BOAY Racing News

Sword In Stone will take his place in Sunday’s Milestone Homes 2200 at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A tilt at next week’s Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) is on the line for evergreen stayer Sword In Stone when he heads to Trentham on Sunday to contest the Milestone Homes 2200. The former Hong Kong galloper has been in pleasing form for trainers Kevin and Stephen Gray since returning to New Zealand, winning his resuming run over a mile at Otaki on Boxing Day before bouncing back from a last placed finish in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) when runner-up over 2060m at Wanganui last week. Stephen Gray, who originally purchased the gelding as a yearling at Karaka for $33,000, was pleased with his last start effort, and he is hoping he can go one better this weekend. “He has improved a lot,” Gray said. “He needed the run there (Wanganui) and he nearly won it. He will go into that race on Sunday pretty fit for an old boy, I am happy with him.” While seventh in order of entry for the Auckland Cup, Gray said Sword In Stone, a Group 1 performer in Hong Kong, would need to put in a bold performance to head north for the staying feature on Saturday-week. “We are still in there (Auckland Cup), but at the end of the day I think we are dreaming, but you never know, we have got a gun rider on (Michael McNab),” he said. “He needs to win that well to warrant going to the Auckland Cup.” Gray is also looking forward to tackling the IRT 1200 on Sunday with Silent Is Gold and Idyllic, with both horses needing the run following the abandonment of Otaki’s meeting last Saturday. “They were meant to run at Otaki and it would have suited Idyllic because of the short turn,” Gray said. “Trentham probably doesn’t suit her because they can run her over. She needs a race because there are other things coming, so we have to go. “It is unfortunate that these races have been called off, it just stuffs your plans a bit. “Silent Is Gold is much the same, and I think it is a good option for him. He has had a big journey and has had two very good runs, and just got beaten the other day. We have got a good rider on (McNab), we are quite well-weighted (57kg) with the top weight (Lightning Jack, 62kg) there. I think he will run really well.” Gray is also set to line-up last start winner Tivaci’s Affair in the Rothley 1400 and Discovery Bay in the MG Tiling & Clarky’s Painting 1200. “Tivaci’s Affair went to run at Otaki in the mile, and I think the mile is better for her. She will eventually get 2000m and I think she is a promising mare, especially next year,” Gray said. “1400m at Trentham can be like a mile. With three kilos (claim) and a good draw (4), I think she is an each way chance. “Discovery Bay did go very well in a stronger field the other day. He has freshened up and has got a good rider (Tina Comignaghi) on, a light weight (56.5kg) and a good draw (5). He is an honest, genuine horse that can run in the money and might even win.” Meanwhile, Gray will take four horses to Waverley’s Friday meeting, including Cooper in the Roper Agriculture (1200m). “Cooper resumes, he is a good horse,” Gray said. “He just got beaten last start and then he had a little issue we had to sort out. He is fresh-up, has drawn wide (15) and has got a big weight (60kg). If he had a decent barrier I thought he would have been extremely hard to beat.” Gray will also line-up Red Lady in the Colin Cromarty Track Manager (1650m), Lucid Dream in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1650m), and Swiss Belt in the Eltham Vets (1200m). Horse racing news View the full article

Perfect Scenario will attempt to score his third successive victory in Saturday’s Group 3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m). Photo: Race Images South Perfect Scenario is right at home at Wingatui Racecourse and when he heads back to the southern venue on Saturday, he’ll aim to become the second horse in the last decade to win three-straight editions of the Group 3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m). A seven-year-old by Iffraaj, Perfect Scenario has an enviable record of longevity, winning 11 races since debuting as a juvenile. The gelding is a frequent member of Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton stable, where he has recorded his past two successes in the Dunedin feature. In the new term, he has been as consistent as ever, winning twice in the spring before placing in the Group 3 TAB Mile (1600m) and Group 1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). Rated 103, he has contended with the clear topweight in both lead in races for the White Robe (Listed Timaru Stakes and Listed Hazlett Stakes), but on Saturday, he’ll be back on even terms. “He’ll be going for the three-peat in the White Robe Lodge, he’s very high in the handicaps now and he’s been lugging the big weights so it’s nice to be back at weight-for-age,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains Perfect Scenario in partnership with Mark Walker. “He always goes out there and wears his heart on his sleeve, so he should run well. It’ll be interesting to see how the field comes up, with a big money day down there for them there should be some really nice fields.” The White Robe is the headlining event during Wingatui’s inaugural Otago Classics Day, a lucrative card that has attracted a number of prominent northern jockeys including Rory Hutchings, who will partner Perfect Scenario. Hutchings has already achieved success in the race back in 2015 as an apprentice, having piloted star mare The Diamond One to one of her three consecutive crowns. “This horse has got a great record at Wingatui and Rory is going to ride him, which is a massive plus,” Bergerson said. “He’ll be competitive.” Joining Perfect Scenario at the meeting will be stablemates Elegant Lady and Family Ties, who will contest the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m). Elegant Lady was unlucky not to take out last year’s running, finishing a narrow second to Shockallia. The daughter of Highly Recommended has been in consistent form this campaign, finishing close-up fourths in the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) and Marlborough Cup (2000m) before a last-start second to Family Ties at Riccarton on the 19th of February. The mare carried a hefty 62 kilograms on that occasion, a 6.5kg weight swing to her stablemate, who will likely get in on the minimum on Saturday should she make the final field. “Elegant Lady will be in there, she was very stiff not to win this race last year,” Bergerson said “Hopefully Family Ties can sneak in there on the minimum as well, she was very good on Wednesday and they both ran well so they’re going in with good form.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, March 1, 2025 First Race 12:28pm AWST Visit Dabble Ascot will host a nine-race card on Saturday afternoon, where the opening event is set to kick off at 12:28pm AWST. With warm weather forecast in the lead-up to the meeting, the track will improve into the Good range from the Soft 5 rating that was posted at acceptances. The rail will be in the +5m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Ascot: Shmoov Moova It is easy to make a case that Shmoov Moova should be undefeated this preparation after the Simon Miller-trained gelding won his first two starts and was unlucky in the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy. The son of Territories settled at the rear of the field from his wide barrier before rounding the field from the 500m mark to storm home into fourth place. If Chris Parnham can settle Shmoov Moova midfield off the fence and find a back to follow around the home turn, he will bounce back. Best Bet Race 9 – #11 Shmoov Moova (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Simon Miller | J: Chris Parnham (55kg) Next Best at Ascot: Captain Pluto Captain Pluto returned with a strong win over 1400m at Pinjarra, where the Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding finished over the top of his rivals in the final 200m. The son of Savabeel was only getting stronger the further they went, so the rise in trip to 1600m will suit him well. Interestingly, William Pike is yet to win on this guy from seven rides; however, Saturday looks like the perfect day for Pike to pilot Captain Pluto to victory. Next Best Race 3 – #1 Captain Pluto (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (59kg) Best Value at Ascot: Magic Whistle Misty Bazeley and Luke Campbell will combine with Magic Whistle for the fifth straight start, seeking a third win of the campaign. This six-year-old gelding led over 2000m at Pinjarra before being run over by Stormageddon in the concluding stages last start. With no other speed influences engaged in this contest, Magic Whistle will run the race to suit himself and prove hard to run down at an each-way price with Dabble. Best Value Race 6 – #5 Magic Whistle (6) 6yo Gelding | T: Misty Bazeley | J: Luke Campbell (a1.5) (57.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, March 1, 2025 1-2-5-9 1-2-3 2-10-11 7-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Verry Elleegant Stakes Day 2025 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, March 1, 2025 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Group 1 action returns to Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 10-race program lined up, headlined by the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m). The weight-for-age classic is supported by a stacked undercard, including the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) for the three-year-old fillies, where all the money continues to come for Lady Shenandoah. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with no significant rainfall forecast leading into the weekend, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Day is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm AEDT. Click here for HorseBetting’s preview of the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes here. Surround Stakes Tip: Lady Shenandoah There is no prize for finding Lady Shenandoah on top in the 2025 Surround Stakes, however, based on what she produced first-up, it’s impossible to be against the Snitzel filly. She was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) on February 15, pulling clear for a comfortable victory despite returning from a 133-day spell. James McDonald gets legged aboard in place of suspended Zac Lloyd, and with the champion hoop likely to land in the one-one throughout, Lady Shenandoah should simply prove too classy in her quest for a second Group 1 success. Surround Stakes Race 7 – #1 Lady Shenandoah (3) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56kg) Guy Walter Stakes Tip: Amelia’s Jewel Amelia’s Jewel returns after 112 days off the scene, and although she went winless in the spring, her form jumps off the page heading into the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m). She was nosed out by Atishu in the Group 1 Empire Rose (1600m) at Flemington on November 2, beating home race rival Alsephina by two lengths before being far from disgraced in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) on the one-week backup. She’s trialled up nicely for this first-up assignment, and with even luck from barrier eight of nine, Amelia’s Jewel must be considered the one to beat despite a long time between wins. Guy Walter Stakes Race 6 – #1 Amelia’s Jewel (8) 5yo Mare | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: James McDonald (57kg) Skyline Stakes Tip: Algorithmic Algorithmic got a pass mark debuting behind Bellazaine in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m) on February 8. The son of Zoustar was doing his best work late as he cut the corner turning for home, suggesting the step-up to 1200m will be ideal second-up into the campaign. Expect Tyler Schiller to be positive from gate four this time around, with the Hawkes stable of two-year-olds seemingly airbourne after claiming the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) last Saturday, Algorithmic represents good each-way value with Picklebet in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m). Skyline Stakes Race 4 – #8 Algorithmic (4) 2yo Colt | T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | J: Tyler Schiller (55.5kg) Sweet Embrace Stakes Tip: Within The Law The Bjorn Baker-trained Within The Law was charging home in her latest outing in the Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 8 and almost finished best to claim a hat-trick of wins. She was defied by Rivellino in the concluding stages, however, with the daughter of Lucky Vega left too much to do from the rear of the field. Anticipate Jason Collett to drag back again from barrier 12, but with another hot tempo to aid this progressive two-year-old, expect Within The Law to be powering over the top in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m). Sweet Embrace Stakes Race 5 – #1 Within The Law (12) 2yo Filly | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Jason Collett (55.5kg) Best Bet at Randwick: Birdman Birdman should take plenty of improvement after returning over an unsuitable trip at this course on February 8. The European import wasn’t sharp enough over the 1600m; however, he was going through the gears impressively in the final furlong to suggest he would be ready to strike second-up. He fits in nicely in this BM88 contest, and with his UK form suggesting he’ll only improve as he stretches out in distance, Birdman appears to be a fair price in the Randwick finale. Best Bet Race 10 – #2 Birdman (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (59.5kg) Best Value at Randwick: Golden Mile Reminiscent of Godolphin’s Kementari, Golden Mile returns to racing after undergoing a gelding operation. The son of Astern suffered a setback at stud, however, it doesn’t seem to have affected his ability on the racecourse, with his most recent trial at Warwick Farm on February 11 suggesting the five-year-old is resuming in terrific order. Adam Hyeronimus should lob into a handy position from barrier six, and provided he can produce his best after a lengthy absence, the $11 on Bet365 for Golden Mile in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) seems too big. Best Value Race 9 – #2 Golden Mile (6) 5yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Adam Hyeronimus (58.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections March 1, 2025 1 1-2-8 1-2-3-5-6 2-5-8-13-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Flemington Races Where Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria When Saturday, March 1, 2025 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) headlines a stacked 10-race card at Flemington this Saturday, supported by the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) and $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m). A Good 4 track is expected, while the rail will be out 2m for the entire circuit. The first race on Australian Guineas Day 2025 is set to go at 12:15pm AEDT. Click here for HorseBetting’s preview for the Group 1 Australian Guineas. Blamey Stakes Tip: Zardozi Zardozi may not have beaten a runner home in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), but the fact she finished 3.8 lengths off Fangirl and 2.8 lengths off Via Sistina reads extremely well heading into the 2025 Blamey Stakes. The four-year-old mare was simply left flat-footed when the sprint went on, but as she returns to Flemington — a track where she has two wins from five starts — she is poised to strike second-up. If Jamie Melham can find a forward position with cover from barrier nine, Zardozi will take some holding out. Blamey Stakes Race 7 – #4 Zardozi (9) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Melham (56kg) Inglis Sprint Tip: Certain Rise Certain Rise returned with an eye-catching run in the Group 3 Peter Le Grand Stakes (1100m) on February 8, when she was beaten 2.4 lengths behind some nice types. The Written Tycoon filly now steps up to 1200m, a trip she has two wins and a second from three runs at. This is her first look at the Flemington straight, but if Blake Shinn can have her settled closed to the speed throughout, Certain Rise could be great value at $9 with PlayUp. Inglis Sprint Race 9 – #11 Certain Rise (9) 3yo Filly | T: Mike Moroney & Glen Thompson | J: Blake Shinn (56.5kg) Best Bet at Flemington: Revelare Revelare brought up a fourth consecutive win when he saluted on his Flemington debut over 2000m on February 15. The son of So You Think managed to overcome trouble in running to score by a length, but the way he overcame Kings Valley inside the final 100m suggested there was plenty left in the tank. He stays at 2000m, and despite needing to lug 59.5kg, Revelare should prove to be the superior stayer once again. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Revelare (11) 4yo Gelding | T: Robert Hickmott | J: Ryan Hurdle (59.5kg) Next Best at Flemington: Clean Energy Clean Energy has not been seen under raceday conditions since winning the Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1200m) at Dommben on May 25, 2024. The daughter of Zoustar got the better of subsequent Group 1 winner Lady Shenandoah in both of her career starts, which reads ridiculously well in an open handicap for fillies. With three smart trials under her belt, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott runner will be rock-hard fit and should prove hard to run down as she looks to lead from barrier to box. Next Best Race 5 – #2 Clean Energy (11) 3yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Blake Shinn (58.5kg) Best Value at Flemington: Material Dreams Material Dreams has been consistent without winning through three starts this campaign, but she looks to represent great value with horse racing betting sites on Saturday. The four-year-old mare has not gone down by much in those three starts, and based on her effort when beaten 1.2 lengths behind Bossy Nic at the Flemington 1200m, she looks ready to peak fourth-up. Billy Egan will have her settled behind the speed, but with even luck, Material Dreams can salute. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Material Dreams (5) 4yo Mare | T: Nick Ryan | J: Billy Egan (59kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Flemington Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, March 1, 2025 1-2-4-5-6-7-10-11 2-3-4-5-7-10-12 2-7-11-15 5-11-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article