Think It Over retired
Triple Group 1 winner Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}) has been retired.
“Trainer Kerry Parker has this morning informed Racing NSW Stewards that following further veterinary assessment of Think It Over and consultation with the horse’s owner, the decision has been made to retire the horse from racing,” RacingNSW reported on their Twitter feed.
Think It Over | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Winner of 14 races, including the 2024 G1 Verry Elleegant S., 2022 G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., and 2021 G1 George Ryder S., Think It Over won over $8 million for his owner-breeders Bylong Park.
Linebacker ready for Group win in Baillieu
Trainer John O’Shea has carefully placed his 2-year-old colt Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) and will unleash him in Saturday’s G3 TH Baillieu Handicap.
“It‘s been a matter of us ducking and weaving and trying to place him to advantage. I didn’t feel the need to go beating up against those top class Slipper horses and hopefully we’ll be rewarded later on in the season when he’s got plenty of juice left in the tank and they don’t,” O’Shea told Racingnsw.com.au.
Linebacker (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Linebacker won his only start at Hawkesbury in February. He was purchased by John O’Shea Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from Haunui Farm for NZ$160,000.
Marquand ready for Orchestral/Zardozi match race
Jockey Tom Marquand loves the media attention around a match race in Sydney, having won a couple; Adeyyeb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) over Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in the 2021 G1 Queen Elizabeth and Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) over Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) in the 2023 running of the same race. He rides Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) for Godolphin in Saturday’s G1 Vinery Stud S. against boom Kiwi 3-year-old filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel).
“You guys absolutely love a match race and are probably guilty of building them up. It’s fantastic for fans, it’s great for racing, it’s good fun but being realistic you don’t let it get into your head,” Marquand told Racingnsw.com.au.
Tom Marquand | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“They have different running styles, you ride the race how you see fit for your horse and how you think it’s going to get to the line best. You can definitely get hooked up on trying to beat one horse then you get beaten altogether.”
Likely Racing Victoria board appointments
Racenet has reported Macedon Lodge chair Mark Player and United Energy chief Tim Rourke as the prime candidates to fill two of three vacant seats on the Racing Victoria board.
Racing Minister Anthony Carbines would not be drawn on the recruitment process, other than he had “no announcements at this time”.
Rouke is an avid thoroughbred owner, while Player needs no introduction to bloodstock circles, as an established bloodstock agent and long-time racing administrator.
Doomben 10,000 on the cards for Chinny Boom
If Chinny Boom (Spirit Of Boom) runs well at Doomben on Saturday, trainer Clinton Taylor will contemplate nominating the 4-year-old mare for the G1 Doomben 10,000 but not before she tackles the $775,000 The Archer at Rockhampton on April 28.
“At this stage, she’ll go back home for The Archer after Saturday and then head back to Brisbane for the winter. The (Listed) Bright Shadow on Doomben 10,000 day is the race I’m aiming her for first but I’ll probably nominate her for the Doomben 10,000 on the same day as well,” Taylor told Racingqueensland.com.au.
Chinny Boom has won eight of her 13 starts and over $500,000, including a last start win in the Military Rose Plate at the Gold Coast. She was stakes-placed three starts ago when second in the Listed Nudgee S.
Sunlight Classic for Estriella
Trainer Ciaron Maher thinks 3-year-old filly Estriella (I Am Invincible) will only keep getting better as she matures. She runs in Saturday’s Listed Sunlight Classic and comes off two wins in succession.
“She is quite immature that way but there is obviously a lot of talent there. Whether it's this time around or next, she certainly has the ability to line up in a better race for sure,” Maher told Racing.com.
Estriella | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Winner of three of her six starts including the G3 Peter Le Grand S., with earnings over $780,000, Estriella was a $750,000 purchase by Maher for owners K and V Payne from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
All-Aged target for Slipper winner Shinzo
Last year’s G1 Golden Slipper winner Shinzo (Snitzel) has had a minor setback this autumn but will push on to the G1 All Aged S.
“He had a temperature early on in the prep and it just put us back a couple of weeks, but since then he has been great and he has been trialling well. He is a bigger, stronger version now but he's first-up, so he's got improvement to come,” trainer Chris Waller told Racingandsports.com.au.
Shinzo | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Shinzo will run in Saturday’s G3 Star Kingdom S. He hasn’t raced since running third in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. back in November.
Hungarian outsider not the worst to upset Australian Cup
Coming into a hot G1 Australian Cup with punters putting Esti Feny (Hun) (Pigeon Catcher {Ire}) as a $126 chance means nothing to trainer Matthew Smith who thinks the front running Pride of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) will suit him.
“The quicker they go, the better his chance of being in the finish. He just needs a steady gallop,” Smith told Racingandsports.com.au.
Matthew Smith | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I don't know whether he's good enough to beat those better ones, but we're hoping he might be the shock of the Carnival.” Coming off a third over 1800 metres last start, Esti Feny has won seven of his 32 starts and has been in Australia since 2020. His only Australian win was in the 2023 Listed Gosford Gold Cup.
Long term Cup aims for Junior again
Daqainsweet Junior (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) has run in two G1 Melbourne Cups and will aim to gain entry to a third via Saturday’s Listed Roy Higgins S.
“He goes to the Roy Higgins second-up in good order, and then hopefully peaking third-up in the Sydney Cup,” trainer Phillip Stokes told Racingandsports.com.au.
A 6-year-old gelding, Daqainsweet Junior has won seven of his 29 starts and over $1million. He was passed in at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.
Luke Nolen returns from injury on Friday night
Jockey Luke Nolen has been sidelined with injuries for two months and will make his raceday return on Friday night. Injured in a trackwork fall at Pakenham in early February, he injured his back and pelvis, as well as suffering internal bleeding and a broken rib.
Luke Nolen | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
He will ride Moody and Coleman trained 3-year-old Linas Reel (Highland Reel {Ire}).
Thrill Kill chasing third cup in Onkaparinga Cup
Saturday’s Onkaparinga Cup at Oakbank will see Thrill Kill (Stryker) attempt to win his third country cup in three months.
“To put two wins together in a couple of Cups recently has been a huge thrill, especially the Mount Gambier Cup, that meant a lot to the owners and myself being a local boy, whatever he does now is a bonus,” trainer Peter Hardcare told Racingsa.com.au.
Last start winner of the Mount Gambier Cup, Thrill Kill has run second in the Port Lincoln Cup and Kangaroo Island Cup in his last three starts. He won the South Coonawarra Vignerons Cup in January, and overall he has won six races, placing 22 times, in his 43 starts with earnings over $309,000.
Fourth trainer the charm for Tassie’s Capital Cheval
Capital Cheval (Alpine Eagle) has had three starts for his new trainer Jessie Bazan, winning two of them, and will run at Launceston on Friday.
“He seems to be a lot stronger and a lot more professional. In his trial, he finished off beautifully, so hopefully, he can do the same thing on Friday. We did toy with running him in the $50,000 Tasbred 4YO next week but thought it might be a bit too soon to tackle the 1400 metres,” Bazan told Tasracing.com.au.
Initially with Matthew Brown before heading to Liam Howley, Capital Cheval was transferred to Joel Flannery, and is now with Bazan. Capital Cheval has won two of his 10 starts with both wins coming in his last two starts.
Beer pair looking for better ground on Sunday
Trainer Mitch Beer will be hoping for better ground at Shoalhaven’s meeting on Sunday for his two runners, Zhivago (Russian Revolution) and Open Sky (Dundeel), after they both struggled in heavy conditions at their last starts.
Mitch Beer | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Drawn out but I like this 3-year-old, it was a big run to place on debut at Goulburn, he was drawn in on the worst part of the going when they were coming down the outside and he’d trialled nicely at home,” Beer said of Zhivago who ran third on debut.
Grangewilliam Stud announce Hilal for 2024 season
Emirates Park Stud’s homebred Group 2 winner Hilal (Fastnet Rock) has been retired to stand at New Zealand’s Grangewilliam Stud.
“We’re delighted to secure Hilal for stud duties and believe he will prove a strong addition to the New Zealand stallion ranks,” Mark Corcoran told NZ Racing Desk.
Hilal | Standing at Grangewilliam Stud, image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He has a fantastic pedigree and was a high-class racehorse who matched it at the elite-level over three seasons.” Hilal won three races including the G2 Stan Fox S. with earnings over $1.3 million. Hilal is a half-brother to Listed winners Trojan Harbour (Harbour Watch {Ire}) and Salateen (I Am Invincible).
Hilal will stand at an introductory fee of NZ$7500 (plus GST), with a limited number of lifetime breeding rights also available at NZ$15,000 (plus GST).
Belclare ready for history-making repeat
Technically, no mare has won the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. twice since it was upgraded to Group 1 status in 2002, but last year’s winner Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) is ready to make history.
“She goes well with a bit of space between her runs, and I think she’s had the right sort of build-up to this race,” trainer Lisa Latta told Loveracing.nz.
6-year-old mare Belclare has won 10 of her 35 starts with earnings over NZ$750,000, and was a winner two starts ago in the G2 Westbury Classic. Saint Cecile (NZ) (Pompeii Court {USA}) won the race in 2001 when it was Group 2, then again in 2002 for the inaugural Group 1 running.
The Grey Goose chasing more riches in Southern Alps Challenge
The Grey Goose (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) is looking for her third win in succession as she prepares for next month’s Southern Alps Challenge at Riccarton. She runs on Saturday at Riverton.
“She needs to put on a good show before we go to Christchurch,” trainer Jo-Ann Gordon told Loveracing.nz.
Winner of four of her 12 starts and over NZ$179,000, The Grey Goose was purchased by Sally McKay for owner MS Paskell from the Gavelhouse platform as a weanling for NZ$2000.
Voyage Bubble draws the inside for Dubai Turf
Hong Kong’s Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) has drawn gate one for the G1 Dubai Turf over 1800 metres at Meydan on Saturday.
“It’s a good draw. With the big, roomy track here, you save a lot of ground. It’s definitely an advantage to have a good draw here with the big, wider turn,” trainer Ricky Yiu told scmp.com.
The Group 1 winner was sold by Torryburn Stud to Ricky Yiu at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $380,000, and now has won six of his 16 starts including the G1 Stewards Cup two starts ago and was second to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup at his most recent start.
Hong Kong sprinters get mixed barriers for Dubai
Hong Kong trainers will have two runners in Saturday night’s G1 Al Quoz Sprint, with California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) drawing five and Sight Success (Magnus) drawing 12.
“It’s an interesting race, it’s an international field so obviously they can all run. It’s hot competition, so it depends on who’s doing well on the day. They’re all good horses,” Sight Success’s trainer John Size told scmp.com.
John Size | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Sight Success ran in this race last year, also from a wide barrier, finishing fourth of 15. He has a record of nine wins from 32 starts, with his best win coming in the G2 Premier Bowl four starts ago. Price Bloodstock Management purchased him from Dawson Stud for $45,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Field of twelve confirmed for Dubai World Cup
Last year’s winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) heads up a field of 12 runners for Saturday night’s G1 Dubai World Cup. His trainer Noboru Takagi drew gate five, similar to the gate eight that he won from last year.
Last start Group 1 winner Newgate (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) drew beside him in six, while 2023 G2 UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits {USA}) drew eight.
Liberty Island to emulate Equinox in Sheema Classic
Japan’s Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) smashed the G1 Sheema Classic last year, and this year, Japan will have Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) as their main contender.
“This is her first time travelling internationally and all has gone well so far. It was a good gallop this morning and we are happy,” rider Yuga Kawada told TDN Europe on Wednesday.
Four-time Group 1 winner and Champion 2YO Filly & 3YO Filly in Japan, Liberty Island is out of dual Group 1 winner and Champion 2YO Filly & 3YO Filly in Australia Yankee Rose (All American).
France Galop announce new plan to increase ownership
France Galop’s concerns over the number of horses in training have resulted in a new Owners Plan which they released on Wednesday. With a goal to reach 10,000 horses in training in France, and to increase the number of racehorse owners by 1000 by the end of 2026, the plan includes 50 different initiatives.
“The members of the Marketing Committee have developed, along with the Marketing Department, a pragmatic approach when drawing up this Owner's Plan, to stringently monitor the initiatives that will be rolled out over the next two years,” Charles-Hubert de Chaudenay, chairman of the Marketing Committee, told TDN Europe.
Kentucky passes legislation to form new gaming group
The state of Kentucky has passed legislation to form the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation replacing the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Department of Charitable Gaming. The change will happen between July 2024 and 2025.
“I think this would bring increased scrutiny, integrity and transparency to all legal forms of gaming in Kentucky,” Kentucky Lantern quoted Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer saying in a committee meeting to discuss the bill.
