Quokka winner Jigsaw will keep his victory sequence at seven and will be spelled instead of continuing on a Queensland preparation. The seven-year-old became a popular WA name when he turned in a courageous performance to lead throughout in the Quokka (1200m) on April 18, taking his earnings to almost $5 million as he stages a career renaissance.
Trainer Cindy Alderson said she had taken him to a spelling paddock on Tuesday morning and would not race again until October, with The Everest (1200m) still a slim possibility. ‘He was looking so fine, so resplendent, as he was cantering around this morning, but I just thought ‘he’s done his job’ and really, he’s more than done his job. He’s just been awesome,’ she told Racing.com. ‘There’s only really Queensland, which is another trip after being to New Zealand and then to Perth and I just thought his last run... he was a little bit below what he had been as he was out on his feet on the line. I don’t know whether it will come up a bit early and it’s a big mountain to climb The Everest. You’ve just got to see how things land. In terms of The Everest, I understand there is a large contingent going over to Europe so that might open-up The Everest a little. But in saying that, Ka Ying Rising is expected to be there.’
Hong Kong megastar Ka Ying Rising extended his winning run to 20 at Sha Tin on Sunday and his new Timeform rating of 137 is the joint third highest-ever figure awarded to a sprinter, eclipsing Black Caviar’s mark of 136.
Top Victorian mare Beach Diamond has joined Michael Young’s pacing stables after a first-up fifth in the Geelong Rocket on April 17. Formerly prepared by Clayton Tonkin and Emma Stewart, the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere won both the Vicbred and Breeders’ Crown in her home state at the end of last year but has been transferred to Perth by Summit Bloodstock. ‘There are just more opportunities and money for her to race for in WA, to be honest,’ Summit Bloodstock chief Jamie Durnberger-Smith said. Among those performances was a second in the Victorian Oaks behind Soho Americano and she has already earned $220,000 from her 10 wins out of 16 appearances. Rated 108, she will immediately join the local free-for-all mares’ ranks featuring the likes of Aardiebytheseaside, Copy Cat Queen, Fakenit, Delightful Peg and Little Darling. She adds to Young’s arsenal of mares and tops his stocks after Penny Black was sent for a spell.
Antino has been retired after suffering a tendon injury in the Brisbane Handicap (1600m) last Saturday, ending the cult gelding’s career that reaped 13 victories and more than $3.5 million in prizemoney. Despite sustaining the injury in the event, the seven-year-old went out on his shield, finishing fourth. Antino was most famous for engaging a powerful mid-race surge and continuing the momentum, routing his rivals in the 2024 Toorak Handicap (1600m) by six and a half lengths using this tactic.
The leading fancy for the Group 1 $1 million SA Derby (2500m) is no certainty to get a run in the feature, with $2.80 favourite Accidental Bid only the first emergency. The UK import has won both his starts in Australia, scoring low-level successes at Pakenham over 1600m and 2000m in recent weeks. However, given he is yet to prove himself in higher company and has won only $50,000, he is now sweating on a scratching to even make it to the start line.
