The Straight Daily News – Ridgmont to be sold amid strategy shift | ATC’s precedent challenge | Tempted for Everest
Ridgmont’s strategic shift
The Cunningham family will sell their Hunter Valley stud Ridgmont Farm as part restructure of their thoroughbred interests, promising to remain as committed as ever to racing and breeding horses.
Ridgmont Farm’s 15 staff members were informed on Tuesday of the Cunninghams’ difficult decision to change direction, with the move set to come into effect by the end of the year.
The Cunninghams’ broodmares, foals and yearlings will be moved to nearby Newgate Farm, which is also set to consign the Ridgmont-owned yearlings as agent from the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast in January onwards, while Yarraman Park will also take on some of their stock.
Cunninghams to sell farm but maintain racing and breeding investments
Australian Turf Club’s challenge as it seeks to keep administration at bay
When Australian Turf Club directors front a Racing NSW show-cause hearing to argue why the host of Sydney racing shouldn’t be placed into administration, they face the considerable obstacle of history in their fight for ongoing independence.
The four remaining members of the ATC board – chair Tim Hale, deputy Caroline Searcy, Annette English and David McGrath – were last week granted a three-week extension to respond to the show-cause notice issued by Racing NSW on September 19.
The ATC is mounting what it believes is a strong case to ward off administrative intervention, but precedents suggest the club which runs Randwick, Rosehill, Warwick Farm and Canterbury could be in an uphill battle at the show-cause hearing on October 24.
Precedent problem for the ATC
Godolphin Tempted as filly wins Everest nod
Godolphin will attempt to conquer a new racing frontier with a decision to select Tempted as its runner in the $20 million The Everest.
One of the last slotholders to make a call on its representative, Godolphin has put its faith in the three-year-old filly at the expense of Group 1-winning colt Beiwacht.
Beiwacht, a brilliant winner of the Golden Rose at his most recent start, will be sent to the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington in a bid to further increase his appeal as a future stallion.
Craig Williams will ride Tempted in The Everest, as he looks to a third victory in four years in the race.
Filly chosen to climb Everest for global giant
Purton, Hayes say improvement to come from ‘agitated’ Ka Ying Rising
Ka Ying Rising earned a “pass mark” from Zac Purton after a much-anticipated barrier trial, but the champion jockey says the sprinter’s first public appearance of the Sydney spring should be put into perspective.
A long-time favourite to win the $20 million Everest, Ka Ying Rising divided opinion on the merit of a minor placing in a 1000m heat at Randwick on Tuesday.
The world’s highest-rated sprinter drew a crowd, with his trademark speed evident as he jumped smartly from an outside draw and was allowed to skirt deep on the track before racing outside the leader Overpass.
While fellow Everest contender Overpass kept Ka Ying Rising at bay, it was left to Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker to take out the trial.
Trial and error for Hong Kong champ
Everest day sold out as ATC pitches membership deal
The Australian Turf Club’s Everest meeting is a sell-out with all remaining general admission tickets snapped up on Monday.
Interim ATC chief executive Steve McMahon said 54 per cent of Everest day ticketholders were aged under 34.
“The Everest’s sell-out crowd is yet again vindication of the original vision of Racing NSW to attract a younger generation of racegoers,” he said.
A demand for tickets follows the first three days of the Sydney Everest Carnival, which have recorded increased crowds compared to last year.
The ATC says membership is now the only option available to attend the October 18 meeting.
It has launched a special offer to become an ATC Member which guarantees attendance on Everest Day with a one-off joining fee of $500 waived.
The glow of perfection
With her Epsom Handicap victory, Autumn Glow joined a select group of Group 1 winners to have progressed through their first seven starts unbeaten. This week’s Run The Numbers breaks down her quest for equine perfection.
Run The Numbers
OTI secures NZ syndicators’ licence
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator licensed in New Zealand this week.
“We are now a licensed syndicator in New Zealand, which means we can offer horses to the public (in New Zealand),” OTI Racing principal Terry Henderson said.
“They will get the same offering as the Australians do, which could be New Zealand or Australian horses, trained by New Zealand or Australian trainers. We will certainly be racing more horses in New Zealand.”
OTI Racing has been a large investor in New Zealand thoroughbred racing for many years and their silks have also been prevalent on this side of the Tasman, headlined by Vin De Dance’s victory in the 2018 edition of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby.
“We have had such a long relationship with New Zealand horses and trainers that it was a natural progression,” Henderson said.
“So many of our Group 1 winners have been New Zealand-bred horses. I think in the last three years, over 60 per cent of the horses that we have raced have been New Zealand-sourced.
“We have always relished the idea, as we have in Europe, that they do their early work in their home country and then come to Australia when they are ready. We have done that with quite a lot of horses over the years.”
Major track surface rebuild planned for Bendigo
The Bendigo Jockey Club will install a new course proper racing surface following its annual Cup meeting.
It’s an overhaul funded by a $530,000 investment from the Victorian state government.
Sixty thousand square metres of Kikuyu turf will be laid in a move that will deliver a more consistent and durable surface for horses and jockeys, improve drainage and reduce ongoing maintenance.
Bendigo is home to 150 horses, 42 trainers and hosts 23 race meetings a year. This upgrade will ensure the club remains one of Victoria’s premier country racing destinations.
The 2025 Bendigo Cup will be run on October 29.
Waller 3YOs vie for Caulfield Guineas favouritism after barrier draw
A capacity field of 16 horses and two emergencies has accepted for the $3 million Caulfield Guineas.
Chris Waller-trained three-year-olds head the betting with Wodeton, drawn in gate 10, an early $4 favourite for Coolmore.
Stablemate Autumn Boy, who will start from the rails, is challenging Wodeton for favouritism at $4.40.
For the weight of numbers, it will be trainers Ciaron Maher and Matt Laurie who have the strongest hands with three runners apiece.
Maher’s squad is made up of Stutt Stakes winner West Of Swindon, I Am Invincible colt Navy Pilot and Godolphin’s Observer.
Laurie matches Maher’s mega stable with Group 1 winner Vinrock and Prelude runner-up Vega for Luck for Yulong as well as $101 outsider Prestige Ole.
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Cox Plate possibilities down to 16 after third declarations
Only 16 horses remain in contention for a Cox Plate start after third declarations were taken on Tuesday.
Of those still in the hunt for the prestigious weight-for-age race, there are four three-year-olds.
They are Autumn Boy, Nepotism, Rivellino and Wodeton, but a special late-entry clause for the age remains open until October 20.
Unbeaten Autumn Glow and 2023 runner Fangirl were among 14 horses to drop out.
Late entries can be lodged for a $100,000 fee while older horses cn be added for a $200,000 payment.
The 2024 winner Via Sistina holds favouritism for the $5 million race on October 25 but she is being pressed at the top of the market by Sir Delius.
Sir Delius continued on his winning way in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, relegating Via Sistina into third placing.
Aeliana out of Caulfield Cup, 29 still in running for $5 million race
ATC Australian Derby winner Aeliana is a high-profile omission from the third declarations for the $5 million Caulfield Cup.
When Tuesday’s deadline passed for the next stage of acceptances, 29 horses were left in the running for the 2400m handicap at Caulfield on October 18.
Other notable Caulfield Cup defectors include Sydney Cup winner Arapaho and the Ciaron Maher-trained stablemates Gilded Water, Light Infantry Man and Sayedaty Sadaty.
Four northern hemisphere-trained stayers – Absurde, Golden Snap, Meydaan and Presage Nocturne – have stood their ground for the first leg of Australia’s spring Cups double.
Of the international quartet, Meydaan is the most fancied as an $8 chance on the third line betting behind Half Yours ($3) and Buckaroo ($7).
Australian Broodmare Sires Table
Source: Arion.co.nz
