Straight Up – Challenging the boys’ club in the Australian Derby
In this edition:
- A Star in the making – How Chris Waller set Aeliana on her way into ATC Australian Derby favouritism
- ‘Failed the vet’ – Hong Kong Jockey Club seeks to remedy ’unfair’ reputation for rejecting imports
- Stars and gripes – Canadian racing industry’s existential threat
- ‘This is kind of normal for us’ – Extreme weather a reality of remote Queensland racing
- ‘Detrimental and a negative influence’ – Partington’s snap resignation prompts emergency talks between RQ and trainers
Applying the well-worn racing adage that a good colt will always beat a good filly as a starting point for an analysis of the ATC Australian Derby most likely comes with an element of risk in this year’s edition.
Aeliana will be only the fourth filly to run in the Derby since Shamrocker who in 2011 ended a 22-year drought for her kind in one of the centrepiece races of the Sydney autumn carnival.
The three fillies who preceded Aeliana’s bid couldn’t get the job done but Montefilia, Jameka and Silent Achiever underlined their quality when they trained on to win important races after their three-year-old season.
Never mind that the Australian Oaks-bound filly Treasurethe Moment seems to be in another league at the moment and a clash is best avoided in any way possible, Chris Waller’s decision to chase Derby glory does provide a clue into the all-conquering stable’s opinion of Aeliana.
Perhaps an even better insight into Aeliana’s chances can be traced to champion jockey James McDonald’s thoughts.
As leading syndicator Denise Martin revealed to The Straight, in the wash-up of a Thousand Guineas placing in the spring, McDonald was adamant that Aeliana could be trained to win over a Classic distance.
A Star in the making
How Chris Waller set Aeliana on her way into ATC Australian Derby favouritism
McDonald won’t be riding at Randwick on Saturday, creating an opening for his sparring partner for the title of the world’s best jockey Ryan Moore to make a Sydney autumn cameo.
Moore will ride Wodeton in the Inglis Sires’ and Switzerland in the TJ Smith Stakes for Coolmore as McDonald follows his 2023 Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior to the Middle East for the Dubai Turf.
Romantic Warrior is Hong Kong’s finest in a jurisdiction known for its strict veterinary protocols relating to the purchase of overseas horses.
But as Tim Rowe reported this week, the Hong Kong Jockey Club says its reputation for rejecting horses with perceived minor imperfections is unwarranted.
‘Failed the vet’
Hong Kong Jockey Club seeks to remedy ’unfair’ reputation for rejecting imports
Romantic Warrior’s Meydan adventure provides further evidence of racing’s global footprint, also emphasised in Sydney with UK visitor Dubai Honour winning the Tancred Stakes and the champion Canadian mare Moira taking her place in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick.
As Matt Stewart found out, Moira’s importation to Australia under the Yulong banner is timely, given the concerns Canadian racing folk have for their industry because of increased US tariffs.
While Sydney racing officials were able to reschedule the Tancred, there was no such luxury for the committee of the Maxwelton Race Club.
The once-a-year meeting in outback Queensland has been called off with many racetracks in the state impacted by floods because of unseasonal monsoonal rains.
And while the “Maxi Races” couldn’t be saved, the Australian Trainers Association is trying its best to convince Cameron Partington to change his mind after his shock resignation as the Queensland representative of the body.
Check out this week’s Straight Talk podcast. Watch below or subscribe or listen on You Tube, Apple, Spotify or Podbean.
What you may have missed this week:
- Jun Zhang to lead new-look Yulong after Cox departure
- In the MIXI – A Japanese behemoth eyes Australia as its next betting growth market
- Another Group 1 Moment to Treasure for Yulong filly
- Less taxing – Magic Millions launches international angle for in absentia mares at National Sale
- Run The Numbers – The record arc of French-bred success in Australia
- Zhang does Private Harry deal, Field to work with small breeders, Easter on internationals’ radar and NZ stallion stats
You may have noticed that this edition of Straight Up is centred on racing. Our Tuesday edition deals with breeding and bloodstock and Thursday’s focus is on wagering. We also have a daily newsletter – The Straight Daily News. You can change which newsletter you receive in your membership preferences.
Enjoy your Group 1 racing weekend,
Warwick Barr
Senior Editor
The Straight
