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Rathbone Gets Late Call Up
Jumps jockey turned trainer Jo Rathbone has answered the call from her principal employer Kevin Myers and will return to the saddle to partner Roodyvoo in Saturday's Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 140th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton.
Rathbone has been in Christchurch campaigning a team of her own horses, whilst also overseeing the powerful Myers stable.
With stable rider Matthew Gillies suspended, Rathbone will be forced to borrow gear to take the mount on Saturday.
"I had no plans to ride at all. I'm getting Rosie Myers to bring some gear down and I will borrow some off the amateurs," Rathbone said.
"I think Roodyvoo will be a good chance and it's a race I haven't won before.”
Sweeney Returns To Training
Debbie Sweeney returned to training this week after a seven year break to re-join her father Graeme Sanders in a training partnership at Te Awamutu.
The pair formerly trained together for nine years, saddling 219 winners in that time including New Zealand 1000 victor Elevenses.
“The timing is right now that our two children are at school and I’ve got more time to focus on training horses again," Sweeney said.
Sweeney and Sanders have a team of 25 horses for the new season.
“There is some real talent among the horses and we have plenty to look forward to this season,” Sweeney said.
Sweet News For Highview
A major North American sale has provided further good news for Highview Stud’s new stallion Sweet Orange.
A filly by his sire War Front sold for $US1,250,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale to top trainer Wayne Lukas. She is a half-sister to this season’s promising stakes-placed two year-old filly Take Charge Brandi.
"Breeders in the Northern Hemisphere just can’t get enough of War Front and we are delighted to be offering New Zealand breeders the opportunity to tap in to this in demand sire line this season," Highview’s Brent Gillovic said.
Sweet Orange, winner of the Gr.1 Hong Kong Classic Mile, is the only son of War Front at stud in New Zealand will stand this season at $5000.
"Sweet Orange represents the Danzig sire line – the most successful line in Australasia in the last 20 years and he is well suited to New Zealand mares," Gillovic said.
Kiwi-Breds Claim Awards
Two New Zealand-breds were recognised at this week’s New South Wales Racing Owners’ Association Racing Night of Champions Awards.
Group One winning Karaka graduate Famous Seamus was named NSW Provincial Champion Horse of the Year following his success in the BTC Cup at Doomben.
Criterion claimed the title of NSW Three-Year-Old of the Year for owner-breeder Sir Owen Glenn after his wins in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas and the Gr.1 Australian Derby.
Busy September Weekend
Racing and breeding enthusiasts need to mark the weekend of September 6 and 7 in their diaries.
It will begin on Saturday with the Great Northern Hurdles and Meadow Fresh Great Northern Steeplechase and in the evening the Auckland Branch of the NZTBA will hold the NZB Insurance Auckland Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing Awards.
It will honour 17 Group winners bred in the Auckland area and the winners of the Northern Region Racing Awards, which recognise the Jockey of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Owner of the Year and of course, Horse of the Year, will also be announced.
“For the second year, we have combined our breeding awards with the Northern Region Racing Awards and reading through the list of finalists reinforces the strength of the Auckland region,” Auckland branch president David Moore said.
The awards evening will be followed on Sunday by the Auckland Stallion Parade starting at 9.45am at Hallmark Stud.
The studs involved in the tour will be offering the opportunity to win a free service for those people who attend all three stallion parades on the day.
The parade starts at Hallmark at 9.45am, moves on to Haunui Farm at 10.45am before the final leg of the tour at Westbury Stud at 11.30am which will be followed with a light snack and refreshments.
Eletist Earns Guineas Berth
Eletist booked himself a trip south for a second-up crack at stakes company with a runaway maiden victory at Matamata on Friday.
The son of Librettist was sent out a warm favourite on the strength of a trial success and made no mistake with a dominant debut front-running performance in Mark Du Plessis’ hands.
“I’m happy with that from an immature three-year-old up against the older horses,” trainer Glenn Old said. “He’ll go to the Wanganui Guineas next and a slow track there would be nice,”
Eletist’s winning performance eased the connections’ disappointment at missing out on a big money offer from Hong Kong after the horse failed the veterinary test.