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Wynne heading to Melbourne; Puntinato changes stables; Safety and development funding; California Chrome scratched

Wynne heading to Melbourne

Leading South Island apprentice Samantha Wynne is looking forward to a taste of Australian racing.

“I’m going to Melbourne on the New Zealand Racing Scholarship for two weeks and I’m hoping to get a ride while I’m there,” she said. “I’ll be leaving on July 4 and will be based with John Moloney.”

Wynne has ridden 48 winners this season, including black type successes on Belle Miraaj in the Listed Southland Guineas and on Miss Three Stars in the Listed Riverton Cup.

Puntinato changes stables

Puntinato will continue her racing career from the Eagle Farm stable of John Thompson.

The Pins mare won two of her nine New Zealand starts for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, who took her over to Queensland where she finished third at the Gold Coast before she changed stables.

That plan had been in place for some time for the Australian-owned four-year-old.

Puntinato was accompanied on the trip by Zedpak, who sadly suffered a career-ending injury in his sole appearance.

“He snapped a tendon, but fortunately I was able to find a good home for him there and he’ll enjoy a good life,” Marsh said.

Safety and development funding

Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced nearly $300,000 in funding to improve safety and development at racecourses.

The money will be drawn from the Racing Safety Development Fund, which provides $1 million annually across two funding rounds.

“The fund continues to contribute to the safety of the racing industry for animals, industry participants and the public,” Guy said.

Hawke’s Bay, Avondale, Race Inc, Whangarei and Waipa are the clubs to benefit from $296,400 in funding.

California Chrome scratched

One less obstacle will be in Criterion’s path when he bids for a Royal Ascot victory in this week’s Gr.1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

Sir Owen Glenn’s New Zealand-bred and owned hope will not have to face the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, who has been withdrawn due to a foot abscess.

"It's devastating,” trainer Art Sherman said. "We have never had a pimple on this horse all the time we've had him, but the abscess popped out and the foot wasn't good.”