Here’s a few things you might have missed in the wide world of racing over the past week.
QUIRKY (from abroad)
Emotional Joao celebrates feature win (Brazil)
Even for the big guns who have been there and done that, some races mean more than the first-prize cheque.
Check out the emotion here from Joao Moreira, who claimed his first success in the G1 Grande Premio Brasil (2400m) at Gavea aboard Raptor’s.
It was the 91st edition of the race, and the occasion wasn’t lost on the 39-year-old superstar, who couldn’t contain his emotions.
Moreira parked his mount Raptor’s midfield on the rail in the run, before producing at the top of the straight in an enthralling duel with eventual runner-up Escher.
THAT EMOTION! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Joao Moreira has won some of the world’s biggest races but taking his country’s most prestigious contest, the G1 Grande Premio Brasil, saw the tears flow! 🇧🇷
🎥 @JockeyClubBR #莫雷拉 #モレイラ pic.twitter.com/gNGXqeeYhZ
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) June 19, 2023
Well-bred ex-Waller horse still poking around (China)
Racing in mainland China isn’t an overly exposed game in many quarters, but it did throw one up this week.
Some pretty well-bred types from prominent yards have found their way to the niche market on the Chinese mainland.
Recently, the ex-Waller horse Merovee (Frankel x More Strawberries) was among those running around.
It’s hard to track down his full form over there, but we know he’s been there for a while, having gone to China via NZ in late 2020.
In this particular race, Merovee was well and truly humbled, finishing fifth, beaten 12.9L in an 1800m race.
The race was won by Carlisle Bay, a former Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Galileo, who previously jumped fav in a G3 in Ireland in 2020 and finished seventh in the G1 Irish St Leger the following year.
Merovee won two of his 15 starts in Aus, and placed in the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle behind Astoria.
Carlisle Bay (IRE), no.2, won R5 Yulong Class 3 to 4 (75 and lower) Imported Thoroughbred 1800m pic.twitter.com/npav5O30Kn
— ChinaHorseRacing (@CHN_Horseracing) June 17, 2023
Less-than-ideal start (UK)
This was far from ideal for those on the market fancies in this 2YO race at Windsor.
Painite (7/4F – $2.75) and South Kensington (100/30 – $4.33) were both left in arrears when the standing-start race was declared on.
Painite went on to finish second, beaten 1.5L, while South Kensington was a further 18L back in last place.
The stewards’ report indicated they investigated the start of the race, with no rider found to be at fault for the staggered start.
“They’re nowhere near them!”
A far from ideal start to this 2yo 6f contest for the two market leaders… pic.twitter.com/MRyYXlbxOr
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 12, 2023
QUIRKY (from Australia)
Fab’s Cowboy closes on 50th win
He’s closing on a milestone win, and evergreen Qld bush galloper Fab’s Cowboy nearly got it done on Sunday.
Adding a new track to his CV at Springsure, Fab’s Cowboy was up against more-fancied stablemate Han Dynasty in the 1100m handicap.
Moreso, it was Fab’s first start since a bleed in February, but he dusted off the cobwebs to run 2nd, beaten 0.75L by Attackabeel.
He had 2L to spare on Han Dynasty ($1.80F), who has won 12 of his 22 starts.
Fab has now finished top-two in 78 of his 137 starts.
On Sunday, he used his 51st jockey – apprentice Tamara Noble – and Springsure was the 38th track he’s raced at.
Qld bush hero Fab’s Cowboy
Long-time maiden breaks through
Nine-year-old gelding Jophiel had his day in the sun after 43 starts, finally getting a breakthrough win.
Despite it being a long time coming, Jophiel’s SP was a mere $3.20 when winning the 1612m maiden at Balaklava.
He was far and away the most experienced horse in the race – 16 starts was the most of any of the beaten brigade – and he finally got the nod after 17 minor placings from his first 42 cracks.
JOPHIEL, a 42-start Maiden galloper is $3.70 to $3.10 in the market. Second favourite race 2. Goodness me its one of those winter meets at #BALAKLAVA tomorrow
— Lachlan Mosley (@BlackBookRacing) June 13, 2023
Disappearing pooch
It takes a few watches, but see if you can determine what happened to the No.6 (green rug) dog Telford here.
What on earth is this wizardry!? Where did the 6 dog in Green go? pic.twitter.com/8VeVOjv7dr
— Tom Haylock (@thaylock) June 16, 2023
The dog’s colour is pretty close to that of the track surface, causing a camouflage scenario.
It was discovered that the dog fell and wasn’t harmed in the incident.
The stewards’ report read: “Rounding the home turn [Telford] was galloped on and fell, taking no further competitive part in the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent injury.”
He’s down to run at Taree on Wednesday to follow on from his Houdini effort.