TRANSFERRED from the New Zealand stable of Kevin ‘Dummy’ Myers into the yard of Patrick Payne, Tallyho Twinkletoe swooped in to take the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown on Sunday.

The nine-year-old gelding proved too good for the locals, landing the 4,200-metre A$250,000 feature by nearly five lengths. Ridden by New Zealander Aaron Kuru, Tallyho Twinkletoe took the lead 600 metres out to post a five-length win over Firefree who had the services of Irishman Tommy Ryan.

Ryan, now based with the Hayes stable, got his eye in for Sunday’s Grand National by heading out with the Oaklands Hunt Club the day before. Third was the British-bred Euroman ridden by Shane Jackson.

“I’m just a fake trainer,” said Payne with a smirk. “He arrived at 11pm on Wednesday and jumped at 7 o’clock the next morning (Thursday) to qualify him. So all thanks to the ‘Dummy’ Myers team in New Zealand.”

Tallyho Twinkletoe will now progress to the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat on August 25th.

“When we jumped him, I thought he jumped the steeples a lot better than the hurdles,” said Payne. “I thought he’d be better next time over the steeples.”

THE Kathryn Durden-trained Wells has himself primed for a tilt at the fourth Grand National Steeple at Ballarat following an impressive win in Sunday’s $125,000 Crisp Steeple at Sandown under the impost of 70kg.

“He’s unbelievable,” said trainer Durden’s husband Craig. “The other horse clearly headed him and looked to have the momentum to go on and win the race, but he just wouldn’t let him. We have a bit of unfinished there at Ballarat but first and foremost we’ll get him home and make sure all is spot-on with him.”

Twenty lengths off the lead with less than half the 4,200 metres to run, Wells jumped his way into the race before chiming in to take up the lead half way down the straight.

Refusing to surrender, Wells got home by a nose over Slowpoke Rodriguez with Bit Of A Lad in third.

“He’s not getting any younger and is only doing as much as he has to but anytime something comes to him, he just keeps on fighting,” said jockey Richard Cully of the 12-year-old.

“He’s got a heart as big as himself.”

ROBBIE Dolan has heralded his rise through the Sydney’s racing ranks to claim the 2018/19 Champion Apprentice title with 48 wins, almost double that of his nearest rival Sam Weatherley (27).

Riding at a strike rate of 12.5% Dolan’s 385 city rides netted A$3,518,150 in prize money with Dolan finishing sixth overall in the Jockeys’ Premiership to James MacDonald who rode 104 winners.

FRANKIE Dettori has been confirmed to ride at the $10 million Gold Coast Magic Millions raceday on January 11th. Aside from taking rides on the Saturday, Dettori will also compete at the Magic Millions Polo on January 5th.

“My plan is to secure a ride in the main race at Magic Millions, and while I am coming out for the whole experience, what better way to start the carnival week than trying my hand at polo, playing against none other than Australia’s Hugh Bowman,” said Dettori. “My brother-in-law plays polo so I’ll be after some tips. The competitive side of me wants to make sure I can try and match it with Hugh on the polo field for sure.”

SNITZEL has joined a select band of Australian-based stallions by taking a third consecutive Champion Sires’ title. The son of Redoute’s Choice (himself a winner of three titles but across nine seasons) joins Star Kingdom, Bletchingly, Sir Tristram and Danehill, as the only other horses to achieve that feat in Australia.

By the season’s end on July 31st, the Arrowfield Stud-based Snitzel, a Group 1-winning son of the Snippets mare Snippets’ Lass had been represented by 180 winners of 290 races, 12 of whom won stakes races.

His progeny earned A$24,267,820 for the season, a total led by Redzel’s tally of $6,833,250.

Finishing second, with a record 184 winners was the Yarraman Park stallion I Am Invincible who also set a new record for most stakes winners at 28, eclipsing the previous best of 26 shared by Snitzel and Danehill.

EIGHT-time Champion South African trainer Mike De Kock is relocating to Australia, taking up stables in Melbourne’s outer east. He will be based at the Cranbourne training complex.

“Setting up the new operation won’t happen overnight,” said De Kock.

“There are many official and administrative arrangements to put into place, this could take from six months to a year.”

The trainer will send his son Matthew ahead to work locally and set up the groundwork.

De Kock shot to prominence at the 2003 Dubai World Cup night winning the Dubai Duty Free with Ipi Tombe and the UAE Derby with Victory Moon.

SECOND in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood last week, a race he won the previous year, the Frankel five-year-old Mirage Dancer has been sold to a syndicate headed up by Mark Pilkington and will be prepared in Melbourne by the former New Zealand-based training duo Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.

The ex-Juddmonte charge is due in Melbourne next month.

“We have been looking for a Cups horse and he is qualified for both races and would get in with a competitive weight,” said Busuttin.

“The Caulfield Cup would be an immediate goal and from there, on to a Melbourne Cup.”

Mirage Dancer has been sold to Australia where he will be aimed at the big cup races \ Healy Racing

AIDAN O’Brien has entered 11 horses into the Cox Plate, which takes place at Moonee Valley in October.

Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, double 1000 Guineas heroine Hermosa and Group 1 scorers Circus Maximus and Japan are among the Ballydoyle entry for the 99th renewal of the famous 2,040-metre contest.

Joseph O’Brien and Jim Bolger are also represented in the 27 international entries for the race. Joseph has four possibles, the Lloyd Williams-owned trio of Buckhurst, Latrobe and Master Of Reality, and Pretty Polly Stakes winner Iridessa. Twilight Payment could takes his chance for Bolger.

Other notable international entries include David Menuisier’s Danceteria and Mark Johnston’s Communique.

The now retired Winx has left the coast clear for the first time since Adelaide won the race for Aidan O’Brien in 2014.