Equiano (Fr) has another star on the horizon in the Emirates with aptly-named sprinter Desert Force. A two-time winner at Newbury, Desert Force (GB) has won his last two starts at Meydan by a combined 15 lengths and jockey Pat Dobbs predicts he will keep improving after a runaway victory in the EGA Excellence Trophy (1400m) on Thursday night. “I rode him in England and he was always a very nice type,” Dobbs said. “He has a great attitude and could progress to the Dubai World Cup meeting if he stays 1600 metres.” Thursday’s trial for the bigger events ahead looked ultra-competitive on paper but it turned into a one-horse race. The Doug Watson-trained winner was never headed under a mo

Well-bred Gucci Guccimo scored an impressive first-up win in the Doc Sender Memorial (1000m) at Devonport on Monday. With Siggy Carr aboard, the Master Of Design 3yo made the most of an inside draw to lead before being tested on the home turn by Bonjour Belle and the favourite Liffeybeau. When called on, the locally-based filly extended to score by nearly 4 lengths. Gucci Guccimo (3f Master Of Design - More Than Satin by More Than Ready) had been placed on debut at her home track in August and connections were quietly confident on Boxing Day. “We were more than pleased with what she did last prep and she has progressed well this time in,” co-trainer Dean Wells said. “She didn’t have a

Equiano (Fr) has reined in the year with a rush of winners in Hong Kong and Australia. His Hong Kong sprinter Water Diviner (Aus) kept an unbeaten record intact for trainer Francis Lui at Sha Tin on December 11. Water Diviner (4g Equiano - Check In Time by Blevic) had won by a nose on debut last month and he arrived just in time for another narrow victory on International Day. “I asked Craig (Williams) to settle back from the wide barrier draw and the plan worked well,” Lui explained. “We might aim for 1400 metres now that he showed ability to close from the rear.” Water Diviner (pictured below on far side) was purchased by agent Anton Koolman for $150,000 out of the 2014 NZB 2YO Sal

He could be something special but the jury is still out on Jaminzah. The Master of Design colt is a mystery waiting to be solved after a win and place in three starts for Chris Waller. The champion trainer admitted his 3yo colt hadn’t shown anything in trials before racing. “I told the owners to have no expectations but he’s performed completely above what we expected.” Jaminzah (pictured) was only beaten a head on debut at Newcastle and then broke through at Kembla Grange a fortnight later on November 19. “He drew wide, sat three wide but still won well,” Waller added. Rising in class at Rosehill on Xmas Eve, he settled well back and made ground in the straight behind front-runnin

Americain (Ire) filly Aspen Angel delivered more good news for Swettenham Stud at Flemington on Saturday. Aspen Angel pleased her trainer David Bourne, owner-breeder John Newton and the team at Swettenham with a tremendous second to top colt King's Authority in the Christmas Season Plate (1000m). She kept finding behind the winner who is a Blue Diamond - Golden Slipper type according to Mick Price. Americain received his first 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier update last week when Northkape won first-up at Cranbourne. Her yearling half-sister by Swettenham Stud’s emerging first-season sire is from Northeast Note and is listed as Lot 598. Kings Authority defeats Aspen Angel (inside) at Flemi

Swettenham Stud has jumped the blocks delivering the first updates for its consignment to the 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. With 38 yearlings, Swettenham is second only to Supreme Thoroughbreds (43 lots) among vendors with Americain (USA), Master Of Design and Equiano (Fr) all represented at Oaklands. The Americain - Northeast Note filly (Lot 598) received a pedigree addition within 24hrs of the online catalogue being released when her half-sister Northkape won first-up at Cranbourne on Friday. Northkape (Kaphero) (pictured) completed a double for trainer Robbie Griffiths and stable apprentice Nathan Punch. “It worked out well. The speed was on up front and she settled in a nice

First-crop foals by Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (Ire) are being targeted by pin-hookers at the Arqana December Sale. Toronado was popular at last month’s Tattersalls Sale when his foals sold to 190,000gns (AUD 334,130) and his first through the sale-ring at Deauville made 90,000 euros (AUD 128,655) on Saturday. Catalogued as Lot 8, the colt is the first foal from Gaiete (Kentucky Dynamite) and was purchased by agent Jamie Railton for resale at one of the major yearling auctions next year. His dam won at Chantilly and was stakes-placed at Maisons-Laffitte. Swettenham also was in the frame on Friday when its Melbourne Premier graduate Irish Rose (pictured as a yearling) won on debut at