AUGUST’S Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes winner for Johnny Murtagh, Earlswood, has found his way to the Warrnambool stables of Maddie Raymond who had Group 3 success with the former Dermot Weld-trained Wentwood.
Both horses are owned by Glyn and Jane Davies who fulfilled a dream last year of having a runner, Earlswood, in the Irish Derby. He finished fourth.
The couple who split their time between Ireland and Australia have supported Raymond since she started training almost two years ago.
“He’s been here about six weeks and has acclimatised really well,” said Raymond.
“If he happens to run really well over the mile, we might have to have a look at the All-Star Mile. If he needs further, then we’ll go to the Peter Young (Stakes over 1,800 metres).
“The Australian Cup has been in the back of my mind since he arrived here and we’ve been working on that, trying to learn a bit more about him.”
RACING Victoria is on the hunt for a new chief executive following the resignation of Giles Thompson.
“It has been my privilege to lead this industry for more than five years during what has been an incredible period of growth,” said Thompson who will remain at his post till June 2022.
Dynamic
“I am a believer that people shouldn’t hang around forever,” said Thompson in November.
“I think an organisation as complex and large and dynamic like RV does need to have fresh blood coming into it, particularly at senior levels.”
New Zealand
JR & N Berkett Telegraph (Group 1)
THE Ben and Kev Kelso-trained Levante broke through at the highest level to land a maiden Group 1 win in Saturday’s Telegraph Stakes at Trentham. Scorching across the 1,200 metres in 1.06.18, Levante had to withstand sustained pressure at the head of the race before prevailing by a nose from the Per Incanto mare Roch ‘N’ Horse and the Shooting To Win gelding Mascarpone.
“That wasn’t too good for the heart,” said Kelso. “But this is a huge result. She’s a wonderful mare with such a great temperament and will to win. She’s an absolute dream to train.
“Making this even more remarkable is the fact that this mare has had two colic surgeries. It’s taken a lot of hard work and a real team effort by a lot of our staff to get to this point.”
Levante also became the first Group 1 winner for sire, the Choisir horse Proisir, who stands at Rich Hill Stud.
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