Wandering Eyes

The day after his death at age 80, John Shirreffs is remembered by horsemen and owner Lee Searing. View the full article

Fans turn out during Tampa Bay Downs' Feb. 13 card to get autographs and interact with legendary riders during a Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund event at the track.View the full article

New owners Bradley and Sharon Kleven are hoping to take another big step down the Road to the Kentucky Derby with Express Kid, who they bought for $800,000 in January.View the full article

At Barn 47 on the Santa Anita backstretch Friday morning, stable staff was going about its business a day after the passing of trainer John Shirreffs. Among those at the barn was Shirreffs's top client, owner Lee Searing of C R K Stable. “He was a great man. It was an honor to have him in our lives,” Searing said. Shirreffs died in his sleep in the overnight hours of Wednesday into Thursday morning at the age of 80. According to Searing, he was found passed away on the couch by his wife, Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs. “John was in good shape. He got hit hard with something that took him down,” Searing said. In a training career that began in the 1970s, Shirreffs won 596 races and more than $58.5 million in purse money. Born in Kansas, Shirreffs was a U.S. Marine and served in Vietnam before embarking on his training career. Most notably as a trainer, Shirreffs won the 2009 GI Breeders' Cup Classic with the Hall of Fame mare Zenyatta, and the 2005 GI Kentucky Derby with Giacomo. Searing said he and Shirreffs had spent last weekend in Florida looking at 2-year-olds. “He was so excited when we were in Florida,” Searing said. “We were looking at our 2-year-olds that are ready to come to the track in April and May. He was excited because this is probably the best group I've ever had–and there are 28 of them. He had a great time. He was healthy, had a great dinner. “Then on Monday, he didn't sound really good. Tuesday was worse. I told him 'John, get to the doctor, go now.' “On Wednesday he was back here at Santa Anita. That's when he told me he couldn't work. I told him again to get to the doctor. He did. I don't know anything after that, but it was that night he fell asleep on the couch and Dottie found him. John was a healthy guy. It seems to me he may have caught some kind of a virus, like a flu or something.” Searing had 12 horses with Shirreffs at the time of his death, which include Grade I winner Baeza (McKinzie) and Westwood (Authentic). On Jan. 31 at Santa Anita, Westwood won the GII San Pasqual S. as Shirreffs's final starter. Searing said Baeza, Westwood and the rest of his horses are, at least for now, being moved to the Santa Antia barn of Peter Eurton, who has also been another longtime trainer for C R K Stable. Further moves could be forthcoming. Most notably with Baeza, who Searing said will likely be moved out of state for his 4-year-old campaign. As for the rest of the Shirreffs barn, the plan is for operations to shut down immediately, Searing said. “I'm with his family now and they have some decisions to make on what to do to close down the stable, but they want it done immediately,” he said. “I think everyone's going to cooperate.” Santa Anita will host a moment of silence for Shirreffs after Friday's first race. Horsemen Pay Tribute to Shirreffs… Victor Espinoza, Hall of Fame jockey: “A lot of memories with John. John and I go way back to when I first moved here. It was Hollywood Park. He helped me a lot. He put me on some nice horses. From that point on until his final day, he was always good to me. Great trainer. There was a time when I rode pretty much all of his horses. It was so fun to be around him. You could learn so much. He had a different technique. He was just a unique guy.” Jonathan Thomas, trainer: “I'm a newbie, this is our second winter here. But when I first came, there were a handful of people that were extra hospitable to me coming out here. One of them was John. The first time I met him, he stopped me. He had an idea who I was but wanted to know my story and where I was from. It was very welcoming. “Then after that, anytime I saw him I needed to make sure I had a free 20 minutes because it would be a nice opportunity to further get to know him, hear stories and pick his brain a little bit about horses and training. He was an extremely welcoming guy. Almost like I knew him for 20 years. He went out of his way to do that. As somewhat of a younger guy, there are a few here like (Neil) Drysdale, (Richard) Mandella, John, and Bob (Baffert) of course, that are on the Mt. Rushmore of training.” Phil D'Amato, trainer: “I thought of him as a gentleman trainer. Always with a smile on his face. I had the utmost respect for him. Just an all-around good guy and an excellent horsemen.” Craig Lewis, trainer: “I talked to him for a half hour the day before. He walked by my barn almost every day. A really nice guy who was great for the game. It's a shame. Sad to see him die.” Jack Carava, former trainer and jockey agent: “He was just a good all-around guy and a good horsemen. I didn't know him really well, but I remember the times when we were training together at Hollywood Park. He was always a gentleman.” The post Lee Searing Pays Tribute to the Late John Shirreffs: ‘It Was an Honor to Have Him in Our Lives’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton History says Kiwi fans should be glued to tonight’s Great Southern Star at Melton in Victoria. In the two runnings of the $600,000 Trot Slot at Cambridge, the Great Southern Star has proven the defining form line. And this year looks no different. In 2024 the great Just Believe beat Callmethebreeze, Queen Elida and Arcee Phoenix. Just a couple of months earlier in the Great Southern Star, it was Callmethebreeze beating Just Believe with Arcee Phoenix fifth and Queen Elida seventh. Last year, it was another Aussie, Arcee Phoenix, who led throughout to win the TAB Trot from The Locomotive and Queen Elida. All three came through the Great Southern Star. Arcee Phoenix only ran fifth in a heat and was ruled out of the final by vets, but The Locomotive (second) and Queen Elida (fourth) chased home upset winner Watts Up Partytime in the final. The Aussies will be back in force again for this year’s Trot Slot on Cambridge’s Night of Champions on April 10. And at least three of the key hopefuls – Keayang Zahara, Jilliby Ballerini and Arcee Phoenix – are lining-up in tonight’s Great Southern Star. The two outliers are Queenslander Gus, who has stayed home, and buzz French import Kristal Josselyn, who wasn’t quite ready in time for the Great Southern Star. Gus, who landed the big Group 1 double at NZ Cup Week, returned for his first run since when he overcame a 40m handicap to win at Albion Park last Saturday night. The powerful Team Lee are expected to take two slots in the Trot Slot with Keayang Zahara and Jilliby Ballerini the logical runners. But they also have the emerging Jilliby Dreamlover, who is vying for favouritism with Arcee Phoenix in the second of tonight’s Great Southern Star heats (9.01pm). “She’s a great chance of leading that heat and if she does, she’ll be hard to run down,” co-trainer Paddy Lee said. But Keayang Zahara is the headline act with 23 wins from 24 starts, including 12 at Group 1 level. Victory in the Great Southern Star final (11.33pm) will land her a new $500,000 bonus and make her equal with the great Kiwi Take A Moment on 13 Group 1 wins, the second most by a trotter in Australasia. Given Keayng Zahara has just turned five, if she stays sound she will sail past Lyell Creek’s record of 15 Group 1 wins. With all the great trotting options in Auckland like the Anzac and Rowe Cups, Keayang Zahara may well break that record in NZ. And at 10.35pm it’s the Hunter Cup with big Kiwi hope Republic Party going up against Aussies’ big three, Leap To Fame, Swayzee and Kingman. To see the field for the Hunter Cup click here View the full article

Trainer Kevin Bond, whose Facebook page sported an antisemitic comment regarding Rob Reiner, has been charged with conduct detrimental to the best interests of racing and to the New York Racing Association's Business Operations, as well as a breach of his stall application, NYRA revealed Friday. NYRA has issued a notice of hearing and Statement of Charges to Bond. The hearing has been set for Friday, March 6. Bond, who has made 75 starts in his career, but just one in 2026, will be allowed to continue training pending final adjudication of the matter. In December, it was announced that Bond, the son of longtime New York-based trainer H. James Bond and Tina Bond, who is the president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, was being investigated over allegations that he made the antisemitic comments. Specifically, the remarks allegedly attributed to Bond were in response to a Facebook post regarding the alleged murder of Hollywood producer, director, screenwriter, and actor Rob Reiner and his wife. At the time, Bond said that his Facebook page had been hacked and that the comments were not made by him. He released the following statement: “The contents of the post on Facebook that were attributed to me were shocking and unacceptable, and they most certainly did not come from me. The comments were in response to an account I do not follow; it would appear that my account was hacked, or someone created a false account that looks like mine. In any case, I immediately put on my social media story that my account was hacked and have deactivated my account and now will do everything in my power to prevent anything like this from happening again, and to repair the damage done to myself and to everyone who was hurt and offended by the post.” Seeking an updated comment, The TDN contacted Bond via text Friday, but did not receive a reply as of the deadline for this story. NYRA released the Statement of Charges Friday regarding the Bond matter. It included a provision requiring that any trainer who turns in a stall application “provide his or her staff with anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training…” The provision continues: “Trainer will regularly train its staff on anti-harassment and anti-discrimination. NYRA may impose penalties or revoke the License if Trainer or its employees engages in unlawful, discriminatory, or harassing practices.” In addition, it states that “the stall application provides that NYRA may revoke a trainer's license to use its facilities and/or deny him or her access to its facilities, with or without cause at NYRA's sole discretion…” The Statement of Charges then delved into the specifics regarding the allegations that Bond was behind the antisemitic comments. “On or about December 16, 2025, the following comment was posted in response to an unsympathetic Facebook post about the Reiners' murder: “F*ck Rob Reiner that cocky POS Jew” (hereinafter, the “Facebook Comment”). The Facebook Comment was posted from Respondent's Facebook account.” It continued: “On or about December 16, 2025, NYRA's President and Chief Executive Officer, David O'Rourke, issued the following statement to the media: 'NYRA condemns in the strongest possible terms the vile, antisemitic comments posted today on New York-based trainer Kevin Bond's Facebook account. NYRA has zero tolerance for this kind of hateful speech and will begin an investigation into the matter immediately.' On Dec. 19, NYRA Steward Victor Escobar contacted Bond by email and requested further information, and, in particular anything that could shed light on Bond's claims that his account had been hacked. “At your earliest convenience, but in any event prior to the resumption of racing, please provide any documentation or correspondence you have received from Facebook concerning the reported security breach,” Escobar wrote to Bond. “This should include screenshots of your Facebook account login history for the period around the incident.” The email continued: “NYRA's objective is to resolve this matter promptly and efficiently. The sooner we are able to confirm that a security breach occurred, the sooner this issue can be concluded and all parties can move forward.” According to NYRA, Bond told Escobar, via return email, that he would not be complying with his requests. Bond wrote: “I want to reiterate that I did not author or post the statement attributed to my Facebook account. As previously communicated, my account was compromised, and the content in question was published without my knowledge or authorization. At this time, I will not be re-opening or re-activating my Facebook account. Based on professional cybersecurity guidance, re-enabling an account that is believed to have been compromised presents a risk of further unauthorized activity and potential misuse. My decision is intended to prevent any additional incidents or confusion while this matter is under review.” Bond provided NYRA with a letter from Sam Turetsky, whom he referred to as an independent information technology professional, in which Turetsky maintained that it was in Bond's best interests to keep the account in a disabled state. The email chain continued with a Dec. 23, 2025 message from NYRA Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Joi Garner, which stated, “This letter serves as formal notice that NYRA finds you are not cooperating with its investigation. Despite clear and reasonable requests, you have failed and refused to produce basic, readily accessible information that is uniquely within your possession, custody, or control and that would directly corroborate—or refute—your claim that your Facebook account was compromised. This information includes, without limitation, account-security data, login history, and related records for the relevant time-period. This information could tend to exculpate you. However, your continued refusal to produce this information permits the reasonable inference that it does not support your assertion that your Facebook account was compromised, and the content in question was published without [your] Fullstop or comma. knowledge or authorization. “Your conduct is inconsistent with that of an individual who is acting in good faith to demonstrate that they experienced a genuine cybersecurity incident.” Garner then received an email from Bond's attorney, Clark Brewster, who also maintained that Bond's Facebook account had been hacked. NYRA also alleged that the Facebook comment was not the only time that Bond posted antisemitic statements on line. “A review of Respondent's social media activity reveals a history of antisemitic or otherwise hateful commentary across multiple social media platforms, with tone and language similar to the Facebook Comment,” NYRA charged. The Statement of Charges also brought up incidents in which Bond allegedly engaged in “Ontrack Conduct Demonstrating a Threat to the Safety, Integrity, and Orderly conduct of Racing.” NYRA alleged that one such incident occurred on or about July 8, 2024 when a “licensed hot walker reported to NYRA security that Respondent struck him with a closed fist in the face while he was operating a golf cart on the main track horse path.” Three charges have been levied against Bond: Breach of Stall Application; Conduct Detrimental to the Best Interests of Racing; and Conduct Detrimental to NYRA's Business Operations. “As a result, the Statement of Charges reads, “NYRA seeks to exercise its reasonable business judgment to revoke Respondent's credentials and exclude him from the grounds NYRA operates or any portion thereof.” It is signed by Stuart Subotnick, Racing Committee Chairman, The New York Racing Association, Inc. The post Kevin Bond Charged with Conduct Detrimental in Wake of Facebook Incident appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Faustyna (Kodi Bear) (lot 105), who won a Dundalk maiden on Wednesday, is one of 10 wildcards added to the Tattersalls Online February Sale set for February 17-18 next week. A half-sister to four winners, Faustyna is joined by fellow Dundalk winner Friendly Invoice (Invincible Army) (lot 104). From the family of The Grey Gatsby and already the dam of four winners is M'as Tu Vu (Falco) (lot 107). A half-sister to two stakes winners is Blueaway (Blue Point) (lot 106), who is also a half to the dam of multiple group winner Twilight Jet (Twilight Son). All-weather winner Suzuka (Bated Breath) (lot 99) has been entered, and there is also a yearling filly by Kameko (lot 100) among others. For the full catalogue, please visit the Tattersalls Online website. The post Dundalk Winners Highlight Tattersalls Online Wildcards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing fans can bid to own a piece of Thoroughbred history in an online silent auction benefiting abused and neglected children. Halters for Sovereignty, Good Cheer, and Gun Runner are available in the Bourbon & the Bayou silent auction, run by the nonprofit child advocacy organization CASA of Lexington. Bidding opened today and continues until 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 27. The silent auction is part of CASA of Lexington's annual fundraiser, Bourbon & the Bayou. The event raises funds that provide advocacy for hundreds of abused and neglected children in central Kentucky each year. Any items won in the silent auction can be picked up at the CASA of Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington, Ky., beginning 10 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 2. Winners can also pay to ship their items. The post Halters for Gun Runner, Sovereignty and Good Cheer Featured in Online Charity Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Millionaire multiple stakes winner Coal Battle is back on the work tab at Oaklawn in advance of his 4-year-old debut, which trainer Lonnie Briley said could come in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3) for older horses March 28.View the full article

Saudi Cup weekend got off to a flying start Feb. 13 as a Kentucky-bred Saudi star in the making won the Fillies Mile and Mickael Barzalona took the International Jockeys' Challenge by winning the final two races of the series.View the full article

Glance At Midnight, who holds a Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 entry, is one of the highlights of the 21-strong GoffsGo February catalogue. Set for Wednesday at noon, February 18, the sale ends on Thursday, February 19 at 2 p.m. The sale features 15 horses-in-training, two young stock, and four mares. Consigned as lot 3, the son of Passing Glance carries entries in the G1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the G1 Turners Novices' Hurdle. The six-year-old is a bumper and maiden hurdle winner and finished second at listed level earlier this month. Multiple Grade 2 winner Moyhenna (Westerner) (lot 20) will be offered in foal to Harzand. Her full-sister, in foal to Wings Of Eagles (lot 21), will also go under the hammer. Other lots of note include The winner and listed placed Inspire Hope (Camelot) (lot 4), and lot 19, Dinaria (Holy Roman Emperor), a half-sister to sires Doctor Dino and Bande and the dam of three winners so far. Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said, “GoffsGo made a successful start to the year with its January Sale and as is the concept of the platform, being always ready to sell, the February Sale follows quickly on. We have catalogued some quality horses, headlined by Glance At Midnight who looks to have a bright future in front of him, and some attractive young mares and breeding stock including Moyhenna, who represents a rare opportunity to secure a broodmare of her calibre. “GoffsGo provides a real point of difference to the market as it can cater for horses at all levels and offers tailored auctions from all category catalogues to dispersals and pop-up sales, all of which can be held as open to the public, or confidentially, away from public view. Vendors and purchasers benefit from the same terms of business and the unique and transparent Goffs service that is evident at all live Goffs sales regardless of location. “GoffsGo offers outstanding value with an entry fee of just £49 and the lowest available vendor commission of 1.5% which is only charged for lots that sell on the platform. That is unmatched by any other European online platform.” The post Glance At Midnight Anchors GoffsGo February Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mickael Barzalona landed a hat-trick of victories at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on the eve of the Saudi Cup to clinch not just the International Jockeys' Challenge but also the valuable Saudi International Handicap. With the first two legs of the four-race jockeys' contest having been won by Britain's Saffie Osborne and German Derby-winning rider Nina Baltromei, the Frenchman ensured the spoils would be his by taking the final two heats on the turf. Barzalona's victory aboard Year Of The Dragon in round four came at the expense of Norwegian-born Frida Valle-Skar, whose consistent performances throughout the competition earned her enough to take the runner-up spot overall, with Osborne in third in the final standings. “The way we ride on the dirt is completely different and the way you actually ride here is different, which makes the races very attractive, as well. It is great to be here,” said Barzalona. Valle-Skar, who is generally based in France, added, “It feels amazing, I'm really happy. When I got the draw I was quite happy with my horses and I was proved to be right. “I had not ridden on the dirt for 10 years, the last time was in Texas. It's good to learn and to take this back to France.” The competition may have been over but Barzalona was straight back to business for the next race of the night and guided the Saad Aljenade-trained Frankel gelding Gran Descans to glory for King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz & Sons in the $500,000 Saudi International Handicap. The race is reserved for runners trained in nations in Part II of the IFHA's Blue Book. Barzalona said of the Juddmonte-bred winner, “Last time [finishing third in the Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup], I gave him a chance to [gather himself] because he was slow from the gate, but today I knew he had the stamina, so I got him going as quick as I can. “He travelled very well for me. We didn't go that fast, but it was a reasonable gallop. When I asked him to lengthen, he actually picked up gradually and stayed strong to the line.” The post Barzalona Dominant in Riyadh on Saudi Cup Eve appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club of Canada named the finalists for the 2025 Sovereign Awards and the winners, along with Canada's Horse of the Year, will be revealed during the 51st annual ceremony to be held on Thursday, Apr. 23 at Paramount Eventspace in Woodbridge, Ontario, the club said via a press release on Friday. The nominees for this year's Sovereign Awards include a pair of past King's Plate winners in Canadian MGSW Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach)–a finalist for Older Main Track Female–and last year's hero Mansetti (Collected), who was named in the 3-Year-Old Male category. Both runners are trained by Kevin Attard, who won the top conditioner award last year. The recent winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, Pietro Moran, is up for both Sovereign rider prizes. As for the juvenile divisions, undefeated filly Corsia Veloce (Practical Joke) is a finalist. The winner of the GI Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes is also competing for Champion Female Turf Horse. Over on the boys side, GI bet365 Summer Stakes victor Argos (Nyquist) makes the grade. The 2-year-old is in the running for Champion Turf Horse as well. The categories and finalists are listed below. Champion 2-Year-Old Female: Corsia Veloce (Practical Joke) Dixie Law (Tiz the Law) Piper's Gift (Yorkton) Champion 2-Year-Old Male: Argos (Nyquist) Casson (Caravaggio) Two Out Hero (War Front) Champion 3-Year-Old Female: Chi Chi Time (Finality) No Time (Not This Time) Winterberry (Frosted) Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Borealis Trail (Quality Road) Mansetti Take Charge Tom (Tom's d'Etat) Champion Older Main Track Female: Avana (Vino Rosso) Big Hug (Mr. Big) Caitlinhergrtness Ready for Shirl (More Than Ready) Champion Older Main Track Male: Dresden Row (Lord Nelson) Judo (Street Sense) Swift Delivery (Not This Time) Champion Female Turf Horse: Corsia Veloce Little Teddy (Frac Daddy) Ready for Shirl Champion Male Turf Horse: Argos Gas Me Up (Hard Spun) My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) Champion Female Sprinter: Gal in a Rush (Ghostzapper) Little Teddy Tart (Maximus Mischief) Champion Male Sprinter: Gas Me Up My Boy Prince Simcoe (Uncle Mo) Outstanding Broodmare: Aurora Lights (Pulpit) Dixie Chicken (Rahy) Gladiator Queen (Great Gladiator) Outstanding Breeder: Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. Chiefswood Stables Limited Frank Di Giulio Jr. Outstanding Owner: Chiefswood Stables Limited Bruno Schickedanz Al and Bill Ulwelling Outstanding Trainer: Kevin Attard Mark E. Casse Martin Drexler Outstanding Jockey: Sahin Civaci Rafael Manuel Hernandez Pietro Moran Outstanding Apprentice Jockey: Austin Adams Xarel Forde Pietro Moran The 2025 Media Awards finalists and the winners for Outstanding Groom, Outstanding Western Canadian Backstretch Worker and Outstanding Off-Track Worker will be released in the coming days. For tickets to the awards show, click here. The post Sovereign Award Finalists Named, List Includes King’s Plate Hero Mansetti appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2026 Asian Racing Conference has ended in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The next host for the ARC is New Zealand. Organised by the Asian Racing Federation and hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, a three-day business programme wrapped up on Thursday. The closing ceremony was a celebration of Saudi Arabia's love of horses with a laser display creating the effect of horses galloping around the delegates at the venue. HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Alfaisal, the chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, formally opened proceedings on Monday along with Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of Hong Kong Jockey Club and chairman of the Asian Racing Federation. Engelbrecht-Bresges said at the closing ceremonies, “Staging such a wonderful event would not have been possible without the work done by our host, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, and the ARC Organising Committee. Thank you, Prince Bandar, your team has done a wonderful job. “Having talked to many of you over the course of the week, it is clear that this global Conference is widely seen as a success of the Asian Racing Federation. To you, I say thank you for your enthusiasm, engagement, and commitment to racing. It is your energy that has brought the Conference to life.” For more on ARC, please go to the 2026 ARC website. The post New Zealand Named New Host For Next Asian Racing Conference appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Great memories are sure to come flooding back if The Big Lebowski can continue his brilliant form in the Gore Town and Country Club Summer Cup on Sunday. The big-striding pacer will be out to seal a hat-trick of cup race victories after taking out the recent Riverton and Waikouaiti Cups for trainer Brett Gray. Gore’s Summer Cup is part of a bumper race day which celebrates the Gore Harness Racing Club reaching its 125th year. The Big Lebowski was bred and developed in Eastern Southland by Robin Swain, who has made a huge contribution to harness racing in the region. The nine-year-old is from a family Swain and the late Colin Baynes had outstanding success with. Both Baynes and Swain and their star horses will be recognised at the Gore Harness Racing Club’s 125 year celebration. The Big Lebowski powered to an emphatic win in the Waikouaiti Cup from the same 40m handicap he faces at Gore. While his challenge over a slightly shorter distance on Sunday looks similar, his trainer knows it won’t be easy. “The horse is going great, he is in a good space at the moment and I am pretty hopeful he will go another nice race,” Gray said. “It is probably another step up for him this week with the field he’s racing.” “But I have been quite happy with him and the longer distances on the grass suit him, so hopefully he’s not too far away.” Horses with local connections will carry special Gore Harness Racing Club 125 year colours in all of Sunday’s races. Dan Anderson aboard Julie Jaccka, owned by club stalwarts Charlie and Ailsa Smaill, will wear the silks in the Kim McDowall Painting Gore Summer Trotting Cup. Gray and the Smaills also have last start winner Jaccka Ace stepping out on Sunday. “He is actually coming down in grade after that win, so if he does everything right again he would have to be a pretty good chance.” Gray starts two more trotters at the Gore meeting in Daisymerollin and Franco Hefner. “Franco Hefner is stepping up, it is never easy for a trotter coming out of maidens but he is a nice horse and is a good chance if he can do everything right.” “Daisymerollin will have to bring her manners too after her wee mistake at Riverton.” “If she trots she won’t be far away I wouldn’t think.” Riverton grass winner Arma Forrest looks an each way chance for the Gray team despite drawing wide in barrier 8. Havtimefordiamonds also steps back out on grass for the stable after placing in her last attempt on the surface. With two runners from his own barn, Robin Swain will be out to complete a unique double on Sunday. As well as a potential win as a breeder with The Big Lebowski, Swain will be out to score with either Bowlem Over and Magnetic Beckers who both start in Gore’s finale. “Both of them like the grass and they both look like good chances,” Swain said. “It is a bit of a drop in grade for Magnetic Beckers, he’s been racing well.” “Bowlem Over could be the slightly better chance, just with the front row draw he could race handy which he likes to do.” “He’s won at Gore on the grass before, too.” Brent Barclay will drive for both the Gray and Swain stables on Sunday, linking up with The Big Lebowski, Magnetic Beckers, Jaccka Ace, Arma Forrest and Daisymerollin. Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow Race 1 (11.55am) – Itsallaboutthemoney This mare is one of those horses who seems to go up a gear on grass – that is when she brings her manners. When Itsallaboutthemoney last stepped out on turf she broke behind the mobile and took no part, which she has also done on all-weather tracks. While it is difficult to call her any sort of stand out, that is about where the negatives end. She’s in form with a nice last start third, drawn to land handy and racing over a suitable sprint trip. There’s some early speed outside her, which could see her land in a sweet spot just behind the pace. If that’s the case, she can get a local win on the card early on Gore’s big day. Race 2 (12.20pm) – Hobbs The booking of Brad Williamson looks the key to this mare’s winning chances. I wouldn’t go out of my way to offend Bruce Wallace, he’s a great guy and a horseman with many talents. But I am sure he will agree that Brad has the edge over him in the race day driving ranks. I know as much after chatting to him last week at Winton. There, she got too far off the pace in a hectic affair. This week she’s a good chance of settling much handier, coming off the unruly. In what looks a field well within her reach, she looks hard to beat with her best manners. Race 11 (5.10pm) – Nubliah Chamay If there was ever a race made for a horse, this is it. With her great standing start manners, Nubliah Chamay looks a massive chance of landing right on the pace which is of course vital over 1800m. In her last start at Addington those manners were totally negated and she was too far back in the running to have any impact. Prior to that, she came from a 10m handicap to run a solid second to Ah Dinnae Ken. This time those handicaps are reversed, with Nubliah Chamay getting the head start. It may not be enough for her to turn the tables, as Ah Dinnae Ken is a handy mare still building to peak fitness. However, Nubliah Chamay looks a great each way hope and a must in place and combo calculations. Race 4 (1.13pm) – What’s The Whisper This gelding showed his best and his worst in his last outing at Winton. He missed away badly, setting himself an impossible task. But What’s The Whisper did make up a good chunk of ground to finish with the pack. The difference this week, other than the move to a grass track, is the configuration of the field. Last week there were two walls of handicapped horses behind What’s The Whisper, which I am sure wouldn’t have helped. This week all runners are off the same front mark in what is a maiden only event. With great manners and good efforts prior to last week, including good form on grass, I am willing to stick with him. Race 8 (3.22pm) – Moses He’s travelled far and wide and now he’s heading to Gore’s big day. As well he should, given how well he fits into the handicaps for the Gore Summer Trotters Cup. Moses’ 10m handicap looks very workable given where his key rivals sit and the fact there’s only one outside chance off the front line. With all of the recent racing he’s had he is fit and he brings great manners too. Moses’ last start at Addington was excellent, he made nice late ground behind quality types. In his prior run at Oamaru he was beaten by two of his Gore rivals, but he was checked on the turn which had a big impact on his momentum. View the full article