It's like an episode of "Sale of the Century"...
Nathan Tinkler's $300 million dollar investment Patinack Farm is up for sale. The embattled businessman says he just does not have the time to manage his racing empire. It is understood the racing and breeding operation is for sale as a single entity with the hope it will be retained as a going concern.
Also up up for sale is a half brother to Black Caviar. The colt is expected to break the record of $3 million for a yearling sold at auction in Australia when he goes under the hammer in the Sydney sales ring next week.
Also up up for sale is a half brother to Black Caviar. The colt is expected to break the record of $3 million for a yearling sold at auction in Australia when he goes under the hammer in the Sydney sales ring next week.
Meanwhile Darley has opened the petty cash tin to buy a 29% share in Animal Kingdom following his win in the $US10 million Dubai World Cup last weekend. Arrowfield Stud remains the majority owner in the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, who now heads to the Royal Ascot meeting in England this June to contest either the Queen Anne Stakes or the Prince of Wales Stakes. He'll then head to Australia to serve stud duties in the Hunter Valley this spring before heading to Darley's Jonabell Farm in Kentucky.
Animal Kingdom winning the 2013 Dubai World Cup
Bad news for connections of talented three-year-old filly Isabella Snowflake. The sprinters racing days are almost certainly over after she suffered a severed tendon in her off hind leg shortly after the start in The Galaxy at Rosehill last weekend. From all reports surgery has gone well although the risk of infection is still a concern. In hindsight her effort to beat three runners home was remarkable.
Still on the injury front and Buffering has suffered a stone bruise but trainer Robert Heathcote remains hopeful the issue can resolve itself quickly, allowing the gelding to race in next Saturday's T.J Smith Stakes. Heathcote said Buffering was lame when he walked out of his box on Thursday morning but the problem was quickly identified. The Victory Stakes in Brisbane on April 27 is the back-up plan.
That meeting will now be run at Doomben, with the May 11 BTC Cup meeting switched to Eagle Farm. The move has been made in case the connections of Black Caviar decide to head north for the race, as Eagle Farm has a larger capacity.
LOOKING BACK
Rosehill Guineas (Group 1, 2000m, 3-y-o set weights)
Locky's Selections
5 Sacred Falls (2nd)
2 It's A Dundeel (1st)
4 Hvasstan (7th)
Quinella $3.90
Quinella $3.90
It's a Dundeel winning the 2013 Rosehill Guineas
The Galaxy (Group 1, 1100m, handicap)
Locky's Selections
2 Sea Siren (8th)
9 Tiger Tees (9th)
8 Howmuchdoyouloveme (12th)
Ajax Stakes (Group 2, 1500m, quality handicap)
Locky's Selections
11 Lightinthenite (4th)
10 Havana Rey (1st) $7.70 win / $2.70 place
1 Carlton House (13th)
Magic Night Stakes (Group 2, 1200m, 2-y-o fillies set weights)
Locky's Selections
4 Greytfilly (11th)
5 Thump (6th)
7 Vocalise (4th)
Pago Pago Stakes (Group 2, 1200m, 2-y-o colts & geldings set weights)
Sidestep won well and as is right in the Slipper tomorrow. Dothraki kicked on straightening and held off all bar one but it's difficult to see him reversing the decision in the Slipper. Fuerza looks like he'll appreciate a step up to 1400m and Diamond Oasis was there to win but wasn't good enough on the day. Once again I just missed the trifecta. First, second, fourth. That should be the motto on my coat of arms.
Locky's Selections
4 Sidestep (1st) $1.90 win
6 Diamond Oasis (4th)
3 Dothraki (2nd)
Any 2 4-3 $2.30
Any 2 4-3 $2.30
Other bets
Last week I wrote:
Aliyana Tilde (Rosehill Race 5 No. 5) ran on well from a long way back last start against the tempo. She should eat up the 1900m, having finished a long head second to Streama in last year's Australian Oaks. Should be about $5.50.
Won. $8.80 win / $2.90 place. Ch-ching.
Won. $8.80 win / $2.90 place. Ch-ching.
You'll probably get around $5 Ichihara (Rosehill Race 1 No. 5) despite the fact she is meeting a lot of these horses better off at the weights for having beaten them last time out.
12th. Very disappointing.
12th. Very disappointing.
Miss Stellabelle (Rosehill Race 9 No. 2) was desperately unlucky last start and with even luck tomorrow could surprise a few people. Each way at the $9 in a tough race looks the way to go.
3rd. $2.30 place. Was there to win but the other two sprinted better at the finish. Sound run.
3rd. $2.30 place. Was there to win but the other two sprinted better at the finish. Sound run.
Folding Gear (Caulfield Race 7 No. 3) has won two from two at Caulfield over 2000m, including the Naturalism Stakes last Spring when he was also third-up from a spell as he is tomorrow. Currently a $7 chance.
2nd. $1.80 place. Reverse the runs and he probably beats the winner, who is a very smart horse.
2nd. $1.80 place. Reverse the runs and he probably beats the winner, who is a very smart horse.
LOOKING FORWARD
All markets courtesy of
Rosehill
*** With Sydney copping plenty of rain this week the track is already rated a Heavy 8 and with the prospect of more rain to come, all selections have been made on the basis that the track will not improve and will remain heavy ***
Golden Slipper Stakes (Group 1, 1200m, 2-y-o set weights)
There's a lot to look at and the easiest way is probably in market order:
Overreach is the only two-year-old in the country, outside of the absent Miracles of Life, who has spaced her opposition in her victories. Three of the last six winners have come from barrier one. The favourite hoodoo is against her with only two top fancies winning in the last 23 years but both of those were in the last five years (Sepoy 2001, Sebring 2008).
Sweet Idea is drawn to get a good run and nine of the last 11 winners drew barrier eight or inside. She is the only runner with a heavy track win against her name and Jim Cassidy is riding well. The concern is she has been run past at her two tries at 1200m.
Sidestep ran great closing sectionals to win last weekend and he keeps improving every time he steps out. The Black Opal form is holding up too with Criterion also a subsequent winner. Darley's No. 1 jockey Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride. This is however his third week in a row at the races. Granted he dumped the rider at the start a fortnight ago, but he still went around.
The Kiwi filly Ruud Awakening is the unknown quantity and she's got the visitor's draw to boot. I find it hard to have her sight unseen, especially as an on-pace runner with a wide draw.
Villa Verde went super in a trackwork gallop during the week, pulling rider Michael Rodd to the front. She'll need to have improved though because the favourite beat her pointlessly last time out. Wide gate is a concern for her too.
Criterion is drawn in but I wonder if that is really the place he wants to be? He'll get back and will be the one storming home if they go hard in front, but do you really want to be on the rail on a Heavy 8 come 4.00pm (AEDT) tomorrow? Also runs the risk of getting caught behind tired horses but the Hugh Bowman factor should cancel that out. He's riding as well as anyone in the land.
Fast 'n' Rocking is another who has drawn wide but given his racing pattern that may be for the best. He's another who will be doing his best work late and by Race 7 tomorrow being a few horses off the rail (with cover) could be the spot to be.
Whittington is probably the horse here who has flown in under the radar. Three starts for two wins and a half length second to Never Can Tell, two and a half lengths in front of the third placed Criterion. Jockey won this race last year on Pierro. Trainer goes alright too. She's won the event four times in the last 12 years.
Guelph has had big wraps on her since day one and started a clear second favourite before disappointing behind boom filly Miracles of Life in the Blue Diamond. Peter Snowden immediately made the decision that she would go straight to the Slipper without another run. Watch the market.
Il Cavallo (2nd emergency) was backed for a stack on debut at Sandwon and won like a good thing. This is a big step up in grade though. Having said that, Mosheen came up from Melbourne two years ago with one win from one start and ran second at cricket score odds. Unless Australia are batting.
I'm All The Talk thrashed Dothraki and Fuerza by more than four lengths last start and that pair subsequently filled the placings behind Sidestep last Saturday, beaten just over a length. I'm not treating his wet track run as a failure either because they went like the clappers in front and while Kuroshio folded up that day, he fought to the line to hang on for fourth.
Locky's Selections
13 Sweet Idea
5 I'm All The Talk
11 Overreach
5 I'm All The Talk
11 Overreach
The BMW (Group 1, 2400m, w-f-a)
Again in market order:
Fiveandahalfstar is attempting to become the first three-year-old to win since Grand Zulu in 2004, although it must be said that six times in the last eight years no three-year-old has even contested the event. Those that did in the other two years were $10+ and not given much chance. Favourites have a bad record too with nine of the last 12 going under, including some pretty handy types like Makybe Diva, Northerly, Tie The Knot, Theseo, Desert War, Americain, Universal Prince and Descarado. No placings from three goes on wet tracks either.
Former German galloper Hathras is an interesting entrant. He's coming off two wins in much weaker grade but he bolted in two starts back on a heavy track before doing a nine length demolition job on his rivals last time out. This is a huge class rise but he has been well backed in early markets.
Maluckyday was the eye catcher in the Ranvet Stakes a fortnight ago. He was tailed off on straightening and looked like he'd finish back with the cat catchers but his final 100m was better than any other runner and he gives the look that he will appreciate the step up to the 2400m.
Foreteller bounced back from his Australian Cup failure to record an impressive win in the Ranvet Stakes. Take out Fiveandahalfstar and he wins by three and half lengths. Will he run out a strong mile and a half? I have serious doubts but he has won three times on slow or heavy going.
Silent Achiever was disappointing last start when well tried but she gives the appearance that she is looking for this trip at this stage of her prep. Undefeated from two goes on a slow track, including a victory in last year's NZ Derby over this distance.
Kelinni might be ready to do something at his fourth run back. He's finally getting out to a suitable distance but his wet track form is dubious.
Niwot has the best wet track form of the rest with two wins and three seconds from five runs on slow or heavy. He ran fourth in a much stronger edition of this race last year and six of the last 12 winners have been at double figure odds - Cedarberg ($26), Littorio ($17), Fiumicino ($31), Blurtigeroo ($11), Freemason ($31) and Curata Storm ($101).
Locky's Selections
Fiveandahalfstar is attempting to become the first three-year-old to win since Grand Zulu in 2004, although it must be said that six times in the last eight years no three-year-old has even contested the event. Those that did in the other two years were $10+ and not given much chance. Favourites have a bad record too with nine of the last 12 going under, including some pretty handy types like Makybe Diva, Northerly, Tie The Knot, Theseo, Desert War, Americain, Universal Prince and Descarado. No placings from three goes on wet tracks either.
Former German galloper Hathras is an interesting entrant. He's coming off two wins in much weaker grade but he bolted in two starts back on a heavy track before doing a nine length demolition job on his rivals last time out. This is a huge class rise but he has been well backed in early markets.
Maluckyday was the eye catcher in the Ranvet Stakes a fortnight ago. He was tailed off on straightening and looked like he'd finish back with the cat catchers but his final 100m was better than any other runner and he gives the look that he will appreciate the step up to the 2400m.
Foreteller bounced back from his Australian Cup failure to record an impressive win in the Ranvet Stakes. Take out Fiveandahalfstar and he wins by three and half lengths. Will he run out a strong mile and a half? I have serious doubts but he has won three times on slow or heavy going.
Silent Achiever was disappointing last start when well tried but she gives the appearance that she is looking for this trip at this stage of her prep. Undefeated from two goes on a slow track, including a victory in last year's NZ Derby over this distance.
Kelinni might be ready to do something at his fourth run back. He's finally getting out to a suitable distance but his wet track form is dubious.
Niwot has the best wet track form of the rest with two wins and three seconds from five runs on slow or heavy. He ran fourth in a much stronger edition of this race last year and six of the last 12 winners have been at double figure odds - Cedarberg ($26), Littorio ($17), Fiumicino ($31), Blurtigeroo ($11), Freemason ($31) and Curata Storm ($101).
Locky's Selections
5 Maluckday
12 Fiveandahalfstar
10 Hathras
George Ryder Stakes (Group 1, 1500m, w-f-a)
Once again, from the top of the betting board:
Pierro ticks all the boxes. 10 out of 10 in Sydney. Six from six at Rosehill. Two out of two on heavy tracks. His only defeats were in a Caulfield Guineas when he set a breakneck speed in front and a Cox Plate when he'd probably come to the end of it. Pitchforked in at the weight-for-age scale. He should just win, as he did on this day last year.
Rebel Dane should benefit from a drop back in distance and two starts back he did run Pierro to a head in the Hobartville Stakes on a heavy track, but Pierro was first-up that day and Rebel Dane had race fitness on his side. I can't see him reversing the result, but I could see him running second because the three-year-olds do seem to have a bit on most of the older brigade.
Shoot Out's barnstorming win in the Chipping Norton has been franked with Monton and Havana Rey both running cracking races in the Ajax Stakes last weekend. He's a multiple Group 1 winning miler with victories in the Randwick Guineas, George Main Stakes and Chipping Norton Stakes (twice) to his credit and a second to More Joyous in last year's Doncaster Handicap.
Stablemate Danleigh won this race in 2010 but he's approaching 10 years of age and is clearly past his best. He will appreciate the sting out of the ground and his three runs at weight-for-age level this time in have been OK but I prefer others.
Solzhenitsyn was the run of the race behind Pierro in the Canterbury Stakes. He was entitled to throw up the white flag at the 200m after being posted wide without cover the entire race but he still had the cheek to run on and grab third. I think the Doncaster, where he drops to 53.5kg, is the race for him this time him as he excels three runs or more into his preparation ( 13 starts : 8 wins). Expect a bold showing nonetheless.
Laser Hawk and Veyron will have their admirers. I won't be amongst them.
The third runner from the Waller yard is Reliable Man. He's a French Derby winner and finished fourth (beaten three lengths) behind So You Think in last year's Prince of Wales Stakes. He backed up one day later to finish fourth again, this time in the King George VI Stakes by less than two lengths. The stable is shooting for a fourth consecutive win in the race following the triumphs of Danleigh, Rangirangdoo and Metal Bender.
Of the rest Happy Trails is the one who is going to start at a silly price. Second-up last Spring he ran second to Sincero in the Memsie Stakes and then next start beat Green Moon over the mile in the Feeehan Stakes. (Sorry, I can't bring myself to call it the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes. It just sounds too much like something you'd order from a Chinese takeaway.
Pierro ticks all the boxes. 10 out of 10 in Sydney. Six from six at Rosehill. Two out of two on heavy tracks. His only defeats were in a Caulfield Guineas when he set a breakneck speed in front and a Cox Plate when he'd probably come to the end of it. Pitchforked in at the weight-for-age scale. He should just win, as he did on this day last year.
Pierro defeating Snitzerland in the 2012 Golden Slipper
Rebel Dane should benefit from a drop back in distance and two starts back he did run Pierro to a head in the Hobartville Stakes on a heavy track, but Pierro was first-up that day and Rebel Dane had race fitness on his side. I can't see him reversing the result, but I could see him running second because the three-year-olds do seem to have a bit on most of the older brigade.
Shoot Out's barnstorming win in the Chipping Norton has been franked with Monton and Havana Rey both running cracking races in the Ajax Stakes last weekend. He's a multiple Group 1 winning miler with victories in the Randwick Guineas, George Main Stakes and Chipping Norton Stakes (twice) to his credit and a second to More Joyous in last year's Doncaster Handicap.
Stablemate Danleigh won this race in 2010 but he's approaching 10 years of age and is clearly past his best. He will appreciate the sting out of the ground and his three runs at weight-for-age level this time in have been OK but I prefer others.
Solzhenitsyn was the run of the race behind Pierro in the Canterbury Stakes. He was entitled to throw up the white flag at the 200m after being posted wide without cover the entire race but he still had the cheek to run on and grab third. I think the Doncaster, where he drops to 53.5kg, is the race for him this time him as he excels three runs or more into his preparation ( 13 starts : 8 wins). Expect a bold showing nonetheless.
Laser Hawk and Veyron will have their admirers. I won't be amongst them.
The third runner from the Waller yard is Reliable Man. He's a French Derby winner and finished fourth (beaten three lengths) behind So You Think in last year's Prince of Wales Stakes. He backed up one day later to finish fourth again, this time in the King George VI Stakes by less than two lengths. The stable is shooting for a fourth consecutive win in the race following the triumphs of Danleigh, Rangirangdoo and Metal Bender.
Of the rest Happy Trails is the one who is going to start at a silly price. Second-up last Spring he ran second to Sincero in the Memsie Stakes and then next start beat Green Moon over the mile in the Feeehan Stakes. (Sorry, I can't bring myself to call it the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes. It just sounds too much like something you'd order from a Chinese takeaway.
Locky's Selections
11 Pierro
9 Solzhenitsyn
1 Shoot Out
1 Shoot Out
Queen of the Turf Stakes (Group 1, 1500m, fillies and mares w-f-a)
More Joyous winning the 2012 Queen of the Turf Stakes
More Joyous is attempting to win this race for the third year in succession and on a dry track I would have declared her. With no three-year-olds entered for this weight-for-age race she meets all her opponents on level terms. She's won three from three at this distance and 11 of her 21 career victories have come at the Rosehill Gardens circuit. She has however failed to run a place in two attempts on really heavy going so if the track deteriorates much further that has to be a worry.
Red Tracer is the obvious danger if the track is bottomless. She's won six from six on slow or worse going. This time last year she finished fifth in this race after running ninth in the Coolmore Classic with 55.5.kg. This time around she got beaten an eyelash in the Coolmore with 57.5kg so she would appear to be going better.
Appearance has two wins and a second from three tries on heavy ground but she isn't well weighted, meeting Red Tracer 2.5kg worse off for having beaten her by just a nose in the Coolmore Classic. On the plus side the stable is flying. Guy Walter bagged a winning double at Rosehill a fortnight ago (Appearance, Toydini) before grabbing another double earlier this week at the Easter Monday meeting at Randwick. He followed that up with another winner on Wednesday at Warwick Farm.
Secret Admirer is the only runner outside the favourite that has winning form against the boys. Unfortunately that was 18 months ago when she won the Epsom Handicap. She hasn't won in 16 subsequent starts. She is a good mare and I believe she eventually will win another race but she won't be carrying any of mine in the meantime because she seems to be a non-winner. Happy to risk her.
Several other runners have good wet track credentials. Streama (5:3-1-1), Mid Summer Music (7:5-1-1), Pear Tart (3:3-0-0) and There's Only One (6:4-1-1) have all shown ability in the past and a liking for the conditions but I don't think any of them are travelling well enough at the moment to win this at level weights.
Red Tracer is the obvious danger if the track is bottomless. She's won six from six on slow or worse going. This time last year she finished fifth in this race after running ninth in the Coolmore Classic with 55.5.kg. This time around she got beaten an eyelash in the Coolmore with 57.5kg so she would appear to be going better.
Appearance has two wins and a second from three tries on heavy ground but she isn't well weighted, meeting Red Tracer 2.5kg worse off for having beaten her by just a nose in the Coolmore Classic. On the plus side the stable is flying. Guy Walter bagged a winning double at Rosehill a fortnight ago (Appearance, Toydini) before grabbing another double earlier this week at the Easter Monday meeting at Randwick. He followed that up with another winner on Wednesday at Warwick Farm.
Secret Admirer is the only runner outside the favourite that has winning form against the boys. Unfortunately that was 18 months ago when she won the Epsom Handicap. She hasn't won in 16 subsequent starts. She is a good mare and I believe she eventually will win another race but she won't be carrying any of mine in the meantime because she seems to be a non-winner. Happy to risk her.
Several other runners have good wet track credentials. Streama (5:3-1-1), Mid Summer Music (7:5-1-1), Pear Tart (3:3-0-0) and There's Only One (6:4-1-1) have all shown ability in the past and a liking for the conditions but I don't think any of them are travelling well enough at the moment to win this at level weights.
Locky's Selections
4 Red Tracer
1 More Joyous3 Appearance
Vinery Stud Stakes (Group 1, 2000m, 3-y-o fillies set weights)
If Norzita had drawn an inside alley in the Coolmore like Red Tracer (1) or Appearance (2) I believe she would have won. As it was even with the tougher run she still wins it in another hop. Back to her own age and set weights tomorrow she should be too good, if she handles the wet track and the 2000m, and she gives every indication she will.
I'm a firm believer in forgiving a good horse one bad run so Dear Demi is certainly in the mix and, like the aforementioned Norzita, returns to her own age group tomorrow. Unlike the Bart Cummings filly she is proven on heavy ground and at the trip. Expect her to bounce back.
Kiwi filly Habibi is another who has won in the wet and over the distance. She boasts a win over the boys in the NZ Derby at her last start and is well in commission. I'm very wary when good staying three-year-olds venture across the ditch because the New Zealander's have made a habit of pinching our prizemoney (It's A Dundeel, Jimmy Choux, Lion Tamer, Monaco Consul, Daffodil, Nom De Jeu, Quintessentail, Scarlett Lady, Eskimo Queen).
It's hard to make a case for anything outside these three winning, but there are some handy types at big odds I could entertain in exotic betting. They are Summerbliss, Royal Descent, You're So Good and Alzora.
I'm a firm believer in forgiving a good horse one bad run so Dear Demi is certainly in the mix and, like the aforementioned Norzita, returns to her own age group tomorrow. Unlike the Bart Cummings filly she is proven on heavy ground and at the trip. Expect her to bounce back.
Kiwi filly Habibi is another who has won in the wet and over the distance. She boasts a win over the boys in the NZ Derby at her last start and is well in commission. I'm very wary when good staying three-year-olds venture across the ditch because the New Zealander's have made a habit of pinching our prizemoney (It's A Dundeel, Jimmy Choux, Lion Tamer, Monaco Consul, Daffodil, Nom De Jeu, Quintessentail, Scarlett Lady, Eskimo Queen).
It's hard to make a case for anything outside these three winning, but there are some handy types at big odds I could entertain in exotic betting. They are Summerbliss, Royal Descent, You're So Good and Alzora.
Locky's Selections
3 Norzita
2 Dear Demi
4 Habibi
Other bets
High Shot (Rosehill Race 3 No. 15) was doing his best work last in the Phar Lap Stakes and was the last one to pull up, a sure sign he's looking for the 2000m. He's entered for the Australian Derby so the stable obviously thinks he has potential. Happy to have a nibble each-way at the $8 currently on offer.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
I think it would make more sense to coin the phrase:
"Beware of Trojans who accept gifts. Because they're stupid".
I'm just saying is all.
- Greek soldier, outside Troy, 1184 B.C.
"Beware of Trojans who accept gifts. Because they're stupid".
I'm just saying is all.
- Greek soldier, outside Troy, 1184 B.C.
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