Daily News Wrap

6 min read

Purton cuts deficit as Moreira sidelined

With just seven meetings remaining, Joao Moreira leads the race to win the Hong Kong Jockeys’ title by just one.

Moreira was indisposed after the opening race at Happy Valley on Wednesday after complaining of chest pains and will miss Saturday’s Sha Tin program.

Purton had to settle for the one win on Wednesday - Run The Table (The Brothers War {USA}) – in Race 1, taking him to 126 victories.

Spencer to ride Artorius in July Cup

Jamie Spencer has retained the ride on Australian sprinter Artorius (Flying Artie) for the G1 July Cup at Newmarket on July 9.

Spencer rode Artorius when the colt flashed home to dead-heat for third in the G1 Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot last week.

Jamie Spencer has retained the ride on Artorius for the G1 July Cup at Newmarket of July 9 | Image courtesy of British Champions Series

Artorius will return to Australia following the July Cup and the plan is for him to race on through the spring and next autumn.

The G1 Darley Classic and The Golden Eagle are potential spring targets.

Sandhu's Lofty ambitions for talented colt

Cranbourne-based trainer Julius Sandhu is targeting the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington for his talented colt Lofty Strike (Snitzel).

On the eve of the G1 Blue Diamond S., a race that he was favourite for, the 2-year-old was sensationally scratched by Racing Victoria stewards, who believed he was showing signs of lameness.

Sandhu told Melbourne Radio Station RSN927 there’s a few 'scans and x-rays' that he needs to provide Racing Victoria in order for them to clear Lofty Strike to race again.

Snapdancer doesn’t have to lead, says Brown

Group 1-winning jockey Ethan Brown claims he doesn’t have to lead on Snapdancer (Choisir) in Saturday’s G1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.

Snapdancer crossed from a wide draw and led all the way when taking out the G1 Robert Sangster S. at Morphettville last month.

The mare has again drawn out and will jump from barrier 17 if the emergencies come out.

Snapdancer | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

“I’m probably not going to lead at all costs. It will be more so allow her to stride. She’s got a very big action on her and we will use that to her (advantage),” Brown told Racing.com.

“If she is leading, so be it. But I’m sure she will be somewhere up on the pace.”

Lockwood confirms spring goals for Johnny Rocker

Veteran trainer Barry Lockwood already has an eye on the spring with stakes-winning juvenile Johnny Rocker (Jukebox).

The last start Listed Oxlade S. victor will line up in Saturday’s Listed Tattersall’s Life Member S. at Eagle Farm, before going for a break.

“He will go around on Saturday, then go to the paddock for a couple of weeks, have a run here in Brisbane and if he is still going well, we could have a crack at the Run To The Rose and see where we go from there,” Lockwood told News Limited.

Vale, Alec Head

One of the iconic figures of French racing, Alec Head, has died at the age of 97.

Head won the famous Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe four times as a trainer, and was an influential owner and breeder.

His children, Freddy and Criquette, and his grandson Christopher, have continued an extraordinary racing dynasty.

Alec Head | Image courtesy of Scoop Dyga

Edoaurd De Rosthschild, President of French De France Galop, paid tribute to Head: “For nearly 100 years, Alec Head has marked the history of racing, first as a jockey, then as a trainer for the sport’s most prestigious owners, but also as a breeder of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners that were bred at his Haras de Quesnay in Normandy and as an owner of champions.

“We remember him for his pioneering spirit, his talent for exploring new projects, for being a man ahead of his time who always looked towards the future.”

Txope to Arqana Summer Sale

Classic winner Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) heads a septet of new additions to the Arqana Summer Sale, which will be held June 29 through July 1. A total of 145 horses-in-training on the flat and over the jumps are already catalogued.

Trained by Philippe Decouz on behalf of Ecurie Griezmann, the winner of the G2 German 1000 Guineas will be offered as Lot 421.

Third Australian winner for Churchill

Coolmore shuttler Churchill (Ire) had his third winner in Australia on Thursday, when the Lindsey Smith-trained Lord Randolph won at Pinjarra.

The gelding, a homebred for Martin’s Park Investments, hails from the family of stakes winners Performer and Bel Sprinter (Bel Esprit).

Churchill stands at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $22,000 (inc GST).

Another first-crop winner for Impending

Darley stallion Impending notched the fifth win from his first crop on Thursday when 2-year-old Fly Nice won the opening event under Ethan Brown.

Bred by Newhaven Park Stud and Georgina Gold, the filly is a $70,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Newhaven Park draft at last year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Fly Nice is the granddaughter of two-time Group 1 winner Gallica (Redoute’s Choice).

Impending | Standing at Darley

Impending, who is seventh on the First Season Sires’ table, stands at Darley’s Northwood Park for $22,000 (inc GST).

NZB says farewell to Danny Rolston

New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) will this week bid a bittersweet farewell to its previous Director of Sales and integral member of staff, Danny Rolston.

After nearly two decades with NZB and its subsidiary services, Rolston is heading to Hong Kong for his next challenge.

Danny Rolston

“The official title is Executive Manager Hong Kong International Sale/Owner Advisory Services,” Rolston said.

“My main focus is overseeing the Hong Kong International Sale. There are existing people finding the right horses in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, overseeing that process and the development of them through their 2-year-old season and import into Hong Kong and subsequent sale.”

Bloodstock for sale via Cavallon Stables dispersal

Weanlings, yearlings, racehorses and broodmares from Cavallon Stables will be dispersed via bloodstockauction.com.

The weanlings, yearlings and racehorses went live on Thursday night, with the final countdown to begin at 7pm AEST on Tuesday (June 28), while the Broodmares will go live next Thursday (June 30).

The dispersal is a sale for the estate of the late Frederick Borg, who was a trucking magnate and a passionate racing man.

Daily News Wrap