In brief
The field for the A$2 million Group One Emirates Stakes at Flemington has been reduced to 13 runners after the scratching of Tom Melbourne. The Chris Waller-trained Tom Melbourne was withdrawn from today’s weightforage race yesterday due to lameness in his right foreleg. Tom Melbourne, who was second in last Saturday’s G1 Kennedy Mile, is one of two early scratchings from the Emirates Stakes. The Charlie Appleby-trained Folkswood is favourite for the 2000m race at $4.80 after his last-start third to Winx and Humidor in the Cox Plate.
Top jockey retires
Retirement is sitting comfortably with the former heavyweight jockey Hayden Tinsley. The respected Palmerston North-based horseman has called it quits after a career-long struggle with the scales. “It’s been in the back of my mind for a few months and I decided finally in the last couple of weeks,” Tinsley said. “I’ve had enough of the wasting and during the winter it got to me, that and the lack of rides. I didn’t have the enthusiasm to carry on. “I’m 61 or 62 kilos fully stripped so I’d have to sweat to ride at 60kg. I feel a lot healthier and relaxed now.”
Boom Time in Japan Cup
The Lindsay Park team has accepted an invitation to run Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time in the Japan Cup. David Hayes, the senior Lindsay Park trainer and owner of Boom Time, famously won the Japan Cup with Better Loosen Up in 1990 and Boom Time races in the same colours. Hayes now trains in partnership with his son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig who said Boom Time was scheduled to fly to Japan on Monday. The Japan Cup (2400m) is on November 26.
Questions unanswered in Oaks
Luke Nolan was unable to pinpoint the reason for the failure of the New Zealand-bred Aloisia in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m). He rode the daughter of Azamour, who started a shortpriced favourite, into sixth place at Flemington on Thursday. “We had a sound run in the race, travelled up well behind the winner then Blake Shinn (Luvaluva) rounded me before straightening and poured a bit more pressure on, but we still travelled well and just when I asked her she didn’t have her normal zip,” Nolan said. “I don’t know if that’s because we were at the 2500 or things didn’t go her way. Probably hasn’t answered every question and we might have another go at the mile and a-half in the autumn.” Hiyaam fared best of the New Zealand-breds with the High Chaparral filly finishing third behind Pinot.
Trainer celebrates first winner
Belle Volant delivered an extra special result for Debi Saxton at Avondale yesterday. The Danroad mare won the opening event, the Friends of Football 2100m, to provide the Byerley Park horsewoman with her first training success. Belle Volant was making just her second start for Saxton and the victory was a reward for the persistence of the owners as the seven-year-old had failed to trouble the judge in 23 previous appearances.
Owners hoping for buyer interest
Crossedem’s debut victory might stir interest in the three-year-old. “He’s a nice horse and on the market, but noone wants him,” said trainer Stephen Marsh, who prepares the three-yearold for the Smithies family of Monovale Farm. “We might be able to move him on after this.” Crossedem’s victory in the Avondale Maiden (1200m) yesterday came at the expense of his stablemate, Volpe Veloce’s brother Raposa Rapida.