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Te Rapa key to Procurement’s chances; New thoroughbred book; Appeal cuts Walker ban; Winning record under threat; Johnson confirmed for Ellerslie.

Te Rapa key to Procurement’s chances

Stephen Marsh is hoping a return to Procurement’s favourite haunt brings out the best in the mare in Saturday’s Listed Shaw’s Wires Ropes Sprint.

“Her two runs back have been great, both right-handed, and I think she’s a bit better left-handed and she’s unbeaten at Te Rapa,” he said.

“It’s a big test, but it will be great to get a good line on her.”

Both of Procurement’s two career wins have been on the Hamilton track and this preparation she has finished runner-up behind the progressive pair of Moochi Me and Kaleidoscope at Tauranga and Avondale respectively.

New thoroughbred book

An in-depth look at the New Zealand breeding industry is the focus of a new thoroughbred book.

Where Champions Are Born is the work of journalist, broadcaster and New Zealand Racing Desk contributor Aidan Rodley and will be launched at a function at the Te Rapa racecourse on Friday, December 19 at 5.30pm.

The high-quality hardcover 216-page book is a study of 17 leading stud farms and features the photography of Trish Dunell with a foreword from New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum.

Appeal cuts Walker ban

Disgraced jockey David Walker has had his disqualification for breaching two betting rules and one serious racing offence reduced from seven years to five and a-half years on appeal.

Walker's appeal was based on information that was not provided when the Judicial Control Authority made its original decision.

The appeals tribunal headed by Sir Bruce Robertson said Walker's lay advocate Barry Hart provided information at the appeal which would have certainly contributed to some allowances being made in the penalty if the original committee had those details.

Had that information been provided at the time, including character references and the fact that the disqualification “has and will seriously impact on his ability to earn an income over a lengthy period,” some allowance would surely have been made.

The tribunal did not agree with Hart, who submitted Walker's penalty was manifestly excessive and should be reduced to just eight months disqualification.

The appeals tribunal made no alteration to the one year suspension Walker was given for breaching the betting rule and it will be served concurrently with his five and a-half year ban, effective from September 19.

Winning record under threat

Shaune Ritchie won’t be downcast if Atacama fails to continue her winning form in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The mare is unbeaten in three appearances this preparation, including a last-start win in the Listed Cup Day Plate at Flemington.

“She had a couple of weeks off after Melbourne,” Ritchie said. “I’ve got no doubt that she will be vulnerable – she’s been winning on the minimum in Listed races and all of a sudden she’s in a weight-for-age with 57kg.

“She’ll have to rely on her impeccable fresh record. She’ll probably need this one and have to be pretty good to get away with it.”

Johnson confirmed for Ellerslie

Chris Johnson will continue his association with Silver Eclipse at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

He rode the four-year-old to an electric victory in the Listed Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton last month and will retain the mount in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway Stakes.

Trained by Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie, Silver Eclipse has won five of her nine starts.

Imperial Hawk impresses over ground

Well-related mare Imperial Hawk romped to an impressive maiden victory when stepped up over ground for the first time, taking out the Kiwi Bus Builders 2100m at Tauranga on Friday.

A sister to Group One winner Hawkspur, Imperial Hawk scored by four and three-quarter lengths under a supreme Opie Bosson ride.

"She’s a pretty smart mare," enthused co-trainer Andrew Forsman, who prepares the four-year-old in conjunction with Murray Baker.

"She’s in foal to Jakkalberry and being a full sister to Hawkspur, if we can win another couple with her it will be a bonus from a breeding perspective.

"Chris Waller trained her originally and her owner Tony Muollo elected to bring her back here and pick up a couple of races.

"She has always looked a natural stayer from the moment we've had her."

In-from Include scratched

Talented mare Include has been scratched from Saturday’s Southland meeting following a mishap on the float.

Trained by Brian and Shane Anderton at Wingatui, the four-year-old is unbeaten this preparation following a first-up success on her home track and an easy win at Cromwell.

A dual stakes winner last season, Include has next year’s Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha as a long-term aim.