Wandering Eyes

1st-Churchill Downs, $119,775, Msw, 5-3, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:15.90, sy, 12 3/4 lengths. SUNDANCE FEATURE (f, 4, Speightstown–Kinsey {SP, $134,810}, by Delaware Township) was a game second in her Turfway debut March 28 and really stepped up in her first try on the main track at Churchill. The 3-1 third choice was quick off the blocks and intent on the lead, keeping pressure on Sally O'Malley (Goldencents) from just off that runner's shoulder before drawing past with ease off the far turn. The class of the field with a quarter to run, Sundance Feature ran up the score and cruised by double-digit lengths to break her maiden over Thoughtful (Gun Runner) who was far back in the place slot. A half-sister to Firsthand Report (Blame), MSW, $331,395, the dam of both SW Somebody's Problem (Runhappy) and GISP E J Won the Cup (Omaha Beach), Sundance Feature is also out of a full-sister to GSW Electrify and a half to GSW/GISP Rothko (Arch). Kinsey has a 2-year-old Union Rags filly, a yearling Yaupon colt and was bred to Essential Quality for this year. Sales History: $230,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $82,525. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Bruce Lunsford; B-Royal Oak Farm & Speightstown Syndicate (KY); T-Thomas Drury, Jr. Sundance Feature puts up an impressive victory in the Oaks Day opener! Luis Saez was aboard the filly for trainer Thomas Drury and owner Bruce Lunsford. pic.twitter.com/ifo6MF19Xg — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 3, 2024 The post Sundance Feature Opens Oaks Card With Impressive Maiden Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Six homebreds take on five sales graduates for the opening Classic of the British season. The spotlight will very much rest on odds-on favourite City Of Troy, who is one of five Classic runners for his Triple Crown-winning sire Justify in Newmarket and Kentucky in the space of three days. Shamardal, his sons Lope De Vega and Blue Point, and grandson Phoenix Of Spain are each represented by a runner, as is Dubawi and his two sons Night Of Thunder and Too Darn Hot. For the complete field, please click here. ALYANAABI (Ire) Too Darn Hot (GB) – Alyamaama (Kitten's Joy) Pedigree/form notes: The Shadwell homebred is the first British Classic runner for his young sire and is out of a half-sister to the 2009 1,000 Guineas and Coronation S. winner Ghanaaati (Giant's Causeway). His Listed-winning granddam Sarayir (Mr. Prospector) is a half-sister to the brilliant Nashwan (Blushing Groom {Fr}), whose four Group 1 wins at three included the 2,000 Guineas, as well as Nayef (Gulch) and Unfuwain (Northern Dancer). Winner of the G3 Somerville Tattersall S., Alyanaabi was runner-up in the Dewhurst to City Of Troy. CITY OF TROY Justify – Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) Pedigree/form notes: Unbeaten in three starts, including the G1 Dewhurst S. and G2 Superlative S., the Coolmore representative handled the undulations of the Rowley Mile with apparent ease last October. His dam won the G1 Fillies' Mile and is a sister to an Oaks winner, and she has produced three other black-type performers, though none in this colt's league. The European champion two-year-old and a potential superstar. GHOSTWRITER (Ire) Invincible Spirit (Ire) – Moorside (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) Sales info: Offered by his breeders Norelands Stud and the Irish National Stud as a foal at Tattersalls, he was bought by David Bowe on behalf of Jeff Smith's Littleton Stud for 100,000gns. Pedigree/form notes: From a family with form in this particular Classic, his Juddmonte-bred granddam Marching West (Gone West) is a sister to the 1993 winner Zafonic and also to Zamindar, who ran fifth to Entrepreneur four years later. Moorside, who was second in the Cheshire Oaks, was her sole black-type performer. Ghostwriter won all three starts last year, including over course and distance in the G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge, and deserves plenty of respect. HAATEM (Ire) Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) – Hard Walnut (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) Sales info: Sold at Tattersalls October Book 2 for 27,000gns to Peter and Ross Doyle. Pedigree/form notes: The impressive winner of the G3 Craven S. after beating Iberian in last season's G2 Vintage S., he is the most seasoned of the field with 10 starts under his belt. Victory here would pull off a remarkable Classic double for his breeder John Bourke, who also bred the 2022 1,000 Guineas winner Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}). His dam won twice over six furlongs and is a descendant of Lady O'Reilly's G1 Phoenix S runner-up Yara (Ire) (Sri Pekan). IBERIAN (Ire) Lope De Vega (Ire) – Bella Estrella (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) Sales info: Purchased from breeder Ballylinch Stud for 200,000gns by Charlie Hills and McKeever Bloodstock at Tattersalls October Book 2; Ballylinch retained a share when partnering with Teme Valley. Pedigree/form notes: Out of a Listed-winning miler whose full-sister High Heeled (Ire) won the G3 St Simon S. and half-sister Faraday Light (Ire) (Rainbow Quest) produced the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Just The Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}). A winner on debut last year, Iberian was second to Haatem in the G2 Vintage S. before beating subsequent Group 1 winner Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) to win the G2 Champagne S. Ended the year with a sixth-place finish in the Dewhurst, nine lengths adrift of City Of Troy. INISHERIN (GB) Shamardal – Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) Pedigree/form notes: Hails from the same family as Rosallion, their dams both being daughters of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's stellar broodmare Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), whose offspring also include the Group 1 winner Triple Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Ajman Princess won the G1 Prix Jean Romanet and this is her second foal. Inisherin's only run of last year came when second to recent Listed Blue Riband Trial winner Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) before returning this season to win a Newcastle novice race in March beating Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}). That form has been franked by Kalpana's wide-margin win at the Craven meeting, and she is favourite for Sunday's Listed Pretty Polly S. NIGHT RAIDER (Ire) Dark Angel (Ire) – Dorraar (Ire) (Shamardal) Sales info: Bred by Linden Bloodstock, he was bought by Joe Foley on behalf of Clipper Logistics for 155,000gns as a foal at Tattersalls. Pedigree/form notes: A half-brother to the G3 Palace House S. winner and young sire Far Above (GB), his third dam is the G2 Ribblesdale S. winner and Oaks runner-up Bahr (GB) (Generous {Ire}), whose descendants include the Group 1 winners Bahrain (GB) (Selkirk) and her son Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Night Raider was an impressive winner on debut at Southwell a fortnight before Christmas and reinforced that good impression when returning to win at the same track in March. NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) Dubawi (Ire) – Swift Rosę (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) Pedigree/form notes: Like Night Raider, this colt has raced solely on the all-weather to date for his owner/breeder Godolphin, and his three wins over a mile have all come at Kempton since the end of January. His dam was runner-up in the G3 UAE Oaks and is a half-sister to the GI Natalma S. winner Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Third dam Hint Of Spring (GB) is a Seeking The Gold half-sister to the dam of St Leger winner Mastery (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}). ROSALLION (Ire) Blue Point (Ire) – Rosaline (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) Pedigree/form notes: As noted above, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's homebred is a grandson of the high-flying broodmare Reem Three and thus related to his rival Inisherin. His dam was unraced but has atoned for that by producing Blue Point's first Group 1 winner. Rosallion comes to the Guineas without a prep run but as the winner of the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Listed Pat Eddery S. He was third behind Iberian in the Champagne S. TASK FORCE (GB) Frankel (GB) – Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy) Pedigree notes: A son of two Guineas winners, this Juddmonte colt is certainly bred for the task but is yet to have been tested beyond six furlongs. The winner of the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy, he was second to Vandeek (GB) in the G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. and is listed as having undergone wind surgery following that run. TEN BOB TONY (Ire) Night Of Thunder (Ire) – Hug (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) Sales info: A €65,000 Goffs Orby yearling from breeder Knocktoran Stud, he was sold privately by Knockanglass Stables to Kirtlington Park Stud at the Arqana Breeze-up Sale for €100,000 after failing to meet his reserve in the ring. Pedigree/form notes: His dam, who won over a mile and a half, is a half-sister to the 2006 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Tie Black (Ire) (Machiavellian). He was the easy winner of a Salisbury novice contest last year and posted his second win in five starts when landing a conditions race during the Craven meeting, for which he was raised from a mark of 93 to 109. A first Classic ride for in-form jockey Saffie Osborne. The post The Lowdown: QIPCO 2,000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newmarket's Darley Maiden Fillies' S. played host to the 'TDN Rising Star' performance of subsequent G3 Musidora S. third Infinite Cosmos (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) last term and this year's renewal produced another display of note as William Haggas trainee Sea Just In Time (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–My Timing {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) powered to a 4 3/4-length triumph in the straight 10-furlong test. The G2 Ribblesdale and G1 Irish Oaks entry employed a patient approach from the outset and was within range at the tail of the field through halfway. Easing forward inside the last half-mile, the 11-2 chance was stoked up to seize control approaching the final furlong and powered clear of overmatched rivals on the climb to the line for an impressive daylight success. Sea Just In Time becomes the 19th Rising Star for her sire. “That was nice and I thought she did that well,” said Maureen Haggas. “We always thought she was nice and is well-rated, being a sister to Truthful, and we had the older sister as well [Sea On Time], who sadly injured a tendon after winning a maiden when she looked nice. There is no rush to decide where she goes next, I'll leave that to William [Haggas]. I think she probably needs three weeks before she runs again and we could look for a Listed contest for her. There are lots of things later in the year like the [G1] Irish Oaks. Sea Of Class was second here before going on to win a Listed race and then on to win the Irish Oaks. She still needs some time and some sunshine, like we all do!” Sea Just In Time is the third of four foals, all by Sea The Stars (Ire), and third scorer produced by an unraced half-sister to Listed Criterium de Vitesse victor and G3 Prix Texanita runner-up Beau Ideal (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). She is a full-sister to a yearling filly. The April-foaled bay's G3 Winter Hill S.-winning second dam Lay Time (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is a granddaughter of storied champion Time Charter (Ire) (Saritamer). 1st-Newmarket, £40,000, Mdn, 5-3, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:07.14, gd. SEA JUST IN TIME (IRE), f, 3, by Sea The Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: My Timing (GB), by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Lay Time (GB), by Galileo (Ire) 3rd Dam: Time Saved (GB), by Green Desert Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £20,616. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O/B-Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. Impressive! Sea Just In Time (Sea The Stars) makes an impressive winning debut in the @DarleyStallions Maiden Fillies' Stakes at @NewmarketRace for the William Haggas team under @TomMarquand pic.twitter.com/mg526lDzFp — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 3, 2024 The post Sea The Stars Filly Powers to TDN Rising Stardom at Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

Horse racing on Saturday, May 4, will feature 11 meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Morphettville, Eagle Farm, Hawkesbury, Caulfield & Ascot. Saturday Racing Tips – May 4, 2024 Morphettville Racing Tips Eagle Farm Racing Tips Hawkesbury Racing Tips Caulfield Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on May 4, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Nick Bell, long-time manager of the Rothschild family's Haras de Meautry, will be embark on an epic challenge next month when cycling the length of France to raise money for the racehorse aftercare charity Au-Delà des Pistes. Bell's quest begins on June 15 from France's northernmost racecourse, Le Touquet on the English Channel, and over the course of the next 11 days he will make his way to the southern racecourse of Hyères, which lies on the Mediterranean, cycling 1,118km in the process. Born in England, Bell, 63, has been based in Normandy for more than two decades. In recent years, he has suffered a series of health issues including a hip replacement which was followed by a diagnosis of incurable chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis and prostate cancer. Despite this, he completed his first charity cycling challenge in 2021 for Down Syndrome Kerry and then Kerry Mountain Rescue in 2023, only missing a challenge in 2022 when recovering from spinal surgery. He says, “I've always had in the back of my mind to do an epic journey while I still can. Therefore, I came up with the idea of cycling from the most northerly racecourse in France to the most southerly and it seemed particularly apt, considering my career, to do this ride in aid of Au-Dèla des Pistes, a charity that is involved with the retraining of ex-racehorses.” You can follow Bell's progress via daily updates on his Instagram account @nickbell2072 and via @audeladespistes as well as on Nick's YouTube channel, and any sponsorship would be gratefully received via the challenge's Go Fund Me page. The post Nick Bell Back on his Bike for Au-Delà Des Pistes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Son of Justify takes to the Rowley Mile before his full brother, Unbelievable, contests the Queen Mother Memorial Cup at Sha Tin on SundayView the full article

Juvenile group 1 winners Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) head a field of 16 fillies for Sunday's G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. TDN Rising Star Ylang Ylang, winner of the course-and-distance G1 Fillies' Mile, will be the sole representative for Ballydoyle and is drawn 12 next to Godolphin's G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner and G3 Nell Gwyn S. runner-up Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in 13, while Clipper Logistics' G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Fallen Angel is in stall five and the G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Porta Fortuna is one from the wing in 15. Fellow TDN Rising Star Ramatuelle (Justify) represents France, having won the G2 Prix Robert Papin and G3 Prix du Bois and finished runner-up in the G1 Prix Morny at two only to finish second again in her prep, the G3 Prix Imprudence at Deauville last month. She is in 11, while other notables include Jeff Smith's Fillies' Mile third See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in two and Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Nell Gwyn scorer Pretty Crystal (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in stall one. The post Sixteen Set for 1000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas is putting his trust in the riding intelligence of first-time Derby jockey Keith Asmussen with Just Steel this year.View the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 When Sunday, May 5, 2024 First Race 2:14pm ACST Visit Dabble There might only be five races at Alice Springs on Sunday, but the numbers are still healthy with 50 runners accepting. A terrific field will contest the feature race on the program, the $22,500 Emmie Wehr Memorial Handicap (1600m). Fine, sunny conditions and a top temperature of 22C are forecasted for Sunday, while the rail will be set in the true position. BEST BET: PROTOSTAR Protostar has had five starts in the Red Centre, and despite achieving just one win, he hasn’t been all that far away. After sneaking home over 1200m (0-58) on March 17, the five-year-old gelding ran second over 1200m (0-58) on April 6 and was far from disgraced when fourth over 1100m (0-58) two weeks ago. He drops 2kg and draws a good gate on Sunday. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Protostar (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Terry Gillett | J: Dakota Gillett (a2) (59kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: PRINCESS PANCAKES Princess Pancakes returns after getting the cash over 1400m (0-64) a fortnight ago. That win came on the back of three straight seconds over 1600m on March 9 (0-64), March 30 (0-64) and April 7 (0-62). The five-year-old mare has yet to win a race over 1600m in eight attempts, but she is racing well and won’t be far away despite lumping an extra 2kg. Next Best Race 5 – #6 Princess Pancakes (2) 5yo Mare | T: Kerry Petrick | J: Paul Denton (57kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE: LAMOREE In 11 Pioneer Park starts since making her debut last June, Lamoree has finished second on five occasions. In March, she was the bridesmaid over 1100m (Class 2), 1100m (0-58) and 1200m (0-58) before fading to finish ninth as a $2.60 favourite over 1200m (0-58) after building momentum at the home turn. The mare bounced back to form two weeks later when she finished second behind Bold Tropic, and she holds a 3kg weight advantage over that runner this weekend. Best Value Race 1 – #6 Lamoree (3) 5yo Mare | T: Paul Gardner | J: Kyra Yuill (57kg) Bet with Unibet Pioneer Park Sunday quaddie picks Alice Springs quadrella selections Sunday, May 5, 2024 1-3-5 1-2-3-4 2-3-4-5 3-4-5-6-7 Horse racing tips View the full article

Endued brought his Hong Kong future a big step closer with a four-length victory in the Rohan Mudhoo Trust 2YO (1200m) at Woodville on Friday. The son of Deep Field was a $400,000 purchase at Karaka last year by Hong Kong-based Kiwi trainer Jamie Richards in partnership with Andrew Williams Bloodstock. Richards entrusted the early stages of the gelding’s career to his Matamata-based father Paul, who held up his end of the bargain with Friday’s important win. “The horse is owned in Hong Kong (by Ben Wong) and was bought on a PP (Private Purchase) permit,” Paul Richards said. “He had to win a race and get a rating of 63 to be eligible to go up to Hong Kong, and he’s ticked those boxes today. I’d say he’ll more than likely spell now before heading up that way in the spring.” Endued began his career with a close and strong-finishing third over 1200m at Matamata on February 29. He finished fifth over the same course and distance two weeks later, beaten by four lengths by subsequent Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) runner-up Red Sea. After a brief freshen-up, Endued showed promising signs with an easy trial win at Cambridge on April 23 ahead of his raceday return at Woodville on Friday. Ridden by Michael McNab, Endued settled into a comfortable rhythm in fourth as Kapalua and First Gear scampered down Woodville’s back straight and opened up a three-length lead over the rest of the field. Endued collared First Gear soon after straightening for home, and the result was in no doubt from there as he drew clear through the last 200m. “That was a pretty impressive performance today and he’s a fair animal,” Richards said. “He’s starting to put things together nicely now. He’d always shown a bit and I thought his first run was very good. “His second start was okay, but he just didn’t quite finish that race off as well as we expected him to, so we gave him a breather and put him in the paddock for a couple of weeks. He’s been really good since he came back in. He had that trial on the synthetic at Cambridge, and then today’s race at Woodville looked like a nice one to target with him. It’s worked out very well.” Deep Field has been Hong Kong’s champion sire in both of the last two seasons, and he holds a commanding premiership lead again in 2023-24. In contrast, the Northern Meteor stallion has been represented by a career total of only 24 runners in New Zealand. No fewer than 18 of those have been winners, headed by this season’s Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) winner Master Fay and Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) winner Mr Mojo Risin’. Endued’s dam is the All Too Hard mare Waruna, who won four races and is a half-sister to the Gr.2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) winner Positive Peace. View the full article

Te Akau Racing will be vying to score juvenile stakes titles on opposite ends of the country on Saturday. New Zealand’s leading stable will have a two-pronged attack in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton courtesy of Discretion Rules and debutant Colonel Warden, while Fortuna Syndicate’s Star Shadow will be their sole representative in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa. Discretion Rules has been very consistent, placing in all three of his starts to date, including runner-up behind stablemate Nucleozor in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton last month. Nucleozor has been the victor in all three of their meetings, but will be missing from Saturday’s contest, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are hoping Discretion Rules can capitalise on that. “He’s been in good form the whole way through. He is well and he is definitely in the mix,” Walker said. Walker is also pleased with Colonel Warden, with the son of Russian Revolution having won his 950m trial at Tauranga in March before trekking south to Te Akau’s Riccarton barn to prepare for his debut outing this weekend. “He has trialled up okay up north. He’s better than a runner’s chance,” he said. Discretion Rules is a $3.60 favourite for the race with TAB bookmakers, while Colonel Warden is on the fourth line of betting at $5.50. In the North Island, the stable is hoping fellow juvenile Star Shadow can continue their winning form in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes at Te Rapa. The daughter of Reliable Man won on debut at Otaki last month, and while pleased with their filly, Walker and Bergerson are aware of the quality of horse she will meet this weekend. “It was a good win on debut, but this is a bit of a step-up, it’s quite a good field,” Walker said. The unbeaten Domain Ace heads the market for the juvenile feature at a winning quote of $3.10, with the Stephen Marsh-trained debut winner Super Photon the second fancied runner at $3.60. Meanwhile, Walker is hopeful of picking up another couple of wins this weekend to add to Te Akau Racing’s current domestic season haul of 144 victories. Francee has caught Walker’s eye in the Metalco 1400 at Te Rapa, while he said Can’t Kach Me and Our Milly Bee look strong prospects in the Rohan Mudhoo Trust Fundraiser Rating 65 (2000m). “Francee has been in reasonable form. She is definitely in the mix, but it is quite an even field,” Walker said. “Can’t Kach Me and Our Milly Bee are both chances in that race at Riccarton, while Sorcha has been in good form.” View the full article

Trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are currently enjoying time in Hong Kong but will be keeping a close eye on racing at Te Rapa on Saturday where they are hopeful exciting juvenile Domain Ace can triumph in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m). The son of Swiss Ace has been faultless in his two raceday outings to date and his trainers are hoping he can extend his winning streak to three this weekend, with TAB bookmakers favouring that outcome, with the youngster heading the market at $3.10 ahead of the Stephen Marsh-trained Super Photon at $3.60. “What he has done so far as been done on raw ability, I think he is something really special,” Graeme Rogerson said from Hong Kong. “He has drawn a bad alley (11), but he is a very good horse. It is up to Craig (Grylls), he is riding him, he can ride his own race. “Bailey (Rogerson, granddaughter) and Michelle (Northcott, daughter-in-law) are in charge of him, and I told Bailey to see if she can improve him within a few days.” If Domain Ace races up to expectations, he will be targeted towards the Listed Staphanos At Novara Park Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe later this month. “He is in the Champagne Stakes, but the owners have had a few offers for him. We will sit down next week when I am back from Hong Kong and we will see,” Rogerson said. Team Rogerson will also line-up All The Rage in the Forsyth Barr Mile (1600m) and Mr Universe in the Prezzy Card Sprint (1400m). “All The Rage is just getting ready, he is a staying horse,” Rogerson said. “This will probably be Mr Universe’s last prep, but if he runs a race, I will be happy.” Meanwhile, Rogerson had hopes of being in Hong Kong with his multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart this season, but those plans were curtailed with a viral infection last spring. But the Hamilton trainer hasn’t given up hope of getting his stable star to the leading racing jurisdiction later this year. “He looks enormous,” Rogerson said. “He will back in work at the end of May and we will decide what we are going to do in the spring with him. If his form comes back, we will definitely be going to Hong Kong in December.” View the full article

For someone that won $10 million in a Lotto haul, Lou Te Keeti still rues the day he let a homebred yearling slide for $20,000. Hindsight is an amazing thing in bloodstock and the reason Te Keeti’s mind regularly returns to those lonely minutes in the COVID-affected Karaka ring in 2020 is that the horse in question turned out to be pretty good. His name is Bold Soul and, off the back of Stakes wins in the Launceston Guineas, Tasmanian Derby and Chairman’s Stakes, the three-year-old will go in search of Group One success in Saturday’s Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville. Te Keeti, who breeds and trains from Tauranga in New Zealand, has vivid memories about the young colt her nurtured and eventually presented in Book 2 at Karaka. Hamish Auret paid $20,000 for the colt, who would eventually find a home with Patrick Payne in Victoria. “I remember him well because I had three foals by Embellish on the ground at the time and he was probably the scallywag of them,” Te Keeti said. “He was the more dominant one in the paddock but he was nicely put together and very athletic looking compared to the others, who were quite short coupled and very strong. “He had a little bit of length about him so I quite liked him. “Unfortunately when I took him to the sales it was in the COVID years so there were no crowds – no visitors from Australia or the Asian countries. “We just had to make do and I thought I better let some (yearlings) go to pay for the expenses. “You kick yourself a bit later, don’t you.” While he can’t enjoy Bold Soul’s success as an owner or trainer, Te Keeti has been chuffed about the way Bold Soul has franked his methods and though process as a breeder. Te Keeti paid a mere $5500 for Bold Soul’s dam Twin Soul at the 2019 NZB Karaka May Sale when he was expanding his broodmare band shortly after his $10.3 million windfall. A daughter of Singspiel that was a three-time winner over 2400m in the UK, Twin Soul finished her racing career with Mick Kent in Victoria before a short lived career as a broodmare, that yielded only two named foals. As well as the mare, he also bought a share in Embellish, a Group One-winning son of Savabeel that was standing his first season at Cambridge Stud. “She (Twin Soul) was an English mare, by Singspiel, that someone had bought into the country and she was going up in a dispersal sale so I bought her there,” he said. “I’ve got shares in Embellish so I put her to that stallion. “Twin Soul won three races at a mile-and-a-half. “Unfortunately she died on me so this horse is her last foal. “I hope he can do it because if he can, it will tick off one of the boxes for me in breeding a Group 1 winner. “I’ll be over the moon if he can do that.” View the full article

With the prospect of Group One glory both now and in the spring, Saturday looms as an exciting afternoon for Stephen Marsh. The Cambridge trainer will saddle Antrim Coast as a live contender for the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville, while the unbeaten two-year-old Super Photon can confirm his Group One credentials for next season with another bold performance in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa. Antrim Coast will attempt to become the second Group One winner in Australia for Marsh, who won the Australian Oaks (2400m) in Sydney with Sofia Rosa in 2016. Carrying the blue and white colours of The Oaks Stud, Antrim Coast lined-up as a $157 outsider in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March and produced an enormous performance for second behind star filly Orchestral. Two subsequent performances in Australia have further proven Antrim Coast’s big-race quality. He defeated fellow Kiwi three-year-old Quintessa to win the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley, then ran a close and unlucky second in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield on April 6. “I thought it was another really good run at Caulfield,” Marsh said. “The jockey (Daniel Stackhouse) got off him and admitted he just took off way too early and was left a sitting duck in the straight. That’s not the way to ride him at all. He’s a good rider, but just made a mistake that day. These things happen. “Mick Dee is back on him on Saturday. He rode him to win the Alister Clark at Moonee Valley two starts ago. I think gate six is a lovely draw. He should get into a nice position from there and have a beautiful run. “His work has been very good leading into the race. He’s been up for a few dances now, but he’s still really going super. We couldn’t be any happier with him.” The TAB rates Antrim Coast a $6.50 chance for Saturday’s Derby, sharing second favouritism with fellow Kiwi-bred Warmonger. The $4.40 favourite is Coco Sun, who is backing up from a third placing in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m). Meanwhile on home soil, Marsh will saddle exciting colt Super Photon in Te Rapa’s Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes. The son of Super Seth is a half-brother to multiple Group One winner and recently announced Newhaven Park stallion Mo’unga, and he was a $380,000 purchase at Karaka last year by Stephen Marsh Racing, Dennis Foster, Bourbon Lane and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock. Super Photon made a big impression on debut at Rotorua on April 17, winning by three and a quarter lengths. The runner-up was Magice, a trial-winning full-brother to the Group One winner and sire Noverre. “That was a lovely performance on debut, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Marsh said. “Going from 1150m up to 1400m is a decent jump for a two-year-old, but we’re very happy with him and we’re keen to give him a crack at some black type before we put him away for the winter. “He’s gone the right way since Rotorua. He hasn’t put a foot wrong at any stage of this preparation and his work has been excellent. “Whatever he’s doing now is a bonus, because I think he’ll be even better at three. We’re looking forward to targeting the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) in Christchurch in November.” Stablemate Magna Memory will have a gear change following a well-beaten seventh in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on April 20. “I really liked his first-up run,” Marsh said. “He was a bit disappointing the other day, but I think he just got a bit lost and unfocussed. I put some blinkers on him for a gallop on Saturday and thought he was much improved with them on. “Going up to 1400m will suit him. Hopefully he’ll be working home well, and then I think you’ll see a better horse again when he gets up to 1600m in the Champagne Stakes later in the month.” Super Photon is a $3.60 second favourite in the TAB’s market for the Te Rapa feature, with Magna Memory at $51. View the full article

Well-related New Zealand-bred Affluential continued his purple patch of form at Warrnambool on Thursday when taking out the Novice Hurdle (3200m). The full-brother to the ill-fated 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant has been in sensational form since joining Pakenham trainer John Lee Jnr’s barn, winning three and placing in three of his last six starts. The son of Zed won his maiden hurdle, over two miles, at Pakenham last month before he returned to the flat at Cranbourne a fortnight later where he won over 2520m. The Bob Peters-owned five-year-old was duly backed into $1.85 for Thursday’s contest and he delivered for his backers, winning by 4-1/2 lengths in the hands of jockey Will Gordon. “When he got to the front his ears were going all over, he was like, ‘Oh, I’m done’. But he’s a really progressive horse and he’s going places,” Gordon told Racing.com. “He’s going to be a horse that can hopefully stick around for years to come. Hopefully this isn’t his last win at the May Warrnambool Racing Carnival.” Stable representative Andrea Leek was rapt with the result and believes Affluential is in for a bright future over fences. “He is a fantastic horse and a horse for the future I think,” she said. “He’s just a gem. He was asleep out the back, he is strong in his work, but he is a beautiful horse.” Affluential was purchased out of Grangewilliam Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $140,000 by bloodstock agent John Chalmers, on behalf of leading Perth owner Bob Peters. View the full article

Wind Rush will head to Te Rapa on Saturday with the right pedigree and form to be a major player in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m). The gelding is trained by Tony Pike and is by Almanzor out of the Fast ‘n’ Famous mare Our Famous Eve, who herself won the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) and placed at Group One level. Our Famous Eve has enjoyed further time in the spotlight recently through the deeds of Wind Rush’s full-brother Adam I Am, who showed Group One potential in winning four of his six starts this season before being sidelined by injury. Wind Rush was bought by Pike Racing for $170,000 as a yearling at Karaka last year. He finished fourth on debut in December, then returned from a freshen-up in a 1200m race at Pukekohe on April 6. Caught three wide throughout, he nevertheless closed the race off strongly for second, a length and three-quarters behind Yaldi. That highly rated winner went on to finish third in the Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in his next start. “The winner of that Pukekohe race is held in quite high regard and went on to perform in stakes company in Melbourne,” Pike said. “So for Wind Rush to keep closing off as well as he did was very pleasing, especially after sitting three deep for most of the race. “Being by Almanzor, the step up to 1400m should be absolutely perfect for him on Saturday. He’s had a bit of time between runs, but I was very pleased with the way he worked this week and he’s heading into Saturday in good order.” Wind Rush will be ridden by Sam Spratt, and the TAB has him on the fifth line of betting at $10. Unbeaten rivals Domain Ace and Super Photon head the market at $3.10 and $3.60 respectively, with Renovations ($5) and Star Shadow ($9) the others in single figures. Tony Pike’s Te Rapa team also features the lightly raced and promising Acquarello and Faster Sooner Now, while the enigmatic Dimaggio will attempt to improve a poor course record when he lines up in the Prezzy Card Sprint (1400m). The Almanzor gelding has been unplaced in all of his four previous visits to the Hamilton track. “All of his wins have been at Hastings, but it was good to see him produce such a strong performance at Ellerslie in his last start,” Pike said. “I think he’s going into this race in good form. Te Rapa might not be his favourite track, although he’s struck a bit of bad luck there in the past. “His wide draw (12) has made his task a bit more difficult in this race. He’s going to need to drop back and rely on a solid tempo.” Pike also has dual representation at Riccarton on Saturday with Ziggy Stardust in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) and Dangerous Liaisons in the Birchfield’s Glass & Glazing Ltd Rating 65 (1600m). “Ziggy Stardust took a lot of improvement out of her debut run and ran a very good race for third at Rotorua,” Pike said. “She was green around the corner but made up some good late ground behind a pair of smart ones (Super Photon and Magice). “Nucleozor has clearly been the benchmark two-year-old in the South Island, and it looks like quite an even line-up without him in this race. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her thereabouts at the finish. “Dangerous Liaisons unfortunately had a foot abscess and missed out on running at stakes level down there. She’s a talented filly and put in a good performance over 1400m last start, and she’s definitely going to appreciate the step up to 1600m. If she runs to a similar sort of level again, she should be hard to beat.” View the full article

What Queen Mother Memorial Cup Day Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, May 5, 2024 First Race 12:30pm HKT (2:30om AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon as the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) takes top billing on a bumper 11-race program. The rail is in the B position throughout the circuit, and with the unrelenting rain across the region set to continue, punters should expect a yielding surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:30pm local time. Queen Mother Memorial Cup: Five G Patch (5) Five G Patch is on the one-week backup after a terrific performance in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) on April 28. The son of Camelot proved no match for the likes of Romantic Warrior and Prognosis, but he did catch the eye in the concluding stages as he cruised past some talented rivals. The progression to 2400m appears ideal, and with Harry Bentley likely to stalk a genuine tempo, watch for Five G Patch to power over the top in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. Queen Mother Memorial Cup Race 8 – #4 Five G Patch (5) 6yo Gelding | T: Tony Cruz | J: Harry Bentley (53.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Bet at Sha Tin: Ka Ying Rising Ka Ying Rising is searching for a hat-trick of wins as he steps into Class 2 company for the first time. The David Hayes-trained gelding couldn’t have been more impressive at this course and distance on March 23, sitting outside the leader before careering away with the prize. Zac Purton can lead or drop in for cover from barrier five, but regardless of where Ka Ying Rising lands in the run, he might simply prove too classy for this crop of sprinters. Best Bet Race 10 – #8 Ka Ying Rising (5) 3yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (54kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Sha Tin: Storming Dragon Storming Dragon produced a blistering turn of foot on debut at this course on March 31. He was asked to make inroads from the rear of the field and was happy to oblige turning for home, closing off to finish less than a length behind Phoenix Light. That race has produced four subsequent winners, and as Storming Dragon gets to the 1400m second-up, he can add to that tally. Next Best Race 7 – #8 Storming Dragon (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Value at Sha Tin: Sunstrider Poor barrier manners have cost Sunstrider in his last two outings. On April 14, however, he showed a scintillating turn of foot with 200m left to travel, suggesting a step up in trip could allow the son of Highland Reel to build into his races. Watch for Zac Purton to have this guy a lot closer throughout the 1800m journey, and when asked for the ultimate effort, here’s hoping Sunstrider can bound clear to break his Hong Kong maiden at start four. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Sunstrider (6) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Zac Purton (54.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Hong Kong quaddie tips – 5/4/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, May 5, 2024 4-8-11 2-3-4-6-8-10 1-8-9-11 1-3-4-8-9 Horse racing tips View the full article

Endued winning at Woodville on Friday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Endued brought his Hong Kong future a big step closer with a four-length victory in the Rohan Mudhoo Trust 2YO (1200m) at Woodville on Friday. The son of Deep Field was a $400,000 purchase at Karaka last year by Hong Kong-based Kiwi trainer Jamie Richards in partnership with Andrew Williams Bloodstock. Richards entrusted the early stages of the gelding’s career to his Matamata-based father Paul, who held up his end of the bargain with Friday’s important win. “The horse is owned in Hong Kong (by Ben Wong) and was bought on a PP (Private Purchase) permit,” Paul Richards said. “He had to win a race and get a rating of 63 to be eligible to go up to Hong Kong, and he’s ticked those boxes today. I’d say he’ll more than likely spell now before heading up that way in the spring.” Endued began his career with a close and strong-finishing third over 1200m at Matamata on February 29. He finished fifth over the same course and distance two weeks later, beaten by four lengths by subsequent Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) runner-up Red Sea. After a brief freshen-up, Endued showed promising signs with an easy trial win at Cambridge on April 23 ahead of his raceday return at Woodville on Friday. Ridden by Michael McNab, Endued settled into a comfortable rhythm in fourth as Kapalua and First Gear scampered down Woodville’s back straight and opened up a three-length lead over the rest of the field. Endued collared First Gear soon after straightening for home, and the result was in no doubt from there as he drew clear through the last 200m. “That was a pretty impressive performance today and he’s a fair animal,” Richards said. “He’s starting to put things together nicely now. He’d always shown a bit and I thought his first run was very good. “His second start was okay, but he just didn’t quite finish that race off as well as we expected him to, so we gave him a breather and put him in the paddock for a couple of weeks. He’s been really good since he came back in. He had that trial on the synthetic at Cambridge, and then today’s race at Woodville looked like a nice one to target with him. It’s worked out very well.” Deep Field has been Hong Kong’s champion sire in both of the last two seasons, and he holds a commanding premiership lead again in 2023-24. In contrast, the Northern Meteor stallion has been represented by a career total of only 24 runners in New Zealand. No fewer than 18 of those have been winners, headed by this season’s Group 3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) winner Master Fay and Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) winner Mr Mojo Risin’. Endued’s dam is the All Too Hard mare Waruna, who won four races and is a half-sister to the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) winner Positive Peace. Horse racing news View the full article

Antrim Coast will contest the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli With the prospect of Group 1 glory both now and in the spring, Saturday looms as an exciting afternoon for Stephen Marsh. The Cambridge trainer will saddle Antrim Coast as a live contender for the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville, while the unbeaten two-year-old Super Photon can confirm his Group 1 credentials for next season with another bold performance in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa. Antrim Coast will attempt to become the second Group 1 winner in Australia for Marsh, who won the Australian Oaks (2400m) in Sydney with Sofia Rosa in 2016. Carrying the blue and white colours of The Oaks Stud, Antrim Coast lined-up as a $157 outsider in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March and produced an enormous performance for second behind star filly Orchestral. Two subsequent performances in Australia have further proven Antrim Coast’s big-race quality. He defeated fellow Kiwi three-year-old Quintessa to win the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley, then ran a close and unlucky second in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield on April 6. “I thought it was another really good run at Caulfield,” Marsh said. “The jockey (Daniel Stackhouse) got off him and admitted he just took off way too early and was left a sitting duck in the straight. That’s not the way to ride him at all. He’s a good rider, but just made a mistake that day. These things happen. “Mick Dee is back on him on Saturday. He rode him to win the Alister Clark at Moonee Valley two starts ago. I think gate six is a lovely draw. He should get into a nice position from there and have a beautiful run. “His work has been very good leading into the race. He’s been up for a few dances now, but he’s still really going super. We couldn’t be any happier with him.” Bookmakers rate Antrim Coast a $6.50 chance for Saturday’s Derby, sharing second favouritism with fellow Kiwi-bred Warmonger. The $4.40 favourite is Coco Sun, who is backing up from a third placing in last Saturday’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m). Meanwhile on home soil, Marsh will saddle exciting colt Super Photon in Te Rapa’s Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes. The son of Super Seth is a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner and recently announced Newhaven Park stallion Mo’unga, and he was a $380,000 purchase at Karaka last year by Stephen Marsh Racing, Dennis Foster, Bourbon Lane and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock. Super Photon made a big impression on debut at Rotorua on April 17, winning by three and a quarter lengths. The runner-up was Magice, a trial-winning full-brother to the Group One winner and sire Noverre. “That was a lovely performance on debut, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Marsh said. “Going from 1150m up to 1400m is a decent jump for a two-year-old, but we’re very happy with him and we’re keen to give him a crack at some black type before we put him away for the winter. “He’s gone the right way since Rotorua. He hasn’t put a foot wrong at any stage of this preparation and his work has been excellent. “Whatever he’s doing now is a bonus, because I think he’ll be even better at three. We’re looking forward to targeting the 2000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) in Christchurch in November.” Stablemate Magna Memory will have a gear change following a well-beaten seventh in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on April 20. “I really liked his first-up run,” Marsh said. “He was a bit disappointing the other day, but I think he just got a bit lost and unfocussed. I put some blinkers on him for a gallop on Saturday and thought he was much improved with them on. “Going up to 1400m will suit him. Hopefully he’ll be working home well, and then I think you’ll see a better horse again when he gets up to 1600m in the Champagne Stakes later in the month.” Super Photon is a $3.60 second favourite in bookmakers’ markets for the Te Rapa feature, with Magna Memory at $51. Horse racing news View the full article

The Warrnambool May Racing Carnival has come and gone for another year, and the 2024 edition, despite having some amazing moments, will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Stuff the form guide — just find leaders If you were playing a drinking game where you needed to drink after a leader won at Warrnambool during the week, you might have been hammered by Race 7 on the Tuesday. There was an obvious leaders’ bias, especially on the flat races, throughout the first two days of the carnival. Three of the last four winners on Tuesday were either leading or settled outside lead, while Rolls saluted after settling in fifth. Come Wednesday, the results were no better for backmarkers. Four leaders managed to win throughout the day, and it was not until Jabbawockeez stormed home from the rear in the last that there was a victory for those slow out of the barriers. Track staff moved the rail out 4m on Thursday to negate the bias, but four winners on the flat either led or were in the first three upon settling. As you might imagine, social media was accepting of the track bias — not. It’s safe to say there will be plenty of soul-searching required for the track staff before the next edition. Clerk of the course gets involved Clerk of the course getting involved in the action during the Grand Annual Steeplechase. (Photo: George Sal/Racing Photos) The Warrnambool carnival was rife with remarkable moments, but perhaps none as astonishing as the spectacle witnessed during the opening race and again in the Grand Annual Steeplechase on the final day. Social media platforms erupted with fervour in the aftermath of the opening race when the clerk of the course endeavoured to corral a riderless horse in the home straight. Abreed had parted ways with his jockey, Aaron Kuru, earlier in the event but swiftly reconnected with the pack as they surged down the home straight. Despite a valiant effort near the 200m mark, the clerk of the course failed to secure the runaway horse, necessitating several competitors to veer off course to avoid a collision. Fortunately, all parties involved — Abreed, the clerk of the course, and the latter’s mount — were unharmed. Similar scenes occurred in the concluding stages of the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m), which left many scratching their heads. Jockey enjoys big night on the sauce and gets stood down Ross O’Sullivan after winning at Pakenham in April. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Warrnambool May Carnival is known for its late-night atmosphere at the Whalers Hotel and pubs in general in town. One jockey, Ross O’Sullivan, took it a step too far after Tuesday’s races, blowing over the allowed limit when providing a random breath test after arriving at the track on Wednesday. O’Sullivan pleaded guilty to the charge and his suspension will expire at midnight on June 2. It might be a bit of a dry argument for Ross when he heads to Warrnambool next. About Punt Drunk Welcome to Punt Drunk – our weekly column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump… If you have any stories that you want our Punt Drunk Team to cover or just want to say G’day send us a message on: Horse racing news View the full article

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike. Photo: Trish Dunell Wind Rush will head to Te Rapa on Saturday with the right pedigree and form to be a major player in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m). The gelding is trained by Tony Pike and is by Almanzor out of the Fast ‘n’ Famous mare Our Famous Eve, who herself won the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) and placed at Group 1 level. Our Famous Eve has enjoyed further time in the spotlight recently through the deeds of Wind Rush’s full-brother Adam I Am, who showed Group 1 potential in winning four of his six starts this season before being sidelined by injury. Wind Rush was bought by Pike Racing for $170,000 as a yearling at Karaka last year. He finished fourth on debut in December, then returned from a freshen-up in a 1200m race at Pukekohe on April 6. Caught three wide throughout, he nevertheless closed the race off strongly for second, a length and three-quarters behind Yaldi. That highly rated winner went on to finish third in the Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in his next start. “The winner of that Pukekohe race is held in quite high regard and went on to perform in stakes company in Melbourne,” Pike said. “So for Wind Rush to keep closing off as well as he did was very pleasing, especially after sitting three deep for most of the race. “Being by Almanzor, the step up to 1400m should be absolutely perfect for him on Saturday. He’s had a bit of time between runs, but I was very pleased with the way he worked this week and he’s heading into Saturday in good order.” Wind Rush will be ridden by Sam Spratt, and bookmakers have him on the fifth line of betting at $10. Unbeaten rivals Domain Ace and Super Photon head the market at $3.10 and $3.60 respectively, with Renovations ($5) and Star Shadow ($9) the others in single figures. Tony Pike’s Te Rapa team also features the lightly raced and promising Acquarello and Faster Sooner Now, while the enigmatic Dimaggio will attempt to improve a poor course record when he lines up in the Prezzy Card Sprint (1400m). The Almanzor gelding has been unplaced in all of his four previous visits to the Hamilton track. “All of his wins have been at Hastings, but it was good to see him produce such a strong performance at Ellerslie in his last start,” Pike said. “I think he’s going into this race in good form. Te Rapa might not be his favourite track, although he’s struck a bit of bad luck there in the past. “His wide draw (12) has made his task a bit more difficult in this race. He’s going to need to drop back and rely on a solid tempo.” Pike also has dual representation at Riccarton on Saturday with Ziggy Stardust in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) and Dangerous Liaisons in the Birchfield’s Glass & Glazing Ltd Rating 65 (1600m). “Ziggy Stardust took a lot of improvement out of her debut run and ran a very good race for third at Rotorua,” Pike said. “She was green around the corner but made up some good late ground behind a pair of smart ones (Super Photon and Magice). “Nucleozor has clearly been the benchmark two-year-old in the South Island, and it looks like quite an even line-up without him in this race. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her thereabouts at the finish. “Dangerous Liaisons unfortunately had a foot abscess and missed out on running at stakes level down there. She’s a talented filly and put in a good performance over 1400m last start, and she’s definitely going to appreciate the step up to 1600m. If she runs to a similar sort of level again, she should be hard to beat.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Ipswich Races Where Ipswich Turf Club – 219 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba QLD 4304 When Monday, May 6, 2024 First Race 12:32pm AEST Visit Dabble Ipswich Turf Club will host a very competitive seven-race program on Monday afternoon. With rain forecast for every day of the weekend, the track rating is expected to slide into the Soft range. The rail will go back into its true position for the entire circuit, with racing scheduled to kick off at 12:32pm AEST. Best Bet at Ipswich: Autumn Miss Autumn Miss returned from an 18-week spell with a strong performance at Doomben on April 17, running home strongly to finish second behind Velozes over 1350m. This daughter of The Autumn Sun ran better than market expectations and hit the line strongly, which suggests she will appreciate the rise in trip to 1666m. From barrier six, Damien Thornton will push forward and settle behind the speed, and if she shows the same turn of foot late, Autumn Miss will take a power of beating. Best Bet Race 2 – #11 Autumn Miss (6) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Damien Thornton (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Ipswich: Xpresso After winning by a narrow margin first-up, Xpresso went to Eagle Farm to take on metropolitan grade and was far from disgraced. Although he was well beaten by the top three, the David Vandyke-trained galloper defeated the rest of the field comfortably and will have taken plenty of benefit from the run. If Ryan Maloney can push forward and not get stuck out wide this time, Xpresso should be able to take care of this field. Next Best Race 5 – #3 Xpresso (9) 5yo Gelding | T: David Vandyke | J: Ryan Maloney (58.5kg) Bet with Dabble Best Value at Ipswich: Tambourine Man Tambourine Man returned with a nice fourth-place finish at Doomben over 1350m, boxing on well from outside the leader to only be beaten by three lengths. The son of Medaglia D’oro will have derived a lot of fitness benefit from the tough run and should improve second-up over further. This galloper has never missed the placings at the Ipswich 1666m (3:2-0-1), and from barrier one, Melea Castle should be able to give him the run of the race. Best Value Race 6 – #4 Tambourine Man (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Meagher | J: Melea Castle (a1.5) (60.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Ipswich races Ipswich quadrella selections Monday, May 6, 2024 1-2-17 3-5 3-4-5-15-16 1-3-4-6-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Domain Ace will contest the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are currently enjoying time in Hong Kong but will be keeping a close eye on racing at Te Rapa on Saturday where they are hopeful exciting juvenile Domain Ace can triumph in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m). The son of Swiss Ace has been faultless in his two raceday outings to date and his trainers are hoping he can extend his winning streak to three this weekend, with bookmakers favouring that outcome, with the youngster heading the market at $3.10 ahead of the Stephen Marsh-trained Super Photon at $3.60. “What he has done so far as been done on raw ability, I think he is something really special,” Graeme Rogerson said from Hong Kong. “He has drawn a bad alley (11), but he is a very good horse. It is up to Craig (Grylls), he is riding him, he can ride his own race. “Bailey (Rogerson, granddaughter) and Michelle (Northcott, daughter-in-law) are in charge of him, and I told Bailey to see if she can improve him within a few days.” If Domain Ace races up to expectations, he will be targeted towards the Listed Staphanos At Novara Park Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe later this month. “He is in the Champagne Stakes, but the owners have had a few offers for him. We will sit down next week when I am back from Hong Kong and we will see,” Rogerson said. Team Rogerson will also line-up All The Rage in the Forsyth Barr Mile (1600m) and Mr Universe in the Prezzy Card Sprint (1400m). “All The Rage is just getting ready, he is a staying horse,” Rogerson said. “This will probably be Mr Universe’s last prep, but if he runs a race, I will be happy.” Meanwhile, Rogerson had hopes of being in Hong Kong with his multiple Group 1 winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart this season, but those plans were curtailed with a viral infection last spring. But the Hamilton trainer hasn’t given up hope of getting his stable star to the leading racing jurisdiction later this year. “He looks enormous,” Rogerson said. “He will back in work at the end of May and we will decide what we are going to do in the spring with him. If his form comes back, we will definitely be going to Hong Kong in December.” Horse racing news View the full article

Star Ballot will contest the Hornby Club Founders Cup (2600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has a soft spot for five-win gelding Star Ballot and believes he is capable of contesting the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) on his home track in November. The five-year-old son of Tarzino was a last start victor over 2600m at the Christchurch track and will be looking to end his preparation on a high when he returns to the venue on Saturday to tackle the Hornby Club Founders Cup (2600m). “I said to his owners way back in February that this would be an ideal race for him,” said Pitman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew. “The only thing is I can’t believe that rating 73 is the highest rated horse in the race, which means he has to carry 60kg. I thought he would get in at a good weight, but he is the highest rated horse in the race, that is why he has to carry it.” The five-year-old gelding has won two races this preparation and Pitman said he will likely head for a spell after his weekend assignment in preparation for what could be an exciting spring campaign. “He will probably go out for a spell,” he said. “If he wins this race, the obvious race for him is the New Zealand Cup. He is a lovely horse, he is probably my favourite horse, he has got real stamina.” The Riccarton track was rated a Soft 5 on Friday morning and Pitman said that will favour Star Ballot over his stablemate Tomyturbo, who he will meet once again in the 2600m contest. Star Ballot got the better of Tomyturbo at Riccarton last start, with the latter having won his two prior starts, and Pitman is expecting a similar result this weekend. “Tomyturbo meets the other horse two-killos better off,” he said. “I think the improving track conditions will help Star Ballot more than Tomyturbo. Star Ballot prefers a Good track and won in spite of the track last start, not because of it. and Tomyturbo put in a huge run, but he is probably better off on a damper track.” While Pitman believes Star Ballot is the better winning chance on Saturday, bookmakers can’t split the pair, with the duo joint $2.80 favourites. Later on the card, Charbano will attempt to add another Cup to the trainers’ haul when he competes in the Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m). The son of Vespa was victorious two starts back before running sixth behind Matscot in the $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m), and Pitman is hopeful for an improved result on Saturday. “He went well the other day. He made a big run out wide,” he said. “It is a strong field and Harlech will be hard to beat, but he deserves a crack at it, he has got a good at Riccarton and the distance. He is a lightweight chance.” Pitman is looking to end the meeting on a high when promising three-year-old Ocean Light contests the Rohan Mudhoo Trust Fundraiser Rating 65 (2000m), for which he is a $4.80 favourite with bookmakers. “He went massive in his last start,” Pitman said. “He is only a three-year-old and you have always got that in the back of your mind, but he is a lovely staying horse and he is a typical Ocean Park, he will only improve with time. I have put Lisa Allpress on tomorrow and if he gets the right run, he should be really hard to beat.” Horse racing news View the full article