Turf Talk Newsletter – 8 April, 2025

Robert Bloomberg is pictured in May last year leading in The US Of A, whom he part-owns and who runs in his familiar colours. (Picture: Chase Liebenberg).   

Respected and well-known attorney, Robert Bloomberg, has issued summons against the NHA and each of its ten directors, jointly and severally, wherein he seeks payment of  a staggering R88 000 000,00 for damages.

This is according to a report which has surfaced on Meta written by last year’s Equus Award-winning journalist Charl Pretorius and the Meta report was the subject of an article that appeared on a South African horseracing website, sahorseracing.com, so it is clearly not fake news.

The report stated, “Bloomberg’s claim has arisen as a consequence of the NHA having filed an allegedly disingenuous, distorted, vindictive and highly defamatory complaint against him with the Legal Practioners Council.”

It continued, “This behaviour of the NHA appears to be just another example of its deliberate, malicious, and unsustainable behaviour which is draining the financial resources of the racing industry.”

“Should they still be funded?,” questioned the report before  pointing out, “The total of the Peter and Bloomberg claims against the NHA is a staggering R158 million!”

“Surely it is time for a crisis meeting and for the current board and senior management to do the honourable thing and fall on their swords!” he said.

He concluded, “It is also somewhat concerning that the NHA is constantly issuing huge fines and punishment to its members for bringing horseracing into disrepute, but it’s directors and senior management are immune from such charges with zero accountability.”

The details of the Bloomberg case will probably surface in the next few days.

Yearlings are always in fine fettle at the BSA National Yearling Sale (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

By Mike Moon (The Citizen)

Bargains can still be found at the big-money National Yearling Sale in Germiston.

Auction house Bloodstock SA has upped its marketing game ahead of its annual flagship event, the National Yearling Sale (NYS), in Germiston on Thursday and Friday this week, 10 and 11 April.

Stirring, lyrical prose rings out of BSA’s latest press release, luring buyers to what it says is “the gold standard” racehorse sale.

It promises “more than just another catalogue” but an offering that “carries the stature of South African thoroughbred breeding’s proudest legacy”.

It adds: “Rivalries come and go. That’s the nature of any thriving marketplace. But a hundred years of trust is not something you can manufacture, let alone put under the hammer.”

Take that, rival upstarts!

There’s more: “The Sales Complex – now almost 50 years old – is far more than a venue. It’s a living museum of champions, its walls lined with the faces of horsemen and breeders who shaped this game: the Birch Brothers, Terrance Millard, Mary Slack, David Payne, Mike de Kock, and many more. If these walls could talk, they’d tell stories of legends, of paddocks that brought champions to podiums.”

To be fair, the NYS is likely to be a tremendous sale – if Donald Trump hasn’t wrecked the world economy by then.

The 346 lots might be fewer than last year, but there’s no argument about the high quality of horseflesh on offer. The country’s top 20 active stallions are all represented, with current log-leader Vercingetorix, current champion Gimmethegreenlight as well as Master Of My Fate, Querari, Rafeef and red-hot One World among them.

The top breeders are there – Drakenstein, Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Varsfontein and Maine Chance, along with smaller, well-proven producers like Clifton, Cheveley and Narrow Creek.

BSA’s target is 2024’s NYS record average price of R581,948. If the national individual record price of R9-million is broken it will be another sign that local horse racing is on an upward trajectory. That record was set back in 2019 – pre-Covid and racing operator bankruptcies – and was only equalled at the most recent Cape Yearling Sale.

With South Africa edging back into international racing, with the removal of equine export protocols, we could see a larger than usual foreign buying presence. Foreign dollars will be a huge boost to the market but will inevitably drive out less endowed local bidders.

Commentators on the local game are constantly bemoaning the relative paucity of “smaller” horse owners – the bread-and-butter providers of material for an ever-hungry betting market.

Concerned that racing could become a desert island of the wealthy, the likes of Sporting Post point out that inexpensive thoroughbred purchases are still possible – even at “gold standard” NYS.

“Prospective buyers can take heart … many a fine racehorse has been bought for far less, with pride of place going to last season’s Grade 1 Premier Champions Challenge winner Royal Victory, who was snapped up by trainer Nathan Kotzen for a measly R90,000 at the National Sale four years ago,” says the website.

“Main Defender, who defied top weight in the (recent) Hawaii Stakes, also qualifies as a bargain buy. The Pathfork four-year-old changed hands for just R140,000 as a yearling, a far cry from an impressive bankroll of over R3-million and a 10-win haul…”

The best “cheapy” examples of recent years have been Garden Province Stakes winner Humdinger and champion juvenile Qui Pro Quo – bought for R50,000 and R60,000 respectively.

“All of this goes to show that yes, it is possible to purchase a ‘good one’ without spending an arm and a leg,” argues the journal.

Eric Antelme recently recounted the  1985 July victory of Gondolier, who was the last horse from a small yard to win the big race before the Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix-trained Kommetdieding triumphed in 2021.

He said, “I was only three years old at the time, but there is a lot of memorabilia at home and over the years I have got to know the story of Gondolier’s win well.”

Pat Antelme bought the horse at the Natal Sale for more than the budget he was given by owners John Rayner and Chris Taylor.

“My Dad liked the horse on pedigree and conformation. He was big on studying pedigrees. ”

SA-breds like Isivunguvungu (pictured above running in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint) might not find it as easy to be raced in the USA as had been the case up until Trump’s nw tariff policies. (Candiese Lenferna Photograohy)

Owners of overseas horses will be required to pay a steep refundable bond to compete in American races under Trump tariff plan and it is only refundable if the horse departs the USA within a year, although there is a possible extension of three years

Ray Paulick (The Paulick Report)

The cost of buying Thoroughbred horses from overseas to import for racing or breeding in the United States will be going up as a result of new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. In addition, a hefty bond placed on overseas horses coming to the United States to race on a short-term basis could make some international owners think twice before competing here.

Tariffs for multiple countries, set to take effect April 9, were announced by President Trump in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House on April 2. The announcement was followed by three days of massive volatility in global equity markets – sparking fears of both a recession and high inflation. Mixed signals from White House officials on whether or not the tariff rates were negotiable only exacerbated uncertainty over Trump’s tariff policy.

The sliver of good news is that horses traveling to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico are both immune from the tariffs because of the existing United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement negotiated during the first Trump administration. Horses were exempt from tariffs in that agreement.

On April 5, 10 percent tariffs were imposed on all imported products (except from Mexico and Canada). Additional tariffs kicked it on April 9, and those tariffs range from 10 percent for the United Kingdom to 20 percent for countries in the European Union, including Ireland and France. Japan had an even higher tariff, 24 percent, placed on its products.

As an example, starting April 9, a horse purchased privately or at public auction in Ireland or France for the equivalent of $200,000 would be assessed a $40,000 tariff upon import to the U.S. That same horse purchased in England would be assessed a $20,000 tariff, as the UK pulled out of the EU.

California-based trainer Phil D’Amato, who purchases many horses from Europe privately or at horses of racing age sales, said the tariff would change the buying habits of some of his clients. “For those people looking to buy horses in a middle range, $100,000 to $200,000, it would affect them,” D’Amato said. “I don’t think it would have as much impact on someone with more wealth buying at the high end.”
Owners of horses sent to the U.S. for short-term racing or breeding (i.e., Japanese horses for the Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup or Godolphin horses targeting major stakes) would be required to pay what Thomas Meis, communications director for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, called a Temporary Import Bond (TIB) that would be refunded when the horse leaves the U.S. Current guidance gives the horse one year before it is required to leave the U.S., although there is a possible extension of up to three years.

That bond is equal to double the originating country’s tariff, plus fees, and would be based on the fair market value of the horse as established by an independent appraisal or proof of comparable purchases.

For example, if a Japanese horse appraised at $2 million is sent to race in the Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup, the owner would pay a bond of nearly $1 million – based on the 24 percent tariff imposed on Japan, multiplied by two, plus fees.

A horse sent to race in the Breeders’ Cup from Ireland or other EU country would be subjected to a 40 percent bond, so the owner of a runner from the EU appraised at $2 million would have to deposit $800,000 plus fees.

The NTRA suggests anyone with specific questions contact the Agriculture & Prepared Products Center at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, by email at cee-agriculture@cbp.dhs.gov or by telephone at 866.295.7624, code 02.

Super Joy N Fun has been made one of the dangers in the last race. (Picture: HKJC)

Tim Carroll

Tim made it 14 winners from his three columns on Sunday, and now heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday with three best bets

This Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race card from Happy Valley getting underway at 11.40am – live on Sky Sports Racing. There are three Class 3’s on the card with race 8, The Mong Kok Handicap, over 1 mile, offering prize money of more than £205,000.

Now onto this week’s selections.

Race 1: Class 5 Yau Ma Tei Handicap (11.40am) (1 mile)
2 NINJA DERBY was a well beaten favourite last time, but he was only beaten 2.75 lengths that night and a 2lb drop in the handicap sees him back into Class 5 company. The selection has a good record at this level with his last three starts in the bottom grade reading 1-1-2, with the most recent win from a mark just 2lb below his current assessment. Both his local wins have come from low draws when he was able to stalk the leaders, and from stall 3, he should be able to do exactly that here.

Dangers:
10 Verbier is a thirteen-start maiden that was tried from the front for the first time at his most recent start when picking up the bronze over course & trip, which was his first try over the mile on turf, and they may try similar tactics here as there’s very little pace in the race.
5 Strongest Boy form looks ordinary, but he has been campaigned at Sha Tin recently and should enjoy returning to Happy Valley for the first time this year, and a 3lb drop in the handicap sees him 9lb below his winning mark over course & trip last season.
3 Smashing Express is a twelve-start maiden from a leading yard that has shown some improvement recently including last time out when placed at Sha Tin, but he may need some luck as he is usually ridden to close out late & on paper, there’s no pace in the race.

Race 2: Class 4 King’s Park Handicap (12.10pm) (6 furlongs)
1 GIDDY UP will be a bit of a swing given he hasn’t hit the frame for some time now, but the selection has a few things in his favour here. The Jamie Richards 5yo, who was a twice winner in Australia, takes a drop in grade and will run in a Class 4 for the first time having won over 7 furlongs at a level above this at Sha Tin last season. He was last seen when having his first outing since November over an unsuitable 5 furlongs but running well enough in defeat in a race that ran far deeper than this. Given that was his first spin in over four-months, he should strip fitter and whilst he’s not a known speedster, he draws in 1 having laid-up in a handy spot in a race where they belted along over 5 furlongs last time.

Dangers:
5 Spicy Spangle was a surprise winner over 5 furlongs last time, for which he has been penalised 6lb, but he did win over this trip at Sha Tin last November, albeit carrying 15lb less than he has here, but he should have all the favours from the low draw.
11 Triumphant Warrior is a seventeen-start maiden, but he’s only had four spins at Happy Valley, placing on three occasions, including his last two from outside draws, and although he hasn’t fared well in that department again, he has been held-up and worked through the line strongly in both and they will probably look to ride him in similar vein here.
4 Loveisintheair is twice unplaced maiden, but he’s run with promise in both of those when doing his best work late without threatening, and this will be the first time he draws low, however, he has been a tad slow to step out of the gates in his two spins to-date.

Race 3: Class 4 Wylie Handicap (12.40pm) (9 furlongs)
2 HARMONY GALAXY who has never won a race but was Grade 1 placed in Brazil, ran a local career best last time when well supported, picking up the silver over the mile behind a rival landing back-to-back wins, and in the process, coming from off the pace to split two rivals that sat one & two throughout. The selection will be having his first try over this trip, but he has been running through the line strongly in a few of his races this season, which gives the impression that the 9 furlongs is exactly what he needs.

Dangers:
11 Me Time, who won over course & trip at a level below this in November, has found the going a bit more challenging at this level in four-subsequent spins, but he has run well enough in defeat in all of them and from near the foot of the handicap looks a live chance.
9 Yoda’s Choice finally broke his duck when winning in good style on the dirt last time and he does move up in grade under a 7lb penalty, but he carries 10lb less at this level and he has been runner-up a few times on the turf.
3 Can’t Go Wong can be hard to catch, but he did win over course & trip earlier in the campaign and whilst that came from a 5lb lower mark, he was runner-up from a slightly higher mark over this trip in January and he did run better than the bare result last time when he didn’t enjoy the rub of the green.

Race 4: Class 4 King’s Park (1.10pm) (6 furlongs)
2 GAMEPLAYER ELITE, who won all three starts in Brazil, hadn’t shown anything of note his first eight spins in Hong Kong, but left that behind when runner-up over course & trip last time. It is a tad concerning that he went off at a big quote that night given he’s from shrewd yard, but a repeat performance would make him tough to hold out here. The selection had no luck from a high draw that evening, snagged back but planted wide the entire race before circling the field, coming widest of all in the straight to be beaten a nose by a rival he was conceding 6lbs. The Douglas Whyte 5yo has never been a pace runner, but the draw in 4 should ensure he has a far softer commute than last time.

Dangers:
10 Good Prospect is an eight-start maiden that was runner-up over course & trip twice before a better run than the result from a high draw last time, and he does draw the inside stall this time.
9 Excellent Peers hasn’t won for a long time, but he continues to descend the handicap having been in the mix a few times this season, and this looks a moderate Class 4.
3 Sovereign Fund, who was a twice winner in Australia as a juvenile, is zero from eleven locally, but he ran well enough in defeat last time and he should have the gun run from the low draw.

Race 5: Class 3 Hong Kong China Rugby Cup (Handicap) (1.40pm) (5 furlongs)
4 COLOURFUL KING, who won two of his five juvenile starts in Australia, goes up 5lb having won over course & trip last time when having just his second local spin. On that occasion he sat in third, but a good way off the pace set by the flying Youthful Spirts, who he meets on 3lb worse terms. It was a very narrow margin that night, but instead of getting bogged down in weights & measures, I think it’s best to work to the theory as that was just his second run since June of last year, he’s entitled to improve further, and with this race likely to set up in similar vein, he should go close to repeating the dose.

Dangers:
2 Youthful Spirits is a very quick horse that will likely blast out and try to make all like he did last time when beaten a lip by the selection, who he now meets on 3lb better terms.
1 Harmony N Blessed is a veteran that goes from the top of the handicap, but he takes a drop in grade, connections have booked a 7lb claimer, he has a favourable draw, and he scooted up when last seen at this level, albeit that was over a year ago.
3 Eternal Fortune sole local success came over 6 furlongs, but he has been placed four times over this trip, and although he’s no slouch, he’s likely to be ridden cold with a strong gallop assured.

Race 6: Class 4 King’s Park Handicap (2.10pm) (6 furlongs)
3 BOWSER will be the selection in a race that looks open on paper, which lends itself to finding one that should have all the favours, which the Ricky Yiu 4yo should have from the low draw. The selection has recorded just the solitary win, which was over 5 furlongs last season, but he has run well enough in defeat his last two over course & trip, including when runner-up here and luckless under Ryan Moore at his penultimate start.  There’s no more than a moderate gallop on offer and the race maps for the selection to grab the tail of the leaders with the gun run, which should ensure he’s afforded every opportunity.

Dangers:
11 Super Charizard has won twice over course & trip this season and whilst they were both at a level below this and he draws high, they may look to get across and dictate from the front given the lack of pace in the race.
9 Ace Power goes up 5lb having won over course & trip last time, and he is the only runner in the contest to have won this year, but they usually ride him cold and ideally, he’d like a stronger gallop that was looks apparent here.
6 Club Ace disappointed when a beaten favourite last time, but he’s a low mileage maiden from a leading yard that still has plenty of time, and it would be no surprise if he were to bounce back here.

Race 7: Class 4 Oi Man Handicap (2.45pm) (1 mile)
5 GALLANT EPOCH is a low mileage 4yo that broke his duck two back at just his fifth start when winning over 7 furlongs at Sha Tin, and the form from that race has plenty of shape with the next three home all subsequent winners. He was last seen when runner-up, again over 7 furlongs, only picked off late by a rival he was conceding 12lb to having worked hard to maintain the lead early and after seeing off a strong challenger most of the way down straight. He has his first spin at Happy Valley and his first try over the mile, but he’s a pacey type which is a good fit for the tight city track layout, and of the ten winners his sire has had in Hong Kong, five have won over this trip or further.

Dangers:
3 Casa Rochester, who won a maiden at his only start in New Zealand, is yet to hit the frame in five local runs but he has run better than the bare result his last two (met trouble, planted wide), he drops 2lb in the handicap and Bowman is a first time booking.
9 Jumbo Fortune rarely wins but he’s been placed seven times this season, including all four goes over course & trip, and with a clear round he should be in the mix again.
4 Sky Vino is a low mileage 3yo that won over course & trip two back and with the 7lb claimer on board he effectively runs from the same mark, but he does have a high draw to contend with.

Race 8: Class 3 Mong Kok Handicap (3.15pm) (1 mile)
4 ROCKET SPADE disappointed with no apparent excuses last time, but he had been in good shape prior that, and he returns here having been off since January. The selection had won two of his previous five starts during the current campaign, including over course & trip, and although he returns after a layoff, that course & trip win was on his seasonal return, so we know he runs well fresh.  He does draw high, but I’m not too concerned as they like to ride him cold, and there’s enough pace in the race to ensure he has something to aim at.

Dangers:
11 Good Luck Win will be moving up in grade under an 8lb penalty having won over course & trip last time, but he won by a margin that night, he carries 11lb less at this level and they may elect to shoot from the front with the light weight.
10 Flying Fortress, who was a winner of a maiden at his only start in New Zealand, has had just the five local starts without winning but has shown improvement his last two since being stepped up to this trip, and he has plenty of scope.
7 Super Unicorn is very much diamond and rock and no doubt he was very much the latter at his most recent start when well held, but if he’s on a going day he’d give this a shake.

Race 9 Class 3 Ho Man Tin Handicap (3.50pm) (6 furlongs)
7 STORM RIDER will be a bit of a swing given he hasn’t won since January of last year, and he’s likely to sit in the second half of the field, so he will need things to fall into place. The selection was having his first spin at Happy Valley when running fifth here last time having come from last on the bend and whilst he certainly wasn’t a luckless loser, he was a tad slow out of the gates then snagged back from a high draw & given plenty to do before being slightly tight for room in the straight. He has a more favoru8able draw this time & whilst I don’t expect him to be with leaders, he should be able to lay up closer to the pace.

Dangers:
8 Golden Rise finished two spots in front of the selection last time and whilst he didn’t come from as far back, nor was he a luckless loser, he was tight form room in the straight & did run through the line the last bit.
4 Super Joy N Fun was runner-up in the above forementioned race & whilst he cops a 1lb increase and has a higher draw this time, he looks the likely leader and could take some catching if left alone.
12 Young Arrow, who won one of his two starts in Singapore, is yet to break his local duck in ten starts, but he’s been around d the mark a few times recently and is worth including in any exotic bets from the foot of the handicap.

WEDNESDAY’S PLACEPOT
Today’s Tote Place Pot will be races 4 through to 9. All up we will be playing 54 combinations (2x1x3x1x3x3), which will cost £5.40 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.

LEG 1- 2 GAMEPLAYER ELITE 10 GOOD PROSPECT
LEG 2- 4 COLOURFUL KING
LEG 3- 3 BOWSER 9 ACE POWER 11 SUPER CHARIZZARD
LEG 4- 5 GALLANT EPOCH
LEG 5- 4 ROCKET SPADE 10 FLYING FORTRESS 11 GOOD LUCK WIN
LEG 6- 4 SUPER JOY N FUN 7 STORM RIDER 8 GOLDEN RISE

TIM’S BEST BETS (scale 1-5 points)
11.40am HAPPY VALLEY
2pts win NINJA DERBY

1.40pm HAPPY VALLEY
1pt win COLOURFUL KING

2.45pm HAPPY VALLEY
3pts win GALLANT EPOCH

Hong Kong has been tipped to win the last race. (Picture: JC Photos)

There is an eight race meeting at Turffontein Standside on Wednesday, postponed from Tuesday, which officials were confident would go ahead after assessing the weather forecast.

In the first race, a workriders event over 1400m, Lava Lamp ran well over this distance category on debut and on a line through Chieftan’s Shield has Golden Alexia beaten, although that includes a 1600m race for Golden Alexia which might not have suited her. Golden Alexia ran on well over 1200m in her penultimate start before finishing 9,15 lengths behind Immediate Edge over 1600m. Back at this level of competition she has a chance, but does have a tricky draw of eight out of nine, although she might enjoy the step down in trip. Sasha Lee looks capable of improvement and could place from a fair draw. Doubleyouessbee returns from a layoff of eleven months, but if able to repeat her best run at Hollywodbets Kenilworth over this trip she will have a chance. Madame Pompadour has some ability and Phenisile Monqawa appears to have chosen her above Sasha Lee.

In the second race over 1000m Opera Fan has run three decent sprints, but against her is she has a low draw, which is usually the unfavourable side. On formlines she holds Vanakkam by more than five lengths. All of the others are first timers and the race favourite is in fact the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained One Tiger, who is by One World and is a half-brother to the Gr 2 winner Invidia and the Gr 3 winner Meridius among others.  Gavin Lerena rides the latter from a fair draw of six. Alpha World is also by One World out of one-time winning Querari mare Mon Cherie and has a plum standside draw. Kaalvoet is by Elusive Fort out of an Ideal World mare and might need further.

In the third over 1000m another Mike and Adam Azzie-trained first-timer, Winter Belle, is prominent in the betting and is second favourite. She is by What A Winter out of a four time-winning Captain Al mare who won first time out and Lerena is up, albeit from a tricky draw of three out of eight. The favourite is the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained first-timer Spiritrix, who is by Vercingetorix out of a five-time winning Fastnet Rock speedster called Ancient Spirit and she has draw four with Khumalo up. Far Beyond ran a fair third on debut. Hotaru has faced good opposition and not been disgraced and could improve. My Eyes Never Lie is by New Predator out of an A.P. Answer mare.

In the fourth over 1400m Green Street ran a fair second last time when leading from pole position over this trip and she should have come on from that run, so can go close from a fair draw of five out of nine. Ichacha has plenty of ability and has Lerena up, albeit from a tricky draw of seven, but he does return from a layoff of four months following a below par run. Shamoon ran an improved race last time and the form has worked out well.

In the fifth over 1800m Lerena once again has a good ride as he is aboard Art Nouveau, who ran well on her debut for the Tony Peter yard over 1400m and she will relish the step up in trip on pedigree. Nkwenkwezi will also relish the step up in trip and has run second in her last two starts, so will be a big runner here too, especially as she has a better draw than Art Nouveau, draw two versus draw five. Inclusion makes most appeal of the others having run an improved race second time out over 1400m and he is another one who should relish the step up in trip on pedigree.

In the sixth race over 2400m Romeo’s Magic goes very well for Gavin Lerena and of his nine wins Lerena has been aboard on five of them. Lerena and Romeo’s Magic are two from two over this trip together and although he is now ten points higher in the merit ratings after those two wins, he first tried this trip only in December this season so could still have more to come. He is drawn five out of ten and could beat To THe Rescue, a progressive sort who has become consistent and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. Mo Ment has always struck as one who would improve over a trip and with age and as he won easily last time over 2600m he can be followed despite being given a seven point raise. Taxhaven ran fifth in the SA Derby as a maiden so is capable and off a 75 merit rating must have a shout. Rosy Lemon is 3,5kg better off with Romeo’s Magic for a 4,10 length beating so is not out of it.

In the seventh over 1160m Bob’s Your Uncle ran a cracker last time from a tough low draw over this course and distance and now has a middle draw of six out of eleven. Night Bomber only has 0,40 lengths to find on Bob’s Your UIncle and has a nice draw of seven. Buffalo Storm Cody impressed last time with a runaway victory over 1200m, but he has been given a six point raise and has a low draw. Passage of Power is not far off Bob’s Your Uncle and  Night Bomber. Roll With The Punches has pace and can use it from draw eight out of nine.

In the last race over 1160m Hong Kong has the standside draw over a suitable trip and this promising sort can go one better and complete what could be a fine day for Gavin Lerena. Longsword enjoys this trip and is capable of a strong finish, so a high draw plays into his hands provided he can find a clear path in the latter stages. Open Highway has a lot of ability and having dropped down the merit ratings he finished in the frame last time and can earn here off a one point lower mark. Hair Trigger has shown ability and might have benefited from a layoff. Warm Winter Nite is in fine form and would not be a surprise winner despite having been given an eight point raise for his last easy win.

Picture: Alalcance is favourite for Saturday’s Sydney Cup.

A grey stayer part-owned by prolific SA owner Larry Nestadt had another imopressive front-running victory in Australia on Saturday and has become an exciting Melbourne Cup prospect. Alalcanz is now the favourite for the Sydnay Cup.

Read the report on her below:

Alalcance firms for Sydney Cup despite tough draw
‘Being out wide is not a concern at all’

By Craig Brennan (7news.com.au/)

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Alalcance is a firming favourite for the Sydney Cup despite drawing off the track in the staying contest at Randwick.

Dominant in her past three wins at Randwick and Rosehill, Alalcance drew barrier 15 when the field of 23 runners was finalised on Tuesday for Saturday’s Group 1 handicap over 3200m.

Alalcance will jump from barrier 13 if the three emergencies do not gain a start.

Bott said drawing off the track was of no concern for the training partners as it will give jockey Tim Clark options in the run.

“She has drawn low at her last two starts,” Bott said.

“She had been a little bit slow into stride and potentially she could have got herself into a tricky position on a couple of those occasions.

“Being out wide is not a concern at all. Tim will be able to ride his own race, but she is versatile and there are a number of ways she can be ridden.”

Following Tuesday’s draw, Alalcance firmed from $2.80 into $2.50 and had a clear hold market leadership over Zardozi at $7.

Zardozi, who finished fourth in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington last November, will get a soft run after drawing barrier three.

The Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment is the $1.70 favourite for the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2400m) on Saturday after coming up with barrier two.

Treasurethe Moment will have nine opponents as she looks to add Saturday’s Oaks to the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) she won at Flemington last November.

The filly has been dominant in her three unbeaten runs this campaign but is meeting some ‘new blood’ with Group 1 New Zealand Oaks winner Leica Lucy an opponent on Saturday.

Leica Lucy has gate one and will be ridden by James Mcdonald.

A field of 13 mares will do battle in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) with Fangirl to carry the number one saddlecloth from gate six.

Fangirl is also an acceptor in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica has accepted to back-up on Saturday with Atishu, Amelia’s Jewel, Lekvarte and Lazzura also amongst acceptances.

Which 1930s horse won his first nine races, including the 2000 Guineas, and then lost the Derby when reportedly unlucky, although the other two opinions in what has been one of the most debated Derby finishes was 1) the jockey lost deliberately, 2) the horse did not stay?

The picture is of the subject (artwarefineart.com)