Wandering Eyes

Ocean Beyond (NZ) (Ocean Park) may not be the friend of the punter, but what he is he’s a consistent money spinner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained galloper will try to collect his biggest prize on Saturday when he runs in the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and attempt to build on his A$535,475 bankroll. Now an eight-year-old, Ocean Beyond has been winless since May 2022 when successful in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington. After originally starting out with Daniel Bowman at Warrnambool, which included a win on Ballarat Cup Day in 2021, Ocean Beyond then had a stint with Andrew Bobbin before transferring into Ryan’s care last year. Ocean Beyond has gone winless in 24 starts for Ryan but has picked up more than A$135,000 in prize money from finishing in the placings six times while finishing fourth on a further four occasions. “When he came to my stable, he was on the verge of retirement,” Ryan said. “He hadn’t done much for a while and as he’s got a bit older, he appears to be getting out in distance and has probably reinvented himself a little bit. “When you’ve only got a small stable at Warrnambool, there is some frustration (that he hasn’t won) but it’s nice to have a galloper in the stable that runs good races, in good races, all the time. “I know he’s probably not a punter’s favourite, but if you put your business hat on, he’s winning plenty of money for his owners and covering his costs. “We’re hoping one day that lightning strikes, and he gets away with a good race.” Ocean Beyond is on the quick back-up having chased home Casino Seventeen (Casino Prince) and Rumbled Again (Night Of Thunder) in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield last Saturday, collecting A$18,000 for connections. “The best runs he’s had from me have been when he’s been on the quick back-up,” Ryan said. “I’m confident he can run, at least, as well as he did last Saturday, and hopefully better. “The 2000 (metres) is probably as far as he wants it, but I think he’ll run a strong 2000 coming off the 1800 (metres) last Saturday.” Ryan said swimming, trips to the local pony club along with trotting and cantering at the Warrnambool racecourse will have Ocean Beyond in peak condition for Saturday. “He’s a horse that is easy to train,” Ryan said. “He always eats well, he’s very sound, enjoys his work, but he’s got a racing pattern that’s not conducive to winning a lot of races. “He likes to get back and find the line late, but I think he’ll present in as good as order as he did last Saturday. “It’s as probably as good a race that he’s been in, but his form suggests he warrants a shot.” By Waikato Stud’s proven sire Ocean Park out of the four-win Pins mare Frankly, Daniel Bowman went to $60,000 to purchase the gelding after he was passed in at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale where he was presented by Ohukia Lodge on behalf of Waikato Stud. View the full article

It may no longer be on the big stage of Karaka Millions night, but a win in Saturday’s Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe would mean just as much to trainer Chad Ormsby. The Cambridge horseman is targeting the feature sprint with stable favourite Master Fay (Deep Field), who took out last year’s running on the highly anticipate meeting at Ellerslie on the eve of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales. It was Master Fay’s second start in New Zealand following his comeback from Hong Kong, where he won his sole start for former trainer Caspar Fownes, and he has continued to be lightly raced by Ormsby, having just had the nine starts for four wins and two placings. The now eight-year-old son of Deep Field has had a long, slow build-up this preparation, having three trials and one raceday start, winning first-up over 1200m at Ellerslie in October. He was set to contest last month’s Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe, but Ormsby elected to withdraw his charge from the race due to the rain-affected track. “We missed a run in the Counties Bowl. I made a bit of a blue in scratching a little bit early,” Ormsby said. “I got a little bit scared away from the wet track mid-week, but it didn’t really matter too much. It has ruined a preparation before, hence why I didn’t want to go anywhere near an off track. “It hasn’t rocked the boat too much for his prep. He went to Ellerslie last Saturday for a gallop and worked really well and he has worked well during the week.” While pleased with Master Fay ahead of his fresh-up run, Ormsby is still wary of his opposition, and is hopeful apprentice jockey Sam McNab can continue his 100 percent strike-rate on the gelding. “There are still a couple of decent runners in the field that he is still going to have his A-game on. Things will need to go right for him,” Ormsby said. “I am excited to give young Sam a shot. This horse is as good as we have got and Sam rode him exceptionally well last time, so he gets to steer him around again.” Ormsby will also head to Ellerslie with last-start placegetter Unodostrescuatro, who will contest the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1600. “He found a little bit of form last start at Rotorua, but Saturday is a bit different to a Wednesday at Rotorua,” Ormsby said. “He deserves a shot and I am excited to step him up over a mile.” Looking ahead to Sunday, Ormsby will have a two-pronged attack at Te Aroha, including debutant Marcus Attillus (NZ) (Circus Maximus) in the MVS Equine Maiden 3YO (1400m) and fellow three-year-old Spiritus (NZ) (Ancient Spirit) in the Shackell Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m). “Marcus Attillus is a long-term project for us that we are slowly developing,” Ormsby said. “We will see him hit his straps maybe in his next preparation when he is getting up over a bit more ground. “Spiritus is a horse we have a lot of time for and we feel this campaign he might reach as far as something like a Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).” View the full article

Ultra-consistent sprinter Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto) is ready to take an important step to his main summer target when he lines up in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe Park on Saturday. In 14 starts dating back to his debut in July last year, the Per Incanto gelding has won seven times and never finished further back than fourth. As a son of 2013 Gr.1 Sistema Railway Stakes (1200m) winner Fleur de Lune (NZ) (Stravinsky), it’s no surprise that the late January Ellerslie sprint is his prime assignment, and trainer John Bell reports that all is progressing well towards that goal. “The positives are all there, everything’s coming together,” Bell said. “He handles wet ground but he’s really no mudder, so I’m hoping the track comes back from its current (Soft5) rating. “He’s such an athlete, a true professional, and just a lovely horse to do anything with.” On Saturday Twain will return to the scene of his last-start second to Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan) in the Gr. 3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m), when he carried four kilograms more than his fellow Cambridge rival. Under weight-for-age conditions at his previous start, he managed an even greater impost, lumping 59kg to victory in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua. Saturday’s set weight and penalty conditions treat Twain comparatively well, even with topweight of 56kg but only three kilograms above the minimum in the eight-horse field. “He’s there to win, so we’ve got to beat them and they’ve got to beat us,” Bell said. “I’m looking forward to giving him his chance in the Railway, that’s the race he’s headed for. “It would be great to see him do what his mother did, and I’d love to get another Railway to go with the one I won with Julius.” With this campaign’s regular rider Vinnie Colgan committed to Legarto and other important engagements at Trentham on Saturday, Bell has reverted to another familiar with Twain, Triston Moodley. “Fair enough that Vinnie had to go down south, but Triston has won three or four on him and he’ll do the job well I’m sure,” Bell said. Although not sharing the same favourite’s tag as Twain on Saturday, Bell warns not to under-estimate his other Pukekohe runner, MyRacehorse 1500 candidate Zenith. “He had no luck whatsoever last time there, everywhere he went he struck trouble,” Bell said of Zenith’s uncustomary tail-end finish at Pukekohe a fortnight ago. View the full article

Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman love a trip north to Trentham, and they are once again looking forward to heading to the Upper Hutt track this weekend with a trio of contenders. Trentham has been a happy hunting ground for the father-and-son duo, who have recorded some of their biggest wins at the track, including Savvy Coup’s (NZ) (Savabeel) Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) triumph and Enzo’s Lad’s (Testa Rossa) back-to-back victories in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m). “It is probably my favourite track,” Michael Pitman said. “It has been a good track to us. “We don’t go to Wellington unless we have a certain degree of confidence that they will perform.” They have plenty of confidence in last-start Group Three winner Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park), who will contest the Gr.3 Taylor Property Plus Spring Sprint (1400m). The Pitmans were initially looking to tackle the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) this weekend with their gelding but opted to change tack earlier this week when they saw the strength of that field. “We were going to run in the mile, right up until Tuesday night, but when the field came up so strong and the way the ratings are based, I said to the owners that we were better off to go this way this week and concentrate on the Thorndon (Gr.2, 1600m),” Michael Pitman said. “There is a heap of good racing coming up next year for a horse like him without taking on those two good mares (La Crique and Legarto), Ladies Man and Waitak too soon. The sprint looks a nice race for him. “He hasn’t had a lot of racing, he has only had two starts beyond 1400m in his life, so he is probably a better 1400m horse anyway. He looks reasonably well-weighted (57.5kg), that’s why he is the favourite.” Pitman is also looking forward to lining up Rosso (Camelot) in the Rothley 2100, as he gets ready for next month’s Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Irish-bred son of Camelot hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining the Pitman stable a couple of months ago, winning two of his three starts, and they are excited about his future. “He has been fantastic,” Pitman said. “All three of his runs have been really good. He is a revelation really, how would you expect to buy a horse like that and to come back in three starts and do what he has done? Now he is equal favourite for the Wellington Cup and that’s his main aim.” The Pitmans will also be represented by El Vaquero (NZ) (Ferrando) in the Aztech Engineering Ltd Sprint (1000m), and they are hoping the addition of blinkers will aid his chances over the sprint distance. “We took the blinkers off to hopefully let him settle because at one stage we were looking at having a crack at the Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) with him, so he has had blinkers off in his last two starts,” Pitman said. “He drops back to rating 65 grade and has got blinkers back on Saturday.” View the full article

Paul Mirabelli may have lost Group One performer Shoma (NZ) (Contributer) from his Cambridge stable, but he believes he still has plenty of three-year-old firepower in his barn. While still a maiden after 10 starts, Shoma impressed when placing in last month’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, with that performance generating plenty of overseas interest in the son of Contributer. A deal was subsequently brokered with expat Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, and he will continue his racing career from their Cranbourne barn. “People obviously like the horse and to make the business work they have to be sold, so it is very disappointing, but we will follow him with great interest,” Mirabelli said. Mirabelli said Shoma has a similar profile to his former stable runner Firestorm (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who was purchased by leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller following her sixth placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). The daughter of Satono Aladdin has gone on to win the Gr.2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) and finish runner-up in the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m), and place in four other stakes races to date. While disappointed to lose another promising three-year-old from his barn, Mirabelli is upbeat about the prospects of another three-year-old in Taylor Square (NZ) (Time Test). The son of Time Test won his maiden over 1400m at Matamata in September, and while he has shown a lot of promise, Mirabelli said he has been a test of patience. “We really like him. He is a good galloper but unfortunately the horse is a complete know it all,” he said. “He has made us all better horse people that deal with him because we have had to have so much patience. But he can really gallop and he has got plenty of ability, he just thinks he knows best and can be very difficult to work with.” Taylor Square’s manners have let him down in his last two outings, where he was unplaced in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m), and Mirabelli is hoping the addition of some gear will make the difference when he lines-up in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. “One of his kinks is that he can be quite playful in the gates,” Mirabelli said. “He goes in towards the end and he has the blindfold on Saturday, so hopefully that helps. “Hopefully he can jump away with the field and not give them too much of a head start, which he is capable of doing. “I have got no doubt at all that he is more than competitive with that field and could run really well, but I am also mindful that he could want to do his own thing, and he is very unpredictable.” Mirabelli will also head to Te Aroha on Sunday where he will line-up Rising Wind (NZ) (Rageese) in the Apparelmaster Waikato Maiden (1400m) and Chicflix (NZ) (Sacred Falls) in the Mike Fraser-Jones @ Bayleys (2200m). “Rising Wind went really well last time (third), he worked up particularly well on Thursday, so that was a big tick for him,” Mirabelli said. “He is a horse we have had a lot of trouble with his temperament, but we have kept exposing him to races and life, and the miles on the clock have been his best friend because he is starting to turn it all around and become quite a reliable animal. “Chicflix is super consistent and always gives her best. We are looking forward to her running with a good draw (3) this time. She has had quite a lot of draws towards the outside and this draw allows her to drop in behind them and do no work. “We should get a pretty economical run and she always gives her best, so I have no doubts she will be fighting on.” View the full article

Woodbine cancelled the remainder of its Dec. 4 live racing card following the first race due to cold weather.View the full article

Klaravich Stable's Fully Subscribed comes into the race off a win in the Mother Goose Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack at the same distance as the Comely Stakes (G3). Her competition includes grade 2 winners Kappa Kappa and Quietside.View the full article

Despite some wet conditions, Paving (Gun Runner–Point System, by Broken Vow) relished the slop and came home a winner to clear an optional claimer at Fair Grounds on Thursday. A maiden-breaker at first-asking over the Ellis Park main track Aug. 23, the 2-year-old filly was last out of the gate this time around. Paving did not sweat what was ahead of her though and around far turn she started to get into gear. The Highlander Training Center colors of Larry Hirsch flew down the center of the course and she was up in time. Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution) was the runner-up. The final running time was 1:12.31. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Highlander Training Center; B-Larry Hirsch (KY); T-Tom Amoss. Paving gets up to win R7 at @fairgroundsnola under @jose93_ortiz for trainer @tomamossracing! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/mJNlgNVdLv — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) December 4, 2025 The post Gun Runner’s Paving Traverses Slop To Clear Optional Claimer At Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On the first day of scheduled racing at Aqueduct after the jockeys walked out Sunday after the first race, things returned to normal Thursday. The eight-race program was run without any interruptions as the dispute between NYRA and the local riding colony seemed to be on its way to being resolved. According to Kendrick Carmouche, the local representative for the Jockeys' Guild, the riders had several issues with NYRA. A breaking point occurred Sunday when the riders learned that NYRA Assistant Clerk of Scales Brian Pochman was told to go home after he balked at taking on additional duties. NYRA management had asked him to record the weights by hand in case a computer system in place to do the same task malfunctioned. NYRA announced Thursday that it would be installing cameras that will be focused on the scales. “As an additional integrity measure, and to modernize operations, NYRA will be installing surveillance cameras to record the weigh-in and weigh-out process for every race at all NYRA facilities,” a NYRA spokesman said in a statement. “We expect to have this system in place by year end.” In addition, NYRA made changes when it came to the position of assistant clerk of scales. “Effective today, the duties of the assistant clerk of scales have been reassigned to alternate NYRA racing officials,” the statement continued. Pochman was not fired after Sunday's incident and a NYRA official confirmed that he was still with the company. The post Racing Resumes at Big A as NYRA Makes Policy Changes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Remington Park will honor a group of five inductees into its Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame Dec. 5.View the full article

Friday night marks a special program at Remington Park with five inductees into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame to be honored around the live racing card, which kicks off with the first race at 6 p.m. CT. The special Dec. 5 ceremonies will begin with the induction of Silver Goblin (Silver Ghost), an Oklahoma-bred, a millionaire, and a multiple graded stakes winner. Human inductees will follow with prominent owners and breeders Kris and John Richter of the Richter Family Trust and Clark Brewster, and will also include track announcer Jim Byers. The Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will conclude with Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), whose career debut at Remington eventually led him to multiple graded victories, including a win in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup in 2024. The post Five to be Inducted into Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. had the spot picked out immediately following Igniter (Volatile)'s impressive maiden win going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Sept. 27. “Right away I said, 'Man, we got to sit on him and run him in the Remsen,'” Dutrow said. “'If he's looking for two turns, he's gonna be one of the ones.'” Igniter is one of 12 set for a fantastic renewal of the GII Remsen Stakes going 1 1/8 miles at the Big A Saturday. Drawn in post seven with Manny Franco in the irons, he is listed at odds of 6-1 on the morning-line. The Three Chimneys Farm homebred exits a pair of very productive maiden special weights. Igniter was featured in these pages following a wide-trip, third-place finish at 26-1 behind 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Golden Tornado (McKinzie) sprinting on debut at Saratoga Aug. 9. The runner-up Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) returned with a 'Rising Star' performance on Saratoga's closing day program Sept. 1 and has since added a win in the Jean Lafitte S. at Delta Downs Nov. 26. Pulpit S. winner and Awad S. runner-up Glorious Boy (Independence Hall) was also a well-beaten sixth that day. Igniter raced on top of a quick pace and ran to the money at a well-backed even-money at second asking with a one-length victory over promising next-out winner Rebel Instinct (Into Mischief), good for an 80 Beyer Speed Figure. The re-opposing full-brother to MGISW Clairiere and $5-million Keeneland September topper Courting (Curlin), a maiden winner at Aqueduct Nov. 9, was fourth in that same contest. Igniter has breezed nine times over Belmont's training track ahead of his two-turn debut, highlighted by a four-furlong bullet in :48 (1/25) Nov. 11. Rick Dutrow all smiles following Igniter's maiden win at the Big A | Walter Wlodarczyk “We took him up to Saratoga, he was a complete gentleman, just as good as he could be, and he ran a big race,” Dutrow said. “I felt like I won a stakes race watching him run that race. I was just thrilled.” Dutrow continued, “Then he trains unbelievable going to his next race and he runs huge first time going a mile at Aqueduct. Since then he's been training better and better and just in such an unbelievable zone. I cannot wait to watch this guy run again because he's training like he's looking for this right now.” Offering 10-5-3-2-1 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Remsen also features GI Champagne S. runner-up Talkin (Good Magic); and a highly anticipated rematch between Renegade (Into Mischief) and Paladin (Gun Runner) following a much-discussed disqualification at the Big A Oct. 17. Renegade, a head in front at the wire, had his number taken down for bumping into Paladin close to home. “We belong being loaded in the gate with them,” Dutrow said. “We're looking to nail two turns. If we do, and if some of the others do, it will be a heck of a horse race.” Dutrow concluded with a laugh, “It doesn't look like a weak spot, you know what I mean?” Igniter hails from the second crop of Three Chimneys Farm sophomore sire Volatile, winner of the 2020 GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. Igniter was produced by Edward P. Evans homebred Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon), winner of the 2010 GI Ruffian Invitational H. going 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga. Malibu Prayer brought $2 million from Besilu Stables at the Evans dispersal at the 2011 Keeneland November Sale. She was subsequently purchased privately by Three Chimneys. The post Igniter ‘One of the Ones’ in the Remsen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At a time when 2-year-olds are focusing on the preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), the 5-year-old Bishops Bay is facing a prep of his own. View the full article

The Grant and Alana Williams stable are confident they'll go into the Dec. 6 Northerly Stakes (G1) with two undeniably strong chances in Western Empire and Watch Me Rock, as well as longshot Hemlock Stone.View the full article

With the inaugural Abu Dhabi Gold Cup on the horizon, the 33rd UAE President Cup Dec. 6 is a glimpse at Abu Dhabi Turf Club's growth on the international scene.View the full article