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Moreira believes Bee can develop killer instinct; Zed Em returns to NZ; Prizemoney bolstered in Victoria

Moreira believes Bee can develop killer instinct

Hong Kong Jockeys' Premiership leader Joao Moreira believes the best is yet to come from Savabeel's exciting son Killer Bee .

Moreira completed a hat-trick of wins aboard the Waikato Stud-bred and sold three-year-old when they bolted away with a Class Three handicap at Sha Tin on Sunday evening.

Killer Bee, who has suffered just one defeat in five appearances, proved reluctant to go into the gates, but once into action he made light of his 60kg to romp home by a length and a half.

"He's a very smart horse, still a bit green and does things wrong but where he is at the moment, he gives us the confidence he will go very high in the ratings," Moreira said.

"It proves to me he is still very immature and doesn't know what his job is and nothing like time. With time, he will do things better."

Killer Bee was one of five winners on the card for trainer Caspar Fownes, who echoed Moriera's thoughts.

"He's a good horse. I think we're going to have a really exciting horse for the future. He looks to be very progressive," he said.

Killer Bee was bought out of Waikato Stud's New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft by Waikato Bloodstock for $425,000 and is a brother to the Listed Rowley Mile winner Savacool.

Their dam is the unraced Anabaa mare Chilled Out, a half-sister to the Listed Red Roses Stakes winner and Group One-placed The Big Chill and the family of the dual Group Two winner Coldplay.

Zed Em returns to NZ

Top jumper Zed Em has returned to New Zealand after another pleasing stint across the Tasman.

The 10-year-old gelding finished runner-up in the Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m) and Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m) at Oakbank earlier this year before posting the same result in a brave performance against compatriot Gold Medals in the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) at Warrnambool last month.

He has returned to the care of his New Zealand trainer Kevin Myers, and his Australian carer Patrick Payne has been pleased with his efforts once again.

"Kevin 'Dummy' Myers looks after him in New Zealand, he said he's in fantastic order, whether he can find a race for him in New Zealand in the season, I'm not sure," Payne said.

"You've got to admire the horse. Just knowing him, he's actually quite slow, we can't find a horse here to work with him at home, but he just jumps like an angel, so for him to be able to do what he can with his lack of natural speed and ability, you've got to admire the horse for what he's done."

Prizemoney bolstered in Victoria

Victorian racing is set to receive a A$16 million prize money boost with group and listed events set for significant windfalls.

While metropolitan clubs including The Valley and Melbourne Racing Club will receive significant boosts, country racing will also receive A$4 million in extra funding.

Monday's announcements include:

• More than $4 million will be directed to country racing, with standard country meetings minimums rising from $22,000 to $25,000 per race and standard maiden minimums lifting from $23,000 to $25,000 
• Standard Saturday metropolitan race minimums will be increased by $5,000 to $130,000
• The Valley has been rewarded with minimum prizemoney increases for its 11 standard Friday night meetings, rising from $50,000 to $60,000, while its three feature meetings rise from $60,000 to $75,000, and its three Group 1 meetings rise from $125,000 to $130,000;
• Significant investments in black type racing, with Group 1 minimums now $750,000 (up from $500,000), Group 2 minimums now $300,000 (up from $200,000) and Group 3 minimum now $200,000 (up from $160,000)
• A new minimum for Listed races at $160,000 (up from $140,000)
• Established Group 1 races, including the Toorak Handicap (now $1 million) William Reid Stakes (now $1 million) Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (now $1 million) and the Newmarket Handicap (now $1.5 million) all receiving significant boosts.

Racing Victoria Chairman Brian Kruger said the latest prize money announcements are due to the fact racing continued during Victoria's hard lockdowns in 2020.

"This additional investment is possible thanks to all within Victorian racing who have worked diligently to keep our sport safely going throughout the pandemic and it will most importantly help underpin 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs in our state," he said.

"This increase is also a reward for the owners who have remained loyal to Victorian racing despite months of lockouts and restricted access that have been required to ensure that we could safely continue racing during an unprecedented period.

"All levels of Victorian racing, from picnic meetings right up to Group One racedays, benefitted from an uplift in wagering returns".

"Victoria will offer more than $280 million in prizemoney and bonuses next season, a record amount and an increase of over $100 million or 60 percent since 2015. This amazing growth has fueled participation in Victorian racing and has underpinned jobs right across the state.

"We're proud to offer a nation high average of prizemoney and bonuses on offer per race of $65,000 which ensures those who support Victorian racing are well rewarded and importantly there is incentive for continued investment and growth in our industry.

"It is also exciting that the 2021 Spring Racing Carnival, which runs this year to the last weekend of November with the revamped Zipping Classic Day at Caulfield, will return to more than $100 million in prizemoney and bonuses."

Welfare education seminar in Cambridge

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association will hold a seminar on the importance of welfare in Cambridge on Wednesday.

It is open to farm staff, NZTBA members and breeding course students.

Speakers Dr Chris Rogers, from Massey University, and Leigh Wills, from NZ Foal, will cover the subjects of physical and mental development of the young horse.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing communications advisor Mary Burgess will also discuss industry messaging when defending misinformation.

The Welfare Education seminar will be held at the Onyx Bar and Restaurant, 70 Alpha St, Cambridge from 11am-1pm.

RSVP: nztba@nzthoroughbred.co.nz by 5pm June 22nd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68Jcl11l9GM