Farewell Tulloch Lodge
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are looking forward to finally having their stables on-course, which ends an era surrounding Royal Randwick racecourse.
The famous Tulloch Lodge was the last remaining off-course stable at Randwick and has a lollipop man to help horses safely cross Doncaster Avenue every day.
Last century the streets around Randwick resounded to the clip-clop of hooves in the morning when Tulloch Lodge was home to Tommy Smith empire, which was continued by Waterhouse, but off-course stables have become a thing of the past.
Waterhouse and Bott already have a couple of barns that back onto Randwick, but 65 boxes and courtyard at the High Street entry to the track will make mornings easier for their team.
“It’s very exciting, and we can’t wait to begin a new chapter,” Bott said. “We had a few logistical challenges with the operation here at Randwick, so this consolidates the operation and helps with efficiencies.
“There are great facilities there as well so it will be great to get in there and have security around our positioning at Randwick and in Sydney racing.”
It will be interesting what effect the new stabling arrangement in Sydney with Ciaron Maher bedding down in Crown Lodge at Warwick Farm, while Michael Freedman has another 20 boxes at Randwick.
ATC chief executive Steve McMahon pointed to the end of the era in the announcement.
“In time, this move to Leilani Lodge will mean for the first time in the history of Royal Randwick, there will be no horses crossing any road for morning trackwork or afternoon exercise,” he said.
“Horse and participant safety was a key factor in the ATC’s decision, further strengthening Royal Randwick as one of the world’s best racing and training centres.’’
Racing NSW eyes new 7 deal
Racing NSW is ready to start negotiations to extend the free-to-air deal with Channel 7 after securing the rights to Saturday racing as part of the National Tote deal.
TAB gave the rights to the 52 Saturday metropolitan meetings back to Racing NSW last week, which is keen to continue a free-to-air presence.
The only place to see a premium coverage of racing from Sydney and Melbourne on Saturdays is Channel 7, and the deal running until the end of 2027.
Racing NSW will look to renew that deal, which has become a centrepiece to Channel 7 on Saturday throughout the year.
There is little doubt racing has become more valuable on free-to-air and should be returning more to the industry.
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Racing Club will look to increase its presence on Channel 7 for its meetings.
The BRC owns its own rights and would be part of discussions that might see the quaddie races from Brisbane included on 7 coverage.
Japanese challenger might not fly at the Eagle
The international raids on the Golden Eagle will be decided in coming weeks as Glorious Goodwood and the Ebor festival at York occur in Europe, but a decision on NHK Mile winner Rodeo Drive coming to Sydney will come down to his return in Japan.
The JRA are reporting Rodeo Drive, which has won three of four starts over a mile, will be tested at 2000m on his return to the track.
“The son of Saturnalia will make his comeback against older foes in the Niigata Kinen (G3, 2,000m) on August 30, and will then likely be considered for the Tenno Sho (Autumn) or the Mile Championship,” JRA website reported.
It is a show of the quality of Rodeo Drive that he could head to a couple of the bigger races in Japan, but if he doesn’t win the Group 3, he could still head to the Golden Eagle.
OTI look for Glorious Cuppreview
OTI boss Terry Henderson heads to Glorious Goodwood this week to watch a couple of horses that will head to Australia this spring.
Joseph O’Brien-trained Small Fry is eying a Melbourne Cup campaign despite only racing in a handicap on the final day of Goodwood.
The stayer was a closing sixth at the end of a 4014m handicap at Royal Ascot and drops back to 2800m this week.
“Joseph is very happy with him, and he is definitely coming out here,” Henderson said. “We think he can run well at Goodwood and then we will look to qualify him for the Melbourne Cup.”
Another that is on the plane will be Ciarrai Abu, which has won twice for Harry Eustace since OTI bought him, but he is heading for Sydney.
The three-year-old son of Study Of Man will join the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton in Australia.
“He is running in a heritage handicap on Thursday and we think he is very good chance in the race,” Henderson said. “He will be out here for the spring and looks like he will be a 2000m horse out here.
“He has done a good job since we had him and I know Tom and John are excited to get him out here.”
OTI flagbearer of the past couple of years, Docklands will take on the cream of Europe’s milers in the Sussex Stakes.
“It is a pretty handy Sussex, so it is a bit of throw at the stumps,” Henderson said. “His form at his past two runs has not been what it was, but we think he might be a bit fitter going into this race.
“With the good three-year-olds in the race, there will be good speed, which will suit Docklands.”
One for the punters
Perth star Cosmic Crusader will progress to much better races than the Bletchingly Stakes this spring, especially as he gets up in trip. But there are two to follow from Sale on Sunday, three-year-olds Organised Crime and Prestige Star could step up to Group company in the next month.
One from the stewards
Tasmanian apprentice Jabez Johnstone has been a star of the winter in Melbourne, but he copped a reminder from stewards after sitting up in the final strides on Mahershala on Saturday. The report read he “was severely reprimanded under the provisions of AR 131(b) and reminded of his obligations to fully ride his mounts through to the finish. Stewards were satisfied his actions did not affect the placings.”
One for the bookies
Matt Dunn is the king of the Highways, but Moon Sweeper has proved a frustration to him in the past couple of weeks. Once again, Moon Sweeper started favourite but found one better on Saturday and might have to head back to the country circuit to find a win.
