Daily News Wrap

8 min read

South Australian racing to return on Tuesday

Racing in South Australia will return a day earlier than planned with a meeting at Naracoorte last Friday rescheduled in its entirety to Tuesday.

Racing was initially shut down by the state government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Adelaide's northern suburbs.

"TRSA wish to advise that the meeting previously scheduled at Naracoorte for Friday, November 19 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 24 November at Naracoorte. Fields transferred from Friday, November 19 and scratchings reinstated," Thoroughbred Racing SA's (TRSA) statement said.

It will be the first of six race meetings in as many days for South Australia. Metropolitan racing returns at Morphettville Parks on Wednesday with fields transferred from Saturday's meeting and scratchings reinstated.

Racing will continue at Balaklava on Thursday, the fixture transferred from Wednesday.

Winning streak continues for Winning Dreamer

Deep Field colt Winning Dreamer (NZ) has continued his run in Hong Kong with his fifth consecutive victory to keep his unbeaten record in tact. Frankie Lor’s rising star was purchased for NZ$300,000 by Tartan Meadow Bloodstock’s Paul Chow from Haunui Farm at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

He is the fourth winner from Group III placed Markisa (Danehill {USA}) who is also the granddam of Group winners The Real Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Catch Me (I Am Invinicible). A member of the illustrious Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces of Eight {GB}) family, Markisa is a half-sister to Group I winner Shower of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and daughter of Group I winner Marquise.

With his oldest progeny 4-year-olds, Deep Field is proving to be an exciting emerging sire in Hong Kong.

Gran Alegria claims fourth Group 1

Hot favourite Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) claimed her third consecutive Group 1 win taking out the G1 Mile Championship following the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen and the Group 1 Sprinters S. The 2019 Best 3-year-old Filly and Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) winner now has four G1 titles to her name while becoming the eighth horse in Japanese racing history to claim both mile Group 1 titles in the same year.

“I was a little worried but the way she exploded into gear in the last 150 meters, it just shows how powerful she is and I’m looking forward to a great season from her as a 5-year-old,” said jockey Christophe Lemaire.

Alligator Blood to leave Vandyke stable

Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) is set to leave the David Vandyke stable after an agreement to part ways between the trainer and owner Allan Endresz.

Endresz told the Sydney Morning Herald that Vandyke had told him he no longer wanted to train Alligator Blood, with whom he won the G1 Australian Guineas.

“We had a meeting this week and he told us that, so we are making other plans for all our horses," Endresz said.

“We have got a number of horses in his stable and they will all be moving to trainers in Queensland and when Al is ready to come back he will be going to a Sydney or Melbourne trainer.

“It is disappointing because David has done a great job with Alligator Blood and is a bloody good trainer.”

The 4-year-old had an operation on a spinal issue this week and is expected to be sidelined for around six months.

Alligator Blood

Doc's unplanned spell might prove a blessing

Tony and Calvin McEvoy are hopeful that Hey Doc's (Duporth) inability to travel to Perth to defend his G1 Winterbottom S. crown may prove a bonus for his autumn prospects.

COVID-19 restrictions and a lack of suitable transport meant Hey Doc has remained at home and having a well-earned spell following his win in the G1 Manikato S. and fifth in the G1 VRC Sprint Classic.

“We thought if we keep him in work for those extra couple of weeks and don’t get a flight then it could impact him for the autumn, so we made the decision to spell him and it turned out to be the right call because there was no flights in the end,” Calvin McEvoy told Racing.com.

“I haven’t done the sums on how long it would take and how many days and how many stops, but I would say travelling by road to Perth would be like two races I reckon in terms of taking it out of him,” McEvoy said. “And he’s a good traveller.

"It gives a trainer great confidence when you turn a horse out that is in form and sound because they go straight to the paddock feeling good.”

Hey Doc will likely kick off his autumn campaign in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning before contesting the G1 Newmarket Handicap and G1 TJ Smith.

Hey Doc

Japanese success for Shalaa

Arrowfield Stud shuttler Shalaa (Ire) secured his 20th winner and his second from three starters in Japan with Justaucorps (GB) successful at Hanshin.

Justaucorps, who is out of G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Jemayel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was successful at start number two for jockey Ryuji Okubo and jockey Christophe Lemaire.

Shalaa, who stands for $33,000 (inc GST) in Australia, has had 18 winners in the Northern Hemisphere from his first crop, including nine in Great Britain.

His winner to date in Australia is the G3 Breeders' Plate winner Shaquero, his first global stakes winner.

Playboy off to Coast

Our Playboy (Sebring) is being aimed towards the R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January.

The G3 Vain S. winner was last seen when sixth in the G1 Coolmore Stud S., and co-trainer Mick Price wants to aim the colt at the $2 million Gold Coast feature.

“That was him at his best there (Coolmore),” Price told Racenet. “But he is a Magic Millions horse and with his prizemoney he will get a run in the 1400 metre 3-year-old race.”

He will have one run at Eagle Farm leading into the Guineas and has been working the opposite direction at Caulfield to help him acclimatise when he heads north.

“He actually used to ‘hit’ himself going the Melbourne way so I’m thinking with a little break the reverse way might be good," Price said.

Our Playboy

Group 1 shot on Shezzacatch's agenda

Talented filly Shezzacatch (NZ) (Savabeel) could progress towards the G1 Levin Classic in January after she made it two wins from two starts at Awapuni on Saturday.

An upset winner of the Listed El Roca - Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200 metres) on her home track on debut, Shezzacatch kept her perfect record intact for trainers Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen.

“She wasn’t wound up for yesterday so there is plenty of improvement in her," Cullen said.

“Being a Savabeel we think she will likely go over a bit more ground once she has some more ringcraft under her belt.

“Her next start will be in the (G3) Eulogy S. back at Awapuni on December 12 then, all going well, we might have a crack at the (G1) Levin Classic at Trentham in January.

“At this stage we are just looking at those two and not what comes after that. We’ve always had a high opinion of her but she is still a work in progress even though I think we are on the right track."

No 'For Sale' sign up on Levante

Ancroft Stud owner Philip Brown won't be entertaining offers for his star mare Levante (NZ) (Proisir) after her win in the Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl at Pukekohe on Saturday.

The brilliant win created plenty of buzz, but despite the interest in Levante from buyers across Australasia, Brown is adamant he won't be selling her.

“I’ve known (co-owner) Tony (Enting) since we were in form one together at school and he was the best man at my wedding,” Brown said.

“Despite the sale offers there have been, from some of the best stables in Australasia, money can’t buy the pleasure that this horse is giving us so we’ve just said she’s not for sale.

“We’re enjoying the ride which is just marvellous.”

Brown said the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare had come through the run in fine order.

“She’s eaten everything up overnight and is bright this morning (Sunday) so she has come through the run really well,” he said.

Rodd heads to Queensland

Michael Rodd will return to Brisbane to continue his career after a spell in Victoria.

Rodd returned to Australia from Singapore earlier this year and has been living away from his young family, while struggling for opportunities in the competitive Victorian jockey ranks.

“I haven’t seen them for almost 10 months,” Rodd told Racing.com.

“They were in Singapore with me and when the virus took off there, I sent them all home (to Rockhampton) because I thought they just can’t be here whilst this is happening and about two weeks later it hit Australia.”

Rodd opted to head to Melbourne, while his wife Cara and daughters Lila and Chloe have remained in Queensland.

“I was away for five years and that was just enough time for my old contacts to find new jockeys, old trainers to find new jockeys,” Rodd said.

“The kids coming through have taken my place and it’s just such a good group of riders; the Melbourne jockeys’ room would be competitive anywhere in the world.”

Rodd will now re-united with them and look to re-ignite his carer and hopefully link up with his old friend Tony Gollan.