthrough victory

Darley shuttle stallion Territories (Ire) sired his first winner when daughter Rougir (Fr) was successful in France.

Trained by Cedric Rossi, the filly won over 1400 metres on debut at Chantilly.

A son of Invincible Spirit (Ire), Territories won three of his 13 starts including the G1 Prix Jean Prat and was runner-up in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois.

Gap closed

A double for Joao Moreira took his season’s tally to 126 and closed the gap on Zac Purton to three in the race for the Hong Kong jockeys' premiership.

After Purton rode an early winner at the Happy Valley meeting on Wednesday night, Moreira hit back with a double to be three winners adrift of Purton.

Purton leads 129 to Moreira's 126.

Moreira is aiming to win his first premiership since the 2016/17 season when he rode a record 171 winners. Purton is bidding for his fourth and third in a row.

Racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, one of nine meetings remaining for the season that finishes on July 15.

Williams team recharged

Byerley Park trainers Peter and Dawn Williams are looking forward to a productive spring with a promising group of young horses.

The husband and wife training partnership will be unlikely to be represented by runners when racing commences later this month, but are encouraged by the young stock coming through the stable at present.

“The horse numbers are holding up pretty well at Byerley Park,” Peter Williams said. “Everybody is bright and bubbly and pleased to be back and we have around 25 in work at present, which is about the usual number.”

Among those not far away from a return to the stable is G1 New Zealand 1000 Thousand Guineas winner Media Sensation (I Am Invincible), who will race on for at least another season.

“We felt as a 4-year-old she wasn’t at her best, but we’re expecting her to be better as a 5-year-old,” Williams said.

Hearing adjourned

A hearing into charges issued by Racing New South Wales stewards against jockey Adam Hyeronimus has been adjourned.

Multiple charges were laid by stewards relating to alleged betting infringements and a hearing was scheduled to begin on Thursday. Registered stablehand Blake Paine is also facing charges relating to the matter.

"Racing NSW Stewards have acceded to a request from solicitors (representing Hyeronimus and Paine) to adjourn the hearing to allow the author of an expert report served on Racing NSW to attend the hearing and to consider associated minor amendments to the charges issued," a Racing NSW release said.

Hyeronimus has also been charged with giving false evidence to stewards during an inquiry in May, 2019.