Wandering Eyes

Royal Champion (Shamardal) and Oisin Murphy thrashed a quality field in the G1 Neom Turf Cup, presented by Howden in Riyadh on Saturday. It was the first year the race had been elevated to Group 1. The win was especially poignant, as the winner's prominent owner/breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum had died recently. Stalking in midfield under a relaxed Oisin Murphy, the eight-year-old employed a stunning turn of foot to take command in the stretch and obliterate the opposition. Group 1 hero Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) was a distant second approximately five lengths behind. Group winner and multiple Group 1-placed Survie (Churchill) was third. The final time for the 2100 metres on turf was 2:06.23. A strong winner of the G2 York Stakes, the Karl Burke trainee is a homebred and a half-brother to G2 Jockey Club Stakes hero Outbox (Frankel). Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia NEOM TURF CUP (Presented by Howden)-G1, $3,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-14, 4yo/up, 2100mT, 2:06.22, gd. 1–ROYAL CHAMPION (IRE), 126, g, 8, by Shamardal 1st Dam: Emirates Queen (GB) (GSW-Eng, GSP-Fr, $115,027), by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Zomaradah (GB), by Deploy (GB) 3rd Dam: Jawaher (Ire), by Dancing Brave 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Exors Of The Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; T-Karl Burke; J-Oisin Murphy; $1,800,000. Lifetime Rsecord: MGSW-Eng, GSW-Bhr, GISP-Can, G1SP-Ire, 24-9-2-4, $3,143,881. *1/2 to Outbox (GB) (Frankel {GB}), GSW-Eng, MGSP-Swe, SW-Qat, SP-Fr, $1,020,401. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Facteur Cheval (Ire), 126, g, 7, Ribchester (Ire)–Jawlaat (Ire), by Shamardal. (145,000gns Wlg '19 TATDEF; €120,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Team Valor International & Gary Barber; B-McCracken Farms; T-Jerome Reynier; J-Mickael Barzalona; $600,000. 3–Survie (Ire), 121, m, 5, Churchill (Ire)–Sotteville (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire). (1,900,000gns HRA '25 TATDEC). O-Mrs Doreen Tabor; B-Franklin Finance SA; T-George Boughey; J-Ryan Moore; $300,000. Margins: 4 3/4, 1HF, HF. Also Ran: Shin Emperor (Fr), Yamanin Bouclier (Jpn), Silawi (Ire), Alohi Alii (Jpn), Direct Security (Ire), Phantom Flight (GB), Bolide Porto (Ire), Galen (GB). Click for the JCSA chart (R7) and VIDEO SC 6). Royal Champion readily lands the G1 Neom Turf Cup pic.twitter.com/YKYzmmGBj6 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 14, 2026 The post Shamardal’s Royal Champion Earns First Group 1 In Neom Turf Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

American runners had been in good form early on Saudi Cup Day, and Alex and JoAnn Lieblong's Reef Runner (The Big Beast) added another U.S. victory in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint. He narrowly defeated multiple Group 1 winner Lazzat (Territories), with Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett) third. The final time for the distance over good/firm ground was 1:18.24. The eventual winner stalked Lazzat out wide, before making his move in the straight. He defeated that game rival narrowly and withstood the rally of Comanche Brave for the win. A winner of the GII Eddie D Stakes last year, the gelding ran fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in November. He ended 2025 with a tally in the Listed Janus Stakes in Florida. Reef Runner is one of three winners from four to race for the winning Paradise Bay (Blame). He is a full-brother to Big Paradise (The Big Beast), who won the Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Her latest offspring is a filly by Omaha Beach and she was covered by Life Is Good last spring. Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia 1351 TURF SPRINT (Presented by Quiddiya City)-G2, $2,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-14, 4yo/up, 1351mT, 1:18.24, gd. 1–REEF RUNNER, 125, g, 5, The Big Beast 1st Dam: Paradise Bay, by Blame 2nd Dam: Wild Forest, by Forest Wildcat 3rd Dam: Uforia, by Zilzal O/B-Alex & JoAnn Lieblong (FL); T-David Fawkes; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.; $1,200,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-US, 23-8-5-5, $1,827,580. #9 REEF RUNNER ($21.10) caught favored Lazzat in the $2,000,000 1351 Turf Sprint (G2). The American gelding by The Big Beast was piloted by @IradOrtiz for trainer @fawkesracinginc. pic.twitter.com/X49Kq7OECK — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 14, 2026 The post The Big Beast’s Reef Runner Hands Lieblongs Victory In The 1351 Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

IMAGINATION (h, 5, Into Mischief–Magical Feeling, by Empire Maker) was behind the eight ball after missing the break in Saturday's $2-million G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint and found himself in a cloud of dust from near the back of the pack. Trainer Bob Baffert earlier in the week lamented the testing nature of the long stretch at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, having 'lost millions of dollars' in that final 100 meters, but that worked in his favor on this occasion, as he was up in the final yards. The Riyadh Dirt Sprint earns Imagination a 'Win and You're In' ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland later this fall. Favored at odds-on, Imagination raced well back as GIII Elite Power Stakes hero Just Beat The Odds (Munnings), Echo Point (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and American Stage (Into Mischief) fought out the early fractions with Muqtahem (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), last year's runner-up, tracking from out wide. Switched off heels while racing on his wrong lead approaching mid-stretch, Imagination continued to plug away gamely and surged past Just Beat The Odds for the victory despite never changing his legs. Muqtahem was a gallant third ahead of American Stage, with California's Lovesick Blues (Grazen) coming home belatedly for fifth. Sales history: $1,050,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Masterson, Robert E., Waves Edge Capital LLC, Donovan, Catherine and Ryan, Tom J.; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert The post Into Mischief’s Imagination Leads American 1-2 In Riyadh Dirt Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

AL HARAM (IRE) (c, 3, Iffraaj {GB}–Liberamente {Ire}, by Tagula {Ire}) got the home team on the board in the first of the six group-level contests on the Saudi Cup program, launching a rally from far back with 400 metres to travel and racing over the top of 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Obliteration (Violence) and Japan's favoured Satono Voyage (Jpn) (Into Mischief) to become the second locally trained winner of the $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby. He picks up 30 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the process, though he was not an original entry at the January closing. He can be supplemented for $6,000 in early April. Drawn gate two with leading local rider Ricardo Ferreira at the controls, Al Haram was taken hold of right out of the gate as the speedy Obliteration made the running from Satono Voyage in the two path, with the latter's Japanese compatriot Keiai Agito (Jpn) (Espoir City {Jpn}) also prominently positioned. Beginning to find his best stride entering the final 600 metres, Al Haram began weaving his way through traffic, spilt a pair of the Japanese horses approaching the furlong grounds and savaged the line to post a comfortable victory. Obliteration held off Satono Voyage for second money. Sales history: £150,000 Ylg '24 GOFPRE. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0. O-Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah; B-Seamus Phelan; T-Abdullah Alsidrani The post Iffraaj Colt Al Haram Stays Unbeaten in Saudi Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Star Of Wonder (Uncle Mo) has been scratched from the G1 Saudi Cup on the advice of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) stewards on Saturday morning. Racing for King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Sons, the five-year-old entire was administered a topical substance to all four limbs on raceday in contravention of Article 134(10)(4) of the Rules of Racing. Trained by Saad Aljenade, Star of Wonder was third in the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes last year. Sold for $325,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale, he has won both his starts in Saudi Arabia, including the Listed King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Cup. With his scratching, the $20-million Saudi Cup field is down to 13 horses, led by defending champion Forever Young (Real Steel). The post Star Of Wonder Scratched From Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis Lui Kin-wai continued his remarkable 2026 with another double at Sha Tin on Saturday, spearheaded by the impressive success of Turquoise Velocity in the Class Three TVB Midlife, Sing & Shine Handicap (1,000m). The 2023-24 champion trainer topped the charts in January in tandem with David Hayes, securing 10 winners, and February has seen him continue his rampant period. Lui raced to five winners in February thanks to a pair of smart winners, with Turquoise Velocity looking a very smart...View the full article

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen will consider backing up Stormy Grove on Thursday while connections contemplate paying a late entry fee for the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) after his blistering victory at Sha Tin on Saturday. Capping Lor’s 60th birthday celebrations in style on Saturday, Stormy Grove was promoted from first reserve after China Win was scratched on the eve of the Class Three TVB Miss Hong Kong Pageant Handicap (1,600m) and took full advantage to snare his first Hong Kong triumph. Taken back to...View the full article

Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) placegetter Movin Out (NZ) (Staphanos) made a winning start to her new preparation with an upset victory in the A$160,000 Macquarie St Social Handicap (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday. Originally trained by Bill Thurlow, Movin Out began her career with three starts in New Zealand for a win and two placings including a third behind Captured By Love and Alabama Lass in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton. Subsequently purchased by thoroughbred powerhouse Yulong, the daughter of Staphanos joined Chris Waller’s operation in Sydney, where she ran an eye-catching fourth first-up in the Gr.2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m). She followed that up with a ninth in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), a win in the Mornington Guineas (1600m), a fifth in the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), a third in the Gr.2 Doomben Roses (2000m) and a fourth in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m). Movin Out failed to fire in the spring of her four-year-old season, with the best of her five runs being a sixth in the Gr.2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 8. Saturday’s Benchmark 88 handicap was her first raceday appearance since then, and she was back at her very best despite jumping as a $41 outsider. Ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, Movin Out raced in fifth beside the rail in a strung-out field. The race tightened up significantly at the top of the straight and Movin Out, who looked like she was about to cruise up on the outside of the two leaders, was checked out of that gap and put back into a pocket. Hyeronimus had to switch back towards the rail, and then Movin Out had to regather her lost momentum. She hit top gear again and flashed through one off the rail, edging out Gatsby’s (Snitzel), Bunker Hut (NZ) (Savabeel) and Glint of Silver (Rubick) in a four-way finish. “She ran really well,” Hyeronimus said. “Her trials have been great and she ran up to them today. She’s effective over further too, so she appears set for a really good campaign.” Movin Out is a daughter of the Stravinsky mare Wahaha (NZ), a half-sister to four-time Group One winner Wall Street (NZ) (Montjeu). Movin Out was bought out of Anistay Lodge’s Book 2 yearling draft for $24,000 at Karaka 2023. She has now had 15 starts for three wins, three placings and A$354,608 in stakes. Movin Out’s victory capped a hugely successful Saturday for Waller. The expat Kiwi horseman also saddled Joliestar to win the Gr.2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) and Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun), Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) and Lindermann (Lonhro) for a trifecta in the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), while Sixties (Flying Artie) won the Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. View the full article

Elie Hennau has left his role as managing director of France Galop with immediate effect, according to reports published in Jour de Galop and Paris-Turf. France Galop president Guillaume de Saint-Seine confirmed the news to staff on Friday afernoon. He said, “Elie Hennau is stepping down from his position as managing director. We would like to thank him for his work and commitment to the industry over the past two years. We wish him every success in his future endeavours.” Hennau, a former amateur rider with a business background in the insurance company AXA, was appointed to the role in January 2024 to succeed outgoing managing director Oliver Delloye, who has returned to the sales company Arqana. Henri Pouret was announced at that time as deputy managing director, and he will now act as interim director of France Galop under what the president described as “a more streamlined” operation. He added, “Our priority remains unchanged: to restore racing to its rightful place with the public and to ensure the long-term future of the industry in all its dimensions. We will continue this work together for the future and development of France Galop.” Last May, France Galop announced a €20.3m reduction in prize-money for 2026 as part of a “major recovery plan” which includes the revitalisation of the Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) following years of falling turnover. The post France Galop Boss Elie Hennau Departs After Two Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Caspar Fownes drew level with Mark Newnham at the top of the trainers’ premiership on 35 winners after a brilliant day at Sha Tin on Saturday, highlighted by Sky Trust’s gutsy win in the Class Two TVB Cup (1,200m). It was a day to savour for both Fownes and Ellis Wong Chi-wang, who gave both his winners superb rides from off the pace, with Sky Trust’s feature success far from straightforward. Settled midfield throughout the journey, Wong peeled his mount into the centre of the track off the turn...View the full article

With the weather closing in again towards the tail end of a memorable Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day, it was left to durable stayerDiamond Jak (NZ)(Jakkalberry) to add some further sparkle to proceedings as he bolted away with the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m). The enigmatic seven-year-old has proven a head scratcher at times for trainer Mark Brosnan, often ruining his chances with a tardy getaway from the starting gates. On his day however he is a force to be reckoned with and Saturday was his day as he relished the Heavy9 underfoot conditions to race clear in the home straight after dictating the pace throughout for rider Rory Hutchings. Hutchings had the son of Jakkalberry away swiftly to head the six-horse field after just 200m and once allowed his own way in front it was evident his mount would be hard to peg back. Eventual runner-up He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto) tried his heart out in the run home but there was no stopping Diamond Jak as he maintained a powerful gallop to collect his ninth career victory and first at stakes level. Brosnan was pleased with his charge leading into the race and when the track came up a Heavy9 it played into his hands even more. “That was very satisfying as once the rain came I knew he was a good chance,” Brosnan said. “He needed the run the other day and although I wasn’t going to come here, once it rained I decided to run him. “I told Rory to be positive out of the gates and although he was a little more positive than I thought he would be, it worked for him.” Brosnan will now have to decide where to head next with his charge as his aim had been the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on 7 March at Ellerslie, but owner Gary Hodel had talked him out of that plan. “I honestly don’t know where to now as I had him nominated for the Auckland Cup, but my owner talked me into pulling him out,” he said. “I don’t know where to go now so we will have to take a look around.” Hutchings, who had employed similar tactics when winning aboard My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) earlier in the day, was keen on his chances when track conditions came up in the Heavy range. “He got the track to suit today and when I was able to hold the top (lead), that was the difference between winning and losing,” he said. “He was a rock-hard fit stayer and I was able to put the pressure on early and maintain a strong gallop. “He built through his gears and was strong through the line.” Bred and owned by Gary and Linda Hodel, Diamond Jak has now won eight of his 40 starts and over $349,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Trainer Sophie Price put aside her regular Clerk of the Course duties at Invercargill on Saturday to watch her promising three-year-old fillyHello Hayley (NZ)(Hello Youmzain) take out the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1400m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. Price, who prepares a small team from her Winton stable, has had the daughter of Hello Youmzain in her team since late last year after she had one run for Karaka-based trainer Lance Noble. Successful second up at Ascot Park, Hello Hayley then finished sixth in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui before producing another game effort for fourth behind race-rival Luna Capella (NZ) (Tivaci) over 1200m a month ago. Rider Donovan Cooper was prepared to play a waiting game with Hello Hayley as he allowed her to find her feet in the early rush and was still last of the 14 runners with a little under 600m to run. Cooper and Hello Hayley stuck hard up against the running rail turning for home and when the gaps opened up she barged through and quickly sprinted clear to defeat her last-start nemesis, Luna Capella by a neat length at the line. Price had a smile a mile wide as she described the juggling act she goes through when she has runners in on a raceday that she is officiating at, especially as she was returning from a painful leg injury. “That was very impressive, even though I did think she was a little underdone,” Price said. “She’s a good wee girl. “I thought we might have won the Gore Guineas and maybe this field might have been a bit too tough for her. “Blinkers on and she has got the job done and they have definitely improved her. “I watched the race from the corner (home bend) as it can be pretty tough and especially today as it is my first day back after rupturing my calf muscle. “The other clerk, Sarah Beck, has been riding her for me so she has done a good job with her. “It’s just wonderful to win as this is for a great group of owners who will be having a lot of fun.” Cooper was also full of praise for the effort of his mount. “It was absolutely massive (the victory) as I thought I would take her back today because I knew there might be a little bit of carnage early on,” he said. “We got to bide our time before I asked the question at the 600m, where I actually dropped my stick (whip), but boy was she tough and what acceleration she has got. “I definitely think the blinkers on played a big part as she was a lot more focussed and she is pretty exciting.” Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, Hello Hayley is out of the Thorn Park mare Hayley Grace (NZ) and is closely related to multiple Group One winner Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle). She has now won two of her six starts and just under $100,000 in prize money. View the full article

A heady front-running ride from Rory Hutchings helped underrated mare My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) bounce back to winning form in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) on her home track at Matamata on Saturday. Heavy rain in the previous 24 hours had a major effect on proceedings as runners on the day were faced with a testing Heavy9 surface that had many struggling to make ground in the final stages of their races. Hutchings took the bull by the horns to put the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Ace High in front from barrier rise as they dictated affairs ahead of the well-fancied Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor), who sat on their heels throughout. Although unsighted since finishing midfield at Ellerslie in November last year, My Lips Are Sealed was travelling powerfully turning for home and she never looked like stopping as she held out the late challenges of Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed), Mary Shan and Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor) to claim her second victory at stakes level and the fifth of her career to date. Bergerson admitted that while the team had been rueing the rain that had arrived on Friday, making track conditions tough for most of their runners, he was confident that if My Lips Are Sealed was near her best, she would tough to beat. “She was the one of our team in on the day that I felt would really handle the underfoot conditions,” Bergerson said. “She put in a sparkling effort 12 months ago when running third behind Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in this race and I just thought if she was back to somewhere near her best she would be a good chance. “She had been disappointing in the Spring and we were wondering if she was telling us it might be the right time to become a mum, but she freshened up nicely and she showed her true class today.” Bergerson was quick to commend the ride by Hutchings who took the initiative to put the mare in front which hadn’t been the pre-race plan. “We had a good chat with Rory before the race and he said he would probably ride her two or three pairs back and then make a run,” he said. “He (Hutchings) said she jumped so well and was so keen he decided to go forward and put the pressure on and that paid dividends as she never looked like getting caught. “As long as she gets through the race well we might look at the Cuddle Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) at Trentham for her next, but we won’t make those sort of decisions until we have had a chance to see how she pulls up.” Co-bred by Rich Hill Stud, who offered her in Book 1 at Karaka in 2022, the mare was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $160,000. Raced by the Te Akau Not A Word Racing Partnership she has now had 22 starts for five wins, four placings and earned $264,710 in stakes. View the full article

Te Akau Racing continued their golden run in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday when recording their fifth consecutive victory in the race courtesy ofLara Antipova(Russian Revolution). The daughter of Russian Revolution was impressive when winning on debut at Te Aroha in November for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and once again in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham a month later, and was well-supported by punters in her fresh-up run on Saturday, backed into a $1.20 favourite. From her outside draw, Lara Antipova had a fair bit of speed inside her, but jockey Opie Bosson let his charge balance up and soon sent her forward to capture the lead from the 900m mark. Te Encuentro (Frankel) and Hawea (Hellbent) loomed up alongside her rounding for home, but Bosson pushed the go button at the top of the straight and Lara Antipova quickly bounded away, improving her advantage with every stride, eventually running out a 3-1/4 length victor over Te Encuentro, with a further three-quarters of a length back to Hawea in third. “She is a very special filly,” Bosson said. “She wasn’t 100 percent in the ground and she had a bit of a stumble turning in but that actually made her pick the bit up a bit more and she got up underneath me, she is pure class. “She was a little bit fresh and a little bit keen early in the running, but with that run under her belt she is only going to improve.” The Matamata Breeders’ Stakes has been a great springboard for previous stable winners, with Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy), Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) and La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) all going on to win at elite-level, and that’s the goal with Lara Antipova. She will get that opportunity at her next start in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day, which Te Akau won last year with Return To Conquer (Snitzel), who will join Waikato Stud’s stallion roster this coming breeding season. “She is a very good filly,” Walker said. “The next port of call will be the Sistema and then all going well and she was still 100 percent, you would consider going over to Australia. We do think a lot of her. “It is great for John and Jessica (Galvin) and the Fortuna team to have another nice one.” Lara Antipova was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, in conjunction with Fortuna Racing, for A$100,000 out of Vinery Stud’s 2025 Magic Millions Gold Cost Yearling Sale draft. Her prominence extends the great run of success the two entities have shared over the last few years, which includes the likes of 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Group One performer Bellatrix Star (Star Witness). Lara Antipova has won all three of her career starts to date and has earned more than $240,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Flemington has been a happy hunting ground for New Zealand-bred mare Tarvue (NZ) (Tarzino), who produced another big performance at the Melbourne track in Saturday’s A$80,000 TAB We’re On (2000m). The Benchmark 78 handicap was Tarvue’s fifth start at Flemington. She has now won twice at the course, having also been successful over 1800m on New Year’s Day, and she was a narrowly beaten second over 2500m on January 17. Little went Tarvue’s way when she finished a last-start sixth at Caulfield on January 31, but the John Sadler-trained mare returned to Flemington on Saturday and got her campaign back on the right track. Tarvue was ridden by apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright and took up a handy position in sixth along the rail behind a strong early speed. Cartwright got the five-year-old off the fence coming down the side of the track, then swooped around the outside to challenge for the lead at the top of the home straight. Tarvue went clear by a couple of lengths with more than 300m still to run, then found a little bit more to turn back the challenge of the late-finishing Fiorenot (Fiorente) by a length. Cartwright was pleased to make amends after riding Tarvue at Caulfield last time out. “Very happy,” Cartwright said. “I know what ability this horse has got. I sat on her at Flemington here and she won, and then her run for second over 2500m, that was another gallant effort. At Caulfield, I just made a mistake on her. I can’t thank the ownership group and John Sadler enough for keeping me on the mare, because I know she goes really good. Today it worked out perfect, she had a nice draw, wasn’t cluttered up and I was able to let her use her big stride from about the 700m. “When she’s able to use her big stride, she can let her really good turn of foot go. Sads has got a good staying mare on his hands.” Sadler is now keen to test Tarvue in black-type company. “I would say we’ll go to the Torney Cup (Listed, 2500m), the Moonee Valley race at Pakenham (on March 6),” he said. “Apart from her very first run this time in, all her runs have been really good. I thought Luke rode her very badly at Caulfield last Saturday week and then he came out and won three afterwards, but he put his hand up and said he shouldn’t have allowed her to get in on the fence, or should have led in what was a mediocre-pace race. That’s gone, we put him back on, and he got the job done.” Tarvue was bred by Rosemont Stud and is by Westbury Stud’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner Tarzino, who has quickly made his name as a sire of classic horses – such as Derby winners Jungle Magnate (NZ) and Willydoit (NZ) and Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) – but has also been represented by this season’s twice Group One-placed sprinter Tomodachi (NZ). The dam of Tarvue is the Japanese-bred Admire Moon mare Vamoose, a half-sister to the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Admire Rakti (Heart’s Cry). Mapperley Stud offered Tarvue in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, where Vue International Pty Ltd bought her for $25,000. Tarvue has now had 19 starts for five wins, three second placings and A$239,200 in stakes. View the full article