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Another stakes winner for Charm Spirit
Windsor Park Stud's shuttle stallion Charm Spirit was credited with this seventh stakes winner over the weekend when the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Fantastic Spirit was successful in the Listed Derby Du Midi (1900m) in France.
The three-year-old colt stayed on strongly in the final stages to beat Again Music by a short-neck with another length back to Frohsim in third.
The son of Charm Spirit was purchased as a foal at the Arqana December Sale by Artemis Bloodstock Investments for €25,000, before being bought by his trainer for €50,000 at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale.
Charm Spirit is represented by four stakes winners in the southern hemisphere, including Group Two winners Aretha and Fascino, and he will return to Windsor Park in 2020 where his fee is on a price on application basis.
Master Montaro returns
Impressive debut winner Master Montaro will be looking to continue his winning record when he steps out at Sale on Wednesday.
The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate came from last to amble past his rivals when winning the Kentucky Equine Research Maiden Plate (1000m) at Pakenham in March.
The three-year-old gelding was part-owned by a group of Kiwis, which included Woburn Farm principals Adrian Stanley and Hannah Kettlety, who retained a small share in the horse after selling him at the 2018 Ready to Run Sale for $300,000.
After his eye-catching win at Pakenham the son of Toronado was the subject of several high-priced offers and eventually sold privately to Hong Kong-based owner Edmond Lee who intends to race him in his homeland with incoming trainer David Hayes.
Due to the strict Hong Kong Jockey Club rules Master Montaro was not eligible to enter Hong Kong off his current rating so will race again in Australia to boost his rating.
Melbourne spring carnival faces changes
Melbourne's spring racing carnival may be overhauled because of a clash with the rescheduled AFL finals.
The Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), one of the biggest races of the season and a key lead-up to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), could be moved from mid-October to the end of November.
Australia's The Herald Sun reported on Tuesday that Racing Victoria is expected to announce an overhaul of its spring dates next week, with a draft schedule already presented to racing clubs.
The Melbourne Cup would still be run on the first Tuesday in November, with the dates for the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) and Derby Day would not change.
In the draft schedule the Caulfield Cup would move to November 28, while the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) would be run a week earlier.
The AFL grand final is normally held on the last Saturday of September, but has been pushed back after the COVID-19 pandemic suspended the normal season.
