WA Racing News Update
26 March, 2019
Thoroughbred
REYKJAVIK
Trainer Lindsey Smith says Reykjavik will travel east and target a Melbourne autumn campaign after his run in Saturday week’s Listed Old Comrade Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
The son of Artie Schiller is on the hunt for three straight feature wins after taking out the Hannans Handicap (1400m) in Kalgoorlie last October and the Mungrup Stud Sprint (1300m) when first up at Mount Barker earlier this month.
Smith says the Wangoom Handicap, the feature sprint on day two of the Warrnambool carnival in May looms as a suitable race for Reykjavik, who has collected five wins and $331,485 in prize money from his 26 starts.
VARIATION
Quality five-year-old Variation is also a strong chance to go east, according to the gelding’s trainer, Stephen Miller.
Variation has come back in top order after running a gallant second to Achernar Star in Saturday’s Listed Grandstand Cup (1500m), his second run back after a15-month injury lay off.
Miller said he was delighted that Variation, the only winner of the WA Guineas-Belmont Guineas double, was back in sound condition again.
ANGELIC RULER
Angelic Ruler returns home to Perth after a terrific, albeit a luckless campaign in Melbourne.
The gun filly ran placings in the Group 2 Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield, the Kewney Stakes at Flemington and last Friday’s close second in the Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Extending her autumn campaign in Adelaide has been ruled out by co-trainer, Ben Pearce.
He said Angelic Ruler would have a good spell and more than likely would return to racing in Melbourne during the spring where there are more options open to her.
MONEY MAHER
Stable mate Money Maher is making good progress from a suspensory injury and will trial at Lark Hill in a fortnight.
The son of Al Maher was flying at this time 12-months ago when he won the Roberts Stakes (1800m) and Melvista Stakes (2200m).
He has not raced since finishing fourth to Action in the WA Derby (2400m).
DIG DEEP
Dig Deep will have a track gallop at Ascot on Saturday in preparation for Saturday week’s Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
The gelding was doing his best work over the final 200m when fourth to Beethoven in Saturday’s Listed Perth Stakes (1100m), his first look at Ascot after an impressive win on debut at Bunbury.
Jarrad Noske has been booked for the Karrakatta Plate ride.
LADY COSMOLOGY/MARKET RULER
Simon Miller says Lady Cosmology and Market Ruler came through their trials in good order and will race in the Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) on April 6.
Lady Cosmology is coming off Ascot carnival form including a Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) victory and seconds in the Champion Fillies and WA Guineas behind boom filly Arcadia Queen.
DREAM LIFTER
After eight wins, eight seconds, five thirds and a tick over half-a-million dollars in prizemoney from 34 starts, Dream Lifter has been retired.
Signature wins for the son of Danehill Express came in the 2016 Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) and Mungrup Stud Sprint (1300m).
Trainer Paul Hunter said Dream Lifter was a wonderfully consistent and brave horse who battled feet injuries for the majority of his career.
JADE MCNAUGHT
Jade McNaught will be Western Australia’s representative in the fourth leg of the National Apprentice Series at Strathalbyn.
McNaught will be aboard last-start winner Centre Scoota for trainer Shayne Cahill.
Western Australia sit in fourth position and trail Queensland after the Hobart, Perth and Brisbane leg of the series.
NICK COX
Nick Cox has retired from training and moved back home to Melbourne.
Cox arrived in Perth close to a decade ago to help Tony Noonan set up a satellite stable before branching out on his own.
Cox said he has fond memories of his stay in the west, but the daily grind of training had worn him down.
Cox intends to pursue business interests, but will have a part time role in racing as a bloodstock agent.
Julio Santarelli