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Dave The King will look for his crowning glory when he goes for back-to-back wins in the Group One HKJC Champions Cup (1,800m) at Greyville on Sunday. The Mike and Mathew De Kock-trained star is unbeaten in two starts this campaign, latterly winning the Group One Gold Challenge (1,600m) at Greyville in June. The four-year-old was a comfortable winner of this race 12 months ago, cruising clear on his way to becoming South African Horse of the Year. The father and son combination have their runner...View the full article

By Michael Guerin Andrew Stuart and Robbie Close were the kings of the giant killers at Addington on Friday. The trainer and driver combined to win two races at a best fixed odds double price of 275-1 as Moonlite Blood and Here Comes Marty downed their more favoured rivals to give Stuart a hard to come by Friday night double.  It was the theme of the night as smaller stables won most of the races, the exception being Team Telfer who trained a double to move to 101 wins for the season.  But around them it was Margo Nyhan, Bruce Negus, Jonny Cox, Kevin Fairburn, Ross Houghton and Kyle Cameron training the winners, with Cameron’s super impressive What The Dragon the only favourite to win for the entire Winter Rewards racenight.  It was Stuart who took the honours though as Moonlite Blood paced a 1:56.6 mile rate to remain unbeaten this campaign beating a Dalgety and a Telfer horse.  “He is a really nice horse and hasn’t finished yet,” says Stuart, who usually only has 20 or less horses in work. “Everybody knows it was a special win for us here last time but winning on a Friday night is a decent field is a level higher again.   “He has a great group of owners, including blokes like Wheels (legendary galloping trainer John Wheeler) and Carey Hobbs (former chief executive Taranaki Racing) and they are having a whale of a time.  “One guy has been in horses his whole adult life and said that was the biggest buzz he had ever had.”  Stuart’s second winner Here Comes Marty snuck through the passing lane to win in a blanket finish and earned himself a short spell.  “Even though he won he is better than that and I think he should have won easier so he can have a break.” Stuart and Close weren’t the only double winners to taunt punters as Sheree Tomlinson got her drives on Mouton Cadet ($14) and Got You Covered ($7) spot on to score a back to back driving double.  Got You Covered used early manners and late toughness to wear down hot favourite Slots in the main handicap pace, his first win since joining Kevin Fairbairn three starts ago.  Almighty won his Winter Rewards Trot for Cox and owner/breeder Jenny Butt while Kotare Rimu continued a great start to the juvenile season for Houghton with Bronson Munro doing the driving.   But the win that will stick in the mind the longest and probably be repeated the most was that of What The Dragon, who trailed and sprinted like a trotter who is going to be a force in summer and not just getting winter rewards for trainer Kyle Cameron. View the full article

By Michael Guerin One race drive and one phone call was all it took for Move It Lou to find a new home with Tony Herlihy.  But the champion horseman was placing the credit for the juvenile’s win at Alexandra Park on Friday with former trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson. Herlihy drove Move It Lou in his first start four weeks ago and liked what he felt as the son of Sweet Lou finished second.  He asked Hollis and Robertson, who also owned the gelding, whether he was for sale and is always the case with them the answer was “yes.” Herlihy’s first call was to Canadian owner Mike Tanev, who was quick to add another horse to his Down Under team and judging by how he won on Friday night it was money well spent.  “Logan and Shane come up with a good juvenile or two every season, they have a great record finding young horses,” says Herlihy.   “They owned the horse so they got good money and Mike gets a really nice horse.”  Herlihy has known Tanev for years and previously sold him other horses but is training this one himself with an eye on an early tilt at a Sires’ Stakes heat.  “That is the aim, the heat up here on September 5,” says Herlhy, with that Alexandra Park meeting to host juvenile Sires’ Stakes heat for the girls.  Move It Lou started a big 30 minutes for Herlihy as he trained Regal Girl to win the $34,000 TAB Racing Club Metro Trot in the very next race.  The beautifully-bred mare went past $100,000 in career earnings as she sprinted clear of Crackerjack and Bravehearthighlander.  She is owned by Herlihy’s wife Suzanne along with their close friends and neighbours John and Trish Green, the Green’s son James and Trish’s sister Colleen Smith. “She has always been a nice mare but just took some time to strengthen up,” explains Herlihy.  “She can now handle 2700m as we saw tonight and she is doing a really good job.” The night’s other Metro Final, of the pacers, went to a late-surging Leo Lincoln after a lovely Peter Ferguson up the passing to beat a very brave You Little Beauty.  The winner broke 2:40 for the mobile 2200m, a big effort on a cold winter night, and is part owned by co-trainer Ray Green.  Also impressive was Matty A in the main trot who overcame a 45m handicap to trot 3:28.6, a mid-race move from driver Andre Poutama the winning of the race.  The big son of Dream Vacation looks stronger this prep for trainer Sheryl Wigg and with the open class ranks lacking great depth he wouldn’t look out of place in some of the bigger races. View the full article

Hardy three-year-old Stylish Secret will ensure trainer Mick Nolan can savour his 70th birthday celebrations after a strong win in the MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield. The diminutive son of Sweet Orange has taken his connections on an enjoyable ride with his three victories to date, with Saturday’s triumph the gelding’s first since landing the Derby Trial last spring. Ridden by Craig Williams, Stylish Secret came from just beyond the speed to run down Verona Rupes. From 15 starts, Stylish Secret has won on three occasions and is twice placed, advancing his career earnings to A$260,725. A skilled horseman with years of experience as Mick Price’s right-hand man, Nolan relaunched his training career and secured stables at Mornington a couple of years ago. “My first runners I had at Moone Valley, Flemington and Sandown all won, and I have been cranky that I have had to wait four starts for a win at Caulfield, but I have got the whole four now,” Nolan joked. “It’s unbelievable. We have a great bunch of owners. it’s what racing is all about, a cheap horse, look at these people you couldn’t get them any happier could you. “I was nervous because I thought it was going to be the end (of preparation run), but he is such a tough little horse, he’s only 420kg and 15 hands, and he just cops the work, he is an amazing horse.” Nolan praised the ride by Craig Williams and said he was looking forward to celebrating tomorrow by ‘Drinking about 10 stubbies too many’. “All the owners are going to be there and you only get to 70 once in your life, so it will be good fun,” he said. Stylish Secret was purchased in New Zealand by part-owner Helen Thomas off Gavelhouse.com for just $2,300 as a weanling. A highly-acclaimed journalist, broadcaster and author, Thomas was on the hunt for a staying type and sought the advice of long-time friend, the late Deane Lester, one of Australia’s most respected form students. “Deane (Lester) did suggest that I have a look on Gavelhouse because it is a really great website to find horses, particularly broodmares and young horses,” Thomas said. “I jumped on and lot number one was this happy, little horse – he looked like a bit of a ragamuffin as a weanling. “He was by Sweet Orange out of a Savabeel mare called Scarlett Secret and bred and raised at Windsor Park Stud. “Daqiansweet Junior by Sweet Orange was doing really well at the time, and I thought, here’s a horse that is certainly bred to be a middle-distance horse, if not a fully-fledged stayer and wouldn’t it be good to grow him up and have a bit of a fun with him. “A month or two after I bought him, his half-brother won a trial and was sold to Australia and that’s Unseen Ruler (winner of six races).” View the full article

Enigmatic galloper Diamond Jak exacted the perfect revenge when he came with a perfectly timed run to take out Saturday’s feature flat race at Te Rapa, the Callinan Family Taumarunui Gold Cup (2100m) after being narrowly denied success in the 2024 version of the event. The Mark Brosnan-trained rising seven-year-old had beaten narrowly by Saturday’s race rival Hula Beat in a stirring finish in 2024 and brought good form to the 2025 edition although this was tempered by his knack of missing the jump in his races and setting himself an impossible task on most occasions. Rider Samatha Collett was wide awake to those habits as she got him away on terms on Saturday and had him travelling sweetly towards the rear but well within striking distance. Collett set him alight approaching the home turn and he loomed into contention outside topweight Drop Of Something (60kgs) with 300m to run. That pair set down to fight out a driving finish which saw Diamond Jak thrust his head in front to defeat Drop Of Something at the winning post, with Quick Fire and Arjay’s Flight close-up behind the first two. Brosnan cut a contented figure when questioned after the race. I’m very happy as he should have won the race last year, so I’m very grateful to get it today,” Brosnan said. “He is a big horse but not the biggest frame as he doesn’t eat much. “It was also a very good ride by Sam.” Collett had noted before the race her biggest goal was to get the horse away from the starting gates with the rest of the field and was relieved she had done that. “He has definitely hopped (out) a bit better, but in saying that I was still a long way back,” she said. “Plan B was to let him get through his gears and at the half mile he was tracking up nicely on a speed that had been quite genuine. “He was still making hard work of it on the corner and I had covered more ground than Christopher Columbus, so I was pleased he was so fit. “Mark has done a great job with him and he was unlucky not to win last year. He was the fittest and best horse here today.” The six-year-old son of Jakkalberry has now won five of his 31 starts and over $194,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Race favourite Force Of Nature made it five wins from five starts at Te Rapa when he strolled home in the Woods Contracting 1300 (1300m) on Saturday. Bred and raced by Milan Park principal Tony Rider, the son of Savabeel has continued to improve since breaking his maiden status back in October last year and is unbeaten in three starts after resuming from a summer spell with a win in rating 75 company in April followed by his inaugural open handicap success in early May. Trainer Andrew Forsman gave his emerging star another short break and he returned to action with a vengeance, defeating Marlborough Bay and Dusty Road with ease. Senior rider Michael McNab had his mount perfectly situated in midfield before angling him to the outer in the home straight. Force Of Nature bounded clear at the 200m with McNab easing him to the line nearly two lengths clear of Marlborough Bay, Dusty Road and Martell who all chased gamely but to no avail. Rider was delighted to see Force Of Nature continue on his winning way and has high hopes that success can be maintained. “That was a very good run in a nice field,” Rider said. “I know Andrew thinks a lot of him and we all hope he can continue his development to get him up to black type level. “Andrew has always said he has heaps of ability but it has taken some time for him to mature and he has more growing up to do. “They have taken him along quietly and he is displaying the benefit of that. Personally, I think he could get up to a mile and that will open up some exciting stakes opportunities for him.” Force of Nature is out of the O’Reilly mare Elusive Nature (NZ) and is the younger brother of Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy winner (1200m) Shezzacatch (NZ) (Savabeel)who also ran 4th in the 2023 Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) behind Levante (NZ) (Proisir). He has now won five of his nine starts and just under $124,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

A nasty fall that extinguished the chances of four of the nine runners in the Property Brokers Taumarunui 3YO (1400) at Te Rapa overshadowed a fine victory by talented filly Ortega. The race changed in dramatic fashion when Illuminated Miss clipped the heels of race favourite Ribkraka as that runner crossed to the lead at the 1000m mark. The subsequent chain effect saw Gina Rosa, Gracetheace and I Park all hit the deck leaving the rest of the field to continue on. The Stephen Marsh-prepared Ortega kept in touch with Ribkraka and became his only danger as she challenged him on the outer in the home straight for apprentice Jack Taplin and got in a decisive stride right on the line to head him for the victory. “She was very good and very tough today,” Marsh said. “She was a while in between runs last time and got taken on at Rotorua which caused her downfall. We wanted to back her up and she showed the benefit of that decision today. “Young Jack Taplin couldn’t believe how she stayed on her feet as he said she had to hurdle one of the fallen runners. “It was very nice to get the win but you never want to see a fall like that as that is not what racing is all about and I just hope everyone involved is okay. Marsh will now take time to reassess his next moves with Ortega but believes she is in the right form to carry on over the next few months. “She probably doesn’t really like that deep ground now and enjoyed the Te Rapa surface which is never like a bog winter track,” he said. “With her going so well now and being rock hard fit I can see her picking up some good money over the next few months as she gets footing to suit.” Raced by Marsh, Dylan Johnson and American-based stable client Dennis Foster, Ortega is a daughter of Reliable Man and out of the stakes placed Rip Van Winkle mare Rayas. She has now won three of her 12 starts while she also finished third in the 2024 Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. The four jockeys in the fall, Hayley Hassman, Rihaan Goyaram, Ashlee Strawbridge and Ace Lawson-Carroll, were transferred to Waikato Hospital by ambulance immediately after the race with a variety of injuries, although all were said to be conscious and speaking to Ambulance personnel. The four horses also escaped serious injury although all had scrapes, bumps and scratches for their efforts. A post-race inquiry saw Ribkraka disqualified from his second placing for causing serious interference while the meeting was set back one race to allow for the four riders to depart the track. View the full article

Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. The Lisa Latta-trained daughter of Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain had scored handsomely in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at the venue last month with Bruno Queiroz in the saddle and the visiting Brazilian jockey made it three victories from three rides on the filly with another well-judged effort on Saturday. Queiroz had the filly settled nicely in midfield against the running rail early on before improving to sit just behind the pacemaker Spandeedo approaching the home turn. There was plenty of jostling between Spandeedo and several runners on his outer at that point, however Queiroz kept his mount hard against the fence to avoid any interference as Platinum Diamond cornered brilliantly and shot clear. Despite being hotly challenged in the closing stages by Luminance and Latta’s second runner Brutiful Lass, Platinum Diamond was too tough as she held a margin of just on a length ahead of her rivals at the winning post. “I was a little bit worried when there was a kerfuffle turning in but I think hard against the rail is as good as getting out wide,” Latta said. “Bruno got her in a good part of the track and that helped. She has a summer type coat already but she keeps herself well and she is very exciting. “I don’t think she is just a wet tracker so we’re going to give her two or three weeks as a freshener and she is going to the paddock at a good time.” Queiroz was impressed with how his mount had performed. “She is a very very good horse and such a lovely type,” he said. “I was very confident as she travelled well and in the last 600m she came through on the inside and was very happy to be there.” Lisa Latta Racing Stables paid $90,000 to buy Platinum Diamond from breeders Beaufort Downs during the Book 2 Sale at Karaka in 2024. The filly has now had four starts for three wins and $112,975 in stakes. View the full article

The win was a triumph for Louisiana-breds as owners Valene Farms, rider Brian Hernandez Jr., and Smoken Wicked all hail from the Pelican State.View the full article