Daily News Wrap

Field of 15 confirmed for Inglis Nursery

A field of 15 juveniles has been assembled for Saturday’s R. Listed Inglis Nursery at Randwick.

Impressive debut winners Athletica (Exceed And Excel) and Calgary Stampede (Snitzel) along with Listed Merson Cooper S. runner-up Boldinho (Brazen Beau) will make their second career starts in the $400,000 feature.

Progeny of first-season sires, Merchant Navy, Impending and Spieth (NZ) will also be unveiled while Newgate Farm’s second-season stallion Capitalist is set to be represented by two debutants, Capital Elle and Paved With Gold.

O’Brien to unveil juvenile duo

The Danny O’Brien stable believes Stupendo (Supido) and Hell Nath No Fury (Hellbent) are both capable of becoming their respective sires' first winners when they debut in Saturday’s Super Vobis 2YO H. at Flemington.

The 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduates will tackle the straight track contest after winning jump-outs at Werribee on Monday.

"Stupendo is a half-brother to Absolute Flirt and hand-in-hand, also an early running type and you'll see on Saturday he's a very small and strong type of horse, he looks ready to go," assistant trainer Ben Gleeson told Racing.com.

“If you were going to ask me which one to go with, I really couldn't choose between them, just because she's (Hell Hath No Fury) got so much upside and been held together in her trials."

Jamaea jumps out in style

Current R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas favourite Jamaea (Headwater) hardly left first gear to take out a 750-metre trial at Kembla Grange on Wednesday.

Last seen finishing eighth in the G1 Golden Rose S., the dual Group 2-winning filly proved too classy for her lesser credentialled rivals, coasting home to score by 0.2l under Tommy Berry.

Diamond dates await Bistro

Godolphin homebred Bistro (Street Boss {USA}) is likely to contest next month’s G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) at Caulfield after winning impressively on debut at Sandown on Wednesday.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained juvenile was taken to the front by Jye McNeil before kicking clear in the straight to finish 1l the better of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Golden Queen (Gold Standard).

“We expected her to run well, but you never know with 2-year-olds, they’re here one minute and gone the next, but while we’re a long way from that sort of grade (Group 1) we will probably give her a little let up and then run her in a (Blue Diamond) preview,” Sam Freedman said post-race.

“Credit to her, she’s continued to improve in condition has done everything right and the stable at Pinecliff has done a really good job with her.”

Champagne Tastes victory

Spirit Of Boom filly Champagne Tastes broke her maiden status at Ipswich on Wednesday with an impressive 1l victory over Mishani Monsieur (Kobayashi).

The Hollymount Stud and Newgate Bloodstock-owned juvenile, who is trained by Lee Freedman, is out of a half-sister G3 SA Fillies' Classic winner Precious Lorraine (Encosta De Lago).

Orman fixated on Magic Millions return

Leading Queensland-based jockey James Orman is hoping to be back in time for next month’s lucrative Magic Millions raceday after breaking his hand at Tuesday’s Doomben trials.

Orman had started this season in fine form, riding a double at Doomben last Saturday, as well as leading the Queensland Jockeys' Premiership with 51 victories.

“I was cantering around to the barriers at the Doomben barrier trials on Tuesday when the horse I was riding whipped around suddenly,” Orman told Racing Queensland.

“I’ve broken the metacarpal in my right hand and the doctor says I may be out for six weeks, but I’ll be back in time for the Magic Millions.”

Apache chasing Stradbroke berth

Jim Byrne believes a ‘more mature’ version of Apache Chase (Better Than Ready) will be on display in Saturday’s The Gateway at Eagle Farm.

Returning for his first run since finishing fourth in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill, Apache Chase will become ballot exempt from next year’s G1 Stradbroke H. if he can prevail in the $250,000 feature.

“He is the sort of horse I was adamant would be a top-three finisher in the Stradbroke,” Byrne told Racenet.

“He is a completely different horse to what he was two preps ago, he is relaxing a lot better, midrace he is switching himself down which is imperative to be competitive in those bigger races."

Lane keen for Salios reunion

Damian Lane is looking forward to renewing his association with Japanese galloper Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in Sunday’s G1 Hong Kong International Mile at Sha Tin.

Lane partnered the Noriyuki Hori-trained galloper on multiple occasions during successful riding stints in Japan, including his debut victory and two Group 1 placings behind recently retired Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

"I'm really looking forward to getting back on him, I saw him this morning at trackwork and he looks like he's really come on since his first-up run,” Lane told Racing.com.

"He went a little bit keen in the blinkers up on speed, fresh off a few months break, so he probably didn't finish off as well as he can.”

Sixty ready to salute

Francis Lui was delighted by Golden Sixty’s (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) strong hitout on Tuesday morning as he readies the star gelding for his title defence in Sunday’s HK$26 million (AU$4.7 million) G1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin.

If successful, the 5-year-old will extend his winning streak to 17, and in doing so will surpass Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) and Silent Witness’ (NZ) (Casual Lies {USA}) record of 19 total wins in Hong Kong.

“He’s good, Vincent (Ho, jockey) was happy with him, so he’s ready,” Lui said.

“I just asked Vincent to roll him into it, let him work into it and he did it with a partner horse. He will gallop again on Friday and it’ll just be similar again.”

Schmetzer and stablehand suspended

Scone-based trainer Mark Schmetzer has been suspended for four-and-a-half months for his involvement in a wild trackwork altercation that saw a stablehand knocked to the ground and a horse left on the loose.

A stewards' investigation found that Schemtzer dismounted from his horse on Monday, November 15 to confront stablehand Tony Whitfield, who had directed verbal abuse towards him.

After Whitfield dismounted from his Cameron Crockett-trained galloper to engage with Schmetzer, Whitfield was struck in the head with a closed fist before being hit on several more occasions while on the ground.

Whitfield pleaded not guilty to charges for his role in the incident and as a result, was suspended for the full six-month term.

Vale Yong Chew

New Zealand racing is mourning the passing of young apprentice Yong Chew after he lost a six-month battle with throat cancer earlier this week.

Chew, who had returned to his native Malaysia two weeks ago after the local industry raised funds to cover his return costs, had been apprenticed to Riccarton-based trainer Lance Robinson over the last two years.

“He was a lovely, young fella and he was always the first to come to apprentice school, always had a smile on his face and was super positive,” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s South Island Riding Master David Walsh said.

“As recently as August, and he was quite sick, he came to our apprentice awards where he won the Salvation Army Courage Under Fire award. We didn’t expect him to come but he turned up and got on the stage where he showed all his heart and courage right the way through.”

Illicit ready for take Two

Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}), who was set to start favourite in last Saturday’s G1 Captain Cook S. at Trentham, is ready for take two when she steps out in this weekend’s rescheduled edition at Te Rapa.

Roger James, who trains the mare in partnership with Robert Wellwood, said two Illicit has taken no harm from her trip away to Trentham, which had its meeting abandoned after the track was deemed unsafe following the first race.

“I went down to Wellington with a good level of confidence. She had drawn well, her work had been stunning and with the big, roomy track, it seemed everything had fallen into place,” James said.

“For this Saturday, she’s drawn awkwardly (in barrier 12) and there’s no doubt that at any distance, a good draw is a big help, but I’m still very happy with her.”

Safalow’s Mission tops Fasig December Sale

A maiden juvenile colt named Safalow’s Mission (USA) (Mission Impazible {USA}) topped the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic December Mixed and Horses of Racing Age Sale on Tuesday, bringing US$130,000 (AU$183,400) from trainer Linda Rice, who was acting on behalf of Thelma and Louise Stable.

A total of 260 changed hands in Timonium for a gross of US$3.8 million (AU$5.33 million) with an average of US$14,923 (AU$21,000) and a median of US$10,000 (AU$14,000).

Keeneland January released

Keeneland has cataloged 1,516 horses–broodmares and broodmare prospects, yearlings and horses of racing age along with stallions and stallion prospects–for its 2022 January Horses of All Ages Sale, which will present four sessions from Jan. 10-13.

“Given the dynamic markets we've seen in September and November, the January Sale will offer breeders another terrific opportunity to acquire quality broodmares and broodmare prospects in advance of the breeding season,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Additionally, horsemen with an eye toward the race track can shop a nice selection of short yearlings and horses of racing age to round out their orders.” For the January Sale, Keeneland once again will offer online and phone bidding to accommodate buyers who cannot attend.