IRISH sprinter US Navy Flag’s arrival in Sydney next month coincides with the closure of Canterbury Park as a racing facility for up to six weeks during the Everest spring carnival.

US Navy Flag is expected in Sydney around the weekend of the Group 1 Golden Rose, run at Rosehill on September 22.

Canterbury hosts a midweek meeting on September 12 before the track is converted into a quarantine training and stabling facility for US Navy Flag, a starter in the $13 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 13.

The Australian Turf Club has the Kensington track at Randwick to fill the void before racing’s returns to Canterbury with the first night meeting of the new season on October 26.

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US Navy Flag, winner of the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket, will be Irish training genius Aidan O’Brien’s first Sydney starter when he lines up in the The Everest.

Although US Navy Flag won’t have a lead-up run into The Everest, O’Brien can prepare the sprinter with exclusive use of the Canterbury course proper and the artificial Polytrack training surface.

There is every likelihood O’Brien will send some travelling companions with US Navy Flag that could line up in support races over the Everest carnival.

COOLMORE WEIGHS IN TO HELP FARMERS
COOLMORE will donate a nomination to three of its most outstanding stallions, Pierro, So You Think and Rubick, to raise funds for drought relief.

Tom Magnier of Coolmore Australia said bids would close next Wednesday at 5pm and the highest of them would be published daily at Coolmore.com and via the stud’s social media accounts.

“So many farmers are finding it tough and we have to try and do what we can to help,” Magnier said. “A lot of people are saying this is the worst drought ever. We need rain soon.”

It’s a generous offer by Coolmore because Pierro will stand at $88,000 this spring breeding season, So You Think at $44,000 and Rubick at $17,600.

Magnier said in order for Coolmore to respond quickly to the crisis, payment is required immediately and will go to Rural Aid and Buy A Bale charities.

All bids must be entered by email to tmoore@coolmore.com.au.

Magnier said the last time Coolmore made a similar gesture was for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal in 2009. The Throsby family, owners of the broodmare Lovely Jubly, secured the nomination to Encosta De Lago.

The resultant foal was Chautauqua, the winner of 13 races, including six at Group 1 level, for nearly $9 million prizemoney.

The racing industry is doing its bit to help those affected by the drought.

Racing NSW has provided a $1 million drought-relief package for industry participants.

Earlier this week, the Muswellbrook Race Club, Aquis Stud and TAB combined forces to raise $27,000 for drought relief.

AVDULLA HITS NEW HEIGHTS
SYDNEY’S reigning premier jockey Brenton Avdulla reached 1000 career winners with his treble in Japan last weekend.

Avdulla, who made a rushed trip back to Sydney last week to accept his George Moore Medal at the NSW Racehorse Owners Association awards, is only 27 and would be one of the fastest jockeys to reach the 1000-win milestone.

He will ride in Japan until September 2 before returning to Sydney for the spring carnival.

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HUGH Bowman’s win on mighty mare Winx in the Winx Stakes at Royal Randwick last week was his 76th career Group 1 win.

The champion jockey is in the top 10 for most major wins by an Australian rider, he has had big-race success overseas and was the world’s top-rated jockey last year.

Bowman’s record is demanding inclusion in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

Winx provided trainer Chris Waller with his 85th career Group 1 winner — just 10 years after his first major with Triple Honour in the Doncaster Handicap.

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ROSEHILL Gardens hosts Australia’s biggest charity race day on Saturday, the ASX Thomson Reuters Charity race day, with more than 1500 people attending a special function in the Grand Pavilion in support of 22 children’s disability and medical research charities.

The ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation aims to raise $200,000 as part of $1 million it will distribute to charities this year.

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THE mid-North Coast racing region lost one of his most popular identities with the passing of Bruce Edwards during the week.

Edwards, who played first grade for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters, was a former bookmaker and leading owner. He eventually joined the Taree Race Club and served as president for nearly a decade. Edwards is survived by his wife Gwen, sons Greg and Gary, their wives Anne and Annie and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.