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The Paul Nicholls-trained 11-year-old has not run since the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in December 2012, having been found to be suffering from a leg injury later that month.
He pleased in a racecourse gallop at Exeter before Christmas, and the galliardhomes-com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 25 is his intended starting point before bidding for a fifth Ladbrokes World Hurdle crown in March.
Owned by Andy Stewart and unbeaten in 18 starts since reverting to hurdles, Big Buck's has been ridden in all bar two of those runs by Ruby Walsh, with Tony McCoy deputising when Walsh was injured.
Walsh is no longer stable jockey to Nicholls, and is now riding full-time for Willie Mullins, with potential World Hurdle rides including Annie Power and Boston Bob.
Twiston-Davies said: "I am absolutely delighted to get the ride on a really exceptional horse like him and I'm very much looking forward to it.
"He is a legend of racing and he looks a pleasure to ride.
"It will take plenty of time to look at all his wins, and I will be very happy to watch every single one."
Stewart had discussed options with Nicholls in Barbados and told The Sun: "We explored all sorts of possibilities but we had to make sure whoever rode Big Buck's in the Cleeve Hurdle would also be available for the World Hurdle.
"Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy will have other commitments.
"Daryl Jacob is Paul's stable jockey and our choice of Sam is no reflection on him. He will ride either Celestial Halo or Salubrious."
Big Buck's chance for Sam Twiston-Davies | Horse Racing News
He pleased in a racecourse gallop at Exeter before Christmas, and the galliardhomes-com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 25 is his intended starting point before bidding for a fifth Ladbrokes World Hurdle crown in March.
Owned by Andy Stewart and unbeaten in 18 starts since reverting to hurdles, Big Buck's has been ridden in all bar two of those runs by Ruby Walsh, with Tony McCoy deputising when Walsh was injured.
Walsh is no longer stable jockey to Nicholls, and is now riding full-time for Willie Mullins, with potential World Hurdle rides including Annie Power and Boston Bob.
Twiston-Davies said: "I am absolutely delighted to get the ride on a really exceptional horse like him and I'm very much looking forward to it.
"He is a legend of racing and he looks a pleasure to ride.
"It will take plenty of time to look at all his wins, and I will be very happy to watch every single one."
Stewart had discussed options with Nicholls in Barbados and told The Sun: "We explored all sorts of possibilities but we had to make sure whoever rode Big Buck's in the Cleeve Hurdle would also be available for the World Hurdle.
"Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy will have other commitments.
"Daryl Jacob is Paul's stable jockey and our choice of Sam is no reflection on him. He will ride either Celestial Halo or Salubrious."
Big Buck's chance for Sam Twiston-Davies | Horse Racing News
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The champion jockey got the better of Barry Geraghty on Josses Hill in the prestigious Grade One contest at Kempton.
With only 50 yards to go it was impossible to call the winner but half a length separated them at the line.
The Nicky Henderson pair will be targeted at the Cheltenham Festival but in different races.
The trainer said: "That looked a good Tolworth and I was impressed with both of them when they drew clear like that.
"I thought about running Royal Boy at Warwick in the two-anda-half mile race but I thought that would be an awful slog and he's not a slow horse.
"I think you'd go two-and-a-half miles at Cheltenham with him whereas Josses Hill is more of a two-miler."
Royal Boy was given a 20-1 quote for the Neptune Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Hot favourite The Liquidator was a big disappointment and was beaten a long way out.
Earlier McCoy had sparked a double when the ex-flat horse Goodwood Mirage won the opening race despite a mistake at the last.
Horse Racing: Rising star nabs Tolworth | Racing | Sport | Daily Star. Simply The Best 7 Days A Week
With only 50 yards to go it was impossible to call the winner but half a length separated them at the line.
The Nicky Henderson pair will be targeted at the Cheltenham Festival but in different races.
The trainer said: "That looked a good Tolworth and I was impressed with both of them when they drew clear like that.
"I thought about running Royal Boy at Warwick in the two-anda-half mile race but I thought that would be an awful slog and he's not a slow horse.
"I think you'd go two-and-a-half miles at Cheltenham with him whereas Josses Hill is more of a two-miler."
Royal Boy was given a 20-1 quote for the Neptune Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Hot favourite The Liquidator was a big disappointment and was beaten a long way out.
Earlier McCoy had sparked a double when the ex-flat horse Goodwood Mirage won the opening race despite a mistake at the last.
Horse Racing: Rising star nabs Tolworth | Racing | Sport | Daily Star. Simply The Best 7 Days A Week
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FELIX YONGER has been trimmed for the Racing Post Arkle after trainer Willie Mullins suggested stablemate and present favourite Champagne Fever might be campaigned over longer trips.
Felix Yonger is generally 8-1 (from 10), although the larger price is still available with several firms, after Mullins told At The Races Champagne Fever could race over trips as far as three miles and contrasted the stablemates' fortunes against the Paul Nolan-trained Defy Logic, a general 8-1 shot for the Arkle.
Champagne Fever, who could be sent for the JLT Novices' Chase over 2m4f or the RSA Chase over 3m, suffered a heavy defeat to Defy Logic at Leopardstown last month, whereas Felix Yonger finished more than two lengths in front of Nolan's horse when they met at Punchestown in November.
"Champagne has done everything right, but Felix Yonger hammered Defy Logic and Defy Logic won the race the other day," Mullins said.
"Defy Logic was going right-handed around [Punchestown]. Maybe he is better going left-handed.
"He jumped and did everything right. He put it up to Champagne Fever and Champagne Fever didn't match up going down to the second last.
"On the formbook, Felix Yonger beat Defy Logic and Champagne Fever couldn't.
"Champagne Fever can easily go out to two and a half miles and could even go to three miles. He'd stay any trip.
"He's such a fantastic jumper he can win over two miles and that's why I've been campaigning up to now over two miles."
Felix Yonger trimmed for Racing Post Arkle | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Felix Yonger is generally 8-1 (from 10), although the larger price is still available with several firms, after Mullins told At The Races Champagne Fever could race over trips as far as three miles and contrasted the stablemates' fortunes against the Paul Nolan-trained Defy Logic, a general 8-1 shot for the Arkle.
Champagne Fever, who could be sent for the JLT Novices' Chase over 2m4f or the RSA Chase over 3m, suffered a heavy defeat to Defy Logic at Leopardstown last month, whereas Felix Yonger finished more than two lengths in front of Nolan's horse when they met at Punchestown in November.
"Champagne has done everything right, but Felix Yonger hammered Defy Logic and Defy Logic won the race the other day," Mullins said.
"Defy Logic was going right-handed around [Punchestown]. Maybe he is better going left-handed.
"He jumped and did everything right. He put it up to Champagne Fever and Champagne Fever didn't match up going down to the second last.
"On the formbook, Felix Yonger beat Defy Logic and Champagne Fever couldn't.
"Champagne Fever can easily go out to two and a half miles and could even go to three miles. He'd stay any trip.
"He's such a fantastic jumper he can win over two miles and that's why I've been campaigning up to now over two miles."
Felix Yonger trimmed for Racing Post Arkle | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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The starting car at a horse-racing track in New Jersey was filmed losing traction and slamming into a field of horses.
The incident took place at Freehold Raceway and was caught on camera.
The group of seven "trotters" started racing as the gate left the horses. But, rather suddenly, the car spun of out control right in front of the horses, with its gate taking out most of the field in the process.
Four drivers were taken to hospital with various injuries, according to reports.
"We don't know what happened. It was definitely a freak mishap. Something I've never seen in 40 years in racing," Freehold Raceway director of racing Karen Fagliarone said, according to Fox Sports.
The incident was blamed on slippery conditions, which makes us wonder why a more capable vehicle wasn't used in the first place...
iafrica-com Unruly car wreaks havoc at horse-race
The incident took place at Freehold Raceway and was caught on camera.
The group of seven "trotters" started racing as the gate left the horses. But, rather suddenly, the car spun of out control right in front of the horses, with its gate taking out most of the field in the process.
Four drivers were taken to hospital with various injuries, according to reports.
"We don't know what happened. It was definitely a freak mishap. Something I've never seen in 40 years in racing," Freehold Raceway director of racing Karen Fagliarone said, according to Fox Sports.
The incident was blamed on slippery conditions, which makes us wonder why a more capable vehicle wasn't used in the first place...
iafrica-com Unruly car wreaks havoc at horse-race
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FRENCH racing received a financial boost on Monday when it was announced that the government will reimburse around €10m worth of betting tax to France Galop and their trotting counterparts, Cheval Francais.
The two racing authorities have been in negotiation with the Budget Ministry following the removal of the preferential seven percent rate of VAT for equine transactions last year.
The mechanism put in place by the ministry means that 0.1 percent of all tax raised from betting will be diverted to the two governing bodies with the aim of helping out those owners who have been affected by VAT rising to 20 percent.
The annual cost to racing of the change in VAT status – enforced after the European Commission took France to court over its failure to comply with EU taxation directives – has been estimated at around €50m.
France Racing boosted by 10m betting tax rebate | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
The two racing authorities have been in negotiation with the Budget Ministry following the removal of the preferential seven percent rate of VAT for equine transactions last year.
The mechanism put in place by the ministry means that 0.1 percent of all tax raised from betting will be diverted to the two governing bodies with the aim of helping out those owners who have been affected by VAT rising to 20 percent.
The annual cost to racing of the change in VAT status – enforced after the European Commission took France to court over its failure to comply with EU taxation directives – has been estimated at around €50m.
France Racing boosted by 10m betting tax rebate | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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Leading jockey Peter Robl has been airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital after he was thrown from his horse when it buck-jumped shortly after the start of the opening race at Scone on Thursday.
Robl was aboard the David Vandyke-trained In My Image which began bucking about 100 metres after the start.
He was flung from the saddle and landed heavily.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Paul Perry-trained Abbey Mews crashed through the running rail and dislodged apprentice Rachael Murray.
Robl was attended by ambulance officers on the track and was reported to be conscious.
Maurice Logue, who oversees jockey safety and welfare at Racing NSW, confirmed on twitter that Robl was being treated for potential spinal injuries.
"Peter is being treated for suspected spinal injuries and will be airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital as a precautionary measure ASAP," Logue tweeted.
Murray was stood down from her remaining rides and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Robl, a winner of four group 1s, had six rides at Randwick on Saturday including Armageddon On It in the A$250,000 Inglis Classic.
Horse Racing | Leading jockey Peter Robl hospitalised... | Stuff.co.nz
Robl was aboard the David Vandyke-trained In My Image which began bucking about 100 metres after the start.
He was flung from the saddle and landed heavily.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Paul Perry-trained Abbey Mews crashed through the running rail and dislodged apprentice Rachael Murray.
Robl was attended by ambulance officers on the track and was reported to be conscious.
Maurice Logue, who oversees jockey safety and welfare at Racing NSW, confirmed on twitter that Robl was being treated for potential spinal injuries.
"Peter is being treated for suspected spinal injuries and will be airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital as a precautionary measure ASAP," Logue tweeted.
Murray was stood down from her remaining rides and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Robl, a winner of four group 1s, had six rides at Randwick on Saturday including Armageddon On It in the A$250,000 Inglis Classic.
Horse Racing | Leading jockey Peter Robl hospitalised... | Stuff.co.nz
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MIKE DE KOCK follows a tried-and-tested path today as he saddles two runners in the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial. Starting with the Jeremy Noseda-trained Stagelight at Nad Al Sheba in 2005, six trial winners have gone on to land the UAE 2,000 Guineas, and four of those - Asiatic Boy, Honour Devil, Musir and last year's victor Soft Falling Rain - were trained by the South African.
De Kock's two runners are the Paul Hanagan-ridden Full Combat and Journeyman, who will be ridden Christophe Soumillon.
The trainer said: "They're two nice colts and should run well but they'll certainly improve with this run behind them. They have to give weight to some useful-looking performers from Europe and it will be interesting to see how they get on."
Saeed Bin Suroor saddles Emirates Flyer for Godolphin. Silvestre de Sousa, who was on board when the three-year-old finished a two-length runner-up to 2,000 Guineas favourite Kingman in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown in August, takes the ride again.
Bin Suroor said: "He's a nice colt and is improving. His work has been good and he should run well in a strong race."
Godolphin's other trainer Charlie Appleby has both Safety Check, the mount of Mickael Barzalona, and Figure Of Speech, who is ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi, among the 14 runners.
Qatar Racing's Man Amongst Man, representing Brian Meehan, and the William Haggas-trained Nezar appear to have a bit to find with the main contenders, who include the Pat Shanahan-trained Dolce N Karama, fourth in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October.
His owner Jimmy Long, said: "I have had some good horses over the years but this one is the best. He could be anything."
Appleby saddles two in the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial (3.05) with Barzalona choosing Wedding Ring, the trainer's top earner in Britain last year after two sales race victories, over stablemate Autumn Lily, who has De Sousa on board.
Haggas saddles Oxsana, who twice finished behind Wedding Ring last year, while Soumillon rides Magrooma for De Kock, leaving Thierry Thulliez the spare ride on stablemate Magroora.
Dubai De Kock holds strong hand in Guineas Trial | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
De Kock's two runners are the Paul Hanagan-ridden Full Combat and Journeyman, who will be ridden Christophe Soumillon.
The trainer said: "They're two nice colts and should run well but they'll certainly improve with this run behind them. They have to give weight to some useful-looking performers from Europe and it will be interesting to see how they get on."
Saeed Bin Suroor saddles Emirates Flyer for Godolphin. Silvestre de Sousa, who was on board when the three-year-old finished a two-length runner-up to 2,000 Guineas favourite Kingman in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown in August, takes the ride again.
Bin Suroor said: "He's a nice colt and is improving. His work has been good and he should run well in a strong race."
Godolphin's other trainer Charlie Appleby has both Safety Check, the mount of Mickael Barzalona, and Figure Of Speech, who is ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi, among the 14 runners.
Qatar Racing's Man Amongst Man, representing Brian Meehan, and the William Haggas-trained Nezar appear to have a bit to find with the main contenders, who include the Pat Shanahan-trained Dolce N Karama, fourth in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October.
His owner Jimmy Long, said: "I have had some good horses over the years but this one is the best. He could be anything."
Appleby saddles two in the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial (3.05) with Barzalona choosing Wedding Ring, the trainer's top earner in Britain last year after two sales race victories, over stablemate Autumn Lily, who has De Sousa on board.
Haggas saddles Oxsana, who twice finished behind Wedding Ring last year, while Soumillon rides Magrooma for De Kock, leaving Thierry Thulliez the spare ride on stablemate Magroora.
Dubai De Kock holds strong hand in Guineas Trial | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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HAYDOCK racegoers can see what £450,000 buys you these days when Un Temps Pour Tout makes his British debut for David Pipe the Grade 2 hurdle at Haydock, registered as the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle (2.05).
His name is French for 'there is a time for everything' and new owners Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew will be hoping that time starts now with an early return on their investment after they smashed the auction record at the DBS Hennessy sale at Newbury two months ago.
The price is the second-highest ever paid for a jumper at auction and the five-year-old could be in line to target greater riches in the Betfair Hurdle next month if he runs well on Saturday.
A Grade 3 winner in France, where he was trained by Francoise Nicolle, Un Temps Pour Tout was last seen finishi ng third to Ptit Zig in a Grade 1 hurdle at Auteuil. He could give a pointer to the chances of Ptit Zig, who runs in the Champion Hurdle trial 35 minutes later.
Pipe said: "We had to start him somewhere and this looks a suitable race. He's won on heavy in France but I suspect he'll be better on better ground."
The ground is heavy at Haydock and the same at Ascot and Taunton, who passed a morning inspection. Racing also takes place at Lingfield and Naas on Saturday.
Today's pointer
George Baker has figures of 12112U when riding for Geoffrey Deacon in Lingfield handicaps (+£7.75 to £1 stakes.) He rides Glastonberry at 2.35.
Un Temps Pour Tout bids to make early impression | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
His name is French for 'there is a time for everything' and new owners Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew will be hoping that time starts now with an early return on their investment after they smashed the auction record at the DBS Hennessy sale at Newbury two months ago.
The price is the second-highest ever paid for a jumper at auction and the five-year-old could be in line to target greater riches in the Betfair Hurdle next month if he runs well on Saturday.
A Grade 3 winner in France, where he was trained by Francoise Nicolle, Un Temps Pour Tout was last seen finishi ng third to Ptit Zig in a Grade 1 hurdle at Auteuil. He could give a pointer to the chances of Ptit Zig, who runs in the Champion Hurdle trial 35 minutes later.
Pipe said: "We had to start him somewhere and this looks a suitable race. He's won on heavy in France but I suspect he'll be better on better ground."
The ground is heavy at Haydock and the same at Ascot and Taunton, who passed a morning inspection. Racing also takes place at Lingfield and Naas on Saturday.
Today's pointer
George Baker has figures of 12112U when riding for Geoffrey Deacon in Lingfield handicaps (+£7.75 to £1 stakes.) He rides Glastonberry at 2.35.
Un Temps Pour Tout bids to make early impression | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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ANOTHER Saturday saw another big success for Venetia Williams and Aidan Coleman. The pair have already enjoyed a fantastic season but Zamdy Man kept the celebrations rolling as he ground out a gutsy win to maintain his unbeaten record this season. A second-season novice over hurdles, having been unsuccessful in five starts last season, Zamdy Man won by 11 lengths at Ascot on his seasonal debut in November before following up in Listed company over today's course and distance.
And the step into Grade 2 company was not enough to halt his winning sequence, with Aidan Coleman making all and slowly grinding his rivals into the ground in testing conditions.
Coleman said: "He is a massive horse and he was very weak as a juvenile. The summer did him no end of good as he strengthened up. We always thought he would improve with time and he is still improving. That was super, he was really brave and really tough."
Un Temps Pour Tout, David Pipe's £450,000 new recruit, was the last to drop off the relentless gallop set by Zamdy Man, failing by a length and three-quarters. His efforts, and those of the winner, were highlighted by the 22 lengths back to Meadowcroft Boy, who finished third.
"He ran a cracker," said Pipe of the runner-up. "He handled the ground. It is the first time over these hurdles and he didn't jump as neatly as I would have hoped. We will see where we go next and we will see how he comes out of the race but I would say the first and second are Cheltenham horses."
Having started the season on a mark of 127, Zamdy Man has now emerged as an outside contender for Grade 1 honours in novice company at the Cheltenham Festival, with Betfred inserting him at 25-1 in their Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle betting, while Un Temps Pour Tout is widely available at the same price.
Haydock Williams and Coleman strike with Zamdy Man | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
And the step into Grade 2 company was not enough to halt his winning sequence, with Aidan Coleman making all and slowly grinding his rivals into the ground in testing conditions.
Coleman said: "He is a massive horse and he was very weak as a juvenile. The summer did him no end of good as he strengthened up. We always thought he would improve with time and he is still improving. That was super, he was really brave and really tough."
Un Temps Pour Tout, David Pipe's £450,000 new recruit, was the last to drop off the relentless gallop set by Zamdy Man, failing by a length and three-quarters. His efforts, and those of the winner, were highlighted by the 22 lengths back to Meadowcroft Boy, who finished third.
"He ran a cracker," said Pipe of the runner-up. "He handled the ground. It is the first time over these hurdles and he didn't jump as neatly as I would have hoped. We will see where we go next and we will see how he comes out of the race but I would say the first and second are Cheltenham horses."
Having started the season on a mark of 127, Zamdy Man has now emerged as an outside contender for Grade 1 honours in novice company at the Cheltenham Festival, with Betfred inserting him at 25-1 in their Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle betting, while Un Temps Pour Tout is widely available at the same price.
Haydock Williams and Coleman strike with Zamdy Man | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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ZOUSTAR has become the latest high-profile purchase by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, as it was announced he has bought a share in the dual Australian Group 1 winner.
Described as "the next big thing," by trainer Chris Waller, Zoustar's campaign this year is set to take in Royal Ascot, and he could bid to emulate Black Caviar in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, with connections also considering the King's Stand.
Sold last year to Widden Stud for around £10 million, Zoustar will have three starts in Australia before heading to Ascot, with the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on March 15 set to be the sprint sensation's starting point.
Speaking to ANZ Bloodstock News, Sheikh Fahad said: "I was able to inspect Zoustar with my bloodstock advisor David Redvers following his dominant win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
"This colt represents everything that is great about Australian horses. He is strong, masculine and incredibly fast and I am very excited about the prospects of him racing in Europe and ultimately retiring to stud."
Antony Thompson, owner of Widden Stud, is excited about the prospect of Zoustar taking in Royal Ascot, and said: "We would love to take him to England to compete. He is the sort of horse that could run in either [King's Stand or Golden Jubilee Stakes], though we could also try for both.
"Depending on what happens at Royal Ascot he could also have a tilt at the July Cup."
Sheikh Fahad buys into sprint sensation Zoustar | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Described as "the next big thing," by trainer Chris Waller, Zoustar's campaign this year is set to take in Royal Ascot, and he could bid to emulate Black Caviar in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, with connections also considering the King's Stand.
Sold last year to Widden Stud for around £10 million, Zoustar will have three starts in Australia before heading to Ascot, with the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on March 15 set to be the sprint sensation's starting point.
Speaking to ANZ Bloodstock News, Sheikh Fahad said: "I was able to inspect Zoustar with my bloodstock advisor David Redvers following his dominant win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
"This colt represents everything that is great about Australian horses. He is strong, masculine and incredibly fast and I am very excited about the prospects of him racing in Europe and ultimately retiring to stud."
Antony Thompson, owner of Widden Stud, is excited about the prospect of Zoustar taking in Royal Ascot, and said: "We would love to take him to England to compete. He is the sort of horse that could run in either [King's Stand or Golden Jubilee Stakes], though we could also try for both.
"Depending on what happens at Royal Ascot he could also have a tilt at the July Cup."
Sheikh Fahad buys into sprint sensation Zoustar | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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BIG BUCK'S passed another stage on his road back to the racecourse with an "effortless" schooling session over as many as 30 obstacles as preparation for his first run in more than 13 months at Cheltenham on Saturday.
"It all went well - no problems at all," said trainer Paul Nicholls, who trains the four-time winner of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
"Big Buck's probably jumped 20 or 30 small fences and obstacles in the school with Far West.
"Sam [Twiston-Davies] had sat on him on Friday, when they had a canter and did a little bit of work, and the schooling is just what Big Buck's would normally do on the Monday of a week when he is due to race."
Nicholls also entered Saphir Du Rheu in the galliardhomes-com Cleeve Hurdle but he will not run as long as Big Buck's makes the line up.
Twiston-Davies, who will ride Big Buck's in a race for the first time on Saturday, said: "The schooling went really well. I was just getting a feel for how he goes about jumping.
"It has given me peace of mind and put me at ease. He is a good jumper and very slick from one side to the other."
Speaking earlier to Betfred TV, Twiston-Davies said: "He felt in great order, it was my first time schooling down at Paul's, I'd been in on Friday to give him three steady canters but I jumped him today and it all went very smoothly, he jumped brilliantly.
"It's effortless for him, he finds it all very easy, going round the school, going up the gallop, it's all just in his stride."
Effortless Buck's takes big step closer to return | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
"It all went well - no problems at all," said trainer Paul Nicholls, who trains the four-time winner of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
"Big Buck's probably jumped 20 or 30 small fences and obstacles in the school with Far West.
"Sam [Twiston-Davies] had sat on him on Friday, when they had a canter and did a little bit of work, and the schooling is just what Big Buck's would normally do on the Monday of a week when he is due to race."
Nicholls also entered Saphir Du Rheu in the galliardhomes-com Cleeve Hurdle but he will not run as long as Big Buck's makes the line up.
Twiston-Davies, who will ride Big Buck's in a race for the first time on Saturday, said: "The schooling went really well. I was just getting a feel for how he goes about jumping.
"It has given me peace of mind and put me at ease. He is a good jumper and very slick from one side to the other."
Speaking earlier to Betfred TV, Twiston-Davies said: "He felt in great order, it was my first time schooling down at Paul's, I'd been in on Friday to give him three steady canters but I jumped him today and it all went very smoothly, he jumped brilliantly.
"It's effortless for him, he finds it all very easy, going round the school, going up the gallop, it's all just in his stride."
Effortless Buck's takes big step closer to return | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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Irish racing’s new “champions weekend” got a further boost yesterday with the promotion of the Solonaway Stakes to Group Two status which industry leaders here believe can only help increase the global impact of September’s two-day extravaganza.
The total of 10 Group races to be run across Leopardstown and the Curragh on September 13th-14th will include five Group One races and a pair of Group Two’s now that the one mile Solonaway has been promoted from Group Three level by the European Pattern Committee.
In another move, the race has been moved from its Curragh home to Leopardstown to back up a Saturday card that features Group One highlights, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Matron Stakes. The following day’s Curragh fixture will contain the Irish Leger, the National Stakes and the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
“This two-day meeting will be a fantastic highlight of the Flat racing season, not just within Ireland but also in Europe and indeed globally, given the quality of races that will be staged and the provision of top-class opportunities over the full spectrum of ages and distances,” Horse Racing Ireland’s director of racing Jason Morris said yesterday.
Black-type moves
Other black-type moves by the European Pattern Committee yesterday included the upgrade of Navan’s Vintage Crop Stakes to Group Three status but Leopardstown’s Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, which boasts a glittering pedigree of identifying future classic winners, has been dropped to Group Three after failing to make rating parameters for four years running.
There are, however, new Listed races at Naas and Killarney, for three-year-old sprinters and for three-year-old and older fillies respectively.
Despite an 8lb hike for getting beaten on his previous start, Drive On Locky can secure the first win of his career when lining up at Fairyhouse today. It will be a 14th start for Philip Fenton’s charge and he came within a head of making if ‘Lucky 13’ at Navan earlier in the month when rallying to run Tony Martin’s Gallant Oscar to a head. Martin expressed sympathy for Fenton’s future predicament on the back of that run, predicting a rating-increase that sure enough has come to pass. Davy Russell teams up with Dermot Weld for Defining Year in a maiden hurdle but a better option could be Andrew Lynch’s mount, Sizing Codelco.
Boost for champions weekend - Racing Results | Horse Racing Times, Race Cards & Winners - Wed, Jan 22, 2014
The total of 10 Group races to be run across Leopardstown and the Curragh on September 13th-14th will include five Group One races and a pair of Group Two’s now that the one mile Solonaway has been promoted from Group Three level by the European Pattern Committee.
In another move, the race has been moved from its Curragh home to Leopardstown to back up a Saturday card that features Group One highlights, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Matron Stakes. The following day’s Curragh fixture will contain the Irish Leger, the National Stakes and the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
“This two-day meeting will be a fantastic highlight of the Flat racing season, not just within Ireland but also in Europe and indeed globally, given the quality of races that will be staged and the provision of top-class opportunities over the full spectrum of ages and distances,” Horse Racing Ireland’s director of racing Jason Morris said yesterday.
Black-type moves
Other black-type moves by the European Pattern Committee yesterday included the upgrade of Navan’s Vintage Crop Stakes to Group Three status but Leopardstown’s Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, which boasts a glittering pedigree of identifying future classic winners, has been dropped to Group Three after failing to make rating parameters for four years running.
There are, however, new Listed races at Naas and Killarney, for three-year-old sprinters and for three-year-old and older fillies respectively.
Despite an 8lb hike for getting beaten on his previous start, Drive On Locky can secure the first win of his career when lining up at Fairyhouse today. It will be a 14th start for Philip Fenton’s charge and he came within a head of making if ‘Lucky 13’ at Navan earlier in the month when rallying to run Tony Martin’s Gallant Oscar to a head. Martin expressed sympathy for Fenton’s future predicament on the back of that run, predicting a rating-increase that sure enough has come to pass. Davy Russell teams up with Dermot Weld for Defining Year in a maiden hurdle but a better option could be Andrew Lynch’s mount, Sizing Codelco.
Boost for champions weekend - Racing Results | Horse Racing Times, Race Cards & Winners - Wed, Jan 22, 2014
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"It was a bad day [but] suggestions of a multi-million pound bloodbath are probably wide of the mark," said David Williams of Ladbrokes.
"We dodged most of the early morning frenzy but you can't stop moving trains and we got caught up in some of it as the day panned out."
Coral's David Stevens added: "Although we avoided laying some of the larger prices overnight, we did see a number of multiple bets featuring these four horses both online and in shops, and throughout the day this number increased as word of the gamble that was taking place gathered momentum.
"Victory for all four horses has cost us a six-figure payout, and based on our losses we would estimate the industry has been hit for something in the region of £2m, which although still costly, is perhaps lower than some claims."
Eye of the Tiger went off at even money, Seven Summits was the 9/4 favourite, Indus Valley was priced 4/6 and Low Key was 4/7. However some estimates suggested a £1 accumulator on the four at early prices could have brought in £13,000.
British Horseracing Authority spokesman Robin Mounsey said: "We were aware of, and have been monitoring, the situation today. In the cases of those horses who have shown an improvement in form an inquiry was held by the stipendiary stewards and all horses were routinely tested.
"It is BHA policy not to comment on specific investigations or speculation surrounding potential investigations, however an investigation would only occur if there is any evidence of rules being breached."
BBC Sport - Bookmakers take estimated £2m hit on returning horses
"We dodged most of the early morning frenzy but you can't stop moving trains and we got caught up in some of it as the day panned out."
Coral's David Stevens added: "Although we avoided laying some of the larger prices overnight, we did see a number of multiple bets featuring these four horses both online and in shops, and throughout the day this number increased as word of the gamble that was taking place gathered momentum.
"Victory for all four horses has cost us a six-figure payout, and based on our losses we would estimate the industry has been hit for something in the region of £2m, which although still costly, is perhaps lower than some claims."
Eye of the Tiger went off at even money, Seven Summits was the 9/4 favourite, Indus Valley was priced 4/6 and Low Key was 4/7. However some estimates suggested a £1 accumulator on the four at early prices could have brought in £13,000.
British Horseracing Authority spokesman Robin Mounsey said: "We were aware of, and have been monitoring, the situation today. In the cases of those horses who have shown an improvement in form an inquiry was held by the stipendiary stewards and all horses were routinely tested.
"It is BHA policy not to comment on specific investigations or speculation surrounding potential investigations, however an investigation would only occur if there is any evidence of rules being breached."
BBC Sport - Bookmakers take estimated £2m hit on returning horses
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Pipers Piping, trained in his previous races by John Butler, was backed from 20-1 to 6-4 favourite with BetVictor.
Butler was responsible for one of the gambled-on quartet the previous day, Low Key, who returned from a 350-day lay-off to win at 4-7 having been backed in from 7-1.
Pipers Piping bore a similar profile, a eight-time winner who had fallen from grace and was having his first run for almost a year.
But Pipers Piping could finish no better than seventh so the gamble failed – or did it.
The race was won by 16-1 chance Prohibition, like Pipers Piping previously trained by Butler and having its first run for Mandy Rowland.
Prohibition had been favourite for its last race but due to the interest in its stablemate drifted to 16-1.
The betting patterns resembled an ‘SP job’, a tactic not in breach of any rules of racing, where one horse is backed to improve the odds and disguise interest in another.
Of Wednesday’s infamous quartet, Eye Of The Tiger (Lingfield, 1.30) and Secret Summit (Catterick, 1.40) were once trained by Curley, Low Key is trained by Butler, a former Curley assistant, while Des Donovan, responsible for saddling both Eye Of The Tiger and Indus Valley (Kempton, 4.25) is based in Curley’s old yard at Exning outside Newmarket.
The quartet was available at combined odds of 14,783-1 on Tuesday night, but post-gamble the combined SP odds became a mere 16-1.
The sensational gamble was reminiscent of the £4m coup Curley famously engineered in 2010.
A spokesman for Irish bookmaker Paddy Power said on Wednesday: “There’s no doubt this is one of the blackest days in the history of bookmaking.
“The horses have been backed in singles, doubles, trebles and four-folds and punters who have heard about the gamble have clambered aboard the bandwagon.”
Each of the horses was placed in races they could justifiably win on their best form but due to their lack of recent form they were priced up as outsiders.
Bookmaker's darkest day: Failed coup or another gamble? | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
Butler was responsible for one of the gambled-on quartet the previous day, Low Key, who returned from a 350-day lay-off to win at 4-7 having been backed in from 7-1.
Pipers Piping bore a similar profile, a eight-time winner who had fallen from grace and was having his first run for almost a year.
But Pipers Piping could finish no better than seventh so the gamble failed – or did it.
The race was won by 16-1 chance Prohibition, like Pipers Piping previously trained by Butler and having its first run for Mandy Rowland.
Prohibition had been favourite for its last race but due to the interest in its stablemate drifted to 16-1.
The betting patterns resembled an ‘SP job’, a tactic not in breach of any rules of racing, where one horse is backed to improve the odds and disguise interest in another.
Of Wednesday’s infamous quartet, Eye Of The Tiger (Lingfield, 1.30) and Secret Summit (Catterick, 1.40) were once trained by Curley, Low Key is trained by Butler, a former Curley assistant, while Des Donovan, responsible for saddling both Eye Of The Tiger and Indus Valley (Kempton, 4.25) is based in Curley’s old yard at Exning outside Newmarket.
The quartet was available at combined odds of 14,783-1 on Tuesday night, but post-gamble the combined SP odds became a mere 16-1.
The sensational gamble was reminiscent of the £4m coup Curley famously engineered in 2010.
A spokesman for Irish bookmaker Paddy Power said on Wednesday: “There’s no doubt this is one of the blackest days in the history of bookmaking.
“The horses have been backed in singles, doubles, trebles and four-folds and punters who have heard about the gamble have clambered aboard the bandwagon.”
Each of the horses was placed in races they could justifiably win on their best form but due to their lack of recent form they were priced up as outsiders.
Bookmaker's darkest day: Failed coup or another gamble? | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
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ALFRED HUTCHINSON made it three wins from five starts at Lingfield, as the Geoff Oldroyd-trained six-year-old went clear at the top of the straight then had enough of an advantage to hold off the fast finishers. Ridden by apprentice Robert Tart - who was completing a double on the card - Alfred Hutchinson is yet to finish out of the first three at the course, and won by a length at 8-1, with 50-1 shot Brocklebank second. Verse Of Love took third at 20-1.
Always up with the pace, Tart tracked Verse Of Love then sent his mount on in a race where it paid to be handy.
Hawkeyethenoo was sent off the 11-4 market leader, but Graham Lee had no luck in running as he tried to thread his way through from the rear in the home straight. The pair were closing at the line, but could only manage fourth.
Brocklebank was the other late closer, outstripping his odds under Nicky Mackay when blasting down the outside for trainer Simon Dow.
Alfred Hutchinson set a new track record of 1 minute 22.09 seconds, and Geoff Smith, Oldroyd's assistant, said: "They crawled in his last race here and that just doesn't suit him - he can't quicken off that. He needs a strong gallop.
"He is getting better as he gets older and takes his racing better - he used to worry - but he has been down her four times now. He is qualified for the championship day on Good Friday so probably will be back for that."
Lingfield Alfred Hutchinson extends fine track record | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Always up with the pace, Tart tracked Verse Of Love then sent his mount on in a race where it paid to be handy.
Hawkeyethenoo was sent off the 11-4 market leader, but Graham Lee had no luck in running as he tried to thread his way through from the rear in the home straight. The pair were closing at the line, but could only manage fourth.
Brocklebank was the other late closer, outstripping his odds under Nicky Mackay when blasting down the outside for trainer Simon Dow.
Alfred Hutchinson set a new track record of 1 minute 22.09 seconds, and Geoff Smith, Oldroyd's assistant, said: "They crawled in his last race here and that just doesn't suit him - he can't quicken off that. He needs a strong gallop.
"He is getting better as he gets older and takes his racing better - he used to worry - but he has been down her four times now. He is qualified for the championship day on Good Friday so probably will be back for that."
Lingfield Alfred Hutchinson extends fine track record | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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Via Africa (Duncan Howells/Kevin Shea) bounced back to her best to lead throughout the Betting World Cape Flying Championship and put herself in line for a tilt at the country's other big sprints in the rest of the season. Kevin Shea had to start riding fully two furlongs out but the 22-10 favourite kept responding and she beat the strong-finishing Red Ray by a length with 50-1 shot Tevez the same distance away third.
Shea said: "She flew out of the gates and was immediately a length and a half clear. I could hear the others behind me but that was the last I saw of them. When I asked her at the two furlong marker she gave me a kick and I knew she would be hard to catch."
The four-year-old Var filly had been sidelined by a lung infection and Howells disclosed that his concerns lasted until today.
He explained: "She still had a slight cough during the week. We had her scoped and, in consultation with the vet, we felt that she was developing allergies rather than the lung infection coming back. But the gamble of whether or not to run went on until 8am today when I finally made the call.
"Last year we raided Turffontein from Durban when we ran her in the Computaform Sprint but we were up against the altitude and she missed the break. I have since had thoughts - so far only thoughts - of going direct from Cape Town to Jo'burg to give her more time to get used to the altitude."
Joey Ramsden said of the runner-up: "He is just a very good horse. He will now be put away for a holiday and then we will think about what to do with him."
South Africa Via Africa makes all for Flying win | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Shea said: "She flew out of the gates and was immediately a length and a half clear. I could hear the others behind me but that was the last I saw of them. When I asked her at the two furlong marker she gave me a kick and I knew she would be hard to catch."
The four-year-old Var filly had been sidelined by a lung infection and Howells disclosed that his concerns lasted until today.
He explained: "She still had a slight cough during the week. We had her scoped and, in consultation with the vet, we felt that she was developing allergies rather than the lung infection coming back. But the gamble of whether or not to run went on until 8am today when I finally made the call.
"Last year we raided Turffontein from Durban when we ran her in the Computaform Sprint but we were up against the altitude and she missed the break. I have since had thoughts - so far only thoughts - of going direct from Cape Town to Jo'burg to give her more time to get used to the altitude."
Joey Ramsden said of the runner-up: "He is just a very good horse. He will now be put away for a holiday and then we will think about what to do with him."
South Africa Via Africa makes all for Flying win | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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Illinois legislators will reconvene in Springfield on Jan. 29 to hear Gov. Quinn’s State of the State address. It is also imperative that they take the time to pass legislation allowing Advance Deposit Wagering. ADW allows horse racing fans to bet on horse races online. This is not a new law. ADW has been legal since 2009 but is due to sunset on Jan. 31, 2014. A percentage of ADW wagers fund the Illinois Racing Board, which regulates horse racing.
Without ADW funds the IRB cannot sufficiently carry out its responsibilities. Consequently, harness racing would see a 95 percent reduction in racing dates, going from racing 251 days in 2013 to just 13 days in 2014. Such dramatic cuts will effectively kill Illinois horse racing and the thousands of jobs it creates.
Let me be clear. We are not asking for a handout. We simply want to do what we love and earn an honest paycheck. But this bill, which is supported unanimously in the horse racing industry, must pass first.
Illinois horse racing employs more than 15,000 men and women. Because of horse racing in Illinois, not only do trainers, drivers, jockeys and caretakers have jobs but blacksmiths, veterinarians, breeders and racetrack workers such as IRB personnel, security, electricians, waiters, bartenders, tellers and more. Horse racing and breeding are also vital to agricultural business. These are real jobs for real people throughout Illinois.
It is reasonable to assume then, that the Illinois General Assembly would be eager to promote and nurture an industry that provides revenue and jobs in a state that is hungry for just those things.
Our racing season is scheduled to begin Feb. 5. We urge all lawmakers to encourage leadership to call this critical piece of legislation on Jan. 29 and show your support with a yes vote.
Read more: Legislators must act on horse racing - Opinion - Pekin Daily Times - Pekin, IL - Pekin, IL
Without ADW funds the IRB cannot sufficiently carry out its responsibilities. Consequently, harness racing would see a 95 percent reduction in racing dates, going from racing 251 days in 2013 to just 13 days in 2014. Such dramatic cuts will effectively kill Illinois horse racing and the thousands of jobs it creates.
Let me be clear. We are not asking for a handout. We simply want to do what we love and earn an honest paycheck. But this bill, which is supported unanimously in the horse racing industry, must pass first.
Illinois horse racing employs more than 15,000 men and women. Because of horse racing in Illinois, not only do trainers, drivers, jockeys and caretakers have jobs but blacksmiths, veterinarians, breeders and racetrack workers such as IRB personnel, security, electricians, waiters, bartenders, tellers and more. Horse racing and breeding are also vital to agricultural business. These are real jobs for real people throughout Illinois.
It is reasonable to assume then, that the Illinois General Assembly would be eager to promote and nurture an industry that provides revenue and jobs in a state that is hungry for just those things.
Our racing season is scheduled to begin Feb. 5. We urge all lawmakers to encourage leadership to call this critical piece of legislation on Jan. 29 and show your support with a yes vote.
Read more: Legislators must act on horse racing - Opinion - Pekin Daily Times - Pekin, IL - Pekin, IL
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Ruby Walsh has admitted he would not have ridden Big Buck's any differently in last Saturday's Cleeve Hurdle.
Sam Twiston-Davies was aboard Paul Nicholls' star stayer for the first time at Cheltenham and the jockey came in for criticism in some quarters after taking up the running a mile from home.
However, Walsh, who was unbeaten over hurdles on the 11-year-old, wrote in his paddypower-com blog that he would have adopted similar tactics.
"Things didn't go according to script for Big Buck's comeback but to my eyes he got beaten because of race rustiness. He hadn't run in 14 months and if you stopped the race a few strides after the last you'd think he was all over the winner. He doesn't appear to have lost any of his old sparkle and looked like he was going to pull away up the hill," said Walsh.
"I know that Knockara Beau (66-1) winning does dent the form but this trial has thrown up more questions than answers.
"Sam Twiston-Davies may have wanted to ride Big Buck's differently in hindsight. But when you get beat you always do.
"I don't think I would have ridden him any differently. He was fit, he never stopped before and he'll improve for the run. Paul Nicholls has stated he's still the one to beat and he knows him best.
"Boston Bob was a little disappointing (finished last) but I haven't spoken to Barry (Geraghty) or Willie (Mullins) yet to see where he might go next."
Ruby Walsh backs Big Buck's ride | Horse Racing News
Sam Twiston-Davies was aboard Paul Nicholls' star stayer for the first time at Cheltenham and the jockey came in for criticism in some quarters after taking up the running a mile from home.
However, Walsh, who was unbeaten over hurdles on the 11-year-old, wrote in his paddypower-com blog that he would have adopted similar tactics.
"Things didn't go according to script for Big Buck's comeback but to my eyes he got beaten because of race rustiness. He hadn't run in 14 months and if you stopped the race a few strides after the last you'd think he was all over the winner. He doesn't appear to have lost any of his old sparkle and looked like he was going to pull away up the hill," said Walsh.
"I know that Knockara Beau (66-1) winning does dent the form but this trial has thrown up more questions than answers.
"Sam Twiston-Davies may have wanted to ride Big Buck's differently in hindsight. But when you get beat you always do.
"I don't think I would have ridden him any differently. He was fit, he never stopped before and he'll improve for the run. Paul Nicholls has stated he's still the one to beat and he knows him best.
"Boston Bob was a little disappointing (finished last) but I haven't spoken to Barry (Geraghty) or Willie (Mullins) yet to see where he might go next."
Ruby Walsh backs Big Buck's ride | Horse Racing News
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A kid from Huntly with no inclination towards horses or racing is about to take the Sydney turf by storm.
That's the prediction from plenty of well connected observers who watched as Bryce Heys made a significant splash as he entered the buying waters at Karaka this week.
Through a family friendship with Taupiri breeder-owners Jackie and Phil Rogers and prominent owner Gerald Shand, Heys was introduced to racing. His interest grew from there, leading to him working for Cambridge's Windsor Park Stud then to becoming stable foreman for leading Sydney trainers John O'Shea then Tim Martin.
Heys, 29, was recently allocated 20 boxes at Warwick Farm as he takes the step to training on his own account for the first time.
He showed the level of support he had for his new role when he bought five yearlings for $1,275,000, including paying $475,000 for an O'Reilly filly out of Zamfir from the draft of Matamata's Waikato Stud.
"I'm delighted to be able to come back and secure probably as good a quality filly as there was in the sale," he said.
"I've got great friends at Waikato Stud and they've been great supporters of mine. They've brought me a long way in the last couple of years ... guiding me in the right direction.
"We saw her as the best filly of the sale and we've been able to put a team together to buy her. That was roughly what we valued her at, but we weren't going home without her."
Heys was active at the Ready To Run Sale of two-year-olds at Karaka last November, buying a Pentire-Red Queen colt for $200,000 and a Keeper-Heartache gelding for $140,000, and he paid A$600,000 for a More Than Ready-Polaway colt at the Gold Coast earlier this month.
"I've only just recently got my licence so I've only got a handful in work at the moment. I'll probably have my first starter in maybe six or seven weeks," Heys said.
"A lot of them are young horses we're building up and I've got clients that are very patient and I'm in a fortunate position. We're not in a hurry to break any records."
Meanwhile, relative newcomer Greg Tomlinson enjoyed a successful sale with more than $1 million of receipts with six premier yearlings he bred, including $550,000 for the High Chaparral-Alagant Satin colt he sold through Hamilton's Curraghmore Stud.
"Very happy," said Tomlinson, who operates under the Nearco Stud banner.
Tomlinson uses bloodstock agent Adrian Clark to manage his investment and both men were delighted with the results. "This is our first serious sale. We've got 18 in the premier and select sales.and so far we're over budget," Clark said.
"That's testament to the stock we've secured but also the job Gordon Cunningham [of Curraghmore Stud] has done."
Premier sale newcomers Prima Park Bloodstock far exceeded the expectations of father-and-daughter operators Leighton and Kelly Van Dyk.
The farm sold three in the premier session - a High Chaparral-Rodelinda colt for $200,000, a Savabeel-Under Siege colt for $190,000 and a Sebring-Cyndy Rock filly for $90,000.
The Van Dyks bought the High Chaparral colt for $100,000 and the Sebring filly for $26,000 and were delighted with their profits.
"It was a huge result for us. It's pretty fantastic," Kelly Van Dyk, 22, said.
Horse Racing | Kiwi ready to storm Sydney turf | Stuff.co.nz
That's the prediction from plenty of well connected observers who watched as Bryce Heys made a significant splash as he entered the buying waters at Karaka this week.
Through a family friendship with Taupiri breeder-owners Jackie and Phil Rogers and prominent owner Gerald Shand, Heys was introduced to racing. His interest grew from there, leading to him working for Cambridge's Windsor Park Stud then to becoming stable foreman for leading Sydney trainers John O'Shea then Tim Martin.
Heys, 29, was recently allocated 20 boxes at Warwick Farm as he takes the step to training on his own account for the first time.
He showed the level of support he had for his new role when he bought five yearlings for $1,275,000, including paying $475,000 for an O'Reilly filly out of Zamfir from the draft of Matamata's Waikato Stud.
"I'm delighted to be able to come back and secure probably as good a quality filly as there was in the sale," he said.
"I've got great friends at Waikato Stud and they've been great supporters of mine. They've brought me a long way in the last couple of years ... guiding me in the right direction.
"We saw her as the best filly of the sale and we've been able to put a team together to buy her. That was roughly what we valued her at, but we weren't going home without her."
Heys was active at the Ready To Run Sale of two-year-olds at Karaka last November, buying a Pentire-Red Queen colt for $200,000 and a Keeper-Heartache gelding for $140,000, and he paid A$600,000 for a More Than Ready-Polaway colt at the Gold Coast earlier this month.
"I've only just recently got my licence so I've only got a handful in work at the moment. I'll probably have my first starter in maybe six or seven weeks," Heys said.
"A lot of them are young horses we're building up and I've got clients that are very patient and I'm in a fortunate position. We're not in a hurry to break any records."
Meanwhile, relative newcomer Greg Tomlinson enjoyed a successful sale with more than $1 million of receipts with six premier yearlings he bred, including $550,000 for the High Chaparral-Alagant Satin colt he sold through Hamilton's Curraghmore Stud.
"Very happy," said Tomlinson, who operates under the Nearco Stud banner.
Tomlinson uses bloodstock agent Adrian Clark to manage his investment and both men were delighted with the results. "This is our first serious sale. We've got 18 in the premier and select sales.and so far we're over budget," Clark said.
"That's testament to the stock we've secured but also the job Gordon Cunningham [of Curraghmore Stud] has done."
Premier sale newcomers Prima Park Bloodstock far exceeded the expectations of father-and-daughter operators Leighton and Kelly Van Dyk.
The farm sold three in the premier session - a High Chaparral-Rodelinda colt for $200,000, a Savabeel-Under Siege colt for $190,000 and a Sebring-Cyndy Rock filly for $90,000.
The Van Dyks bought the High Chaparral colt for $100,000 and the Sebring filly for $26,000 and were delighted with their profits.
"It was a huge result for us. It's pretty fantastic," Kelly Van Dyk, 22, said.
Horse Racing | Kiwi ready to storm Sydney turf | Stuff.co.nz
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In his absence, the 2011 winner Emmrooz (Dhruba Selvaratnam/James Doyle) has the opportunity to become the second winner of the race and first to regain the crown. He won for the first time since that big race success a fortnight ago in a 1m1f handicap from Interpret (Musabah Al Muhairi/Silvestre De Sousa) who opposes again.
Doyle said: "He is nine now but showed last time he retains plenty of ability. We took the visors off that day and he really travelled well so the headgear stays off.
"The extra trip will suit him and he should run well."
When he won the Jebel Ali Stakes in 2011, Emmrooz was chased home by Haatheq (Ali Rashid Al Raihe/Paul Hanagan) who will bid to go one better this year and also arrives on the back of a 1m1f victory two weeks ago.
Hanagan said: "He is a great horse to be associated with and goes well on any surface but does seem best at Jebel Ali. He will surely run his usual solid race."
He beat Jutland (Doug Watson/Pat Dobbs) in that race two weeks ago and the trainer also has Storm Belt (Sam Hitchcott) in the field. Watson said: "Jutland has a penalty but should be thereabouts and Storm Belt is improving and goes particularly well on dirt. It is nice to have two good chances in such a good race."
Farrier (Satish Seemar/Richard Mullen) looks a big danger to all bidding to make it three wins from four course outings. He beat Jutland on their seasonal reappearances and Mullen said: "This is a horse we have always liked and he deserves to take his chance in this grade. He should go close."
UAE Emmrooz going for more Listed glory | Horse Racing News | Racing Post