Here are some things you may have missed in the wider world of racing this past week.
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QUIRKY (from abroad)
Six-month ban for jockey positive for cocaine (UK)
Former UK apprentice champion Marco Ghiani was handed a six-month ban last week after testing positive for cocaine metabolites.
Ghiani’s legal representative, Rory MacNiece, said the jockey accepted it was a “very serious error of judgment on his behalf”.
In MacNiece’s statement to the commission, he said Ghiani accepted full responsibility for his actions and was remorseful to his colleagues in the weigh-in room.
“Mr. Ghiani is very embarrassed by these events, he apologized unreservedly and still does so today. Not just for you, BHA, but for everyone who supported him,” MacNiece said, as reported by RacingTV.
“Most fundamentally, Mr. Ghiani apologizes to his fellow jockeys. He believes that they would be fully justified in feeling that he had let them down by using cocaine.
“He will work hard to regain their trust and if and when he is able to resume his career, he hopes he will be given the chance to rectify this error of judgement.”
The ban is backdated to start on September 5, when it was originally lifted pending the investigation.
Return of wild form for the mare at start no. 2 (Great Britain)
There was a marked improvement on this mare during the week which caught many punters by surprise.
Four-year-old galloping Golden Millie was beaten by 76L on debut at Chepstow over 2 miles on October 25.
Exactly one month later, in another two-mile race – this time at Ffos Las – she switched to 8L x 6.5L margins.
Unsurprisingly given the debut effort, she was sent off at 125-1 (SP), quite a price considering there were only seven horses in the field.
Stewards quizzed the stable on top of form, with the reason given being that she had ‘benefited from [the] debut at the hippodrome’.
Wow!
125/1 bumper shock at @FfosLasRC as Golden Millie heads towards @SimonEarle2 and @philippa2000…@MCYeeeehaaahis perfect seven must not be! pic.twitter.com/NBPTJtf8jG
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 25, 2022
QUIRKY (from Australia)
Brace yourself for the consistent bridesmaid
Kora Magic’s remarkable streak has come to an end.
For sick stats lovers like this writer, the Mark Jones-trained mare Kora Magic strung together seven consecutive seconds – among nine consecutive minor placings – as she was not shy of adding to her maiden win at Wellington in January.
But the streak ended after he finished 10th in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill on Saturday.
Rivaling Kora Magic for Australia’s top maiden should be Born A Warrior, the 6-year-old gelding – a $1.4 million sloth in 2018 – is on an unwanted streak as it is.
Born A Warrior has finished in minor places in all six of his starts for current trainer Renita Beaton, including five consecutive seconds. His overall record is 29:1-10-4!
“A little McDonald’s magic takes it home!” 🪄
Sussu greets Midway. pic.twitter.com/kAgHM8AhQv
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 26, 2022
The 12-year-old wins on his home track
Long-time galloper Isorich struck again on his home track at Wyong during the week, making it the scene of eight of his 16 career wins.
The 12-year-old is in his final season of racing, under rules to retire once he turns 13, but he shows no signs of stopping just yet.
The Wayne Seelin-trained colt was sent off for $61 in the eight-horse field, but his local knowledge – and Ellen Hennessy’s claim – helped him find the line again.
It’s not something you see every day. A 12 year win!
Isorich (12g Choisir x A Little Naughty) at @WyongRaceClub
145 starts, 16 wins, 33 places. 2xSP. $798,000.
Sold by @attungastud for $7,500 in 2012 @englis_sales Scones.It’s his last year, compulsory retirement in Aus for 12 years. pic.twitter.com/wMoh24GuA6
— Breednet (@BreednetNews) November 24, 2022