Hursley fifth as retiring jockey wins; all sold at sales
Qatar Racing's Hursley proved unable to build on a good recent run when turning out at Caulfield today, but the result of the race was definitely one for racing romantics.
Winner Goodwill was ridden by 51-year-old Darren Gauci on his final day as a jockey, and he was given a warm reception from the crowd and a show of support from his riding colleagues as he rode back to the number one spot. The Chris Waller-trained Hursley, who had returned to form when finishing third under top weight at Moonee Valley two weeks ago, had to settle for fifth under Craig Williams, although in a tight finish he was just a length and a half behind the winner.
Reflecting on the response of his fellow riders, Gauci, who has accepted a job as an apprentices' coach, said: "They're a great bunch of blokes and they've been a pleasure to ride against over the years.
"It's so competitive out on the field but if anyone needs a bit of help away from racing, we're all there to help each other."
War At Sea, who had one run last year as a two-year-old, returns to the track under floodlights at Newcastle this evening. Trainer David Simcock, who describes War At Sea as ‚"far more streetwise‚" has opted to run the colt in a mile maiden (18.45), although the race will add to his education and it will be no surprise if he improves in time over a longer trip. He faces 11 rivals Oisin Murphy is in the saddle.
All sold, as Angel heads Qatar Racing draft
Sun Angel headed the seven horses offered in-training from Qatar Racing at this week's Tattersalls' February Sale, who all found new homes.
Jamie Railton acted as consignor for the septet, all three-year-olds who had shown winning or placed form. The pick on price proved to be the placed-filly Sun Angel (Lot 216), who was knocked down to her breeders, the O'Callaghan family's Tally-Ho Stud, who sold her as a yearling. A half-sister to three winners out of a mare who was a winner and Listed-placed, Sun Angel, made 34,000gns, while Speed Freak (Lot 157), who had several placings in her form line, made 27,000gns also to a bid from Tally-Ho Stud.
American History (Lot 430), who was second in a maiden at Lingfield Park last week, was sold to trainer Willie Muir for 30,000gns, while Dreaming Of Paris (Lot 215), who had won her most recent start, was bought by the Stroud Coleman agency for 25,000gns.
Revel (Lot 431), another last-time-out winner, was knocked down to his trainer, Stuart Williams, for 24,000gns, and the colt State Residence (Lot 432) joined Jason Kelly Bloodstock for 15,000gns.
Island In The Sky (Lot 15) was bought by Renello Bloodstock for 3,500gns, but Sea Dreamer, catalogued as Lot 16, was withdrawn.
Full results of the sale can be viewed on www.tattersalls.com.