Daily News Wrap

9 min read

Derby winner out of autumn

Denis Pagan has ruled G1 VRC Derby winner Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) out of the upcoming autumn carnival after the gelding pulled up “a little scratchy” from his work on Tuesday morning.

"He owes me absolutely nothing this horse and I just don’t want to take any sort of risk with him,” Pagan told Racing.com.

Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (red cap)

“I had every intention of running him this autumn as he went out (for a spell) and put on 35 kilograms and I thought he’d be right to go again,” he said.

“He’d been in work about six weeks but he’s such a young horse and I’m hoping we can have him racing at four and five so I am going to look after him.

“I want to give him every chance to get to the best he can be. He’s fully qualified for the Cups next spring and we’ll just let him rest and focus on that.”

Sydney targets for Legacy

After a disappointing campaign in Melbourne in the spring, dual Group 1 winner King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) will remain in Sydney this autumn and will likely kick off his campaign in the G2 Hobartville S.

King’s Legacy

“I’m not sure what happened in Melbourne but hopefully he can regain his focus,” co-trainer Peter Snowden told Racing.com.

“He’s a nice colt and a two-time Group 1 winner but he just didn’t seem to measure up in Melbourne.

“The Hobartville will probably be first-up for him into the Randwick Guineas and then we’ll see what happens from there, but he’ll be in Sydney the whole time this prep for sure.”

Waller stars to step out

A host of Chris Waller’s stable stars are set to step out at the Rosehill trials on Friday morning.

Heat 1, which is set to be run at 8.15am (AEDT), will feature Group 1 winners Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}), Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Nature Strip (Nicconi), September Run (Exceed And Excel), Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).

Snowden hoping for Magic result

Paul Snowden is hoping for an upset result in Saturday’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic with maiden filly Mura Mura (Not A Single Doubt), who has drawn barrier eight and is currently $34 on TAB.

“We wanted to draw one-nine and it gives us a chance to get that sweet run, three pairs back,” Snowden told Racenet.

Mura Mura

“It looks a very open race this year, especially considering several of the favourites have drawn out.

“I just think that barrier draw might cancel out a few of the (leading) chances.

“Mura Mura is a tough filly and she is precocious, we certainly give ourselves a chance.

“I think this race will come down mainly to who gets luck in running on the day and the barrier we have got has given us a chance to get that luck.”

Group 1 goal

Golden Gift placegetter Blaze A Trial (Criterion) will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Ranvet BM72 H. at Rosehill and trainer Matt Vella is hopeful he can make it all the way to a Group 1 start later in the preparation.

Blaze A Trail

“Honestly I think if he can run the trip he would be good for the Queensland Derby,” Vella told Racenet.

“I thought he could be a Spring Champion horse in the spring before we tipped him out so he should be capable of measuring up to stakes grade up in Queensland.

“He has to show me he is up to running in that grade over his next couple of runs.”

Adelaide Cup on the cards

Kiwi-bred horses have had a strong record in the G2 Adelaide Cup and trainer Patrick Payne is looking to extend that run with his in-form gelding Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking).

The 6-year-old has won two of his three starts this preparation, including the Listed Lord S. at Caulfield on Boxing Day and the Lexus H. at Flemington on Saturday and Payne was pleased with the win last weekend and said he has come through the run well.

Defibrillate (NZ)

“The race worked out really well for him, he was ridden really well,” he said. “The horse is lovely to deal with. I appreciate Richy (Graham Richardson) sending him over. He is a really nice horse and I don’t think that will be his last win.

“He came over in good form and he has been in good form all of his life really. That was his third run this preparation and he has pulled up fantastic.”

Rawiller injured at Bunbury

Group 1-winning jockey Brad Rawiller has been injured after a fall at Bunbury on Wednesday.

Rawiller, who recently relocated from Victoria to WA and has been sidelined by injury multiple times over the past few years, came away from the fall with a punctured lung and broken collarbone.

"Brad unfortunately has a punctured lung and broken collarbone after his fall at Bunbury today,” Rawiller’s sister Stacey posted to Twitter. “Terrible timing, but he will no doubt be back in the winner's circle in no time like a true Rawiller.”

Adkins to return to work

After suffering from a horror race fall almost six months ago which left him with a broken leg, collarbone, ribs and a punctured lung, Andrew Adkins will return to the saddle at trackwork on Monday.

Andrew Adkins

“I am feeling really good,” Adkins told Racenet. “There is still some muscle aches there which I might have for a while and it takes some time to adapt to dealing with them but they should improve over time as well.

“I was putting in a lot of work until I went up the coast for a month over Christmas which wasn’t ideal for the fitness.

“Mentally though it was great to be up there and recharge.

“I got to spend time with family and friends and I really enjoyed myself.”

Enzo’s Lad eyeing three-peat

Evergreen sprinter Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa) will be vying to record his third victory in the G1 Telegraph at Trentham on Saturday.

The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained gelding won consecutive editions in 2018 and 2019, before finishing runner-up last year behind Avantage (Fastnet Rock).

He will meet the talented mare again on Saturday, however, his trainers believe he is a lot more forward than he was last year.

Enzo’s Lad | Image courtesy of Race Images

“He just seems to thrive at this time of year,” Matthew Pitman said. “Getting down to Waikouaiti certainly helps and he loves Trentham.

“He is better than last year when he did all that travelling. He went to Hong Kong and England, and then had to have a big break when he came back. That meant we were chasing to get his fitness where we wanted it to be.

“This year he is at a similar place to when he won both Telegraphs before.

“He is 8-years-old now but he doesn’t know that. If anything, he is stronger than when he won his first one. We are really happy with the horse.”

Basarwa ready for Levin

Guy Lowry believes he has talented 3-year-old Basarwa (NZ) (Atlante) is in the best condition he could possibly have him in going into Saturday’s G1 Levin Classic at Trentham.

Lowry, who trains in partnership with Grant Cullen, has produced Basarwa for a debut win at Hastings and a second placing to race rival Invisible Spirit (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) at Trentham in two starts to date.

Basarwa (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North

“I’m happy with him,” Lowry said. “He had a 1000 metre jump-out on the fifth (of January). He was only just beaten and hit the line really hard so he’s fit enough. I’m as happy with him now as I was when he won his first race and when he ran second at his second start.

“He’s been aimed at this and I know they have all probably been aimed for it but this has been his target race since day one and he’s ready to give a good account of himself.”

Goffs releases February catalogues

The catalogues for Parts 1 and 2 of the Goffs February Sale are online. Part 1 of the Sale will take place as a virtual live auction on February 9 and 10, with 253 lots catalogued.

The first day of the Sale comprises 89 2-year-olds by the likes of Australia (GB), Belardo (Ire), Churchill (Ire), Dandy Man (Ire), Decorated Knight (GB), Footstepsinthesand (GB), Make Believe (GB), Mehmas (Ire), New Bay (GB), Oasis Dream (GB), Starspangledbanner, and Zoffany (Ire), followed by a draft of older horses, including entries from the Aga Khan.

The second day of Part 1 is dedicated to breeding stock and includes several Aga Khan re-entries from the November Breeding Stock Sale. Part 2 will take place as an in-person sale on March 2 and will comprise 223 flat and National Hunt short yearlings.

"Goffs February Sale is consistently the market-leading mid-winter sale in Europe and, while the format this year may be different due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the quality remains unchanged and we are delighted to present two strong catalogues that should hold great appeal for pinhookers and end-users at home and abroad,” said Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby.

“We very much hope to return to our scheduled onsite sales at Goffs for the remainder of 2021, however for now our Goffs Online platform, which received such positive feedback throughout the Autumn, is a proven vehicle to buy and sell the categories of horses featured in the Part 1 catalogue during our live online sale, and then we look forward to welcoming horses, vendors and buyers back to Kildare Paddocks for Part 2 of the Sale on 2 March for our live onsite sale which will also be supported by Goffs Online.”

Ralph Biszantz passes away at 78

Retired trainer Ralph Biszantz passed away Tuesday in Ocala, Florida after a brief battle with melanoma. Biszantz was 78.

His death was confirmed by his brother, owner and breeder Gary Biszantz.

“He was living in Ocala and he had a couple of ex-racehorses that he took care of,” Gary Biszantz said.