Wandering Eyes

Fan favourite Harlech has finally found his way to the winners’ enclosure following more than three and a half years since his last victory, racing away for a satisfying win in the Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. The seven-year-old son of Darci Brahma has been in many elite level battles over the years, with a number of placings in races such as the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and most recently runner-up in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), since winning the Benalla Cup (1406m) back in October 2020. Co-trainer Pam Gerard has never lost faith in her charge and echoed the sentiments of many after witnessing his return to winning form in spectacular fashion by running away from his rivals in the final stages. “He deserves it as he was very unlucky last start when finishing second off a slow pace,” Gerard said. “I thought we were a little bit stuck at the top of the straight today but once we got out, he showed the confidence he has gained since being down here. “He had gone up a lot in weight and it is hard to carry that when you are at the end of a long prep. “He looked sensational and to Sian and Hugh and all his other owners who have been so patient and trusted me to bring him down here, a big thank you. “He is one of the favourites at home and we thought he was coming to the end of his career but a trip down here (from Matamata) and some sun on his back means there is no better place than the South Island.” Allpress cut a satisfied figure after the victory and was keen to remind people that her mount was a class animal. “When I got around to the start there were a couple of people there asking if he knew where the winning post was as he has that sort of stigma around him,” she said. “He has been in every big race possible and run creditably so the potential has always been there. “He just kept on giving and wanted to be there and he is very genuine.” Raced by a large group including Dame Sian Elias and Hugh Fletcher, who Gerard had acknowledged in her post race comments, Harlech is out of the former top race mare Obsession who won the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and also finished third in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) during her career on the track. He was purchased by co-trainer Mike Moroney’s brother Paul for $100,000 out of the Oaks Stud draft at Karaka in 2018 and has now won four races and secured more than $555,000 in prizemoney from his 39 career starts. View the full article

Super Photon’s growing reputation was put to the test in Saturday’s Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa, and the exciting colt rose to the challenge in style. The black-type feature was the second win in an unblemished two-start career for the Super Seth colt, who had kicked off with a commanding three-length victory at Rotorua last month. That debut win came over 1150m against just five opponents, who had a total of six previous starts between them. The runner-up was the first-starter Magice, a trial-winning full-brother to the Group One winner and Waikato Stud stallion Noverre, while third placegetter Ziggy Stardust went on to run second in Saturday’s Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. Trainer Stephen Marsh upped the ante on Saturday with Super Photon, taking a big step up to 1400m in a talented field of 11 that included proven black-type winner Domain Ace and impressive recent winners Renovations and Star Shadow. An unsuitable Soft7 track added another degree of difficulty to the challenge, but Marsh and jockey Michael McNab had a feeling that Super Photon might be good enough to win regardless. Super Photon emphatically proved them right with his performance on Saturday. Sent out as a $3.80 second favourite behind Domain Ace, Super Photon settled in fourth place as Renovations and Force Of Law sprinted to the front in the first 100m and then put the brakes on through the middle stages of the race. McNab cruised up on the outside of that pair at the home turn and pushed the button in the straight. Super Photon quickened smartly and soon swept up alongside Renovations, who lifted again and tried her hardest to stay with him. But Super Photon slowly but surely edged ahead, opening up a winning margin of a length and a half. “He’s a beautiful horse,” McNab said. “I trialled him a few weeks ago and just fell in love with him and everything about him. I was suspended when he won on debut, but I was lucky enough that the connections gave me the ride back and he was really good today. “I thought the speed might be a bit more genuine, but we walked and he was overdoing it for a while before he came back to me nicely. “He found a kick in the straight, but was struggling in that ground, so it was a big effort to win. I think you’ll see him down at Riccarton in the spring. He’s going the right way.” Bred by Waikato Stud, Super Photon is the second stakes winner from the first crop of their stallion Super Seth, who is also the sire of the Sydney Group Three winner Linebacker. Super Photon is a half-brother to the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) winner Mo’unga, who has recently been announced as a new stallion for Newhaven Park in New South Wales. Waikato Stud offered Super Photon in their Book 1 yearling draft at Karaka last year, where Stephen Marsh Racing, Dennis Foster, Bourbon Lane and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock purchased him for $380,000. His two-from-two career has banked $55,520 in stakes so far, with the promise of a lot more to come. Saturday’s win continued a tradition of black-type juvenile success at Te Rapa at this time of year for Marsh, who won a 1200m version of this race with No More Tears (2015), Ugo Foscolo (2016), Ardrossan (2017) and Santa Catarina (2018). “That was outstanding,” stable representative and bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson said on Saturday. “You’re always a bit nervous when you saddle up these sorts of colts. We knew going up to 1400m today was a bit of a stretch in just his second start. “But he’s a very classy colt, extremely well bred and a beautiful style of horse, so to see that performance today was very exciting. “He’s still so new to it and he’s far from the finished article. Whatever he did as a two-year-old was always just going to be a bonus. Once he gets up to a mile and really learns his craft, he’s going to be pretty dangerous. “We’ve had some luck winning two-year-old stakes races here at this time of the year, and to win this one today over 1400m probably makes it the most important one so far.” View the full article

For the second time in three weekends, the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained pair of Star Ballot and Tomyturbo have fought out a thrilling finish to a staying race at Riccarton – and for the second time in three weekends, Star Ballot has come out on top. Saturday’s Hornby Club Founders Cup (2600m) was the rematch of a Rating 75 race over the same course and distance on April 20, where Star Ballot finished over the top of Tomyturbo to win by half a length. The $40,000 Founders Cup followed a similar script, with Tomyturbo trucking into the race from midfield soon after the home turn while Star Ballot was hard on his heels. This time they were joined by Sacred Dream to make it a three-way tussle through the last 200m, but again it was Star Ballot who was able to find the most through the closing stages of the race and snatched victory by a nose for jockey Lisa Allpress. The five-year-old’s win was an impressive weight-carrying performance under 60kg, with Tomyturbo carrying 58kg and Sacred Dream 55.5kg. In their previous meeting, Star Ballot had 57kg and Tomyturbo carried 56.5kg. “That was a massive effort under the 60kg,” Michael Pitman said. “After his last win, I expected the step up into an open handicap for this race would drop his weight down to about 54kg, but instead he went all the way up to 60. For him to still win the race was huge. “The second horse ran a great race too, and he’ll get his turn. This was only his third run past 1600m. Kylie Williams said she ended up hitting the front a bit too soon and knew Star Ballot would come at him, so she was just trying to hold him together as much as she could. He didn’t lose anything in defeat today.” Star Ballot was offered by breeders Westbury Stud at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where Pitman secured him for $45,000. The Tarzino gelding has now had 27 starts for six wins, six placings and $149,405 in stakes, and there might be even bigger and better things in store next season. “I’m not sure about Tomyturbo, but Star Ballot will definitely go for a break now and then we’ll aim him at the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) in the spring,” Pitman said. “I’ve already offered the ride to Lisa, and she seems keen to stick with him. “I’ve made no secret about the fact that he’s my favourite horse in the stable, he’s just such a cool dude of a horse, and I think he’s a real genuine stayer.” Pitman’s affection for Star Ballot may prompt him to turn his attention across the Tasman in early June. “Westbury has a full-brother going through the yearling sale on the Gold Coast in a few weeks’ time, so I might have to see if I can put together a syndicate to buy him,” Pitman said. The Founders Cup was the third win on the Riccarton card for the Pitmans, who won sprint races earlier in the afternoon with Motiontime and Zoulander. View the full article

Promising chaser Hey Happy showed he could be in for a prosperous winter after bolting away with the opening steeplechase of the season at Te Rapa on Saturday, the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase (3900m). Prepared by jumps maestro Kevin Myers the eight-year-old son of Rip Van Winkle never put a foot wrong in the hands of rider Dean Parker. Never far from the lead throughout the 3900m journey, Hey Happy took the race by the scruff of the neck with a powerful leap at the third last fence and he continued to forge clear from there on, eventually easing down to win by more than 19 lengths from Torque Time and topweight Raucous. Parker was full of smiles after the race as he described the ease of the win. “He was a really nice ride and I had a lot of confidence going into the race,” Parker said. “I thought he’d go quite well and I checked behind me to make sure they weren’t too close before giving him a quiet run to the line. “He jumped super throughout and loved just poking up on the inside. I thought I was going good at the 800m and something had to be going even better to get past me at that stage.” The victory will thrust Hey Happy to the forefront of discussions surrounding the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) that has been moved from its traditional mid-May raceday to the Te Rapa meeting to be held on the 15th of June. A versatile performer Hey Happy has successfully mixed flat racing with an emerging jumping career as he now adds a third jumping success (two over the steeplechase fences) to his four wins on the flat and over $215,000 in prizemoney. Owned by Myer’s partner Angela Illston, Hey Happy was originally purchased for $24,000 by Ken Harrison out of the Valachi Downs draft during the Select Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2017 and is out of the stakes placed Yamanin Vital mare Our Zara. View the full article

Mrs Chrissie winning at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Caulfield has been a happy hunting ground for Mrs Chrissie, and the talented New Zealand-bred returned there on Saturday to score a stylish win in the A$80,000 MRC Plus Handicap (1100m). It was the fourth win of a 14-start career for the daughter of Per Incanto, and two of those wins have come from just four appearances at Caulfield. The five-year-old was ridden on Saturday by Carleen Hefel, whose six rides on the mare have produced three wins, two seconds and a fourth. The pair settled in second in Saturday’s Benchmark 78 sprint before pouncing at the home turn. Mrs Chrissie had tackled and headed the front-running Excess by the 200m mark, and she edged ahead over the concluding stages of the race to win by three-quarters of a length. “I had a good feeling today when she was very relaxed going around to the gates and then was good in the gates,” Hefel said. “She’s a mare that sometimes has different tendencies in the gates, but she was good today. “She was able to jump away well. Another horse crossed her, but she just switched off and travelled so sweetly, then quickened off it perfectly. “She was a bit disappointing in her previous race, but she had her A-game back today. “I just had to trust my horse. I knew that, at her best, she’s very good and can win in this sort of grade.” Mrs Chrissie is trained by Ciaron Maher, who was represented at Caulfield on Saturday by Jack Turnbull. “She had a couple of races in Sydney, then just lightened off a little bit when she travelled back down,” Turnbull said. “We ran her at Ballarat last start and she just wasn’t at her best that day, so we backed off her a bit after that. “She was really good today. Carleen knows her extremely well, and it’s great to see the mare back in winning form in town. 1100m seems to be her sweet spot, and she likes Caulfield. “We’ll keep trying to pick out suitable races like this one, and the majority owner would love to breed from her one day, so we’ll see if we can focus on a bit of black type at some point down the track.” Horse racing news View the full article

Hey Happy (right) in the mid-stages of his dominant victory in the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Promising chaser Hey Happy showed he could be in for a prosperous winter after bolting away with the opening steeplechase of the season at Te Rapa on Saturday, the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase (3900m). Prepared by jumps maestro Kevin Myers the eight-year-old son of Rip Van Winkle never put a foot wrong in the hands of rider Dean Parker. Never far from the lead throughout the 3900m journey, Hey Happy took the race by the scruff of the neck with a powerful leap at the third last fence and he continued to forge clear from there on, eventually easing down to win by more than 19 lengths from Torque Time and topweight Raucous. Parker was full of smiles after the race as he described the ease of the win. “He was a really nice ride and I had a lot of confidence going into the race,” Parker said. “I thought he’d go quite well and I checked behind me to make sure they weren’t too close before giving him a quiet run to the line. “He jumped super throughout and loved just poking up on the inside. I thought I was going good at the 800m and something had to be going even better to get past me at that stage.” The victory will thrust Hey Happy to the forefront of discussions surrounding the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) that has been moved from its traditional mid-May raceday to the Te Rapa meeting to be held on the 15th of June. A versatile performer Hey Happy has successfully mixed flat racing with an emerging jumping career as he now adds a third jumping success (two over the steeplechase fences) to his four wins on the flat and over $215,000 in prizemoney. Horse racing news View the full article

Eventual winner Star Ballot (outside) and stablemate Tomyturbo fight out the Hornby Club Founders Cup (2600m) at Riccarton Park. Photo: Race Images South For the second time in three weekends, the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained pair of Star Ballot and Tomyturbo have fought out a thrilling finish to a staying race at Riccarton – and for the second time in three weekends, Star Ballot has come out on top. Saturday’s Hornby Club Founders Cup (2600m) was the rematch of a Rating 75 race over the same course and distance on April 20, where Star Ballot finished over the top of Tomyturbo to win by half a length. The $40,000 Founders Cup followed a similar script, with Tomyturbo trucking into the race from midfield soon after the home turn while Star Ballot was hard on his heels. This time they were joined by Sacred Dream to make it a three-way tussle through the last 200m, but again it was Star Ballot who was able to find the most through the closing stages of the race and snatched victory by a nose for jockey Lisa Allpress. The five-year-old’s win was an impressive weight-carrying performance under 60kg, with Tomyturbo carrying 58kg and Sacred Dream 55.5kg. In their previous meeting, Star Ballot had 57kg and Tomyturbo carried 56.5kg. “That was a massive effort under the 60kg,” Michael Pitman said. “After his last win, I expected the step up into an open handicap for this race would drop his weight down to about 54kg, but instead he went all the way up to 60. For him to still win the race was huge. “The second horse ran a great race too, and he’ll get his turn. This was only his third run past 1600m. Kylie Williams said she ended up hitting the front a bit too soon and knew Star Ballot would come at him, so she was just trying to hold him together as much as she could. He didn’t lose anything in defeat today.” Star Ballot was offered by breeders Westbury Stud at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where Pitman secured him for $45,000. The Tarzino gelding has now had 27 starts for six wins, six placings and $149,405 in stakes, and there might be even bigger and better things in store next season. “I’m not sure about Tomyturbo, but Star Ballot will definitely go for a break now and then we’ll aim him at the New Zealand Cup (Group 3, 3200m) in the spring,” Pitman said. “I’ve already offered the ride to Lisa, and she seems keen to stick with him. “I’ve made no secret about the fact that he’s my favourite horse in the stable, he’s just such a cool dude of a horse, and I think he’s a real genuine stayer.” Pitman’s affection for Star Ballot may prompt him to turn his attention across the Tasman in early June. “Westbury has a full-brother going through the yearling sale on the Gold Coast in a few weeks’ time, so I might have to see if I can put together a syndicate to buy him,” Pitman said. The Founders Cup was the third win on the Riccarton card for the Pitmans, who won sprint races earlier in the afternoon with Motiontime and Zoulander. Horse racing news View the full article

Harlech dashes away to a comprehensive win in the Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South Fan favourite Harlech has finally found his way to the winners’ enclosure following more than three and a half years since his last victory, racing away for a satisfying win in the Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. The seven-year-old son of Darci Brahma has been in many elite level battles over the years, with a number of placings in races such as the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and most recently runner-up in the Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), since winning the Benalla Cup (1406m) back in October 2020. Co-trainer Pam Gerard has never lost faith in her charge and echoed the sentiments of many after witnessing his return to winning form in spectacular fashion by running away from his rivals in the final stages. “He deserves it as he was very unlucky last start when finishing second off a slow pace,” Gerard said. “I thought we were a little bit stuck at the top of the straight today but once we got out, he showed the confidence he has gained since being down here. “He had gone up a lot in weight and it is hard to carry that when you are at the end of a long prep. “He looked sensational and to Sian and Hugh and all his other owners who have been so patient and trusted me to bring him down here, a big thank you. “He is one of the favourites at home and we thought he was coming to the end of his career but a trip down here (from Matamata) and some sun on his back means there is no better place than the South Island.” Allpress cut a satisfied figure after the victory and was keen to remind people that her mount was a class animal. “When I got around to the start there were a couple of people there asking if he knew where the winning post was as he has that sort of stigma around him,” she said. “He has been in every big race possible and run creditably so the potential has always been there. “He just kept on giving and wanted to be there and he is very genuine.” Horse racing news View the full article

Niranjan Parmar returns to the birdcage aboard Discretion Rules after his victory in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m). Photo: Race Images South Consistent galloper Discretion Rules cracked his maiden victory in fine style after a string of minor placings when taking out the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. The son of Alabama Express is prepared by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson from their Riccarton base and had the misfortune of striking star stablemate Nucleozor at his first three starts, where he placed third then second in consecutive runs, before finding the top step of the podium at his fourth attempt. Bounced away nicely from barrier four by Niranjan Parmar, Discretion Rules sat outside pacemaker Great Time before assuming control at the 300m. Parmar asked for a serious effort, and he shot way by three lengths before holding out the late challenges of Cambridge visitor Ziggy Stardust and the second Walker and Bergerson runner in Colonel Warden. Te Akau Racing Manager Reece Trumper was on hand to witness the victory and was quick to praise the ride by their stable apprentice. “It was a great ride by Parmar as he put him in a lovely position where he relaxed beautifully,” Trumper said. “The step up to 1200m was a question mark but Parmar gave him a treat of a ride and that is why he is the leading apprentice (43 wins) at present. “Colonel Warden was also really good as he flattened out well and will improve with the run, so he won’t be taking long to win one.” Walker was also taken with the performance. “It was a really good win today,” he said. “He’d obviously been going great races behind his stable-mate Nucleozor, but it was good to see him get his Maiden win in a Listed race. “He’s a yearling that Dave (Ellis) bought before we knew how good the sire (Alabama Express) was going to be. He’s a very promising sire and we were very impressed with his yearlings throughout the sales series, at Magic Millions, Sydney, and Melbourne. He’s got a lovely line of young horses. “We’re going to give him a break now, because he’s had four starts since early March, so it’s great for him to gain a valuable win before going out.” Horse racing news View the full article

Super Photon and Michael McNab power to victory in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Super Photon’s growing reputation was put to the test in Saturday’s Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa, and the exciting colt rose to the challenge in style. The black-type feature was the second win in an unblemished two-start career for the Super Seth colt, who had kicked off with a commanding three-length victory at Rotorua last month. That debut win came over 1150m against just five opponents, who had a total of six previous starts between them. The runner-up was the first-starter Magice, a trial-winning full-brother to the Group 1 winner and Waikato Stud stallion Noverre, while third placegetter Ziggy Stardust went on to run second in Saturday’s Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. Trainer Stephen Marsh upped the ante on Saturday with Super Photon, taking a big step up to 1400m in a talented field of 11 that included proven black-type winner Domain Ace and impressive recent winners Renovations and Star Shadow. An unsuitable Soft 7 track added another degree of difficulty to the challenge, but Marsh and jockey Michael McNab had a feeling that Super Photon might be good enough to win regardless. Super Photon emphatically proved them right with his performance on Saturday. Sent out as a $3.80 second favourite behind Domain Ace, Super Photon settled in fourth place as Renovations and Force Of Law sprinted to the front in the first 100m and then put the brakes on through the middle stages of the race. McNab cruised up on the outside of that pair at the home turn and pushed the button in the straight. Super Photon quickened smartly and soon swept up alongside Renovations, who lifted again and tried her hardest to stay with him. But Super Photon slowly but surely edged ahead, opening up a winning margin of a length and a half. “He’s a beautiful horse,” McNab said. “I trialled him a few weeks ago and just fell in love with him and everything about him. I was suspended when he won on debut, but I was lucky enough that the connections gave me the ride back and he was really good today. “I thought the speed might be a bit more genuine, but we walked and he was overdoing it for a while before he came back to me nicely. “He found a kick in the straight, but was struggling in that ground, so it was a big effort to win. I think you’ll see him down at Riccarton in the spring. He’s going the right way.” Bred by Waikato Stud, Super Photon is the second stakes winner from the first crop of their stallion Super Seth, who is also the sire of the Sydney Group 3 winner Linebacker. Super Photon is a half-brother to the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) winner Mo’unga, who has recently been announced as a new stallion for Newhaven Park in New South Wales. Waikato Stud offered Super Photon in their Book 1 yearling draft at Karaka last year, where Stephen Marsh Racing, Dennis Foster, Bourbon Lane and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock purchased him for $380,000. His two-from-two career has banked $55,520 in stakes so far, with the promise of a lot more to come. Saturday’s win continued a tradition of black-type juvenile success at Te Rapa at this time of year for Marsh, who won a 1200m version of this race with No More Tears (2015), Ugo Foscolo (2016), Ardrossan (2017) and Santa Catarina (2018). “That was outstanding,” stable representative and bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson said on Saturday. “You’re always a bit nervous when you saddle up these sorts of colts. We knew going up to 1400m today was a bit of a stretch in just his second start. “But he’s a very classy colt, extremely well bred and a beautiful style of horse, so to see that performance today was very exciting. “He’s still so new to it and he’s far from the finished article. Whatever he did as a two-year-old was always just going to be a bonus. Once he gets up to a mile and really learns his craft, he’s going to be pretty dangerous. “We’ve had some luck winning two-year-old stakes races here at this time of the year, and to win this one today over 1400m probably makes it the most important one so far.” Horse racing news View the full article

British jockey rates consistent galloper’s chances highly in Group Three feature at Sha Tin on SundayView the full article

Resolute Racing's John Stewart has been able to make a sudden impact on the sport. Arriving on the scene at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Stewart has made a series of high-profile purchases including champion Goodnight Olive. View the full article

Former Victorian jockey Michael Poy. (Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) Jockeys Michael Poy and Lewis German, along with professional punter Noah Brash, have been hit with serious corruption and betting allegations by Racing Victoria stewards. These charges, unveiled on Friday, stem from incidents occurring between April and August 2022. Poy, who has since relocated to Western Australia, has been absent from the racing scene since his last ride on WATC Derby Day, April 13. Similarly, German has been sidelined from the saddle since September 2023. The accusations against Poy include betting on a race he participated in on August 7, 2022, and engaging in actions deemed “dishonest, corrupt, and/or improper” in connection with that race. Poy had a busy day on August 7, 2022, riding in five races at Swan Hill for four different trainers, achieving placings on Mr Scorefield for Anthony Chibnall, Acquiescent for Ciaron Maher, and Hubble for Nathan Hobson. Moreover, Racing Victoria alleges that Poy approached another jockey, offering money in a corrupt manner, though this jockey isn’t facing any charges. Both Poy and German are accused of manipulating their rides to ensure favourable outcomes for Brash’s bets, as per Racing Victoria’s investigation. Poy faces additional allegations of providing insider information to Brash regarding races he participated in, with the knowledge that Brash would wager accordingly. It’s alleged that Poy then rode these horses in a manner to secure successful bets. Racing Victoria, in a statement released on Friday, outlined, “The charges relate to a stewards’ investigation into conduct and wagering concerns on thoroughbred races within Victoria involving Mr. Poy, Mr. German, and Mr. Brash. “Since August 2022, RV stewards, with the assistance of RV’s Betting Intelligence Unit, have conducted a comprehensive investigation, which has included interviewing numerous individuals and analyzing a wide range of materials.” Horse racing news View the full article

The historic 150th running of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 3 saw record wagering in spite of intermittent showers at Churchill Downs as Thorpedo Anna splashed her way to win the lilies wire to wire.View the full article

Reigning 2-year-old champion male and Florida Derby (G1) winner Fierceness is favored in early wagering for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Murray Bridge trainer John Peacock has taken horses to the Northern Territory for the past 28 years. He is currently based in Alice Springs before leaving for the Top End for the Darwin Cup Carnival. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) He is back in Alice Springs, but unfortunately, Murray Bridge trainer John Peacock missed the recent Cup Carnival. Changes were made to the 2024 Carnival with Cup Day drawing the curtain on the five-day program on April 7. Cup Day was traditionally the first Monday in May before the Alice Springs Turf Club switched the biggest day of the year to the first Sunday in May in 2020. “Honestly, I wasn’t aware the Carnival had been brought forward until after Christmas,” he said. “I look forward to coming to the Territory each year, but my horses don’t come back into work until late January or early February. “It’s unlikely I would have had horses ready by March as I normally race horses in Alice Springs at this time of year before heading to Darwin. “I was surprised the format changed, I’m not sure if I’ll be at the Carnival next year as I’ve had the same routine for the past 28 years. “I would have to drive to Alice Springs and then return to Murray Bridge before heading back to Darwin. “I’m told changes to the Carnival were mooted last year and that it wasn’t a popular decision – and that there weren’t too many interstate horses.” Peacock, 76, who has tasted success in the NT with Flying Tormenta, Senior Council, Samalidan, Mine Craft and Calabisca, made a winning start back at Pioneer Park on April 20 with four-year-old mare Step Forward. Step Forward, Cherry Stem, Star Of Monsoon and the impressive Super Famous are on deck come Sunday. Super Famous, a narrow third in open company over 1100m two weeks ago, boasts an outstanding record in the NT over the short course and faces 0-64 opposition over 1100m. The son of Super One has had 10 starts in Alice Springs for two wins and three minor placings, while in Darwin it’s 12 starts for four wins and six minor placings. “They should all be competitive this week, especially Step Forward, but Super Famous is the one to watch,” Peacock said. “In March, he finished fourth at Adelaide over 1250m and was then galloped on at Morphettville over 1200m three weeks later when 12th. “He had two weeks in the paddock healing his leg up, so his first up run in Alice was pretty good and he’ll be a lot fitter on Sunday. “The Pioneer Sprint normally takes place this weekend – he would have been combative had the Carnival schedule remained the same.” Peacock leaves for Darwin on Tuesday, but while in Alice Springs, he has had the opportunity to catch up with friends and play golf. “I enjoy coming to the Territory, and it’s good to race here in Alice before heading to Darwin,” he said. “I will keep making the trip for as long as I can, it was nice to pick up some prizemoney the other day.” Heroic Spirit, a four-year-old gelding – placed twice in four Darwin starts last year – and Pharma Boom, a three-year-old filly, complete Peacock’s team. Horse racing news View the full article

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Edited Press Release Monmouth Park will have a new look to its racing office when the 51-day meet gets under way on Saturday, May 11, with Gerry Stanislawzyk taking over as the racing secretary, it was announced today. Stanislawzyk, 52, has served as Monmouth Park's assistant racing secretary since 2016. A native of Wakefield, MA. who currently resides in nearby Colts Neck, Stanislawzyk has spent the past 10 winters as the stakes coordinator at Tampa Bay Downs. He will assume the duties previously held by John Heims, who is moving into a new management role at the track. Heims previously held the dual roles of director of racing and racing secretary. “It has been my dream since I started working in different racing offices to someday become the racing secretary,” said Stanislawzyk. “I have had the privilege to work and learn from some of the best racing secretaries out there. To each and every racing secretary I worked under I want to say 'thank you.' I would not be where I am today without each and every one of them. Other changes in the racing office will see Troy Matty, a recent graduate of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, taking over Stanislawzyk's former role as assistant racing secretary after spending the past seven summers working in Monmouth Park's racing office. In addition, Walter Cicero, who has worked in the racing office the past six years, will shift into a new role as stakes coordinator for the track's 79th season. The post Monmouth Park Announces Changes To Racing Office appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning 2-year-old champion male and recent Florida Derby (G1) winner Fierceness is favored in early wagering for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

12th-Churchill Downs, $125,885, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 5-3, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:16.08, sy, 4 1/4 lengths. ALMOSTGONE ROCKET (f, 3, Into Mischief–Bound {MSW, $419,174}, by Jump Start) became a 'TDN Rising Star' off her 11 3/4-length thrashing of the field in her Oaklawn debut Apr. 5. Adding just a half-furlong here, the 2-1 favorite sat just off the frontrunners as Mink's Palace (Palace Malice) led through fractions of :22.75 and :45.96. Once given her head, the filly unleashed a wide bid around the turn, swept right on past that pacesetter and drew off in hand to win going away by 4 1/4 lengths in her first try over a sloppy track. Mink's Palace was clear for second ahead of a strung-out field. Almostgone Rocket has a 2-year-old Vekoma half-sister, a yearling half-brother by Vino Rosso and a newborn full-sister. Sales History: $250,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $141,960. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, Inc. and Ten Strike Racing; B-Malibu Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. #11 ALMOSTGONE ROCKET ($6.08) impressed on debut and impresses again in her second start, winning race 12 at Churchill Downs. Flavien Prat was in the irons for trainer @bradcoxracing pic.twitter.com/HiCttaJxbN — FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 3, 2024 The post ‘Rising Star’ Almostgone Rocket Continues To Roll In Second Start appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fending off an early stretch bid from Just F Y I, front-running Thorpedo Anna pulled clear late under Brian Hernandez Jr. to win the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 3 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

While eyes were focused on trainer Chad Brown's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) winner Hard to Justify, it was Brown's other entrant, Dynamic Pricing, who came out victorious in the $529,670 Edgewood Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Longtime New York owner/breeder William "Buck" Butler earned his first graded stakes win May 3 on one of racing's biggest stages—Kentucky Oaks (G1) day—with My Mane Squeeze's two-length score in the Eight Belles Stakes (G2).View the full article

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will succeed Queen Elizabeth II as joint Patrons of the Jockey Club, it was announced. The late Queen had held the position for 68 years, from 1954 until her death in 2022. The owner-breeders are already both Honorary Members of The Jockey Club, with the King having been appointed in 1980. A keen equestrian, he has ridden in races as an amateur as well as being a success polo player. The Queen joined her husband as an Honorary Member of The Jockey Club in 2015 and she has also been Patron of The National Stud – the breeding operation of The Jockey Club – since November 2018. Their Majesties enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner last season when the William Haggas-trained Desert Hero (GB) won the King George V S. and went on to finish third in the St Leger. They also have horses in training with Ralph Beckett, Andrew Balding, Sir Michael Stoute, Richard Hughes and John and Thady Gosden. Announcing the news, the Jockey Club's Senior Steward Sandy Dudgeon said, “We are honoured that Their Majesties have accepted our invitation to become joint Patrons of The Jockey Club. “They have shown great enthusiasm and support for equestrian sports over many years and everyone in racing in Britain and overseas was thrilled to see them enjoy success at Royal Ascot last year. “Their patronage of The Jockey Club is a recognition of horseracing not only as a sport which provides entertainment to millions of people, but one which is also part of the fabric of British life, contributing so much both financially and in broader terms to the local communities in which it operates.” The post The King and Queen Become Joint Patrons of The Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (f, 3, Fast Anna–Sataves, by Uncle Mo) was hustled to the front by Brian Hernandez, Jr., and never looked back over the sloppy going in Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks before a rain-soaked crowd of 107,236 at Churchill Downs. Thorpedo Anna is the first Kentucky Oaks winner for trainer Ken McPeek. The 4-1 chance, a last out winner of Oaklawn's GII Fantasy S. Mar. 30, carved out early fractions of :22.87 and :46.79, began to shake clear as they turned for home and kept on finding down the stretch to win by five lengths. Champion Just F Y I (Justify) was second; Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach) was third. The final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:50.83. Thorpedo Anna is the lone graded winner for sire Fast Anna. Sales history: $40,000 yrl '22 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0. O-Brookdale Racing, Inc., Edwards, Mark, Hicks, Judy B. and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek); B-Judy Hicks (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. # 5 Thorpedo Anna takes the 150th Kentucky Oaks! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/7YfQcb1epS — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) May 3, 2024 The post ‘Rising Star’ Thorpedo Anna Takes Them All the Way in Kentucky Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article