Straight Shorts is a rolling news update service on the biggest stories in racing, wagering and breeding. Our coverage today will include all the latest from the second day of the Inglis Classic Sale in Sydney.

Koji Oka
Koji Oka, best known in Australia as the owner of 2023 Golden Eagle winner Obamburumai, has paid $400,000 for a Wootton Bassett colt at the Inglis Classic Sale. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Obamburumai’s owner buys $400,000 Wootton Bassett colt

Japanese owner Koji Oka, the owner of 2023 Golden Eagle winner Obamburumai , has paid $400,000 for a Wootton Bassett colt from Ridgmont Farm at the Inglis Classic Sale.

Oka, who has more than 100 horses in training in his home country, was the underbidder on a Wootton Bassett colt on day one, which also made $400,000 to the bid of Tony and Calvin McEvoy. 

Oka's acquisition, the first foal of Group 3 winner Monegal, will head to Japan to race.

The owner’s involvement in the Australian industry continues Japan’s investment in the country’s bloodstock. 

At last month’s Magic Millions, the sale’s highest-priced lot, the Home Affairs filly out of Sunlight, sold for $3.2 million to trainer Mitsu Nakauchida.

Familiar names attached to Private Harry sibling purchase

Kurrinda Bloodstock and trainer Nathan Doyle have bought unbeaten colt Private Harry's half-sister by Captivant for $220,000 early on day two of the Inglis Classic sale. 

They now have the past three foals out of mare Happy Pilgrim.

Private Harry is set to trial on February 18 in preparation for a first-up tilt at The Galaxy.

The three-year-old is on an accelerated path to the top after winning the Magic Millions Sunlight in January.

TFI get in on Too Darn Hot act

Hong Kong operation Tony Fung Investments has joined forces with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to buy a colt by boom stallion Too Darn Hot, the sire of Inglis Millennium winner Rivellino. 

They paid $340,000 for the son of the Darley shuttler, who is from the family of Magic Millions winner Karuta Queen, at the Inglis Classic Sale.

TFI is also a member of the powerful James Harron colts syndicate.

VRC announces owner-ambassador competition for All-Star Mile

Nominations for the $2.5 million All-Star Mile will close on Tuesday as the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) announced a new attend-and-win owner ambassador competition attached to the race.

VRC racegoers over the age of 18 who attend Flemington on Black Caviar Lightning day (February 15), Australian Guineas day (March 1) and Super Saturday (March 8 before 1.30pm) will be eligible to go into a draw to be allocated a horse.

Five people will be randomly selected on each Flemington raceday to become an owner-ambassador and win a share of $200,000.

One person will also have the chance to win their way in via a listener competition on The Fox with Fifi, Fev and Nick. 

 The winner will receive $100,000 while the remaining owner-ambassadors will be guaranteed a minimum of $1000 no matter where their horse places in the field. 

All-Star Mile nominations are expected to be headed by Mr Brightside, the 2023 winner who is an early favourite to claim this year’s edition.

The winner of the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday will receive automatic entry into the All-Star Mile. 

Star NZ three-year-old confirmed for Australian Guineas

Connections of Savaglee are now looking forward to testing the gun New Zealand three-year-old’s talents across the Tasman.

Savaglee got his first taste of what is to come when placing behind Australian raiders Here To Shock and Bosustow in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Raced by The Oaks Stud, Savaglee has been an unstoppable force against his own age group this season, winning five of his six starts, including the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).

He was tested at weight-for-age for the first time at the weekend and The Oaks Stud general manager Rick Williams was satisfied with the performance.

“We knew they (Here To Shock and Bosustow) were good horses and it is always hard for a three- year-old at weight-for-age. It was a hell of a race and I am very proud of the horse,” Williams told the NZ Racing Desk.

Williams is now looking forward to heading to Melbourne with his colt where he will take his place in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 8.

“I am certain now that he prefers a mile to 1400m and we are going on to the Australian Guineas, there is no reason not to go,” he said.

Vale David Merrick

The Australian breeding is mourning the death of widely respected Hunter Valley figure David Merrick.

In a career spanning five decades, Merrick worked at Woodlands Stud and Baramul Stud before joining Widden Stud in 1992.

During his time at Baramul, Merrick had the honour of leading Australia’s first million-dollar yearling through the sales ring when a colt by Bletchingly from Verdi created history by making a seven-figure sum.

He was honoured for his dedication to the breeding industry as the winner of multiple awards.

 

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