Written by Paul Vettise

Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) added to her collection of Group 3 titles when she gave significant weight and a beating, albeit a closely run one, to her rivals with a first-up success on her home track at Randwick.

The John Thompson-trained mare prevailed in the Bowermans Commercial Furniture Toy Show to go with her previous successes in the G3 Triscay S. and the G3 Tibbie S.

In her first appearance since running fifth in the G1 Queen Of The Turf S. in the autumn, Sweet Deal camped in behind the leaders and finished on bravely to win by a narrow margin.

Zaniah (Zoustar) finished powerfully for second with Seasons (Sebring) an unlucky third after she was held up in the straight.

“In the last seven days she had really come on and she had that second trial. I galloped her on Tuesday and she worked very well, what we call a winning gallop,” Thompson said. “I was quietly confident, but I did think the 1100 metres would be a bit short.”

Sweet Deal was also lumped with 59kg in her return and Thompson admitted to some concern on that front.

“I was chatting to a few of the trainers and I was worried about the big weight. Les Bridge said to me that good mares win these races and she’s a very good mare.

“There’s some good mares’ races coming up for her and at set weights and penalties so she will meet them a lot better off. She’s going well and in for a good prep.”

With regular rider Nash Rawiller serving out a suspension, James McDonald proved an able replacement.

“She’s a really consistent and tough mare and she’s carried the topweight of 59kg there against mares well down in the handicap,” he said.

“She got there on the line and credit to John and his team, they have prepared her really well. She showed great speed and travelled well. Under that weight, she was entitled to get tired but she had the audacity to fight on and it was a great effort.”

Sweet Deal was offered at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where she was purchased out of Lincoln Farm’s draft by Boomer Bloodstock for $67,500.

"Sweet Deal was a big powerful type as a yearling with a beautiful head and eye and she has one of my favourite brands on her shoulder, Edinglassie Stud. The budget was $65,000 but thankfully my client Calie Stone gave me the nod to have one more bid which got her," said Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock.

Rounsefell said the tough mare has always shown plenty of ability, and connections will be hopeful of notching that valuable Group 1 win.

"She was third on debut in the G3 Widden Stakes as a pre-Christmas two-year-old and has been very well handled by John Thompson developing her into a top class sprinting mare.

"She has some nice Gr.2 targets coming up like the Sheraco and Golden Pendant in Sydney, then possibly a Melbourne Campaign."

A half-sister to a brace of winners, Sweet Deal is a daughter of Dorothy Evelyn (Royal Academy {USA}) who is out of a three-quarter sister to the G1 Western Australian Derby winner Chipolata (Lunchtime {GB}) and a half-sister to the G3 Lightning H. winner Dance Beat (Esperanto {USA}).

Written by Georgie Dennis

Roheryn (Lonhro) made the step-up into stakes company with flying colours as he stormed home to take out the G3 Mostyn Copper Show County Quality at Randwick on Saturday.

Coming off a runner-up performance behind subsequent Group 2 winner Eduardo (Host {Chi}) in the July Sprint, the James Cummings-trained gelding showed an electric turn of foot from the middle of the field, overrunning Special Reward (Demerit). Star New Zealand mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) flashed home to finish second.

“He was in a good race today and had to make a big leap and he did that,” Cummings said after the race. “It was a good win and I think we’ll all be impressed with the horse and pretty proud of his effort.”

Roheryn was under pressure entering the home straight but Cummings credited Jason Collett for his strong riding to keep the gelding going.

“In races sometimes they talk about flat spots before the turn and Roheryn hit the flat spot of all flat spots today and Jason knew the horse,” the trainer said. “He has a bit of a connection with him and knew that if you get him limbered up and into the race, then he was going to make some impact.

“Once he does get going and gets through his gears and gets into his top gear, he’s got a beautiful liquid action and it was great to see him eat up the ground.”

Roheryn began his career with two victories in a row, including a 4l win at Rosehill in November 2018, but remained in handicap company until yesterday, and Cummings believes the gelding is finally living up to his early potential.

“He was deserving of a good race because he’s had a little bit of a boom on him since he debuted and got through his first preparation,” Cummings said.

“He’s putting it together and having thought about trying to make more a miler out of him than a sprinter, I think we’ve unlocked the key to him and it’s proving to be very beneficial.”

Chris Waller’s Group 1 winner Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) started favourite for the race after the stable opted to scratch her from the G1 Winx S. in favour of the Group 3 event, and after settling second last throughout the run, she ran on to finish sixth.

Bred by Godolphin, Roheryn is the 11th foal out of 2000 G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner and dual Group 1 placegetter Mannington (Danehill {USA}), who was purchased by Darley for $2.05 million at the 2005 Inglis Broodmare Sale.

Mannington has produced nine individual winners including 2005 G1 Victoria Derby winner Benicio (More Than Ready {USA}) and 2009 G3 Vanity S. scorer Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}), who is responsible for the Group placed Matilija (Medaglia D’Oro).

Mannington herself is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Bollinger (Dehere {USA}), who produced G2 Sandown Guineas winner Villermont (All Too Hard) and American G2 scorer Friesan Fire (USA) (A.P Indy {USA}).

Written by Paul Vettise

A number of Victorian stables have been shut down following a positive coronavirus test returned by a stablehand employed by Cranbourne trainer Richard Laming.

Racing Victoria said the Laming staff member had not attended the races in the past eight days and the stable had been placed in lockdown while the investigation continues.

Fellow Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young also shut down their operation and scratched runners from engagements at Saturday’s meeting at The Valley as a staff member had done work at Laming’s stable.

On Saturday morning, Racing Victoria also confirmed the Cranbourne stables of Wendy Kelly, Nathan Dunn, Michael Trotter, Adrian McGregor and Tom Nikolic had also all been put into lockdown.

Group 1-winning jockey Michael Walker and fellow riders Alexandra Bryan and Jason Benbow, who had all ridden recent work for the Laming stable, were also stood down from riding pending COVID-19 testing and clearance from the stewards and Victoria's Chief Medical Officer.

Walker and Bryan were removed from their rides at The Valley and Wangaratta respectively on Saturday.

"All trainers, their staff members and the three licensed jockeys are required to isolate pending the outcome of COVID-19 testing. They will require a clearance from RV Stewards and the Chief Medical Officer before being permitted to resume normal activities," a Racing Victoria statement said.

Racing Victoria organised COVID-19 testing for all trainers, staff and jockeys and contract tracing withresults are expected on Sunday.

"Deep cleaning will also be undertaken at the Laming stables and Cranbourne Training Centre, which was closed for trackwork on Saturday morning as a precautionary measure. Disinfection of communal areas has been occurring on a daily basis at the Training Centre,” the statement said.

"Having considered all the facts, including the withdrawal of runners from those stables under lockdown, RV acting upon the advice of the Chief Medical Officer determined that it was safe for racing to continue in Victoria on Saturday and until otherwise advised."

A decision on whether the seven Cranbourne stables and three jockeys can participate at the Ballarat and Moe race meetings during the weekend will be made on Sunday, pending the receipt of test results.

Randwick, G1 Winx S., $500,000, 1400m

Race summary

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ)) kicked off where she left the autumn with a tough win in the first Group 1 of the season, collecting her fourth elite level victory.

The Chris Waller-trained mare was widest on the turn and hit the front at the 200 metre mark, but was shortly joined by her stablemate Star Of The Seas (Ocean Park {NZ}) and the pair went head-to-head until the line.

Very Elleegant got the bob and came out on top ahead of Star Of The Seas, with Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) sneaking up on the rails to snare third place.

Pedigree notes

Bred by Don Goodwin, Verry Elleegant is one of three winners out of Opulence (NZ) (Danroad), who herself was a winner of two races.

She is a sister to seven-time winner Verry Flash (NZ) and her second dam is Mulan Magic (King’s Theatre {Ire}).

Mulan Magic is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Monards (Danehill {USA}), Starnui (Brave Lad), the dam of Listed Cranbourne Cup winner Starmon (Monolith), and Personal Guarantee (Danzero) who produced Listed-winning 2-year-old Plutocrat (Rich Enuff).

Randwick, G2 Darley Silver Shadow S., $200,000, 1200m

Race summary

Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) used her early speed to negate her outside draw and went straight to the front.

Ridden by Tommy Berry, she led the trip and kicked away in the straight with Thermosphere (Exosphere) giving good chase but narrowly missing out on the win.

Miss Canada (Exceed And Excel) finished off well to land third place, earning herself some valuable black-type.

Pedigree notes

Purchased by Go Bloodstock for $500,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Dame Giselle is the sixth foal to race out of multiple Group winner Ballet Society (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).

She is a half-sister to Group 1 performer Cha Siu Bao (Smart Missile) and the Group placed stakes producer The Fairy’s Kiss (Elusive Quality {USA}).

Ballet Society is out of Centuria (NZ) (Centaine), making her a half-sister to dual New Zealand Group 1 winner Cent Home (NZ) (Lord Ballina).

Randwick, G3 Mostyn Cooper Show County Quality, $160,000, 1200m

Race summary

Special Reward (Demerit) hit the front with 200 metres to go but was overrun by Godolphin gelding Roheryn (Lonhro), who showcased an electric turn of foot to land his first black-type win.

Roheryn settled midfield under Jason Collett before peeling out around the final bend and hit the front with less than 50 metres to go.

Star New Zealand mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) kicked off her spring campaign with a terrific run, as she flashed home to finish second with Special Reward holding on for third.

Pedigree notes

Bred by Godolphin, Roheryn is the 11th foal out of G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner and dual Group 1 placegetter Mannington (Danehill {USA}), who was purchased by Darley for $2,050,000 at the 2005 Inglis Broodmare Sale.

He is a half-brother G1 Victoria Derby winner Benicio (More Than Ready {USA}) and multiple stakes scorer Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}), who herself produced the Group placed Matilija (Medaglia D’Oro).

Mannington is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Bollinger (Dehere {USA}), who is responsible for the G2 Sandown Guineas winner Villermont (All Too Hard).

Randwick, G3 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Toy Show Quality, $160,000, 1100m

Race summary

The finish line couldn’t have come sooner for Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) as she landed the third Group 3 win of her career.

The John Thompson-trained mare settled midfield and peeled out around the bend, battling past the front runners to hit the front with 100 metres to go.

Zaniah (Zoustar) and Seasons (Sebring) were flying home in the final stages but James McDonald timed it perfectly on Sweet Deal as she held on to win by a nose.

Pedigree notes

Sweet Deal was purchased by Boomer Bloodstock for $67,500 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is one of two foals to race out of Dorothy Evelyn (Royal Academy {USA}).

Sweet Deal’s second dam Food Of Love (Lunchtime {GB}) is a half-sister to multiple stakes-winner Dance Beat (Esperanto) and Amberlene (Alannon), who produced Group 3 scorer Throne Inn (King Of Kings).

Food Of Love is also a three-quarter sister to Chipolata (Lunchtime {GB}), who won the G1 Western Australia Derby in 1990.

Battaash toughs out second Nunthorpe victory

It wasn’t his normal flashy style, but in the end Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) dug deep to fend off Que Amoro (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}) in the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. to stay undefeated on the year.

Racing over 1000 metres in trying conditions, Battaash broke strongly from the barrier and was quickly into second as Que Amoro set the pace on the far side rail. Looking for his fourth win of the day, Jim Crowley started asking the gelding to respond in the final 300 metres when the gelding didn’t show his normal explosive speed to take over the lead.

Drifting closer to the leader, Battaash was still in second in the final 100 metres before sticking his head in front and steadily drawing away at the end. Que Amoro was a clear second with Moss Gil (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) 2l behind her in third.

“We went one hell of a gallop and there’s a tailwind, which is blowing across the track towards the stands rail,” Crowley told Thoroughbred Daily News. “I tried not to let the leader go too far ahead and fair play to the second, she ran a mighty race and was hard to pass. He doesn’t normally have to battle–he usually has his races won at halfway, but he really had to be a man today and stuck his neck out. He really galloped and tried really hard, so we got it just right. He’s really changed this horse–he took a nice bite going down but he was good at the start and everything was like clockwork. He’s a horse of a lifetime and to get one like this you are lucky.”

It was a clean sweep of the first four races by Shadwell and Crowley at York with the partnership sweeping all the stakes races on the card.

One of two runners for his dam Anna Law (Ire) (Lawman {GB}), the 6-year-old gelding is one of seven stakes horses under his first two dams. Purchased for 200,000 gns (AU$399,000) by Shadwell as a yearling, he was joined by his 2018 full sister Altaayshah (Ire) in the stable last year.

Enbihaar continues Redoute’s legacy at York

One of the best staying mares in Europe this year, Enbihaar (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice) showed that stretching to 3200 metres for the first time was no worry in the G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup.

Kicking off the Friday stakes at the Ebor Festival, Enbihaar quickly took her place in midpack just outside Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Slipping a bit further back to race behind Nayef Road half-way through the race, the field didn’t do much switching of position throughout most of the race.

As they entered the final 800 metres, Enbihaar switched to the centre of the track to come up beside Nayef Road in the straight for the final run.

The race looked like it was between those two in the straight but in the final 400 metres to go, two others joined them as Nayef Road started to fade. Enbihaar had to dig in deep in the closing strides as Stratum (GB) (Dansili {GB}) made a late move close to the inner rail to cut her margin down to 0.75l. Nayef Road had enough left to keep third by 1l over Dashing Willoughby (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who was among those that made a late run.

“I was always confident she would stay and we got racing a long way out. It was a war up the straight,” Crowley told Thoroughbred Daily News. “Lots of credit to her. She really toughed it out–she is a super mare.”

Assistant trainer Thady Gosden pointed out the G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu was the mare’s next target, a race she finished third in last year.

Conceived during Redoute’s Choice’s time in France, Enbihaar is one of three stakes horses out of Chanterelle (Fr) (Trempolino {USA}). That mare is a daughter of Group 2 winner Spectacular Joke (USA) (Spectacular Bid {USA}), who also produced Group 1 winner Amonita (GB) (Anabaa {USA}) among three stakes horses.

Sold for €500,000 (AU$823,443) to Shadwell France as a yearling at Arqana’s Deauville August Yearling Sale, Enbihaar was named last year’s European Champion Older Female Stayer.

Minzaal another impressive Mehmas winner

The leading freshman sire by winners in the Northern Hemisphere this year, Mehmas (Ire) registered his third stakes winner when Minzaal (Ire) took out the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack S. by 2l at York.

One of four Ebor Festival winners on the day for Shadwell and Jim Crowley, the colt was slow into stride in the 1200 metre race when bumped out of the barriers. Fighting with Crowley when wanting to run up on heels in front of him, the colt quickly settled when a hole opened and he had clear running.

Drifting to the far rail, Minzaal was never touched by the whip as Crowley gave him a hand ride home as Devilwala (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) never threatened when finishing second. Fellow Mehmas runner Mystery Smiles (Ire) was third in a close finish for that position that saw three horses within 1l of each other.

“That was very straightforward,” trainer Owen Burrows to Thoroughbred Daily News. “He didn’t jump out very quick, but I don’t think Jim wanted to set him alight in any case as he has so much speed. He just lets him find his rhythm and Jim said he couldn’t believe how well he was going–if anything he got there too soon, but there was nothing else he could do. I think he’s all speed, I don’t think he needs to be going further than six furlongs, so we’ll be looking [G1] Middle Park rather than Dewhurst and it will be straight there. I don’t see him as a Guineas horse, more Commonwealth Cup and Jim thinks that, too.”

A 140,000 gns (AU$279,300) purchase from Book 2 of last year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Minzaal was also a 85,000 gns (AU$169,575) foal through the sales company’s December Foals Sale.

The colt is out of the unraced Clodovil (Ire) mare Pardoven (Ire), who is a half-sister to four stakes horses and out of the stakes placed Dancing Prize (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}).

Uncle Mo colt impresses in Skidmore

Finshing second at Royal Ascot in June, the Wesley Ward-trained 2-year-old Golden Pal (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) had to miss his engagement in Friday’s G1 Coolmore Nunthrope due to weather and instead headed to Saratoga for the Skidmore S.

The colt led from the start in the 1100 metre turf race and was never truly tested. Having the race well in hand as they entered the straight, the colt was eased down by Irad Ortiz, Jr. The romp saw him finish 3.5l ahead of stablemate Fauci (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}) while stopping the clock in near track-record time.

"He's something special, this guy, Ward said. “I think we just got a little peek at it. From everything we've seen here, they're coming into his homecourt like Michael Jordan in the United Center in the Breeders' Cup this year. He's a very, very nice colt. I'm very thankful for the owner [Ranlo Investments]. He's afforded me the time that myself and my team has needed, and this horse had some issues and my team has really worked hard on this guy. He's so fast and he's so gifted. To get him to this point is special."

The victory was the first of his career after finishing second by a neck in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot after another close second on debut.

The first foal out of 11-time stakes winner Lady Shipman (USA) (Midshipman {USA}), Golden Pal now heads to the G2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling sale to England

One of three sales announced to be on the move from Ireland to England this fall, Tattersalls Ireland announced on Friday that the September Yearling Sale has been shifted to Park Paddocks in Newmarket.

“The decision to relocate the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale to the Tattersalls headquarters in Newmarket has not been an easy one, but the sale traditionally attracts large numbers of overseas visitors and at present Britain, while also being the source of many of our buyers, is significantly more accessible than Ireland,” Tattersalls Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Mitchell told Thoroughbred Daily News. “The primary objective at Tattersalls Ireland since the outbreak of the global pandemic has been to deliver sales which combine the minimum of disruption with the optimal conditions for both vendors and purchasers alike. We are confident that, bearing in mind the prevailing COVID-19 related restrictions in Ireland, this difficult decision allows us to fulfil this objective and to provide as vibrant a market as we possibly can.”

This year’s sale will take place September 21 through 23 with Tattersalls’ October Yearling Sale kicking off on October 6.

Goffs moves yearling sales to England

Originally scheduled to take place at Kildare Paddocks in Ireland, Goffs announced on Friday that its Orby and Sportsman’s Sales have been moved to its Goffs UK complex in Doncaster.

The move comes with an adjustment of dates with the Sportsman’s Sale moved to Sept. 24 and 25. The Orby Sale is moving to October 1 and 2 to allow buyers at the first week of Keeneland September to self-isolate.

“In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current Irish and localised protocols, and in the best interests of our clients and the Irish breeding industry, the board of Goffs are announcing today that it will, on a purely once off occasion, stage the Orby and Sportsman’s Sales in the Goffs UK sales complex in Doncaster,” Goffs Chairman Eimear Mulhern told Thoroughbred Daily News. “Goffs shareholders have always sought to provide the Irish industry with an independent sales company with its own ethos, integrity and values and it is in line with this core principle that we have decided to stage the sale at our own premises in the UK.”

As of right now, the rest of the Goffs sales are scheduled to stay in Ireland on their scheduled dates.

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Today, we’re expecting an expensive colt to star at Taree where we also like a lightly-tried last-start winner. At Moe, we are in the corner of a 3-year-old and expecting him to go close following a sound debut performance.

Taree, Race 1, 12.20pm AEST, Eddie’s Fresh Chickens Plate, $30,000, 1000m

Midland (Brazen Beau) trialled well before opening his autumn campaign at Gosford where he finished second and he filled a similar position at Newcastle before he was turned out. The Kris Lees-trained runner has won another trial earlier this month and looks poised to open his account in Jason Collett’s hands.

A $550,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale graduate, Midland is a half-brother to the Listed Strutt S. winner Rock Dove (Epaulette) with their dam the Dubawi (Ire) mare Pouter. She is a half-sister to the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas winner and G1 Spring Champion S. placegetter Excelltastic (Exceed And Excel).

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Taree, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Manning River Times H., $30,000, 1250m

Maasai Mara (Dream Ahead {USA}) has made a bright start to her career and followed up a debut third with success at Coffs Harbour where she rounded off strongly for a dominant victory. She will again be ridden by Kirk Mathieson and a combination that looks capable of striking again.

Prepared by part-owner Terry Evans, Maasai Mara is a daughter of the unraced Miss Little Fish (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), whose three foals to race have all been successful. She is out of a half-sister to Bawalaksana (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) winner at Group 1 level of the Railway S., and the Telegraph H. and to the G3 Matriarch S. winner Damaschino (Last Tycoon {Ire}).

Moe, Race 1, 12.35pm AEST, Moe Optical 3YO Plate, $23,000, 1216m

Flash Flood (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is a son of the Exceed And Excel mare Giuditta, who is a half-sister to four winners and their dam is a half-sister to the G1 Del Mark John Mabee H. winner and multiple Group 2 winner Black Mamba (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}).

The G1 Australian Derby winner and sire Roman Emperor (NZ) and the G2 Wellington Guineas winner and sire Rios (NZ) are also members of this family. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Flash Flood acquitted himself well when third on debut at Wodonga where he was well-backed and it looks wise advice to follow the money again.

We hope you enjoyed reading today's edition of TDN AusNZ. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out.

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