SPORT: Ted Ryan’s Racing Column
At nomination time for the Australian Guineas comes around, some of those top three-year-olds possibly competin look like making it a top event for the youngsters.
The latest market has the New Zealander, Savaglee, on top.
Prepared by leading New Zealander, Paul Gerard, he is a Guineas winner in New Zealand, having won seven of his 13 starts, and is one of the best going around there.
The Enzedders have a good reputation of winning races like the Australian Guineas.
On the second line is the smart Sydneysider, Linebacker, prepared by one of Sydney’s best, John O’Shea; he is very consistent.
Since his career started off, he has competed against the very best and shown up each time.
He contested the million-dollar Golden Rose in Sydney back in September, and finished just behind some smart ones on the day.
On the day he competed against some smart youngsters in Broadsiding, Traffic Warden and Storm Boy.
He is by Super Seth, a Blue Diamond Stakes winner in Super Seth, when in the care of the Freedman team in Melbourne.
Broadsiding, the top three-year-old, has an imposing record specially his classy run finishing third in Group One company in the Cox Plate back in October.
Prepared by leading trainer James Cummings, he is all class.
They raced him in the VRC Champions Mile on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, but he had enough at that stage, finishing well behind yet another top-class field, and he is only three.
He will be right in this, he’s right up there with them.
Another that impressed me with its win last start was Royal Insignia, with leading hoop Jamie Mott in the saddle.
It was a good win the Manfred Stakes at Sandown and he impressed greatly with a strong finish.
I feel he will be right in this although going out to 1600 metres.
Another that has talent is the Ciaron Maher trained filly, Another Prophet, who won the One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in good style.
The distance in the Manfred might have been too short and you can’t leave her out here.
Captured By Love, a New Zealander, could make it interesting if it starts.
Prepared by Mark Walker and Graeme Rogerson, it is smart having won five races from 11 starts and in all in good company.
Ready for action
Top galloper Alligator Blood, who was orginally retired due to leg problems, is continuing a surprise recovery and is getting ready for action again.
It appeared that the champion was destined for theretirement paddock, but pulled out a great recovery.
However, there is a change in the return, he will now be trained by Chris Waller leaving the comfort of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
A bit of a surprise on behalf of the owners.
Alligator Blood with an ounce of luck will be up and ready to go in the Autumn, with an ounce of luck.
Nod to apprentices
Four up-and-coming jockeys were acknowledged at the 2025 Apprentice Celebration Evening with Sheridan Clarke claiming two of the five awards given on the big night.
Clarke took out the RV Elite Apprentice Jockey and the Mikaela Claridge Sportsmanship Award among the class graduating from Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program.
The Mikaela Claridge Award Sportsmanship is the only peer-voted prize and signifies that in the eyes of Clarke’s fellow apprentices, she demonstrated sportsmanship and offered encouragement, guidance and approachability through her words and deeds both on and off the track.
Hannah Edgley, Jaylah Kennedy and Jordan Weatherly were the other award winners on the night.
Edgely received the Victorian Jockeys’ Association’s Outstanding Jockey in Training Award, which recognises excellence in all aspects of an apprenticeship, including on-track performance, dedication to personal development and industry ambassador qualities.
Kennedy was awarded the Victorian Wakeful Club Scholarship.
This scholarship recognises excellence in all aspects of an appnticeship, including on-track-performance, dedication to personal development and industry ambassador qualities.
This scholarship recognises a female apprentice jockey’s excellence in her studies and professionalism both in and out of the saddle.
The Ballarat Cup-winning apprentice also received a $1000 grant to complete further study or to assist with her career development.
Weatherley was awarded the Andrew Gilbert Sports Science Award.
The Award, named in honour of an Victorian apprentice jockey who suffered fatal fall in 2001, reccognises the achievements of an apprentice in the fields of health and fitness.
Edgley and Clarke are also joined by their fellow apprentices, Matthew Chadwick, Maddi Kiss and Lahlan Overall, to be congratulated for completing four years graduating from the Apprentice Jockey Training Program.
The graduates were lauded for their hard work and determination in front of their families and friends.
The ceremony at Moonee Valley also saw 12 new members formally welcomed into Victoria’s New Apprentice Jockey Squad.
They are Ashley Ford, Alice Kennedy, Bree Temple, BrydieBlackshaw, Cassidy Hill, Chelsea Thompson, Dylan Dean, Hayley Norman, Jade Smith, Liana Wood, Tayle Cameron and Zac Moore.
Ted Ryan