The Straight Daily News – The Flight’s Frankel factor | Bjorn’s blue bid | Dave Appleton and the ol’ horse racing itch
Frankel’s largest southern hemisphere crop to date ready to make their mark
A champion in every sense of the word when describing thoroughbred brilliance, elite racehorse turned sire Frankel will have the chance to add to his southern hemisphere record in Saturday’s Flight Stakes at Royal Randwick.
Armed with two three-year-old daughters in the signature Group 1 race for fillies at Royal Randwick – the Fairway Thoroughbreds-bred and raced Magenta Skies and the Chris Waller-trained Enviable – Frankel is well-placed to add to his record of 20 Australian stakes winners from 111 runners.
With his biggest representation of southern hemisphere-foaled runners just turned three, his 18 per cent stakes winners to runners ratio might take a hit, but his progeny’s presence in big races is almost certain to continue.
Taking Flight – Australian progeny of global star making their mark
Tried and true blue
Bjorn Baker was an outsider looking in, but as a trainer with a neighbouring stable, he knew enough to understand why Godolphin remains an influential operation in world racing.
Yet never once since establishing himself in Sydney 14 years ago, did Baker consider he might one day train racehorses for one of the world’s biggest racing operations.
Sheikh Mohammed had always kept a greater portion of his Australian string behind the one stable door as Darley transposed into Godolphin, one of the most recognisable global thoroughbred brands.
Baker chasing Epsom win for Godolphin
Dave Appleton’s remarkable ride
When Dave Appleton grew too big to continue as a jockey, the boy from Clermont catapulted to international fame as a world rodeo champion. Now firmly ensconced in Texas, he tells Jessica Owers how he found his way back to thoroughbreds.
‘The ol’ horse racing itch came back
Running By on offer through Inglis Digital
Running By, a $700,000-earning mare who has been Group-placed multiple times, will be the main attraction the Inglis Digital October (Early) Sale.
The Ciaron Maher-trained six-year-old is entered for Saturday’s Group 2 Rose of Kingston Stakes where she is considered a $21 chance.
She headlines a sale which also includes Elettrica, a stakes-winning daughter of Vespa as well as multiple shares in Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint winner Enriched are up for grabs, with one 10 per cent and two 5 per cent shares.
In total, the October (Early) Sale features 241 lots — 143 racehorses, 37 shares, 34 broodmares, 21 yearlings, five unraced and one two-year-old.
Yearlings and two-year-olds by Artorius, Dundeel, Tassort, Wild Ruler, Written By and more round out the offering, which has backing from major players including Ciaron Maher Racing, Vinery, Blue Gum, Kingstar and the Freedman stables.
Bidding is open, with the final countdown kicking off 10am Wednesday.
Minnie Hauk heads Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting for Coolmore
Coolmore filly Minnie Hauk has emerged as a clear favourite after the barrier draw for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s richest race.
A daughter of Frankel, Minnie Hauk, will start from the inside barrier under replacement jockey Christophe Soumillon as trainer Adian O’Brien chases his third Arc success.
Soumillon takes over from the injured Ryan Moore with Minnie Hauk holding favouritism as a $5 chance.
Minnie Hauk has put together a five-win sequence that includes victories in the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks.
With rain forecast on Friday and Saturday, the Arc is almost certain to be decided on soft ground.
Japan, which has come agonisingly to an Arc breakthrough with four seconds in the $A9 million race, has three entrants – Byzantine Dream, Croix Du Nord and Alohi Ahii.
Bonus races announced for second edition of The NZB Kiwi
Winners of 10 designated lead-up races to next year’s $4 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) will be in line for their share of a $1 million bonus if they can place in next year’s slot race at Ellerslie.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) on Friday confirmed the bonus pool – $600,000 awarded to the winner, $250,000 to second place, and $150,000 to third place – and the races that will be eligible for connections targeting the second edition of The NZB Kiwi.
The races are the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and 1000 Guineas (1600m), the Auckland Guineas (1600m), the Levin Classic (1400m), Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and the Almanzor Trophy (1200m).
The BCD Group Sprint (1400m) and the Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) form part of the program as does the already run Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), won by La Dorada.
“We’ll also continue to ensure this highly publicised event is promoted strongly both here in New Zealand and internationally, and we’re looking forward to delivering a standout race on Champions Day in partnership with our premier sponsor New Zealand Bloodstock, the team at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, and Entain Australia and New Zealand,” NZTR chief executive Matt Ballesty said.
The second edition of the $4 million NZB Kiwi will be run at Ellerslie on March 7.
Straight Talk – NSW racing review, boardroom moves and 2YO sales with Harry Bailey and Shane McGrath
Paddy Power sets up casino presence
Iconic betting brand Paddy Power has rolled the dice on its first-ever sportsbook inside a casino.
The Flutter-owned wagering outfit has teamed up with London’s Hippodrome, to launch the retail concept.
It includes five self-service terminals and a hospitality zone, with wall-to-wall live sport.
As UK betting shop numbers continue to slide – the Gambling Commission’s latest stats show a 5 per cent hit to betting shop turnover in the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year – Paddy Power has looked to pursue a different. retail angle
Paddy Power’s retail boss Rupert Ellwood said the tie-up plays to the punter who wants more than just a bet.
“Customers increasingly want a social atmosphere and great entertainment and the Hippodrome is the most iconic social space in London,” he said. “It’s a dream collaboration.”
Free Melbourne Form Previews, plus Price Assessments and Mounting Yard Mail
Saturday Results
July 24% POT
August 28% POT
September 34% POT
NZ stayer Trav in Melbourne Cup bid via The Bart Cummings
Kiwi jockey Masa Hashizume will step onto the Flemington turf for the first time this weekend when he attempts to qualify Trav for the Melbourne Cup.
The 29-year-old hoop partnered the Raymond Connors-trained six-year-old to a memorable victory in the Auckland Cup at Ellerslie in March, and the Manawatu horseman has stuck with Hashizume ever since.
The pair have recorded two fourth placings in their two appearances together this season, including an eye-catching effort out wide at Ellerslie a fortnight ago.
Hashizume was rapt with Trav’s effort, and he got a welcome surprise when Connors offered him the ride in Australia, and he immediately accepted.
“I knew he was going to try to go to the Melbourne Cup, but I didn’t expect him to ask me to come to Melbourne with him,” Hashizume said.
Hashizume will head to Melbourne on Saturday to ride Trav in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m), an important lead-in race to the Melbourne Cup, with the victor gaining an automatic spot in the $10 million feature.
Not only will it be Hashizume’s first look at the iconic track, it will also be his first time riding in Australia, a challenge he is looking forward to.
New Zealand General Sires Table
Source: Arion.co.nz
