Briefs for 10th February 2015

Sad passing of Hayden Allen; Turn Me Loose coming home; Group winner back on track; Wong to ride in HK; Kick won’t stop Perfect Fit.

Sad passing of Hayden Allen

The thoroughbred industry has suffered another tragic blow with the passing of the respected horseman Hayden Allen on Monday night.

He had been a highly-valued member of the Valachi Downs staff following a training partnership with the now Sydney-based John Sargent and together they enjoyed Group One success with Miss Mossman in the Gr.1 Wellfield NZ Oaks.

“Hayden had been an integral part of our operation with the yearlings and we had been looking at doing a new job description for him as our pre-training and agistment manager,” Valachi Downs manager Jonathan Scully said.

“He had been in a really happy place and had a great time at the sales, it’s just a tragedy.”

It is understood Allen, 40, passed away after suffering an epileptic seizure.

Turn Me Loose coming home

Turn Me Loose’s Sydney campaign has been cut short by a virus.

According to reports in Australia, the leading New Zealand colt will return home without a raceday appearance after a mediocre trial at Warwick Farm on Monday.

The Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner finished fourth in his 1200 metres heat under Hugh Bowman.

Group winner back on track

Sakhee's Soldier will attempt to stretch his winning role to six when he returns to Ellerslie on Saturday.

The four-year-old has been a revelation through the spring and summer with a run of form that has netted him the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes and the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile last time out on Boxing Day.

“He’ll run over 1500 metres and he hasn’t had a trial, but we’re happy with him,” Cambridge co-trainer Murray Baker said. “We haven’t really got anything programmed after Saturday for him at this stage.”

Wong to ride in HK

Promising young rider Jack Wong has been granted a licence to ride in Hong Kong.

The 21-year-old is currently apprenticed to Lance O’Sullivan at Wexford Stables and has posted 15 winners so far this season.

Wong began his New Zealand career with John Sargent and then transferred to Riccarton trainer Mike McCann before signing on with O’Sullivan.

He has been licensed to ride in Hong Kong from March 8 until, the end of their 2014-15 season.

Kick won’t stop Perfect Fit

A kick behind the barriers, which forced her late scratching at Matamata on Sunday, won't keep the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Perfect Fit on the sidelines for long.

“She’s ok and she worked quietly this morning,” said Ken Kelso of the filly who was an impressive debut winner at Taupo in late December.

“She ended up with a couple of stitches but luckily it’s on the fleshy part of the leg and not on the bone.

“With a bit of luck it shouldn’t hold us up too much and we will probably look to go to a rating 65 1200m race on Derby day at Ellerslie with her now. “