The Group II Missile Stakes (1200m) ushered in the first signs of spring at Randwick on Saturday while stewards continue their investigation into the strangles inquiry.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER IN STRANGLES INQUIRY
There appears to be no end in sight to the strangles saga involving former Godolphin employees John O'Shea and Henry Plumptre.
Stewards held a five-hour inquiry on Friday at the offices of Racing NSW where both O'Shea and Plumptre answered charges relating to Godolphin galloper Polemic testing positive to the highly contagious disease this time last year.
Deputy Chairman of Stewards Philip Dingwall said on Saturday that the inquiry would likely resume "in the next couple of weeks" as the panel considers submissions.
Plumptre has pleaded guilty to not informing officials of the positive test while O'Shea has 'emphatically denied' two charges levelled against him; for also failing to report the case and providing false/misleading evidence to stewards on two separate dates.
O'Shea's not guilty plea comes in the midst of him resurrecting a training career at Randwick, but the repercussions of being found guilty could be seismic for his stable, which is currently up to 16 horses according to Racing NSW.
Horses moving stable has always been, and always will be the owner's prerogative but the protracted nature of this inquiry could jeopardise the upcoming preparations of some of O'Shea's new acquisitions like Kuro and Target In Sight.
For example, winning another Magic Millions race in January would be an obvious goal for Target In Sight but if O'Shea is slapped with a lengthy suspension who takes over the horse's preparation?
Stewards have also confirmed there will be "initial investigations" made into the bullying allegations within Godolphin that were raised by Plumptre at Friday's inquiry.
LE ROMAIN'S ROUTINE
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes on raceday with one of the country's premier racehorses?
Trainer Kris Lees kindly took yours truly through Le Romain's raceday routine prior to his bold second in the Group II Missile Stakes (1200m).
Le Romain arrived on course around 2-1/2 hours before the race which is common practice.
After travelling more than two hours on a float from Newcastle, the gelding was given a wash to clean away sweat and dust gathered from the journey before a 15-minute walk to dry off and stretch his legs.
The next hour or so was spent relaxing in the tie up stalls before heading out for another walk – this one approximately half an hour – and then returning to his stall to saddle up.
Like most experienced gallopers, Le Romain stood quietly while Lees and a stablehand worked quickly and efficiently, applying the saddle, head collar, reins and lugging bit. Lees then pulled up the gelding's front legs for a stretch.
The call for 'race seven' echoed through the barn and within a couple of minutes both Le Romain and stablemate Invincible Gem, the eventual winner of the Missile Stakes, were on their way out to the mounting yard.
TIME ON ATC'S SIDE IN KENSINGTON TRACK REBUILD
The Australian Turf Club's general manager of tracks Lindsay Murphy says his team are leaving no stone unturned as reconstruction of Randwick's Kensington track continues.
For a turf curator novice like myself, I was interested to find out how the finished Kensington track will differ from Brisbane's controversial Eagle Farm surface which remains dormant until April next year.
The main criticism of the Eagle Farm surface has been too much sand in the profile, which is great for drainage but not so great for stability – hence the massive clods that were being thrown up.
The Eagle Farm profile was nearly all sand based while Murphy is working towards a sandy-loam mix of approximately 80 percent sand and 20 percent soil.
When constructing racetracks there is a fine margin for error, but fortunately for the ATC, time is on their side.
"We've set certain parameters for stability. We've got the opportunity to get it right because we're not in any hurry to put the grass on it in the middle of winter," Murphy said.
"We've used the opportunity to do more testing than we've ever done before on any track and the aim will be to achieve a balance of good drainage and stability.
"In September sometime we'll start putting grass in it and then hopefully have first gallops on it early in the new year."
TRAVELLING IN STYLE WITH TOMMY BERRY
Tommy Berry and his young family will call Hong Kong home from August 20, two weeks before the new season commences at Sha Tin on September 3.
Berry plans to spend the first couple of weeks riding trackwork for Hall Of Fame trainer John Size.
"I'll probably be a bit heavy during the first week there so it gives me some time to get my weight right before the start of the season and get into a routine," Berry said.
"Myself and Sharnee (wife) have both spent three months at a time there twice. We know the place quite well now, it's just getting the kids to settle in.
"We've sent over plenty of our furniture, including their bedrooms and the lounge room, just to make it's as comfortable and as familiar as it can be for them."
It won't be the first long-haul flight for Berry's young children Kaiden (2) and Charlise (8 months).
"They flew to Hong Kong for a race there and then flew from Hong Kong to Dubai and from Dubai back to Sydney," Berry said.
"Kaiden pretty much gets on there and just sleeps and watches TV. He gets his own business class seat now so he's pretty comfortable!
"He sits there with his arms behind his head and blanket on while grown men walk past him so he's got a pretty good life."
MORE TIME ON THE SIDELINES FOR COLLETT
Jason Collett was left to rue another careless riding suspension on Saturday but managed to finish the meeting with a winning double aboard Sangiovese and Mana.
Stewards issued Collett with a four-meeting ban for causing interference to Lion Couchant in the TAB.com.au Handicap (1000m), with the suspension to commence after he serves a 13-meeting suspension for his contribution to a fall at Warwick Farm last Wednesday.
In total, Collett will miss the next four Saturday meetings and surrenders the plum ride on Gerald Ryan's highly-rated three-year-old colt Menari to Josh Parr in the Listed Rosebud (1100m) next Saturday at Rosehill.
"I've got a fair bit of time to think about what I've done," Collett, who is free to return to riding on September 9, said.
Menari has trialled twice this preparation, including a third behind Albumin and Wander, both promising three-year-olds that have since won first-up.
