Chief Stipe

The country’s two leading stables fought out the finish of today’s TAB March Madness Cup at Trentham with a pair of exciting two-year-old colts. The champion Cambridge pair of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman went into today’s meeting with 80 wins for the season, a slight advantage over Te Akau’s Jamie Richards on 77. But Richards moved to 78 as the blue-blooded Equinox held out the desperate late lunge of Holy Mongolemporor by a long head. Equinox, by Exceed And Excel out of the Group One performer Our Ella Belle, was a $750,000 yearling purchase at Karaka by Te Akau principal David Ellis. He scored a brilliant debut win at Trentham in late January, but failed on a wet track in last month’s Gr. 3 Waikato Stud Slipper at Matamata. Holy Mongolemperor, a colt by More Than Ready carrying the China Horse Club’s colours, had made a big impression at the trials and was a close fifth at Pukekohe in his only previous start at the end of February – a race that has already produced the stylish subsequent winner Folk Dress. A grandson of the top-class mare Zirna, Holy Mongolemperor was a $240,000 purchase at the Ready to Run Sale. Equinox was ridden today by Michael McNab, taking over from Troy Harris, who had a fall at Te Aroha yesterday. Harris reportedly had no broken bones but was taken to hospital for checks on a possible concussion. After having an easy time in the lead through the first 500 metres, Equinox kicked clear with a smart turn of foot at the top of the straight. Just as he appeared to have the race in safe keeping, Holy Mongolemperor produced an explosive finish out wide to make things very interesting in the last 50 metres. But Equinox was up to the challenge and held on for a narrow win. “I’ve ridden him a fair bit in work, so I know him well enough,” McNab said. “I thought there might be a bit more pressure early in the race from Lisa (Allpress, riding the eventual third placegetter In Fashion from the inside gate). “When that early pressure wasn’t there, I decided I might as well take it up and get over to the fence. “He’s still only three-parts there and doesn’t really know what he’s doing yet. He’s got a bit of presence about him. He knows he’s pretty cool. He’s going to be a serious horse when he figures everything out. “I don’t see why he shouldn’t take a shot at the Group One next.” That race is the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes over 1400 metres at Awapuni on March 30 – a race Richards has won in the last two years with Melody Belle and Avantage. Richards, born and raised in the South Island and expressing his concern for the people of Christchurch, clearly took satisfaction from today’s result. “It’s good to get a result like this for all those who have invested in the colts syndicate,” he said. “The second horse had trialled very well, so the form from this race should hold up. “We want to teach this colt to tuck in behind other horses – you’d think a bit of cover would help him see out a longer trip than today’s 1200 metres, and I think he’ll be a better colt when he has something to chase. But I said to Michael before the race that today might not be the day for that. “He got a soft lead and did it well. He probably wants a better track again than what he had today (Dead6, with 1200 metres run in 1:11.56), but we’ll carry on to the Sires’ Produce Stakes as long as the track is okay there. “He’s a high-class horse that we really like, and we’re looking forward to a couple of weeks.” View the full article

For New Zealand racing fans looking to Oaks day at Trentham today to provide any small boost following the horrors of yesterday’s Christchurch attacks, a popular result in the Thee Auld Floozie Premier got the afternoon off to the right start. The favourite Comeback scored an easy win for two talented teenagers with bright futures in the sport – co-trainer Bailey Rogerson and apprentice jockey Shiarna Johnson. It was also a timely result for Rogerson’s grandfather and training partner, the Hall of Fame inductee Graeme, who lost his mother during the week. Comeback completed a Trentham double within the space of a week, having won impressively in Rating 72 grade last Saturday. The Makfi gelding went up to Rating 82 today, but the result was just the same. After trailing stablemate Saignon through the early part of the race, Comeback took control in the straight. Sweepstake and Mikjene did their best to go with him, but Comeback showed clear superiority in the last 150 metres to win by a length and a quarter. For Johnson, it was a fourth win in a riding career that began at Gisborne just last month. She had also ridden Comeback in last Saturday’s victory. “To win at Trentham to Saturdays in a row has given me a lot of confidence,” the 19-year-old said. “I’m still just trying to learn as much as I can. “This horse has been really good to me. He did it nicely today, he got a bit strong coming up to the turn, but he just did what he was asked down the straight.” Bred and owned by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey, Comeback has now had 19 starts for five wins, nine placings and more than $92,000 in prize-money. “He’s Mr Consistent,” Bailey Rogerson said. “He was able to take a sit today, but he raced a bit strongly and did a bit of work. So for him to come again in the straight the way he did, it was a good win. “He’s had a few issues and is a bit of a day-to-day prospect, but he’s a horse on the up. He goes well at Ellerslie, so the Easter (Group Two, 1600m, April 20) might be worth a thought.” Today’s 1400-metre opening event was run in 1:24.86 on a track rated Dead5. The opening race featured an early scare inside the first 200 metres as Strolling Vagabond clipped heels and dislodged jockey Sam O’Malley. Both horse and rider were quickly to their feet and appeared to escape injury. View the full article

Cambridge horsewoman Nicky Chilcott saw in Alexandra Park’s new stakes hikes in the best possible fashion on Friday night, training a pair of $20,000 race winners. And while the win of pacer Jack Tar was gratifying, it was the sensational last-to-first victory of trotter Phoebe Imperial that really had her excited. “That’s the nicest feeling I’ve had sitting behind a horse in a long, long time,” said Chilcott. “We did a stretch at the start and I didn’t think we’d even tack on to the field, let alone win.” Phoebe Imperial was impeded by a galloping runner at the start and settled beyond the back of the pack. He eventually rejoined the main bunch and Chilcott sat him last until mounting a sprint wide on the track. A brilliant turn of foot saw him blaze straight past the entire field to win easily. It could be just the beginning of something special for the son of Imperial Count. “I’ve always really liked him, he’s just mentally been a bit of a dick and I’ve had to wait for him. “He’s always had a lot of speed and a beautiful gait, just mentally not there.” Phoebe Imperial has now won three of 11 starts. Jack Tar was a decisive winner in the 50-54 pace, Dylan Ferguson doing the driving with Chilcott on stablemate Mac’s Tomado. But his trainer warns that the son of Tintin In America is better than he’s currently showing. “Even though he won, I’m not real happy with him at the moment. “He’s a much better horse than what he’s been showing. “He’s not a patch on the horse he’s meant to be, so hopefully, after a spell, we’ll see the best of him.” Barry Purdon also prepared a double on the card, with Mach Shard taking out the night’s $25,000 feature pace and Benson Boys resuming with an impressive win over A Bettor Act on the undercard. View the full article

Global Exchange has stamped his Australian Derby credentials with a narrow, but impressive win in the Gr. 2 Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Global Exchange is favourite for the Australian Derby at Randwick on April 6 which will be his next start after he got the better of Declarationofheart and Cossetot in last night’s 2040-metre race. Ridden by Ben Melham, Global Exchange, the $2.50 favourite made his run on the outside coming to the home turn and was able to edge past Declarationofheart to score by half-head. Cossetot was the same margin away third. Global Exchange has now won the Gr. 2 Autumn Classic and Alister Clark at his past two starts. Melham said The Valley was not the ideal course for big-striding Global Exchange, but he was able to get the job done and Melham believes he has the right attributes heading towards a Derby. “He’s a nice horse with very good upside,” Melham told broadcaster Racing.com. “He’s got a lovely temperament. He relaxes really well and he’s got a good turn of foot to go with it. So he’s got all the right attributes.” Eustace said Global Exchange was now primed for the Derby, a race that the colt’s sire Dundeel won in 2014. “The Derby has been the plan the whole way through, really since the spring when we put him away,” he said. “There looks a lot of upside to him, the further we get.” Global Exchange is at $5 for the Australian Derby, while runner-up Declarationofheart shares the second line of betting at $8 alongside Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut. Declarationofheart’s jockey Damien Oliver was suspended for a careless shift at the 700-metre mark, with his ban to start after next week’s Golden Slipper meeting and end in time for the Derby. View the full article

RACE 7: FERRANDO confirmed his dislike for right handed tracks when being beaten last start at Ellerslie, he returns to the scene of his big 2nd in the Telegraph where he crossed form out wide to sit outside the leader, he kept kicking and was only beaten a millimetre at the post, this is where […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Al Boum Photo, ridden by Paul Townend, has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup to give trainer Willie Mullins his first victory in the flagship race. The 12-1 shot beat Anibale Fly and Bristol De Mai while favourite Presenting Percy had a disappointing run. “It feels great,” Mullins, who had trained six runners-up in the race, told ITV Sport. “It’s good to get the Gold Cup finally, three of my other four runners were out before the circuit finished. But Al Boum Photo looked so relaxed and I knew he could jump. “I come here every year and start afresh, but I didn’t think I would have a good Cheltenham with how the winter had gone.” Victory was bittersweet for Mullins as one of his other runners in the Gold Cup, Invitation Only, suffered a serious fall and had to be euthanised. It followed the death of Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Erec, who was put down following an injury sustained after going over a fence in the race won by 20-1 shot Pentland Hills. “There was no reason we could have predicted that injury (to Sir Erec),” David Sykes, the director of Equine Health and Welfare at the British Horseracing Authority, told ITV. “Beforehand, when he was checked, the vets reported he moved well and had no indication of lameness or injuries. We are never going to stop those sort of catastrophic injuries.” Three horses have died at the four-day festival after Tuesday’s fatal injury to Mullins-trained Ballyward. View the full article

Race 3: Best bet JOY ANNA just found the heavy track too much to handle when 7th last start in a tougher field, she was returning after a small let up and may have also needed the run, she can again lead form her good draw, she will take some catching around this track, go […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Tauranga race scratchings R1: 5 R2: R3: R4: 6 R5: 10 R6: R7: 1,6 R8: 4,10 TAB Meeting #2 First race starts 12.45pm Doubles: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Trebles: 2-3-4, 6-7-8 Quaddies: 1-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8 Track conditions: Dead 5 Weather: Showery Rail: Out 6 Metres Track: Right Hand 1800 metres Straight: 350 Metres Race 3: #5 JOY ANNA $18 Win (FOB $6.50) Race 5: Quaddie 1-2-3-4-6/6-7-10-11/3-5/1-2-7-8 ($16 = 10%) Race 8: #8 SPEECHMAKER $8 Win (FOB $18) $2 Quinella 8/1-2-6-7 (Cost $8) Race 1: Best bet PALAMEDES made an adequate start to her career last year including a close 2nd at Te Awamutu, she prefers wet tracks and should be a lot stronger this time in, she looked forward when winning a recent trial, goes close. ALL PAID UP was ridden out hands and heels to win his latest trial, he sat outside the leader, he knuckled down well in the straight, he looks a winner at short notice, each way. NICHE is a veteran of 4 trials so will be well educated as most are from her stable, she showed pace to lead up when finishing runner up at her most recent trial, she won’t be far away from her good draw. SHIPSHAPE hasn’t started since early January, prior to her short let up she was not too far away and should still have a fitness edge of some of her rivals, include in wider multiples. Race 2: Best bet BOLT FROM THE BLUE was an impressive winner on debut over the 800 metres, then was just beaten a nose at her next by what turned out to be one of our better 3 years olds, he had had enough when beaten at his last start but when you look who won that race then to only be beaten 4 lengths doesn’t look so bad, he was an effortless trial winner recently and must be hard to beat here. ERIDANI picked up where she left off prior to going for a short spell when finishing 2nd at Hastings, she will get a trip that suits from her handy draw and after the 3KG claim she drops to a winnable weight, can go one better. BELLA PRONTO was well supported at her first NZ start and did not disappoint, overcoming difficulties in the running to get up right on the line, she can only improve from that effort, go again. WAY ABOVE, BOTHERED, and CEGHAR are all last start winners that should all work their way through the grades over Autumn/Winter, a win by any would not come as any surprise. Race 3: Best bet JOY ANNA just found the heavy track too much to handle when 7th last start in a tougher field, she was returning after a small let up and may have also needed the run, she can again lead form her good draw, she will take some catching around this track, go again. DAMA ZORRO built nicely to a tough last start win, she draws the ace which should enable her to get a softer trip here and that should make her hard to hold out, each way up in grade. ITS DESTINYS CHILD took a few runs to come to it this time in but has really hit her straps at her last 3 starts, she has worked her way through the grades winning her last couple, after the 2KG claim there is no reason she can’t win again, CHICANE has a great track record (4-2-1) which is important as Tauranga is a horses for courses circuit, she has been a little in or out this season but both her runs here have been very good, she also benefits from a 3KG claim, watch closely. For longer odds MEMORIES ONLY it would pay to overlook his Ellerslie run last start as he is not quite the same horse at Headquarters, his effort for 2nd on this track is a much better guide to his chances in this, if he can repeat that effort when he sat outside the speed then he can definitely make his presence felt. Race 4: Best bet . ESPRESSO MARTINI gained a deserved win at Listed level 3 starts back, she then contested Group 2 and Group 1 contests, though beaten she wasn’t disgraced, given a freshen up and back to a more suitable distance she looks to be one of the leading chances, especially from her handy draw. ROLL THE GOLD could be over the odds, he was unlucky at Trentham 2 starts back, then went to Wairoa but looked to be in need of the run, once again he didn’t get all favours during the running, he is due a change of luck and after the 3KG claim he gets his chance to turn it all around, each way. POKER FACE is making a fresh start, he is a past winner in this state before and is sure to be well forward, follow any positive market leads, look for him late. Race 5: A R65 1400 metre contest starts the quaddie, best bet RAPOSA RAPIDA who is knocking on the door, he has progressively got better at each run this season, he just got pipped last start and is due a win, the 3KG claim is also a bonus, hard to beat. BRUEGEL nearly made a winning debut for her new trainers, he will be better for that run and he has a draw that suits, as a 5 win horse he does look well placed to break through,the blinkers being added could make all the difference, watch closely. WHITE SHIELD had 3 starts in December and hasn’t been seen publically since, outside of his Ellerslie run the other 2 have been good enough for him to be competitive in this, he is likely to push forward and could take some catching around this track, each way. IFFNDOUBT and LALA LAND both went improved runs for 4th at their respective last starts, they are both capable of being thereabouts here, include in all multiples. Race 6: Best bet HANGAR bounced back from his Group 1 initiation in the Telegraph to finish 3rd next up at Otaki, the effort may have looked disappointing on paper but he did need the run, he should strip much fitter for this and after the 3KG claim he drops to only 51KGs, with that he has to be the hardest to beat. BACK IN A FLASH might be better on a wet track, she is returning here from a short let up and does drop in weight from her last start where she was a touch disappointing, her fresh up winning effort at Ellerslie on Boxing Day is a good form reference for this, weather watch then react accordingly. LE CASTILE last started against the top mares at Group 2 level where she finished 4th, she won her 2 starts prior by either leading or sitting outside the pace, she is likely to adopt similar tactics here and should be hard to run down with only 54 KGs to carry. RONCHI is totally unreliable, but a repeat of his last start 2nd when he had the blinkers added would be good enough for him to be a threat again, take your chances as he is probably worth the risk. DONNA ANNE BILLY can’t be totally discounted, from her good draw she should be able to settle close to the pace and her form around here is very good (7-2-2), likely to be at good odds again, include in all multiples. Race 7: Best bet CALLIGRAPHY has been freshened since finishing 5th against the top mares at Group 2 level, her form this season has been sound and back to her favourite track (5-2-1) she will be hard to hold out. KING’S CROSS jumped up out of the ground when flashing home for 2nd at Ellerslie last start, he has been up for a while but is thriving on the racing schedule and hasn’t let the team down in any of his starts, after the 3KG claim he drops to a winnable weight with the extra 100 metres also being ideal, hard to beat. Race 8: Best bet SPEECHMAKER he has needed his recent racing and his last start effort though beaten did indicate his fitness is on the upward spiral, this field is devoid of form and he is likely to push forward which should keep him out of trouble early, expect a form reversal. JIMMY ROCKET if he was any other galloper he would probably go on top but it is Jimmy after all he is not known for trying the hardest, connections have opted for this easier assignment rather than the St. Leger at Trentham, he is best when saved up for the last run, hopefully for his many supporters he can find the winning post here, include in all multiples. DIAMONDSANDBUBBLES gained a well deserved maiden win 2 starts back, she then followed that with an unlucky 5th in the higher grade last start, that form is good enough for her to be a big chance in this, she is ready for the step up in distance, watch closely. MISSTUMUT her form has improved since being tried over ground, she recorded an emphatic maiden win at her last start, winning by 6 lengths! She can continue to improve and looks hard to beat here. NARVICK was very unlucky 2 starts back, he then travelled to New Plymouth where nothing went right for him, he got trapped wide then went forward and was given no real chance of winning, he gets a superior draw here and his stable is in hot form, capable of turning his season right around in this, include in all multiples. View the full article

Owner Bert Vieira will auction a nomination fee to his future stallion Trapeze Artist, with all proceeds to go to injured jockey Tye Angland. Trapeze Artist has won four Group One races, three last season with Angland aboard and last week’s Canterbury Stakes when he was ridden by Blake Shinn. Angland suffered a spinal injury in a fall in Hong Kong in November and, after several surgeries, has been confirmed as quadriplegic. Widden Stud is to stand Trapeze Artist in spring on behalf of Vieira, with the horse scheduled to have two more starts, the TJ Smith and All Aged Stakes, before he is retired. The nomination to Trapeze Artist will open the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on May 3. Vieira said he hoped his gesture would assist the Angland family financially in what is a challenging time. “I’m very proud Tye rode Trapeze Artist for us and did such a wonderful job with the horse,” Vieira said. “What happened to him with the fall and the effect that will have long-term on his young family, this is just a little thank you from the Vieira family. “I hope it helps him with his recovery and I want Tye to know he can ride for me at any time when he recovers.” Angland declared Trapeze Artist the best horse he had ridden. “Erin, myself and our three children are extremely appreciative of the kind gesture from the Vieira Family,” he said. “I hold Trapeze Artist in the highest regard as the most talented horse I rode during my riding career. We feel extremely honoured to remain in Trapeze Artist’s future career at stud.” Widden’s Antony Thompson said Trapeze Artist was almost fully booked for his first season even though it has only been a week since it was confirmed he would stand at the stud. View the full article

Godolphin-owned filly Pohutukawa has shown her class with a dominant win in the Gr. 3 Kembla Grange Classic. Pohutukawa was sent out the $1.65 favourite in yesterday’s 1600-metre race for three-year-old fillies after finding traffic problems at crucial stages in the straight in her previous two starts, when third in the Light Fingers Stakes and fifth in the Surround Stakes. Stepping up to the distance for the first time, Pohutukawa covered ground and made a sustained run under jockey James McDonald to defeat Frankely Awesome by a length and a quarter with another half-length to Scarlet Dream third. Kiwi filly House Of Cartier, now trained by John Sargent, was sixth. “It is really what we wanted to see from her today,” Pohutukawa’s trainer James Cummings told Sky Thoroughbred Central. “She’s a filly with a great action. A wonderful temperament.” Cummings was pleased to see Pohutukawa get clear running and show what she could do after her previous two starts. “Stepping up to a mile now, she was just too strong,” he said. “This is a critical race that flows into the Vinery Stud Stakes over 2000 metres at Group One level. And back to set weights she will be beautifully suited there.” The Vinery is at Rosehill on March 30. McDonald was taken by the performance and said Pohutukawa would have no problems running a strong 2000 metres against her own age. Pohutukawa is also equal second favourite for next month’s ATC Australian Oaks behind Nakeeta Jane. “She is a beautiful filly going forward,” McDonald said. “I loved her stamina. She had to make a decent run today and it wasn’t easy on her. And she was just as strong on the line as she was at the 600 (metres). “It was very impressive and I just love the way she relaxes and just copes with everything.” Pohutukawa brought up the fourth winner for Cummings and McDonald on the eight-race programme. View the full article

49 lives dead.

Sheikh Yabooty shook punters for the second time in three starts when winning at long odds at Manawatu Raceway on Thursday. She paid $35.50 on the tote, just two starts and two weeks after paying $22.10 when victorious at New Plymouth. The Stratford mare, by Big Jim, has given her trainer, Phil Fleming, something to smile about after a lean season – her two recent wins contributing to his tally of three for the term. “Overall, I’ve had a fairly disappointing season, compared to last year (seven wins). “The horses have been going ok, just not behaving as well as they should. “But I think I can have a good tail end to the season and hopefully this is the start of it.” Sheikh Yabooty was at one stage in the rogue category, her tendency to hang costing her a couple of races earlier in the campaign. “One day there at Otaki, I couldn’t believe it, she locked on one reign down the straight and I just couldn’t hook her out. “Since then, we’ve added the pole and all that and it’s made her a lot happier.” Coupled with this is the fact that she didn’t debut until this, her four-year-old season. “She took a wee while to get organised and I’ve got to thank Stephen Doody for all the donkey work he’s done with her. “She was a little bit erratic, I guess you could say a bit wayward with her steering.” Fleming bred Sheikh Yabooty after borrowing a Dream Away mare, Girl Of Your Dreams, from fellow Taranaki trainer, Philip Macey. “I liked her as a race horse; Todd Mitchell trained her and she had a lot of speed. “She won a race at Auckland from the outside of the gate and it was a terrific effort. “Phil wasn’t breeding from her any more and I was keen to get one out of her, so I borrowed her. “She had been disappointing as a broodmare – the first was a good type that Phil sold to Aussie but it died when it got off the plane. “The second one had the wobbles and got put down and the third was a midget by Falcon Seelster that never raced. “Then there was an American Ideal that couldn’t pace and then that’s when Phil gave up on her.” Fleming chose Big Jim out of loyalty to Alabar Stud. “Alabar had been very good to the Hawera Harness Racing Club by giving us sponsorship and that particular year he was available.” While she’s no superstar, he’s happy enough with the move. “The Big Jims have a fair bit of bottom to them. “She had to do a bit of work today and still found the line.” From here on out, Fleming isn’t sure if there is much future for her in the Central Districts, though. “She’s a rating 58 now and with the lack of horses she will end up racing the best ones after one more win. “I might sell her as I have got quite a few around me and a few young ones coming through, too.” View the full article

BEST BET: RACE 11 #2 STARS FLIGHT ($1.45 Fixed odds) BEST QUINELLA: RACE 2: #3 MAJOR SASS & #4 FLAME LADY STAR TRIALIST: RACE 5: #6 VICTORIA CALLING ($5 Fixed odds) BEST EACH WAY: RACE 6: #15 PRINCE ABBEY ($19 & $5.50 Fixed odds) BEST PLACE: RACE 3: #11 NIGHTMARCH ($4.40 […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

RACE 2: Quinella of the day MAJOR SEAS (3) and FLAME LADY (4) you don’t have to be Einstein to work this one out. RACE 3: NIGHTMARCH (11) looks to be some place value, currently at $4.40 Fixed odds for a place, he is capable of running into the money on his favourite track. […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Unable to secure enough votes to earn a spot and then rejected by the wild card selection panel, multiple Group One winner Le Romain has managed to force his way into the inaugural All-Star Mile on race eve. And having now gained a start, his trainer Kris Lees is confident the gelding shapes as one of the better-credentialed runners in the A$5 million race at Flemington. Foundry was scratched this morning after presenting with lameness in his left foreleg, meaning Le Romain gets a start after being the first reserve and will be ridden by Dwayne Dunn. “We took the long road but we got there,” Lees said. “I can’t fault the horse. The three-week gap between his last run he will appreciate. “He had a jumpout last Friday where he performed well and he backed that up with a nice gallop on the course proper at Flemington on Tuesday. “He’s going into the race in good order and from a soft gate he looks to get a lovely run. He’ll run well.” West Australian gelding Material Man and Queensland-based Urban Ruler had to be re-examined by vets today after lameness concerns, but have been passed fit to start. They will be examined again on-course tomorrow as a precaution. Stewards have approved Material Man to wear a bar plate on his left fore, while outsider Urban Ruler will wear bar plates on both front feet. Le Romain finished second to All-Star Mile favourite Alizee first-up this campaign in the Expressway Stakes in Sydney before being unplaced in the Futurity Stakes, also won by Alizee, at his last start. He has won the Gr. 1 Cantala Stakes over the Flemington 1600m in 2016, while he also finished second in last year’s edition of the same race carrying 57.5kg. Lees has been keen to get Le Romain into the All-Star Mile from the time the race was announced in November. The top 10 vote getters from a public vote earned places while a Racing Victoria selection panel then issued four wild cards which went to Happy Clapper, Hartnell, Mystic Journey and Hawkshot. The four emergencies were based on prize-money earned. “We brought him in a touch earlier this preparation with a view of the programme that has now eventuated,” Lees said. “He’s getting there in the right frame of mind and the right condition. “He’s a Group One winner at weight-for-age and I think he’s one of three or four horses who are in quite well at weight-for-age. And he has performed at the mile on this track.” View the full article

Progressive four-year-old Rhinestone Cowboy will continue his career in Victoria under the care of emerging trainer Joe Waldron. The son of Teofilo won three of his five starts for Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and finished runner-up to talented mare Concert Hall at Matamata last month. The gelding was scratched from last Saturday’s Ellerslie meeting due to the downgrade in track conditions and arrived at Waldron’s Mornington stable this week. “Rhinestone Cowboy arrived late on Wednesday night and he came in good order,” said Waldron, who had previously been the travelling foreman for the Baker-Forsman stable before training in his own right at Te Awamutu. “He went to the races a couple of weeks ago at Matamata and was really good on a rain-affected track which he doesn’t like.” Waldron has lofty ambitions for the gelding but recognises he will have to quickly elevate his rating in order to qualify for better races. “He will probably be rated 73 here, so we’ve got to aim to get his rating up a little bit, but ultimately the goal would be to get him into the Andrew Ramsden (Listed, 2800m) at the end of May,” Waldron said. “It’s a ballot exemption race for the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) but he is probably going to need to win three Saturday races to get his rating up enough to get into that race. “All going to plan he will kick off in a Benchmark 78 race next Saturday at Mornington.” Waldron has made a good start to his training career in Australia after relocating across the Tasman late last year. The 27-year-old trainer saddled Raspberry Beret to win at Colac earlier in the month, while I Got You and Weather With You have both been placed in town. “The horses have settled in and have been running well,” Waldron said. “It was good to get the monkey off the back with a win at Colac, which I know is a long way from Flemington, but the horses have been racing great without much luck. I can’t complain with how they’re looking and how they’re running.” Waldron has two runners this weekend including I Got You in the St Pat’s Cup Trophy at Geelong tomorrow and Raspberry Beret in a Benchmark 64 over 1950 metres at Yarra Valley on Sunday. In his two Australian starts, I Got You finished third at Caulfield and was a fast finishing fourth at Rosehill. “It’s a bit of a step down in class from Caulfield and Rosehill but he has drawn an outside gate (11 of 12) which is a bit tricky,” Waldron said. “As long as he gets a bit of luck in running, I think he will be very competitive. “Raspberry Beret was very tough at Colac. She sat wide throughout and still won and was strong through the line which was great to see. It is her first step-up over a middle distance and hopefully there will be a decent speed so that she settles and I imagine she will find the line well again.” View the full article

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh may not be competing for the A$5 million on offer in the inaugural All Star Mile at Flemington tomorrow, but he is hoping stable runner Starrybeel can win a sizeable cheque for his connections on the undercard. The Go Racing Rock Star Syndicate-owned gelding will compete in the A$150,000 Grand Final Classic (2000m) and Marsh is confident heading into the race despite an unplaced last-start performance at Matamata. “The track was wet and it was a mile, he really does like a good track,” Marsh said. “He didn’t get all favours but I wasn’t worried about it. Back on a good track and over ground, he’s ready. “He has travelled over really well. He travelled over on Wednesday afternoon. He went over a bit later because we weren’t 100 per cent sure of whether he was going to get into the race or not. “We ended up 16th on order of entry out of 16, so we just scraped in.” Starrybeel has drawn the outside gate in the field and Marsh said his charge will need a bit of luck in the running from that post. “It’s going to be difficult because we have drawn shocking, so it’s not going to be an easy race that’s for sure,” Marsh said. “But we are confident, it just means we will have to go back from the draw, which we probably would have anyway being his first run over ground this time in. “We will need a fair bit of luck to go our way, but we can’t fault him. He’s got over there great, he had a long walk on Thursday morning and he seems bright. Ethan Brown (jockey) gave him a light canter on Friday morning.” Go Racing principal Albert Bosma and Marsh elected to campaign Campari and Mark Two in Sydney last spring because of the lucrative prize-money on offer and the partnership have chosen to follow a similar formula in Victoria with Starrybeel through the autumn. “Looking at a race like this, it just looked like a lovely race to go for,” Marsh said. “We plan on giving him a decent campaign there and see where we end up. It’s all about making money. “We had a really good talk about it. We have a lot of good owners that are buying nice horses and to keep them interested and to keep them in the game we have got to (campaign them in Australia). “Unfortunately in New Zealand we don’t race for good money, it’s terrible, so we have got to give them the chance to make money. That is why we are going to do the right thing by everyone, find the right horse and target races and race for proper money.” Marsh doesn’t have any set plans after the weekend with Starrybeel, but he is likely to have a few more runs in Victoria. “We will get this race over and done with and then we will just see what he is eligible for,” he said. “He’s a four-year-old gelding, so we want to get as much money for the owners as we can.” View the full article

Tonight’s meeting at Addington Raceway in Christchurch has been called off. The move comes after a mass shooting incident at two mosques, in nearby Riccarton and Linwood. “In the interest of safety and uncertainty around the unfolding situation in Christchurch, [tonight’s] Addington race meeting has been abandoned,” said Harness Racing New Zealand in a statement. The meeting included a $20,000 Nevele R Fillies Series heat for three-year-olds, which is likely to be rescheduled, and a $17,500 Sires Stakes Prelude for the three-year-old trotters. View the full article

Thoughts for my uni town no matter what race or creed. Unfortunately I've been shown the video and it is horrible. Please don't post on BOAY. Please respect the many families that are grieving.

A busy day could turn in to a really exciting day if Social Club is able to win the Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham on Saturday for trainer Russell Ferguson. Ferguson is the president of the Wyndham Harness Racing Club, which hosts the $30,000 group 3 feature for two-year-olds. That means there should be no shortage of people to cheer Social Club on, or help Ferguson celebrate victory in his club’s signature race. Social Club faces a daunting task in his debut – taking on two quality pacers from the All Stars Stable. Ferguson was confident his pacer would not be disgraced when clashing with Copperfield and Flying Even Bettor. “I would expect him to be competitive,” he said. “He has got his share of ability and the penny has dropped in the last month.” “He has got the makings of a nice horse.” Social Club has one clear advantage over the All Stars pair. He only has to travel one kilmetre down the road for Saturday’s feature. Copperfield and Flying Bettor face a road trip of around six hours to get to the Eastern Southland venue. “There is no place like home, we don’t have to go far to do it, its only a ‘k’ down the road.” “He has got a home track advantage, so he knows his way around the place pretty well.” Social Club has had five trials and workouts to be readied for his debut on Saturday. The Mach Three pacer won the latest of those by twenty lengths, clocking a 2.01.1 mile (1609m). If Social Club goes as well as his older sibling already has this week, he should give the Kindergarten Stakes a good shake. The pacer is a Mach Three half-brother to Queensland Oaks winning mare Sociable. The Andrew Stuart trained four-year-old, who is by Buy Kiwi Made, won a trial at Rangiora on Wednesday as she approaches her return to racing. Social Club was a $25,000 purchase at last year’s national yearling sales in Christchurch. The pacer is one of four Southland trained two-year-olds that will have their first starts in the Kindergarten Stakes. They clash with Copperfield, Flying Even Bettor and Tyron Terranova, who all started in Smooth Deal’s Sapling Stakes last month. Ferguson has juggled preparing Social Club for Saturday’s race with his president’s duties. He said his club was set for a big day out. “This is our feature day for the year and we put a lot in to it.” “Weather permitting, we will have a really good day.” “It is going to be a great day’s racing, it is one of the most picturesque courses in the country and the track is in great order.” “So we will look forward to some pretty slick times.” View the full article

Bryony Frost is quickly adapting to the role as the Frankie Dettori of National Hunt racing and her victory on Frodon in the Ryanair Chase catapulted her further into the limelight. In doing so she because the first woman to ride a Grade One winner over jumps at the Cheltenham Festival and justified Paul Nicholls’ decision to skip the Gold Cup with the bold-jumping front-runner. While Aso gained the advantage jumping the last, 9-2 chance Frodon, as he has done so many times already, kept on finding up the Cheltenham hill to win by a length and a quarter. Another popular winner was Paisley Park in the Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle. Emma Lavelle’s seven-year-old, whose owner Andrew Gemmell has been blind from birth, had enjoyed a perfect season to date with four impressive victories which saw punters send him off at 11-8. With former champion hurdler Faugheen in the field, he faced his stiffest test to date, but Paisley Park survived a last-flight blunder to account for last year’s beaten favourite Sam Spinner by two and three-quarter lengths, while Faugheen had to settle for third. It was the biggest win of jockey Aidan Coleman’s career. Lavelle said of her winner, whose life had been threatened by an attack of colic two years ago: “He’s delivered for us the whole season and he’s done it again. I’m thrilled.” Lizzie Kelly got her name on the winner’s board when riding Siruh Du Lac to victory in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate. Not unlike Frodon earlier in the day, Siruh Du Lac set the pace while jumping accurately and he had enough in reserve to hold 3-1 favourite Janika at bay by three-quarters of a length. The Philip Hobbs-trained Defi Du Seuil (3-1 favourite) got the better of old rival Lostintranslation to claim the JLT Novices’ Chase – the first of three winners on the card for JP McManus, who followed up in the following Pertemps Final with the heavily-backed Sire Du Berlais, trained by Gordon Elliott. The leading owner’s treble was completed in the Kim Muir as the brilliant amateur Derek O’Connor delivered Ted Walsh’s Any Second Now (6-1) with a perfectly-timed challenge. Willie Mullins won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle for the fourth straight year, with 50-1 shot Eglantine Du Seuil nailing her 66-1 stablemate Concertista on the line. View the full article

Te Aroha Raceday Scratchings R1: 3 R2: 9,13,14 R3: 2,3,12,13 R4: R5: 2 R6: 1,8,13,16,17,18 R7: 1 R8: 10,13 NZ TAB Meeting #6 with the first of 8 races starting at 12:27pm Doubles: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Trebles: 2-3-4, 6-7-8 Quaddies: 1-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8 Track conditions: Dead 4 Weather: Cloudy Rail: Out 6m Track: Right hand 1900m Length of straight: 500m Race 5: A […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Te Aroha Raceday Scratchings R1: 3 R2: 9,13,14 R3: 2,3,12,13 R4: R5: 2 R6: 1,8,13,16,17,18 R7: 1 R8: 10,13 NZ TAB Meeting #6 with the first of 8 races starting at 12:27pm Doubles: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Trebles: 2-3-4, 6-7-8 Quaddies: 1-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8 Track conditions: Dead 4 Weather: Cloudy Rail: Out 6m Track: Right hand 1900m Length of straight: 500m Todays $50 […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869 (3) (b)Following the running of Race 8, the Greg Topp Betta Electrical Womens Drivers Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr S Wallis against Open Horsewoman Mrs D Flint, alleging a breach of Rule 869(3) (b) in that she drove carelessly on the home turn when shifting ground outwards ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869 (3) (b)Following the running of Race 8, the Greg Topp Betta Electrical Womens Drivers Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr S Wallis against Open Horsewoman Mrs A Tomlinson alleging a breach of Rule 869(3) (b) in that she drove carelessly by allowing her drive, SCELTO UNO, to strike ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article