In today's Straight Shorts, Darley announces Too Darn Hot return, Declan Maher to train on Gold Coast, ATC calls for expressions of interest in famous stable, Vinrock spelled and Asfoora ready to resume.
Too Darn Hot returns to Australia with a huge fee bump
Darley has confirmed that Too Darn Hot, Australia’s champion first-season sire, who is on track for a record-breaking second-season haul, will return to Australia and stand at $275,000 (inc GST).
Too Darn Hot was a late withdrawal from shuttling duties last season, much to the disappointment of Australian breeders, who were eager to support him after his progeny made a successful debut season in 2023/24.
Uncertainty has persisted for several months as to whether the son of Dubawi will return, but an amazing second season, which has seen him have 10 stakes winners in Australia, highlighted by Broadsiding’s two seasonal Group 1 wins, has proven too compelling for him to remain in Europe.
However, those wanting to support him will have to pay a substantial premium on his previous fee of $44,000. He will stand at Darley’s Kelvinside for $275,000,
"Too Darn Hot is exceptional," Andy Makiv, managing director of Godolphin Australia, said.
"What he’s achieved at this stage in his career is honestly remarkable. He’s producing top-line Stakes performers, and his record-breaking feats speak for themselves.
"We are excited to welcome Too Darn Hot back to Australia for the 2025 season and are grateful to the Darley team in the UK and Watership Down Stud for entrusting him to us for another season."
Declan Maher to open Gold Coast stable
Declan Maher will end his tenure as one of his brother Ciaron’s senior stable lieutenants to open his own training business in Queensland.
Responsible for overseeing the Ballarat arm of Ciaron Maher Racing (CMR), Maher is moving to the Gold Coast where he will take possession of 20 boxes.
He is likely to make the famous Warrnambool carnival next month a Victorian farewell.
It will be a fitting way to go out after playing a key role in many of his brother’s feature jumps wins at the track as well as being an influential figure in the careers of stable stars Hitotsu and Ruthless Dame.
"Declan has been an integral part of Ciaron Maher Racing for many years,” a CMR statement said.
Declan Maher to launch independent training operation in Gold Coast- Statement pic.twitter.com/dgPQDtVdQT
— Ciaron Maher Racing (@cmaherracing) April 8, 2025
"Over that time, he has experienced all the highs and challenges that come with life in racing and he has grown into an exceptional horseman with a deep understanding of the game.
"His passion, dedication and natural talent have shone through in every aspect of his work.
“While he has held a trainer’s licence for several years and has already enjoyed success in his own right, the time has come for Declan to step into the spotlight and establish his own identity as a trainer.”
ATC calls for expressions of interest in Leilani Lodge
The Australian Turf Club will use an expression of interest process to lease the Randwick stables made famous by the legendary trainer Bart Cummings.
Interested trainers have been invited to apply to establish a stable at one of the most prized locations in Australian racing.
The iconic stables, known as Leilani Lodge, have been synonymous with the Cummings family for more than five decades.
They became available when Anthony Cummings handed in his trainer’s licence in February after striking financial difficulties.
Anthony’s son Edward, who has been reinstated to the NSW training ranks, has indicated he will be among the trainers to apply for the High St stables if he is granted a metropolitan licence.
The ATC says applications will close on Monday, May 5.
Vinrock heads to the spelling paddock, misses Champagne Stakes
Valuable colt Vinrock will be kept in cotton wool until the spring after trainer Matt Laurie changed tack and brought an end to the horse’s unbeaten two-year-old term.
As a son of champion stallion I Am Invincible, Vinrock secured a future at stud with a tenacious win in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
During a post-mortem of the Sires’ victory, Laurie said there was no reason why a start in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick on April 19 wouldn’t complete Vinrock’s first racing preparation.
But Laurie has since advised Racing NSW stewards the colt will now head to the spelling as studs circle to secure a piece of the horse.
Vinrock is I Am Invincible’s first Group 1-winning two-year-old in Australia, making him a much sought-after commodity for leading studs.
On that basis, Laurie told The Straight’s Tim Rowe that Vinrock “sells himself” as a future stallion.
“We've had a bit of interest already, I'll just sit back and wait to see what comes,” he said.
“We've been doing it a long time, we've got relationships with all these guys (stallion farms), so I think we can handle it but I would expect a bit of movement sooner rather than later.”
Vinrock has raced three times, winning the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at his second outing before accounting for State Visit at Randwick.
Chantilly base planned for Asfoora in northern hemisphere return
Asfoora will launch her bid for a second Royal Ascot win from the famed training surrounds of Chantilly.
Trainer Henry Dwyer says the sprinter would be flown to Amsterdam ahead of a road trip to Chantilly.
Asfoora was trained out of Amy Murphy’s Southgate Stables in Newmarket last year en route to winning the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Murphy has since moved her team to France and Dwyer says it is a perfect opportunity to prepare Asfoora in one of the world’s best training centres.
Australian Sprinter ASFOORA is set to make the trip over to the UK again to defend her King's Stand Crown 🇦🇺
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) March 25, 2025
She was sensational in the race last year 🤩
🎬 @AtTheRaces pic.twitter.com/2vi9yP4o6G
“She is going to be trained at Chantilly for the start of her (overseas) preparation,” Dwyer told RSN927.
Asfoora will resume in the Group RN Irwin Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday ahead of the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes on April 26 before heading overseas.
Front Page making news in Quokka call-up
Last-start Galaxy runner-up Front Page will be a replacement runner in the Sportsbet slot for the $5 million Quokka.
Australia’s biggest online bookmaker, Sportsbet moved quickly to recruit the NSW country-trained sprinter when its original pick I Am Me was ruled out of the April 26 race.
Front Page is a rising nine-year-old but he ran the race of his life when second to rising star Private Harry in the Group 1 Galaxy at Rosehill.
Under the care of Geoff Duryea, Front Page climbed through the ranks after winning at Listed level as a three-year-old before claiming the Wagga Wagga Town Plate.
When Duryea retired from the training ranks, Front Page joined Goulburn-based Matthew Dale and made an instant impact in winning the 2023 Kosciuszko at Randwick.
Headwall and Western Empire are also confirmed Quokka runners in the past 24 hours.
Pride Of Jenni, Aeliana missing from Randwick features
A capacity field has accepted for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the centrepiece race of The Championships at Randwick.
Fifteen runners stood their ground for the $5 million weight-for-age race but last year’s winner Pride Of Jenni was a notable absentee.
The reigning Australian horse of the year, Pride Of Jenni will be kept for a Queensland winter carnival campaign.
Via Sistina has drawn the rails and will be favourite to enhance an already formidable Australian record.
As expected, Aeliana wasn’t among the acceptors for the ATC Australian Oaks.
The ATC Australian Derby winner’s absence leaves Yulong filly Treasurethe Moment a short-priced elect to extend a sequence of victories that includes the VRC Oaks in the spring.
