Australian Bloodstock's 5 most exciting spring prospects
The racing careers of Group One-winners Protectionist, Tosen Stardom and Brave Smash have come to an end, but Australian Bloodstock's co-director Jamie Lovett couldn't be happier with the new wave.
We caught up with Lovett to discuss the five most exciting horses set to represent their brand this spring.
1. TORCEDOR
Age/sex: 8YO gelding
Breeding: Fastnet Rock x Magnolia Lane
Racing pattern: On-speed
Target race: Melbourne Cup ($26 with TAB)
Preferred surface: Dead ground
A low-grade virus prevented Torcedor from travelling to Australia for last year's Melbourne Cup and he's only raced on one occasion since. The Wohler-trained galloper had his first run in 321 days when he stepped out over 2800m at Hoppegarten on August 10, finishing fifth, beaten 10L. While his last two efforts don't look outstanding on paper, Torcedor was twice placed behind superstar stayer Stradivarius in 2018.
Jamie Lovett says: "Quite simply, if this horse turns up rock-hard fit and happy, then I think he's close to a good thing. Recently he was rated in the top three stayers in the world but after a run in Germany where he pulled up with a virus, he has just had a couple of minor issues that have delayed his preparation. He had a run at Hoppegarten last Saturday and clearly needed the hit-out after almost a year off. He's pulled up well from that though so now it's up to the master trainer Andreas Wohler. He's likely to have one more run overseas, maybe two, before getting on a plane.
"His average rating would win 18 of the past 20 Melbourne Cups, and that's only his average rating. It's just a matter of fitness really. He is a momentum and free-rolling horse when at his best and he's something pretty special when right. The $26 on offer will look a gift if he arrives here happy and fit, such is his class."
Torcedor, Sagaro Stakes winner and narrowly beaten by Stradivarius at #RoyalAscot & #GloriousGoodwood, has been sold to German owners 🇩🇪
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) August 17, 2018
A sad day for @Jessica_Racing who loved him dearly but hopefully he runs well for new connections with the Melbourne Cup a potential target pic.twitter.com/4WRaugwY4K
2. DANCETERIA
Age/sex: 5YO gelding
Breeding: Redoute's Choices x Bal De La Rose
Racing pattern: Off-speed
Target race: Cox Plate ($13 with Sportsbet)
Preferred surface: Handles all surfaces but most effective on dead
The third-favourite for this year's Cox Plate ticks a number of boxes from a form perspective. He finished fourth, beaten 5.1L, behind champion mare Enable two starts back, before taking out the Group One Dallmayr Preis (2000m) in convincing fashion on July 28. That was the same race Benbatl won on his way to chasing home Winx in last year's Cox Plate. Like Benbatl, Danceteria is set to contest the Group One Caulfield Stakes en route to Australia's premier weight-for-age race. Provided he comes through the Cox Plate in fine fettle, he is also likely to line up in the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).
Jamie Lovett says: "Every racing fan loves horses with a turn of foot, and this horse has it in spades. What is scary about him is that he hasn’t even peaked yet. At his last four runs he hasn’t been suited, yet he has won a Group Three, a Group One and placed fourth to Enable - and was in front of her 50m past the post.
"He's trained by a very astute horseman in David Menuisier. I think the current price on offer about him (for the Cox Plate) is amazing given he will have horses like Avilius and Mystic Journey covered if he brings his European form. The one slight doubt I have on him is handling Mooney Valley, as he covers the ground like no other horse I have seen. The Mackinnon, if he shows up at Flemington in the same form, you could take odds-on with him. If the real Danceteria turns up, they wont beat him."
"His next run will be in the Caulfield Stakes, which he will need fitness-wise but it will top him off nicely for the Cox Plate."
From last to first, Danceteria steals the Smarkets Handicap at an impressive 16-1 for @Franmberry and @DavidMenuisier pic.twitter.com/ANAQsQ9Nl3
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) June 7, 2018
3. MUSTAJEER
Age/sex: 7YO gelding
Breeding: Medicean x Qelaan
Racing pattern: Off-speed, midfield to rear
Target races: Caulfield Cup ($34 with Ladbrokes) and Melbourne Cup ($51 with TAB)
Preferred surface: Dead ground
A recent purchase for Australian Bloodstock, Mustajeer was last seen finishing fifth in the Curragh Cup (2816m) behind Twilight Payment and Latrobe on June 28. The Ger Lyons-trained gelding will have his next start in the famous Ebor Handicap on August 25, looking to improve on his unlucky fourth in last year's edition. The horse's most recent win came at Listed level over 2400m at Naas when strolling home by 6.5L last November. Once in Australia, Mustajeer will be prepared by Kris Lees.
Jamie Lovett says: "He's not just a dour stayer but a quality weight-for-age type of horse with a big turn-of-foot, which is what you need to win the Cups over here. The Caulfield Cup looks his best chance but I think he's a genuine top five chance in both races. He is a very honest horse so you will always get a good run for your money with this bloke.
Vintage Crop Stakes (G3)
— 𝐌𝐆 (@WorldRacing_) April 28, 2019
2820m , 63.000 EUR , for 4yo+
🇨🇮Navan
Master Of Reality (IRE)
(4H Frankel x Lancresse , by Darshaan)
J: Wayne Lordan
T:Joseph Patrick O'Brien
O: LLoyd J Williams
2nd Mustajeer (GB)
3rd Southern France (IRE) pic.twitter.com/q107uzQLbg
4. CHIEF IRONSIDE
Age/sex: 5YO entire
Breeding: Lawman x Moment Of Time
Racing pattern: On-speed
Target races: Toorak Handicap ($18 with Ladbrokes), followed by either the Cox Plate ($101 with TAB) or Cantala ($15 with Sportsbet)
Preferred surface: Needs it dry
Now with David Menuisier after being previously trained by William Jarvis, Chief Ironside is a miler who will appreciate the good/dead tracks in Australia. The son of Lawman last raced over 2000m at Sandown on July 5, finishing 4.5L off the winner Elarqam. Three starts ago he ran third at Group Three level at Epsom
Jamie Lovett says: "He is one of England’s best milers and that is generally enough to ensure that if he brings that form, he will be a winning chance in anything he runs in. He's traditionally been a front-running type but he recently moved to David Menuisier, so the Toorak will be his first run under David. Regardless of how he's ridden, I think you will see a serious horse in this bloke. I'd be backing him early for those that like those futures bets. The big negative with him is wet tracks - he is hopeless on them. After the Melbourne spring, we'll be looking to either the Newcastle Hunter (new race worth $1 million) or the Kembla Grange race (The Gong) in late-November."
CHIEF IRONSIDE stretching his legs and getting warm for an Australian Spring!
— Australian Bloodstock Updates (@ausbloodstock2) August 9, 2019
Heading to the Toorak Handicap 12th Oct!@springcarnival @Austbloodstock @RacenetTweets @BradJGray @superracing @ChrisRoots1 @RacingInsider pic.twitter.com/XcAneGEsIy
CHIEF IRONSIDE packing on some serious muscle in the past 14 days! pic.twitter.com/rvKTZTFyJ0
— Australian Bloodstock Updates (@ausbloodstock2) August 13, 2019
5. SIXTIES GROOVE
Age/sex: 7YO gelding
Breeding: Sixties Icon x Gift Dancer
Racing pattern: Off-speed
Target races: The Metropolitan ($15 with BetEasy), into the Caulfield Cup ($26) and Melbourne Cup ($51)
Preferred surface: Handles all surfaces
With two solid Australian preparations now under his belt, Sixties Groove looks ready to join the upper-echelon of the staying ranks. The former Weir-trained galloper, now with Kris Lees, finished a close-up third in the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) back in May, before recording a stylish win in the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m). He's won four of his last nine starts and had genuine excuses when well-beaten in last year's Lexus Stakes taken out by Prince Of Arran, who went on to finish third in the Melbourne Cup.
Jamie Lovett says: "It was a really pleasing prep last time, as it was the first full prep that Kris Lees has had with him. It was also the first time that he has raced in a tractable way, which is something he didn't do when he first arrived here. On his day he has a huge turn of foot, as he showed in Brisbane last start. However, given he raced in Queensland just a couple of months ago, I think he could be half-a-run short for an ideal prep. He will handle any surface though and is a genuinely good horse. I think The Metropolitan is his best chance for a big one."
Sixties Groove wins the Brisbane Cup.
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 8, 2019
Damien Oliver wins his third.#7Racing pic.twitter.com/jnD6R4BgU2
HONOURABLE MENTION: ALLIFEROUS
Incredibly unlucky not to win a race in Brisbane over their winter carnival, the Kris Lees-trained mare is also one to keep an eye on when she returns to racing.
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