NEWCASTLE trainer Mark Minervini is striving to climb another mountain on The Everest day at Royal Randwick on Saturday with a new arrival.
Whilst he has pulled the pin on the remainder of Group 3 Premier’s Cup winner and Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup placegetter Hosier’s spring campaign, he is looking forward to starting Raging Bull in the $500,000 ATC St Leger Stakes (2600m).
Minervini this afternoon confirmed Jason Collett’s booking for the former Sydney five-year-old after riding him in a 1200m barrier trial at Warwick Farm this morning.
Raging Bull settled last in the trial but worked home strongly to finish a close fifth (beaten only one and a half lengths) to Fawkner Park without being placed under any pressure.
“Jason was really pleased with how he trialled,” Minervini said this afternoon.
“He has never been on him in a race, but rode him at his second trial (when fourth over 1030m at Rosehill Gardens on March 2021) before he began his career with his initial trainer David Payne.
“Jason seemed quite surprised that he trialled so well today, and was happy to take the St Leger mount.”
Raging Bull, who has only just joined Minervini’s team and will be suited by the 2600m, beat home two of his St Leger rivals, Knights Order and True Marvel in the Warwick Farm trial.
Hosier will go to the paddock this week for a well-earned break after failing in last Saturday’s $2m Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill after being forced to race wide for the majority of the race.
“He has done a great job for his owners, and I’m sure there is another win or two in him,” Minervini said.
“We will give him a good rest and look to set him for the Doncaster Mile at Randwick in April.
“Hopefully, Sydney will have a wet autumn.”
Thirteen horses have been entered for the St Leger, including fellow Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ pair Cleveland and Kalapour, Hawkesbury trainer Marc Chevalier’s Torrens and Wyong trainer Wayne Seelin’s Apache Belle.
Lees has also nominated Cleveland (57kg) and Kalapour (56kg) for the $300,000 Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas meeting.
. The “girls” have it!
Co-trainers Phil and Tara Vigouroux at Queanbeyan today clinched their third win of the season – and all have been ridden by women.
Jess Taylor successfully renewed acquaintances with Bandolero, who landed the CG&E Benchmark 58 Handicap (1460m) at $13.
That followed Team Vigouroux’s recent successes with Zouologist (apprentice Julia Presits) at Hawkesbury on September 21 and Izfallingdown (Kathy O’Hara) at Rosehill Gardens six days later.
And to top it off, Phil Vigouroux gave credit to his wife for selecting the right assignment for Bandolero to return to winning form.
“I have been away for a fortnight visiting family in France, and Tara picked this race,” Phil Vigouroux said.
“Bandolero was well placed today.
“I have been hoping to get Bandolero out to 2400m like his mother Queen Of Queens, who won the 2008 Group 1 SA Oaks (2500m) at Morphettville and a few weeks later finished fourth in the ATC Oaks (2400m).
“But I’m not sure he is going to get there.
“Still, we will see what happens in the future.”
A son of 2013 Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, Bandolero has now won three of his 28 starts and been placed six times.
Taylor had not ridden the five-year-old since he landed a Maiden Plate (1600m) at Queanbeyan in February, and she gave him a great ride today.
After hustling Bandolero along from the start, she got him over on to the fence, then began to push him along well before the home turn to chase after the leaders.
Bandolero responded gamely in the straight to overhaul Departing Bullet ($10) and $1.95 favorite Spats Pav Bowie, whom Taylor has partnered in two of his three career wins.
However, connections understandably took advantage of apprentice Olivia Chambers’ 2kg allowance to help offset his 64kg.
. Meanwhile, Hawkesbury Race Club has announced that $13,000 was raised for the RDA Richmond, Ryde, Blue Mountains, Tall Timbers and Central Coast centres at yesterday’s Riding For The Disabled Raceday.
“We would like to thank our valued sponsors, function room attendees and raffle ticket purchasers for their support to raise these much-needed funds,” Hawkesbury chief executive James Heddo said.
“Riding For The Disabled do a tremendous job in the community, and we are thrilled to facilitate such a successful joint venture.”
*Story John Curtis, October 9, 2023 - Pic Steve Hart*
Comentarii