Black-type designs for Duchess

Monday, 14 August 2023 | All American mare Duchess Of Gossip is bound for black-type company after completing a Belmont hat-trick for Geisel Park owner-breeder Eddie Rigg on Saturday.

Dion Luciani trains Duchess Of Gossip for Rigg, Kevin Johnson and Simon Lill (Photo / Western Racepix) and they have banked over $300,000 in prizemoney including Westspeed Bonuses of $137,300.  Her latest victory in the Glenroy Chaff Hcp (1200m) made it 5 wins in 8 starts after receiving a 10 out of 10 ride from Willie Pike.

“She’s a lovely mare and has gone from a Kalgoorlie maiden to winning three in a row in town,” Rigg said after his homebred put them away with a brilliant turn of acceleration.  “She’s probably done enough this time in but Dion reckons she’s never looked better.

“I can’t wait to get her into a black-type race next prep.  She’s an easy watch unlike my other good mare Laced Up Heels who settles well-back in her races.”

Duchess Of Gossip (4m All American – Regal Gossip by Dylan Thomas) is the first and final foal from a winning half-sister to Cohort (Scenic) who won a LR Belmont Guineas & LR Belmont Classic.

Her second-dam Dark Amber (Marscay) also threw the Peters Investments Stakes-placed fillies Dark Miss (More Than Ready) and Red Amber (Dylan Thomas).

Laced Up Heels is now trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr and is due to reappear at Caulfield this Saturday.

The 4yo daughter of Toronado (Ire) has been nommed for the LR Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) and a Mares BM84 Hcp (1000m).

There are any number of options for Laced Up Heels at the Melbourne spring carnival including a return clash with Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 16.  Price has also mentioned a crack at the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney on November 4 along with her stablemates Golden Path (Belardo) and Amenable (Lonhro).

Rigg has raced several top fillies and mares in Melbourne with success including Bliss Street (Flying Spur) who won a G3 WATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) before going east with Dan Morton to capture an MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield.

All American (Red Ransom) stands for a $4,400 service fee at Geisel Park alongside newcomer Aysar (Deep Field) at $8,800 and Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) at $8,250.  All fees (inc GST).