Vitek takes on new role
Ridgmont Farm has announced the appointment of Jakub Vitek to the role of yearling manager.
Vitek brings a host of experience having managed the yearling preparations of Group 1 winners The Autumn Sun, Estijaab (Snitzel) and Tagaloa at Arrowfield Stud.
Parnell backs Cup
Racing Queensland Chief Executive Brendan Parnell has hit back at Champion hoop Glen Boss’ claims that no one would miss the G2 Brisbane Cup “if it disappeared”.
Parnell said it was unfair to judge the re-worked Brisbane Cup after just one year, saying the decision to run the race over two miles wasn’t made on a whim.
“We have a multi-year view of the Brisbane Cup,” Parnell told RSN927.
“We will give it at least three years before we come to any thoughts about whether it’s warranted maintaining it.”
Legend staying in Sydney
Prominent Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho has confirmed that star sprinter Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) will remain on Australian soil for the remainder of his racing career.
Ho said that he regrets sending last year's The Everest winner to Hong Kong, saying that it was “seven wasted months”.
"The decision at the time was made based on the horse being able to settle down in Hong Kong, like Southern Legend. Based in Hong Kong, the horse would be able to move to other places more readily and easily,” Ho told Racing.com.
Classique Legend
Neasham bullish
Trainer Annabel Neasham expects dominant last start G1 Doomben Cup winner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) to prove too good for his rivals in Saturday’s $1.2 million G2 Q22.
"If he turns up like he did for the Doomben Cup, I think something's going to have to really jump out of the box (to beat him)," Neasham told Racing.com.
"There are some very good horses in the race, some good stayers, we've got to be respectful of them but if he turns up in the same form, hopefully they won't be able to beat him."
Zaaki (GB) | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
McDonald draws comparison
Leading NSW-based hoop James McDonald believes flashy import Zaaki is capable of emulating the feats of four-time Group 1 winner Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).
McDonald said the Annabel Neasham-trained 6-year-old is an adaptable individual who reminds him of the now retired Godolphin galloper.
“He is a very similar horse to what Hartnell was, a horse that has a high cruising speed and could dash off a fast pace. The tougher the race, the better that Hartnell was, and I see a lot of that in Zaaki,” McDonald told Racenet.
“Hartnell was a superb horse and this horse is not there yet but hopefully he can reach that level.”
Egan cops whack
Victorian-based jockey Billy Egan has been suspended for two weeks, effective midnight Sunday, after pleading guilty to striking his mount Wine O’Clock (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}) multiple times in the barriers at Sale on Wednesday.
Stewards found Egan struck the Patrick Payne-trained 4-year-old five times with an open hand and once with a closed fist.
Sue firing
Co-trainer Trent Busuttin expects Group 2-winning mare Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) to measure up in Saturday’s G2 Dane Ripper S. at Eagle Farm.
Busuttin who trains in partnership with Natalie Young said jockey Tim Clark has been instructed to ride the 4-year-old cold from barrier 14.
“I'd love to see her at 1400, I'd say the mile's the best go for her, so if it was 1400 it would be better for her, but it is what it is, she will run very, very well," Busuttin told Racing.com.
Sierra Sue
Boss keen on cult horse
Champion jockey Glen Boss believes Queensland cult horse The Harrovian (Fastnet Rock) has “beaten the handicapper” in Saturday’s G1 Stradbroke H. at Eagle Farm.
Boss said the Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained 7-year-old will jump from barrier 11 and will carry only 53kgs in the time-honoured 1400 metre feature.
“He is a well-performed older horse, and I am pretty confident he has beaten the handicapper. Inevitably, they are the horses that run in the top three, you look back and there is always a horse that has beaten the handicapper in the results,” Boss told Racenet.
Deirdre in foal
Dual Japanese Group 1-winning mare Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) has been pronounced in foal to Coolmore Stud stallion Wootton Bassett (GB).
The Toji Morita-owned 7-year-old won the G1 Shuka Sho in 2017 as well as the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood in 2009. She was also placed at Group 1 level on another three occasions.
Competitive bidding at OBS
A filly by Practical Joke (USA) knocked down to Gary Young on behalf of owner Amr Zedan for US$425,000 (AU$549,255) topped Wednesday’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s June Sale of 2-year-olds.
A total of 176 horses sold for a gross of US$7,268,400 (AU$9,393,425) at an average of US$41,298 (AU$53,372) and a median of US$20,000 (AU$25,847). The Sale's figures were up on the Sale's pre-COVID 2019 renewal and eighteen horses sold for six figures or more.
“I think it’s a reflection of what the market is. There is a lot of money out there and a shortage of horses. Everybody always says quality sells, but it’s more so this year. The market has been really deep this year,” said Jimmy Gladwell who sold the session topper.
