In today's Straight Shorts, James Cummings to keep training out of Carbine Lodge, Group 3-winning mare Keshi Boom goes to auction, high praise for departing Entain chief executive Dean Shannon and Racing NSW calls for expressions of interest in Warwick Farm stables.

James Cummings
James Cummings will continue to use Carbine Lodge at Flemington when he returns to public training. (Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Cummings to keep boxes at Flemington

James Cummings will continue to operate from Carbine Lodge at Flemington when he returns as a public trainer.

As Cummings and Godolphin prepare to end their private training arrangement at the end of the racing season, it has been confirmed that he will maintain his association with Carbine Lodge.

The stables were inherited by Godolphin when it purchased the Ingham family’s racing and breeding empire in 2008.

Cummings has also applied to take over the Randwick stables of Leilani Lodge, vacated earlier this year by his father Anthony. 

The Australian Turf Club is expected to decide on who will be granted those stables soon.

Godolphin will deploy its large Australian team of racehorses among numerous trainers including Cummings next season.

Lightly raced Keshi Boom a highlight of latest Inglis Digital catalogue

Group 3-winning Perth mare Keshi Boom, who was victorious at her first four starts, will be offered for sale via the current Inglis Digital sale.

The Grant and Alana Williams-trained four-year-old, a daughter of Spirit Of Boom, has not raced since last December.

Joining Keshi Boom in the June (Early) Digital catalogue is three-year-old Satin Stiletto, a daughter of Written Tycoon who was stakes-placed as a two-year-old for trainer Matt Dale.

The catalogue also features international stakes-performed mare Wind Chimes, who is in foal to Coolmore’s dual-hemisphere sire Wootton Bassett, while Listed winner Chassis is being offered in foal to Snitzel.

The 455-lot sale is live with the final countdown to bidding beginning from 10am on Wednesday.

Ballesty acknowledges Shannon’s departure

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Matt Ballesty has paid tribute to outgoing Entain Australia and New Zealand executive Dean Shannon who will leave the company by the end of the month.

Ballesty, who joined NZTR in March, says Shannon has been instrumental in Entain’s strategic investment in the New Zealand industry since it took over the management of the TAB in May 2023.

“The progress New Zealand racing has made over the past two years would not have been possible without Dean,” Ballesty said.

“NZTR is especially grateful for the time he dedicated to engaging directly with our racing clubs and administrators, offering guidance and support to help us deliver a stronger thoroughbred product.” 

Shannon’s resignation was announced on Thursday, continuing a significant executive change at the wagering company’s Australia and New Zealand operations under the Ladbrokes, Neds and NZ TAB brands.

Stables for rent at Warwick Farm

Two stable complexes at Warwick Farm are available for lease.

Racing NSW is calling for expressions of interest from trainers wishing to lease the facilities on a “per box, per week” rate.

One Warwick Farm stable contains 27 boxes, a three-bedroom home with a pool but the site does not have a horse walker.

The second complex available for lease is a 16-box facility with a four-bedroom cottage, with room to have a horse walker installed.

The boxes at both sites are not to be used for pre-training of horses on behalf of other trainers.

Expressions of interest close with Racing NSW on June 15, with the successful applicants to move in in July. 

Fee status quo for MRC memberships

The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has frozen its membership prices for season 2025-26.

New members can sign up now for a fee of $450 while current members can renew for a reduced fee of $340.

Young members, for people aged 18 to 35, can also renew their membership for a discounted price of $150, which provides racecourse entry to 80 race meetings and 13 Group 1 cards next season.

“We're constantly looking at ways to try and add value (for members),” MRC CEO Tom Reilly told SEN Track. 

“(In the) last couple of weeks, we've put free food on for members at Caulfield on our metro Saturdays. But we've got some other announcements coming up in the next couple of weeks.”

Heron steps into breeders’ education chair

Eva Heron, who runs Highline Thoroughbreds with her husband Cameron in the Waikato, has been appointed as New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s new equine breeding education coordinator.

The respected industry figure replaces Ellie Aykroyd and Sally Waters in the role.

“This role brings together two things I care deeply about: quality horse care and quality education,” Heron said. 

“I’ve seen the difference that good mentoring and structured learning can make in this industry, and I’d love to be part of a program that prioritises that. 

“I’m also at a stage in my career where sharing my experience feels incredibly rewarding. 

“The chance to play a role in someone else’s growth, while staying connected to the breeding side of the industry, really motivated me to apply.”

Yellow Sam wins Golden Topaz

Trainer Lindsey Smith has executed a first-up plan to claim another Victorian feature country sprint race at Swan Hill.

Yellow Sam, having her first start since winning at Bendigo in October, capitalised on a rails draw to win the $150,000 Golden Topaz.

She gave Smith his second win in the race after Triple Missile saluted in 2022.

Jockey Fred Kersley had Yellow Sam tucked in behind the leader and she came between runners to edge out last year’s winner Press Down.

“I knew with the nice long straight here that I was going to get there. It was just at what point,” Kersley said.

“I'm always confident when I'm one of Lindsey's horses, that I'll be on one of the fittest horses in the race.”

Smith trained Tuvalu for a first-up in the 2024 Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool with Kersley in the saddle.

Impending War stays unbeaten in Elvstroem Classic

Impending War will take an unbeaten record into metropolitan racing after claiming the Elvstroem Classic at Swan Hill.

A debut winner at Wodonga in May, Impending War underlined his promise in a country juvenile race that is deeper than most run during the season.

The Impending colt raced outside the leader Miss Ellaneous before gaining the upper hand for jockey Blaike McDougall.

“I think it’s pretty well documented that we have a very high opinion of him,” Lindsay Park assistant Bruno Rouge-Serret said.

“He’s an unfurnished product. He’s still doing things wrong and once he knuckles down he is definitely a city-class horse.”

The race is named for Elvstroem, who started his career with a Swan Hill win before making his presence felt on the world stage.

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