Wandering Eyes

The lead-up to Hong Kong International Races continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, with 10 races on the programme and some smart prospects out to play. Owen Goulding is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections for the competitive card. Race 1 – Class Five Ashley Handicap (1,650m) Go Go Go is a frustrating sort but he ran his best race in a long time over course and distance last up and can find a good position from gate one. Season 2024/25 is underway! 🥳@zpurton bags the...View the full article

By Jonny Turner There’s one factor punters don’t have to worry about leading into Wingatui’s Christmas on the grass meeting on Sunday. The grass track prowess of Ricky Gutsell’s brother and sister act of Hacksaw Ridge, Still Rockin, Insarchatwist and Baltic Star simply cannot be questioned. The quartet can be unofficially labelled southern harness racing’s first family of grass track harness racing and they have the stats to back it up. Few horses will step out at Wingatui on Sunday with the record Insarchatwist has at the long-standing thoroughbred venue. The mare won at the Christmas on the grass meeting in 2022 and 2023 before running a close-up second last year. Insarchatwist tuned up for her return to Wingatui with an easy grass trial win last weekend after taking on strong company at the New Zealand Cup Carnival. “Her trial was good, she did it on her ear, really,” Gutsell said. “She loves Wingatui, it is a drop-down in grade for her but there are still some nice horses in there.” Gutsell has Hacksaw Ridge and Still Rockin in the Forbury Pacing Cup on Sunday. Older brother Still Rockin beat home Hacksaw Ridge when they went head to head in a grass trial last weekend. Hacksaw Ridge has a major handicap advantage over his brother who has to start from a 10m handicap. But that doesn’t mean Gutsell is siding with the younger of the duo as his stable’s best chance. “To be honest I think it will come down to whichever horse gets the best run.” Hacksaw Ridge comes into Sunday’s feature after running second in the race last year. The six-year-old ran second in the South Of The Waitaki event on Show Day, which continued his excellent run of form this time in. “If he could step away nicely he could be right there because it is only 2200m and it is hard for the backmarkers.” “He is a horse that when he is right he is pretty consistent.” “He might not be a star but he will go out there and try his best.” Still Rockin was largely luckless in his last start outing at the New Zealand Cup Carnival. The seven-year-old was second in the Waimate Cup and Akaroa Cup, both on grass tracks, before that. “He has gone well in those grass track cup races.” “He seems really well and I have been quite happy with him.” “If he gets a decent run he should go a good race.” Baltic Star isn’t quite the grass track achiever her half-brothers and sisters are, but she looks a legitimate place chance in her maiden assignment on Sunday. Though the mare hasn’t placed on grass, she has cracked the top four on a handful of occasions. Harness racing hits the hallowed Wingatui turf with its annual Christmas on the grass meeting returning on Sunday. Jonny Turner’s Five for the Day at Wingatui Race 10 – Hacksaw Ridge Wingatui racegoers may remember this grass track specialist running second in last year’s edition of the Forbury Pacing Cup. The pacer made a handy beginning, raced on the speed and went a nice race. The key difference this year is that Hacksaw Ridge returns with much stronger form. His last-start second at Addington was excellent and he’s trialled well on grass since. Starting from the front line is a big factor for Hacksaw Ridge, given he takes on a stronger field than last year. But if he can step cleanly and race on the pace again, he will give them something to catch. Race 1 – Airwaves As far as winning threats go, Airwaves rates as good as any that are stepping out at Wingatui. He brings great form to a very suitable grade and race and has the early toe to overcome his wide draw. However, anyone who knows the southern form and knows this horse will be well aware there can be two versions of Airwaves. The one that tries hard and the one that is just plain disinterested. The former should prove exceptionally hard to beat and, going by his form, Airwaves has been in a great space lately. If the latter shows up, don’t expect too much. A look at the stats sheet suggests Airwaves doesn’t like Wingatui too much. His best result in five attempts is a sixth placing, beaten more than 16 lengths. While all of this doesn’t make his $2 opening win price terribly enticing, he’s still one that must be watched on Sunday. Race 6 – Flashpoint This three-year-old’s form references stand out boldly going into Sunday. He was the Group 2 Southern Supremacy Stakes runner-up in the autumn before racing at Group 1 level. Flashpoint would need to win or go a big race in defeat to suggest that form was no fluke. And judging by his two runs back this time in, he is ready too. The pacer sat parked first-up in good time when fading late. Then, second-up, he ran home nicely into fifth placing in a harder field. Third-up and fitter for those two outings, he looks to get his winning shot. Race 11 – Buffy Northstains This mare loves grass tracks like few stepping out at Wingatui on Sunday. She brings handy enough recent form, with those efforts all coming on all-weather tracks. Buffy’s last start at Timaru was sound, she ran on after running into plenty of trouble in the home straight. Before that she was caught wide and worked too hard in a competitive affair at Addington. The switch back to turf racing is the key to her chances on Sunday. She slots into a suitable grade and she’s beaten several of her key rivals on grass before. Despite starting from a 10m handicap, she looks a big each-way threat. Race 3 – Hillary As a maiden with 21 starts to her name, it is fair to say this mare is no sure thing. And with eight starts on grass without filling a placing, she’s disappointed before. However, Hillary looks to get a premium winning chance on Sunday. Her last-start third is arguably the best run of her career, given she worked hard in the middle stages and fought on gamely. The field she meets this week looks a notch down on the one she faced at Ascot Park, suggesting she can go two places better. Hilary was beaten by her main rival Lydah Valley in her previous outing; however, she should strip much fitter third-up on Sunday and it might just be her day. View the full article

He’s one of the more exciting up-and-coming gallopers racing on Sunday’s card at Sha Tin, but Top Dragon will face a stern test according to trainer Chris So Wai-yin. An impressive winner at three of his past five starts, Top Dragon will bid to enhance his standing as a leading Classic Series contender when he tackles the Class Three Salisbury Handicap (1,400m). The son of Pierata continued his upward spiral when he finished powerfully from back in the field under champion jockey Zac Purton to...View the full article

Lightly raced six-year-old The Scunner (NZ) (Shamexpress) showed his last start runner-up finish at Group Three level was no fluke as he backed that effort up with another professional display to capture the Gr.3 Taylor Property Plus Spring Sprint (1400m) at Trentham. The Ashley Meadows-prepared son of Shamexpress was having just his 15th career start on Saturday but showed he has now hit his straps with a vengeance as he downed the top two favoured runners in the contest, Riccarton visitor Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Cambridge raider Kitty Flash (NZ) (Ace High), in decisive fashion. Given a perfect trip in transit by rider Kelly Myers, The Scunner tracked pacemaker Ifndoubtgetout (NZ) (Keano) into the home straight before ranging alongside that runner shortly after straightening. Kitty Flash and Mystic Park made their runs wider out and looked as though they would swamp The Scunner, however, under the urgings of Myers, The Scunner found another gear in the last 150m to pull clear and win by a length in a smart 1.22.88 for the 1400m journey. Meadows believes his charge has finally matured fully for his current campaign that has provided two wins and a runner-up finish in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) as evidence of that. “I was watching him during the running and saw a few of them were getting scrubbed up and he was still travelling well, so I had a bit of confidence,” Meadows said. “I wasn’t sure how well he was going to kick on top of the ground, but he showed a good turn of foot and was tough to the line. “You can’t fault him this prep and I think he has just matured as he is bigger and stronger and going well, with more in store for him. “We will just have to see what the handicapper does to him now, as he is getting up there (in the weights). “Originally we tried to sell him as a young horse, but he failed the vet, although he has paid for himself now.” Bred by Gloria Kenny from her Diamond Express mare Miss Daphne (NZ), The Scunner’s grand dam is Miss Katella (NZ), who is a half-sister to Group One winner Gee I Jane (NZ) and the stakes winner Miss Jessie Jay (NZ), who produced Group One winners Katie Lee (NZ) and Banchee (NZ). He has now won six of his 15 starts and earned more than $228,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Chris Wood has had faith from day one that his promising youngster That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) would make an impact on the track, and he repaid that on Saturday when taking out the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe. The three-year-old son of Lucky Vega had shown plenty of ability for Wood as an early juvenile, placing in two starts and running fourth in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), but a win remained elusive. He returned as a three-year-old and placed first-up at Te Aroha in October before breaking through for his maiden win at the Waikato track last month, much to Wood’s delight. He was subsequently backed into a $7.10 fifth favourite in his second tilt at stakes level on Saturday, and Wood had every faith of a bold showing from his charge. From his inside draw, That’s Gold was only fair away, but apprentice jockey Tayla Mitchell hunted him up on the rail to regain his early deficit to settle midfield. Turning for home, they had a wall of horses in front of them, but Mitchell was able to navigate her charge into clear running room out wide where That’s Gold was able to let down and reel in leader To Cap It All (Capitalist) to win by half a length. Wood cut an emotional figure post-race, delighted his gelding is starting to fulfil the promise he has always shown. “It’s been a little while since I won a Group race,” he said. “I really like this horse, I might have over-raced him a couple of times as a two-year-old. I was kicking myself as I thought he would win a race in that timeframe, but we didn’t get one. “I have always had a lot of faith in him, he has got plenty of ability. “It was a 10/10 ride from Tayla. I said to her ‘if you miss it, don’t panic because he will get trucking, so just let him relax and find his feet’. I couldn’t have asked for a better ride.” Wood said That’s Gold has matured a lot as a three-year-old and he is rapt his decision to knock back sizeable offers for his gelding as a juvenile has now been justified. “He has matured physically and mentally,” Wood said. “After a couple of starts Yulong (breeders) rang me to try and buy him back, but I wasn’t going to pass him up. I knew he had it in him to get to where he is now, and today was his day.” Wood is hoping That’s Gold can continue his winning momentum, and he now has his sights set on feature racing at Ellerslie in a couple of weeks. “We are looking forward to the big meeting (at Ellerslie) on Boxing Day,” he said. View the full article

Hastings Racecourse and Casino, a track located in Vancouver, British Columbia that began racing in 1889, has ceased the conduct of thoroughbred horse racing at the facility with immediate effect, the track announced Friday evening. In a statement posted to social media, the track noted that racing is typically conduced between the months of April and October and as such, there were no horses currently stabled on site. “This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical legacy of Hastings Racecourse in the local community and its importance to the province's racing industry,” said Wayne Odegard, Regional Vice President, Great Canadian Entertainment. “Unfortunately, it's strictly a business decision based on a lack of economic feasibility to move forward with another season of horse racing at Hastings. We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated members, racing participants and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.” The statement added that operations of the casino and simulcast racebook at the facility would not be impacted by the decision to cease live racing. “Our focus moving forward will be supporting our impacted team members through this transition, as well as racing participants as they assess their options for thoroughbred racing in the province in the future,” Odegard added. The post Horse Racing To End At Hastings Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Newnham has high hopes of continuing his good record on the dirt this season and replicating his success from the same Sha Tin meeting last year when he bids to extend his championship lead on Sunday. Heading the premiership standings with 23 wins including four on the all-weather track, Newnham boasts a strong team of seven runners headlined by dirt specialists Sing Dragon and Talents Ambition in the feature Class Two Chatham Handicap (1,200m). Sing Dragon returns to the surface of his...View the full article

Horses that win a California-bred first-level allowance race will enjoy expanded opportunities beginning with the Dec. 26 opening of the Classic Meet at Santa Anita, the track announced Friday. The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), in collaboration with Santa Anita, Del Mar, Los Alamitos and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), have reached an agreement to broaden the available options to include two wins over the same surface in Cal-bred first conditioned allowance races. Under the existing policy, Cal-breds are entitled to two wins in the first level allowance if the wins are recorded on different surfaces (dirt or turf). The new enhancement bolsters this program by permitting two wins on the same surface at two separate distance categories: one win at seven furlongs or less (short) and the other at one mile or longer (long). The agreement to expand the available options is on a one-year trial basis for 2026 with the understanding that the cap of a maximum two wins within the condition is unchanged. “These expanded opportunities in the Cal-bred first-level allowance races is the latest measure taken to further strengthen the state bred program,” said Bill Nader, President of the TOC. “This follows recent announcements where purse levels for maiden special weight and first-level allowance races have been significantly increased to $70,000 at Santa Anita for the Classic meet, of which half of the races are restricted to horses bred in California. The increase in the owner bonus from $10,000 to $12,500 in Cal-bred maiden special weight races run at Santa Anita also begins with immediate effect on Dec. 26. Much of this momentum is a direct result of the success of the single circuit which channels our resources more effectively.” “This is a great modification to the current policy, and it will be helpful to horses and horse owners,” said trainer Mark Glatt, a TOC board member. “It provides a secondary path by making horses eligible for a second win in the category on the racing surface of their choice. Horses that take this path will need to run both short and long. I would like to thank the racing offices at the southern California racetracks for their willingness to trial this in the coming year.” CTBA President Chief Stipe Burge applauded the new policy, saying “it is a great addition to the $30 million Cal-bred racing and incentive program that now offers even more opportunities to the California-breds, which currently make up roughly 50% of our field sizes. Through the support of TOC and the racing associations, we continue to reward those breeding and racing in the state. If you race in California, it now pays more than ever to have Cal-breds in your barn.” Santa Anita Park's 2025-26 Classic Meet kicks off Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. The post Cal-Breds To Enjoy Expanded Opportunities At Santa Anita’s Classic Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Young and old meet on the dirt Dec. 7 at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan's Champions Cup.View the full article

Oaklawn Park kicks off its 2025-26 racing season Dec. 12 with the $150,000 Advent Stakes, the opening marker of a record 62 stakes worth more than a total of $18.3 million this winter and upcoming spring at the Hot Springs, Ark., track.View the full article

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stayed trainer Eusebio Juarez's two-year suspension and combined $18,000 fine (including arbitration costs) handed to him in October by a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) arbitrator for possession of the banned substance diisopropylamine. As a consequence, a further evidentiary hearing will be held. During this, Juarez will have the chance to present a witness, not present at a prior hearing, who allegedly has evidence of “significant exculpatory potential” in the case, according to FTC administrative law judge Jay L. Himes in a written order dated Dec. 2. The case stems from a January 29 search by Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) investigators of Juarez's SUV stationed at Oaklawn Park racetrack. They found two hypodermic syringes filled with a substance later determined by laboratory analysis to contain the banned substance diisopropylamine. Diisopropylamine is a vasodilator, which is a substance that dilates the vessels to allow blood to flow more freely through them. Diisopropylamine is also found in several everyday items like tobacco and beauty products, and hand sanitizer. The day of the search, Juarez claimed ignorance on how the syringes got into the vehicle, positing that he had recently received the vehicle back from a repair shop and “alluded the syringes were left behind by the repair technician,” according to Himes's written order. The following April 25, Juarez's attorney responded to HIWU's official equine anti-doping notice by advising the agency that the “'substance was intended for administration to some injured roosters' owned by Mr. Luis Terrazas, who trainer Juarez claimed is his auto-mechanic,” according to Himes's order. At the same time, Juarez's attorney provided a “typed, unsigned, unnotarized, draft affidavit allegedly from Mr. Terrazas,” as well as “an alleged handwritten receipt for the auto repair,” according to the order. The following is a summary from Himes's written order of Terrazas's unsigned affidavit: “Mr. Terrazas serviced Mr. Juarez's SUV during the period January 13-28, 2025. Mr. Juarez brought his SUV to Mr. Terrazas because it 'had been repeatedly overheating.' In order to re-create and then repair the condition, Mr. Terrazas 'drove the SUV several times over the course of about one week.' During that time, he 'put the two syringes' into the console of Mr. Juarez's SUV.” “Mr. Terrazas had obtained the two filled syringes 'from a friend' in order 'to administer the substance in both syringes to several farm animals at [his] home later that day. These animals had been gravely injured by a predator.' The syringes, however, were not used, as Mr. Terrazas's wife suggested an alternative treatment, which was successful. Mr. Terrazas never removed the two syringes from Mr. Juarez's SUV and 'never told [Mr. Juarez he] had put the syringes in the SUV console.'” At the time of the January vehicle search, Juarez was working as an exercise rider. He has also held a trainer's license since 2023. This year, Juarez has saddled 27 winners from 126 starts, according to Equibase. HIWU determined that Juarez's initial explanation “lacked credibility,” according to Himes's written order. He also notes that in April of last year, HIWU discovered a single syringe filled with diisopropylamine during a search of a vehicle that Juarez's wife had driven to Oaklawn Park. In that instance, Juarez's wife had allegedly obtained the diisopropylamine to treat chickens that the couple raise, and HIWU declined to charge Juarez with any violation. Two days before the Sept. 11 arbitration hearing for the case in question, Juarez served a pre-hearing brief which identified Terrazas as a witness. The hearing arbitrator, however, declined to allow Terrazas's testimony, describing the brief as being submitted in an “untimely” manner. During the merits hearing, a HIWU witness testified that the syringes found “were the gauge size and needle length typically and traditionally used for intravenous injections on horses and that they were too large for use on roosters or other fowl. He further testified that the volume of diisopropylamine was inconsistent with the volume that could possibly be administered to roosters or other fowl,” according to Himes's written order. As his only defense witness, Juarez rebutted this argument, saying that in his experience treating chickens, a large hypodermic needle could be used. The basis of Juarez's petition for review of the arbitrator's decision was the exclusion of a “necessary defense witness” despite his prior identification of that person. Judge Himes ultimately agreed. “When Mr. Juarez sought, belatedly, to call Mr. Terrazas as a witness at the arbitration hearing, a fair and impartial resolution of the case would have been better assured not by excluding him,” Himes writes in his order. “Therefore, to the extent provided below, I will direct an evidentiary hearing at which Mr. Terrazas may testify.” No date has yet been scheduled for that evidentiary hearing. The post FTC Stays Trainer Eusebio Juarez’s Two-Year Suspension, Hearing Pending appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Portfolio Duration at Tampa Bay Downs. Night Of Thunder Filly Boasts Top Portfolio Klaravich Stables' Portfolio Duration romped in a Tampa Bay maiden for Chad Brown on December 3 (video). Bred by Michael E. Wates, CBE, the three-year-old filly cost 185,000gns as a Tattersalls December weanling, and was later picked up by Mike Ryan for Seth Klarman's operation for 150,000gns out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2023. Second on debut at Tampa in August, the daughter of Shemya (Dansili) is a half-sister to G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial victor Cormorant (Kingman) and colts by Palace Pier and Modern Games born in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Second dam Shemima (Dalakhani) won twice in France at group level and is a relative of G1 Prix du Jockey Club second Shamkiyr (Sea The Stars). Champion sire elect Night Of Thunder has sired 16 winners from 25 runners in North America (64%). His five stakes winners there are led by Grade I winners Dynamic Pricing and Choisya. Repeat Winner Unconquerable Keen (Clodovil) was back in the winner's circle after the Stormy Liberal Stakes for the third year in a row at Del Mar on November 30 (video). The 2025 GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint third is owned by CYBT, Omar Aldabbagh and Michael Nentwig and trained by Phil D'Amato. The post Making Waves: Stellar Portfolio For Klaravich Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horses that win a California-bred first-level allowance race will enjoy expanded opportunities beginning with the Classic Meet at Santa Anita. A new policy now permits two wins on the same surface at two separate distance categories.View the full article

Oaklawn Park will host a pair of major live horseplayer contests to be held during Southwest Stakes Weekend in 2026, the track announced Friday. The new events, the Southwest Showdown on Saturday, Jan. 31, and the Oaklawn Horseplayer Championship on Sunday, Feb. 1, will bring together top horseplayers from across the country to Oaklawn for a high-stakes competition offering Last Chance/First Chance seats to the 2026 or 2027 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), 2026 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), and cash prizes. “We are excited to introduce a marquee horseplayer contest during one of Oaklawn's most thrilling weekends,” said Louis A. Cella, President of Oaklawn. “Our Southwest Stakes Weekend already attracts national attention, and adding an event that rewards skill, strategy, and passion for racing will elevate the entire experience.” Tom Rooney, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, added: “A visit to Oaklawn Park should be on the bucket list for any horseplayer. We are delighted that handicapping contests will be added to the promotional calendar at one of the pre-eminent racing destinations in America, if not the world,” Further information on the entry structure, rules, and prize distribution will be announced by Oaklawn in the coming weeks. The post Oaklawn To Host Pair Of Horseplayer Contests During 2026 Southwest Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Woodend Beach trainer Bob Butt takes a strong team of four to the Geraldine meeting at Orari racecourse today, looking to keep his successful weekend going after Donna’s Boy produced an impressive effort to win at Addington last night. Leading the charge at Orari today is The Lazarus Effect ($1.60FF) who lines up in the Placemakers Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup for $25,000 over the 2850m stand. The four-year-old Lazarus gelding has won seven from just 11 starts plus three placings including his last start when he took lengths off New Zealand Cup winner Kingman in the Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington. “He keeps stepping up each time. He’s come through his last start really good,” said trainer/driver Bob Butt. “Hopefully he can make a good beginning. It’s a good wee field.” “Obviously his first start on the grass is always a bit of a query.” “He’s there for a bit more standing start practice before we go to the Invercargill Cup (December 19th).” Other chances in the event include the Robert and Jenna Dunn trained It’s Tough ($3.10FF), while the remainder has a case to fill minor placings. Butt also has a great chance in the trotters version of the Geraldine Cup in Race 10, the Fresh Choice Geraldine Trotters Cup over 2500m with Tactical Bid ($4.60FF). “I Dream Of Jeanie and Maui have been going super against the big guns. They get into the race good. Tactical Bid has the motor and a big future. He’s still learning and needs to get his head around things.” Butt’s chances for the day do not end there. One Eye Bandit ($5.00FF) lines up in Race 9, the Hobbs and Banks Transport Pace. The aptly named three-year-old Always B Miki gelding has shown enough to Butt to suggest his time will come, however for now still goes around with the ‘L’ plates on. “He just got a bit lost last week. I just thought now we’d go into some grass track races with bigger fields so he can learn how to race. He’s got his share of ability, and he’ll make a nice horse one day.” In the final race of the day, Race 11 the Ecolab Mobile Pace Butt lines up Crystal ($14.00FF). Despite being drawn in the car park, Butt still believes she is racing well enough to feature depending on the tempo of the race. “She’s been going good every week, but she can’t do work in the run. It’ll make it hard from that draw so hopefully if there’s speed on she might be able to track into it.” Butt will also put on the Paul Nairn colours earlier on in the card behind Wilma’s Boy ($3.00FF) in Race 6, the McMillan Equine Feeds Trot over 2500m. Fresh up today with a 10 metre handicap Butt believes the four-year-old gelding should be prepped for a bold return. “He should be pretty hard to beat.” Race one gets underway at 12:05pm. View the full article