Wandering Eyes

The government of Japan conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, gold rays with neck ribbon, on the Hong Kong Jockey Club's CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges on Apr. 29, the HKJC announced on Tuesday. He received the award in recognition for his contributions in promoting the international development of Japanese horse racing and thoroughbred breeding. The Order of the Rising Sun dates back to 1875 and is awarded to people who have rendered meritorious service to Japan. Engelbrecht-Bresges said, “I would like to dedicate this decoration to the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. All three have been at the forefront of global thoroughbred horse racing, helping to shape the future and lead the way for our industry. “It has been my privilege to work alongside industry peers in Japan for many years. I look forward to joining with my friends in Japan, and all my colleagues around the world, as together we take forward our sport and enter a new era of world-class racing.” The post Engelbrecht-Bresges Receives The Order Of The Rising Sun Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has unveiled a five-year strategic plan for the horse racing and breeding industry entitled 'Nurturing Success and Inspiring Participation', The Strategic Plan 2024-2028 was launched ahead of this week's Punchestown festival by HRI Chairman Nicky Hartery and Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne Eade. Spanning the years through to the end of 2028, the strategy's mission is to protect, strengthen and sustain Ireland's global leading horse racing and breeding industry. The plan also focuses heavily on HRI's social responsibility to industry employees, the horses and the environment. Eade, said, “This strategic plan specifies two clear objectives-to nurture success and to inspire participation. The Irish racing and breeding industry is one of the country's biggest success stories. The horses owned, bred and trained in Ireland are the envy of the world, and that is a position that we can never take for granted.” She added, “The updated Deloitte report in 2023 demonstrated a 35-fold return to the economy on the annual Government investment. Our goal is to grow this return year-on-year and by the end of 2028 to have increased the industry's economic reach to €3 billion from the current €2.46 billion. Driving long-term financial sustainability for the industry will stimulate expenditure and achieving this €3 billion figure is very much within reach by maximising all revenue streams.” As its highest priority, HRI will ensure the racing and breeding industry meets expectations in relation to the safety and care of human and equine participants. The horse racing and breeding industry is renowned for impacting positively on the environment and HRI's strategy will continue to deliver on its responsibilities regarding climate change concerns. “Within the lifetime of the plan, we aim to deliver on big capital projects like a people campus, which will service the needs of the wider thoroughbred industry, and providing a pipeline of future human talent. The plan will grow a sustainable workforce and develop Ireland as a global centre of excellence for industry education and training,” said Eade. “Furthermore, the exciting development of a new all-weather track at Tipperary Racecourse will create domestic opportunities at all levels of the industry as well as providing the marketplace for Irish racing to grow its annual foreign direct investment, currently estimated to be more than €550m per annum. “We can expand opportunities for Irish thoroughbreds by growing national and international engagement, targeting new and existing markets. “Late last year, I was proud to launch HRI's sustainability strategy – Racing Towards a Better World. Key goals, including enhancing safety and demonstrating in measurable terms a high quality of equine care at all stages of life and improving industry recruitment by raising standards of oversight, training and support, are a mainstay of this five-year strategy.” The post HRI Unveils Five-Year Strategic Plan For Racing And Breeding Industry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys' Championship, a brand new £50,000 initiative, is being launched as World Pool makes its UK seasonal bow at Newmarket Racecourse on Saturday, May 4. The initiative will see jockeys compete to accumulate points across World Pool fixtures in the UK and Ireland. For the winning jockey of every World Pool race in the UK and Ireland, points will be awarded based on the World Pool win dividend. The point system is designed to offer a level playing field for all jockeys. Beginning with the G1 Qipco 2,000 Guineas, the competition will conclude on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 19, with the winner receiving £50,000 to be donated to a charity of their choice. The World Pool Moment of the Year will also be awarded again in 2024, covering all full World Pool meetings. Stable staff will have the opportunity to win cash prizes, as well as a VIP trip to Hong Kong for four people in 2025 to the overall winner. One World Pool Moment of the Day will be selected at each full World Pool meeting, with the winning groom receiving HK$40,000 (£4,000 in the UK and €4,000 in Ireland). World Pool, the largest globally commingled horse racing pools, was created and is powered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). In January, it was announced that nine new race days had been added to the World Pool calendar in the first six months of 2024, including the Newmarket fixture on Sunday, May 5 which features the G1 Qipco 1,000 Guineas. The other additions to the schedule include the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, both run at the Curragh on Sunday, May 26. Michael Fitzsimons, executive director, Wagering Products, at the HKJC, said, “It's fantastic to be returning to the UK and Ireland with an extended World Pool fixture list this year now featuring the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas, and we look forward to making these historic fillies' Classics available to customers from around the world. “In addition to the popular World Moment of the Day initiative, we're excited to announce the new World Pool UK & Ireland Jockeys' Championship, which will provide a different dimension and further competition to World Pool racedays right up until QIPCO British Champions Day in October. “It's a unique competition, with a jockey's points being determined by World Pool win dividends, and a great initiative as there's £50,000 up for grabs for the leading rider to donate to a charity of their choice. We are committed to giving money back to racing and good causes, and this seemed the perfect way to do that.” The post World Pool Launches £50,000 Jockeys’ Charity Prize At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leading Victorian hopes Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) and Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) drew wide for Saturday’s A$1 million South Australian Derby (2500m) when acceptances dropped on Tuesday morning for the capacity field. Chairman’s Stakes winner Bold Soul has drawn barrier 12 with Jake Noonan in the saddle, while Damian Lane and Warmonger came up with gate 14. Jamie Kah on the in-form Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun) for Team McEvoy has drawn barrier 10, with Craig Williams to her outside aboard the Chris Waller-trained VRC St Ledger winner Ahuru. Lachlan Neindorf will aim for a second Group One victory in a week and has drawn perfectly in barrier five on the progressive A Samurai Mind (Shamus Award). Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will saddle up three runners with Warmonger (14) to be joined in the field by Shinjuku (NZ) (Tarzino) (two) and Tulsa King (Kermadec) (17) as all three back up from the Chairman’s Stakes. “It’s an usual program with the horses on the seven-day back-up, in the past we’ve won that race with Jungle Magnate and two weeks later come back across to win the Derby, so all the Chairman’s horses are in the same boat,” Kent Jnr explained. “Our horses have all stayed at Chris Beig’s and they have done some water-walker work and going to the beach this week and have pulled up very well.” Kent Jnr identified Warmonger as the stable’s leading fancy, who will have the blinkers removed to help him begin better and run out the extended trip. “I think Warmonger on what they have done is the leady fancy for sure … hoping he gets 2500 metres strongly and he is a top-three chance for sure,” he said. “Tulsa King had a more-economical run but is bred to this trip and I think he’ll stay and Shinjuku probably has to improve a bit to be in the finish but he was in the worst ground on Saturday, so if I could make a case for him that would be it.” Kent Jnr is hopeful barrier 14 will not be a disadvantage for Warmonger given how the track played last week and Vibrant Sun’s (The Autumn Sun) Australian Oaks win from barrier 11. “The rail has only gone out two metres, so if they are coming to the same section as seven days ago you would have to think middle-to-outside barriers,” he said. “On Saturday, Vibrant Sun’s barrier as the day went on all of a sudden became alright and wide barriers were favored.” Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) won the South Australian Derby in 2023. View the full article

Last weekend, the first of three-days at the Adelaide Racing Carnival took place as Morphettville hosted Australasian Oaks & Robert Sangster Stakes Day, while Eagle Farm hosted a strong meeting that included three feature races. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that are worth putting in your blackbook, so that you can follow them at their upcoming starts. Morphettville Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 6: Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:04.57 Horse to follow: What You Need (3rd) After having 12 months off the racetrack, What You Need has turned in two strong performances to begin this preparation. Last Saturday, this son of Supido ran home strongly into third place behind Extremely Lucky in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes over 1100m, and he appears ready to win third-up over 1200m. The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained entire settled midfield and was slightly held up on the home turn before bursting through a gap late to nab a placing. When to bet: The stable has made it clear that What You Need will go to The Goodwood on the final day of the carnival, and if he can produce a similar effort in his maiden Group 1 attempt, he could surprise at good odds. Race 6: Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) | Time: 1:38.81 Horse to follow: Silent Surrente (3rd) Silent Surrente produced a nice trial for a third-up attempt at 2000m by running on well from midfield to finish third in the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes behind Seonee and Lady Jones. The Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea-trained mare has finished third at both of her starts this time in, and stepping up to 2000m third-up appears to be the recipe for success. This daughter of Fiorente was finishing as strong as any of her rivals in the final 100m, and she will meet some of them again next start. When to bet: The Listed Dominant Centaurea Stakes over 2000m on the final day of the carnival looks to be the ideal race for Silent Surrente next. If she can draw an inside barrier and settle close to the speed, she will prove very hard to beat. Eagle Farm Track rating: Soft 5 Rail position: +3m entire circuit Race 8: Listed Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) | Time: 0:57.74 Horse to follow: Abounding (5th) Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner, Abounding, returned to the races with a passable fifth place finish, beaten 1.36 lengths by Tiger Shark in the Mick Dittman Plate over 1000m, which was well short of her best. The Robert Heathcote-trained filly received no luck as she was made to travel three-wide for the entire trip before battling on well late. A rise in trip to 1200m second-up looks to be on the cards for the daughter of Rich Enuff, who will be seeking to make a big splash during the Queensland Racing Carnival. When to bet: It is expected that Heathcote will take Abounding to the Sunshine Coast second-up over 1200m in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas. If she can replicate her win in the Listed Gold Edition Plate second-up last campaign, she will be one of the key chances on May 11. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Latest horse racing tips View the full article

Aidan O'Brien is to be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame during the QIPCO Guineas Festival at Newmarket on Saturday. The 54-year-old Irishman follows his Ballydoyle predecessor Vincent O'Brien, along with Sir Michael Stoute and Sir Henry Cecil, as the fourth trainer to be nominated for inclusion in the official Hall of Fame for British Flat racing, which was launched in 2021. He said, “It is incredible, and a privilege for us, as it is something we would never have expected. “The people, and horses, that have gone before us I feel very privileged to have worked with. I can't say how delighted, and honoured, I feel.” Having been chosen for induction by unanimous decision from the eight-strong panel, O'Brien will be presented with his Hall of Fame medal before racing on the day he is set to saddle the odds-on QIPCO 2,000 Guineas favourite City Of Troy. The Justify colt will be bidding to become his trainer's eleventh winner of the first British Classic of the season. O'Brien set the tone from the off in his training career. On his first day as a trainer, June 7, 1993, he sent out Wandering Thoughts (Ire) to win at Tralee. He made his name initially as a trainer of jumpers, having taken over the licence from his wife Annemarie, who followed her father Joe Crowley in training successfully from her family's farm in Owning, Co Kilkenny. Annemarie made history when becoming the first woman to land the National Hunt trainers' championship in 1992/93 and her husband went on to be crowned champion Irish jumps trainer for five consecutive seasons from 1993/94. The O'Briens moved to Ballydoyle in 1996, the year before Aidan became the youngest person, at the age of 26, to win the Irish Flat Trainers' Championship. He won it for a second time in 1999 and has held the title in every subsequent year, training an elite string of horses for John Magnier and his partners in the Coolmore operation, which include Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Georg von Opel and Peter Brant. O'Brien has also been champion trainer on six occasions in Britain, where he has won the Derby a record nine times, beginning with Galileo (Ire) in 2001. He also holds the record for the most number of wins in the 2,000 Guineas, with 10 victories, the same as his tally for the Oaks, while he has won the 1,000 Guineas seven times and the St Leger six times. In 2017, he set a training world record of 28 Group/Grade 1 winners in a calendar year, beating the record of 25 held by American trainer Bobby Frankel.  Last year, Henry Longfellow (Ire) became the 4,000th winner of O'Brien's illustrious career when winning the G1 National S. on the trainer's home turf at the Curragh. Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien's two sons, Joseph and Donnacha, are now trainers in their own right, having each been champion jockey in Ireland on two occasions. Paying tribute to his father in a video to mark the occasion, Joseph said, “There have been lots of contributing factors to Dad's success. His work ethic is second to none. Seeing that first hand for several years has been inspiring. “Having access to top-class horses, and achieving the very best, better than anyone could have expected, is another factor towards his success.” He added, “I've learned everything I know about horses from my Mum and Dad. Dad works by setting an example of the dedication he puts towards his way of life. I was incredibly lucky, as have all my siblings been, to grow up in the incredible environment at Ballydoyle, and to be able to ride for Dad.” The post Aidan O’Brien to Join British Horseracing Hall of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Warrnambool May Racing Carnival Day 3 Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2-64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Thursday, May 2, 2024 First Race 11:15am AEST Visit Dabble The Warrnambool May Racing Carnival will come to a close on Thursday with another 10-race program set down for decision. The time-honoured Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) is the feature event, while the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) takes top billing for the flat runners. Clear skies will keep the track in the Soft range, with the rail sticking to its true position once again. Grand Annual Day is set to commence at 11:15am AEST. Grand Annual Steeplechase Tip: Rockstar Ronnie Rockstar Ronnie looks extremely hard to go past as he seeks to defend his Grand Annual crown. Ciaron Maher’s nine-year-old gelding has been set for this race ever since taking it out 12 months ago, and that could hold the key. The son of Stowaway will likely be doing as he pleases out in front, and with just 67.5kg on his back, Will McCarthy can lead from barrier to box once again. Grand Annual Steeplechase Race 7 – #2 Rockstar Ronnie (3) 9yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Will McCarthy (67.5kg) +750 with Picklebet Warrnambool Cup Tip: Little Mix Little Mix beat all but Esti Feny in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on April 20 and looks poised to go one better in the Warrnambool Cup. The five-year-old mare draws to gain every favour in running from barrier two under Blake Shinn. The rain-affected deck should suit the Mahisara mare perfectly, and if the gaps come at the top of the straight, Little Mix should be dancing her way to Cup success. Warrnambool Cup Race 9 – #4 Little Mix (2) 5yo Mare | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Blake Shinn (58kg) +300 with Bet365 Best Bet at Warrnambool: Our Sassy Lady Our Sassy Lady couldn’t have been more impressive when scoring on debut at Sandown. Drawing perfectly in barrier four, the Ocean Park progeny can keep her undefeated start intact. The three-year-old filly offered a nice kick after racing outside the lead on that occasion, and considering she looks to be the only speed influence, Our Sassy Lady can lead from barrier to box. Best Bet Race 2 – #6 Our Sassy Lady (4) 3yo Filly | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Celine Gaudray (55kg) +150 with PlayUp Next Best at Warrnambool: Dashing Duchess Despite drawing the carpark, Symon Wilde’s Dashing Duchess is a stayer on the rise and can return a winner at the ‘Bool. The four-year-old mare has three wins and a second from five career starts, and despite this being her toughest test, she looks more than up to the task. Barrier 20 is offset by her want to settle towards the rear of the field, but with a fast-run 2000m, Dashing Duchess can blouse her rivals. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Dashing Duchess (20) 4yo Mare | T: Symon Wilde | J: Jordan Childs (61.5kg) +700 with Dabble Thursday quaddie tips for Warrnambool races Warrnambool quadrella selections Thursday, May 2, 2024 1-2-3 3-5-9-12 3-4-11 2-4-10-12-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Wagga Town Plate Day Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Thursday, May 2, 2024 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble NSW racing heads to the Riverina region on Thursday afternoon, with the $200,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m) taking top billing on a stacked eight-race program for Day 1 of the Wagga Gold Cup Carnival. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and with sunny skies predicted across the two-day carnival, it should be a Good 4 surface throughout. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:25pm AEST. Wagga Town Plate: Our Last Cash Our Last Cash returns after a 171-day spell and appears set to strike first-up. The son of Magnus suffered a minor setback when failing to make an impression at Flemington on November 11 and was subsequently sent to the paddock by Donna Scott. His barrier trials have him slowly rebuilding to his best, and with the six-year-old undefeated in three starts at this circuit, Our Last Cash represents terrific each-way value with online bookmakers in the Wagga Town Plate. Wagga Town Plate Race 7 – #9 Our Last Cash (8) 6yo Gelding | T: Donna Scott | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (54kg) +620 with Unibet Best Bet at Wagga: Scarli Japali Scarli Japali impressed on debut at this course on April 21 and can go one better she steps up to 1400m. She sustained a long run from the rear of the field first-up, showing plenty of tenacity as she stormed into second place. Damon Budler has the task of getting her to jump evenly from gate five, and provided she can hold a position closer than mid-field throughout the journey, Scarli Japali ought to give a bold sight. Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Scarli Japali (5) 3yo Filly | T: Anthony Warren | J: Damon Budler (58kg) +315 with PlayUp Next Best at Wagga: Snow In May Two exceptional barrier trials should have Snow In May ready for a first-up assault. The daughter of The Autumn Sun was strong through the wire in her most recent piece of work when asked to make minor inroads at Canterbury on April 19. The Peter & Paul Snowden barn has picked out a reasonable assignment for her debut, and with the appointment of Tyler Schiller inspiring confidence, Snow In May should prove too classy for this lot. Next Best Race 1 – #7 Snow In May (6) 2yo Filly | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Tyler Schiller (55kg) +115 with Bet365 Wagga Town Plate Day quaddie tips – 2/5/2024 Wagga quadrella selections Thursday, May 2, 2024 1-3-7-9-14 1-2-3-6 1-5-9-10-11-17 3-10-14-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Renovations will contest the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cody Cole will head to Ruakaka with a competitive selection of runners on Wednesday before chasing a black-type target closer to home over the weekend with Renovations. Cole found the winner’s circle twice across the North Island last week, including at Wanganui when consistent galloper Extortion took out the Rating 75 1400m event, his fourth career win in a resurgent season for the six-year-old. “He went super, Kozzi (Asano, jockey) gave him every chance and rated him perfectly outside the leader. He kicked well when he needed to, the horse has been going really well after being on the nearly retired list a few times,” Cole said. “He doesn’t cop really heavy tracks so he’ll probably have one more run, provided the tracks hold up, and based off this season he’s shown he deserves another crack in the spring.” Shifting his focus to the Ruakaka meeting on Wednesday, Cole has engaged four runners, including three for prominent owner-breeder Gerry Harvey. Among them is lightly-tried mare Kind Thoughts, the four-year-old daughter of Tarzino having shown promise throughout her short career, including a narrow second in a competitive Rating 65 event on New Year’s Day that proved a strong form race with the likes of Wallen and Mosinvader. “We’re just using Wednesday as a bit of a trial for her, she’s probably a bit better than a midweek race, but I thought we would get a better surface up there than at the Te Awamutu trials on Tuesday,” Cole said. “We just had a set back with her otherwise she would’ve been racing a month to six weeks ago. She’s a lovely mare that has got a bright future and hasn’t done much wrong in her career to date. “She’s up and ready to go so it would be a shame to put her in the paddock now, so she can have a couple of runs and if the weather holds, she can head to Te Rapa next. “We just hope to get her rating up so we can look at some nicer races next season, because I think she is progressive.” Matthew Cameron will partner the Tarzino mare in the June Bream Bay Business Day (1400m), while Michael McNab is engaged to ride Latrelle and Bocote in the Porthouse Bar & Eatery (1400m) and Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) respectively. “Bocote just had a few niggles after her first-up run and ended up being spelled. She trialled well the other day and has been working really well for a maiden, so if she can run up to her work, she’ll go a bold race,” Cole said. Bridgerton will complete Cole’s representatives at Ruakaka in the Lion Red (2100m), the Tavistock mare likely to appreciate the step-up over ground with Craig Grylls on board. “We had to go all the way to Hawera to get a start as she missed out at Rotorua, and it was a super run, she was fresh-up with no trials or jumpout, so it was really good,” Cole said. “2000m is her pet trip and should suit her nicely.” The Matamata horseman will bring a smaller team to Te Rapa on Saturday, with promising juvenile Renovations set to contest the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m). A daughter of Ardrossan, Renovations delivered a strong maiden win at the Waikato venue after performing creditably in stakes company the start prior, and Cole is hopeful she can complete her juvenile season on a high in the feature. “She’s flying, she galloped in between races at Te Rapa on Saturday and they were kind enough to let her have a look around there,” he said. “We had a little setback with her, but she worked really well and I couldn’t be happier with her. “I’m looking forward to that, but she’ll be off to the paddock afterwards and looking towards her three-year-old season.” Horse racing news View the full article

Italian jockey banks on consistent galloper’s weight drop in Class Three sprint at city circuitView the full article

Group Three-winning sprinter Johny Johny. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Winter targets now await Group 3-winning sprinter Johny Johny following his pleasing trial at Te Awamutu on Tuesday. The Tim and Margaret Carter-trained six-year-old was in fine form over the same period last year, winning four consecutive races, culminating in the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa in October. The firmer tracks didn’t suit the son of Charm Spirit in his three outings over summer and he went for a spell following his last-placed finish in the Group 1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. The Carters were pleased with his trial on Tuesday where he led from start to finish in his 850m heat. “He had a bit of a blowout today and he needed it, so that was good,” Tim Carter said. “He seems to like the cut out of the ground, he didn’t seem that happy on those firmer tracks, so we thought we would give him a decent break and see what he can do through the winter and go from there. “There is not a lot around for him because of the weight, he is always going to carry a bit of weight, but we are just going to pick and choose where we go a little bit. “Long-term we are probably looking at aiming towards the Foxbridge (Group 2, 1200m), but we will take him quietly through. He has come up well.” Stablemate Fortune Family also pleased with his runner-up effort in his 850m heat, and Carter is looking forward to the two-year-old son of Super Seth making his raceday debut. “He went a nice trial and he will race here in New Zealand. Joe Doyle (jockey) was quite happy with him,” Carter said. The stable has a number of youngsters coming through and Carter said his wife, Margaret, is particularly excited about the prospects of a rising two-year-old. “We have got quite a few two-year-olds coming up,” he said. “Marg is really looking forward to racing a filly by Complacent, which is a rising two-year-old, so we will see how we go with her. She is out of a mare called Shining Light, which was a Star Way mare.” Shining Light was trained by John Sargent and was placed at stakes level on five occasions, including the Group 2 Hawke’s bay Gold Cup (2200m), Group 3 Rotorua Cup (2170m), Group 3 Cuddles Stakes (1600m), Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) and Listed Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m). She has also left her mark as a broodmare, being the dam of Group 1 performer Vassilator. Horse racing news View the full article

A decision to bypass a staying race at Flemington could provide David and Coral Feek with their first success at the highest level. Gold Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) heads to the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday having bypassed the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington last week. David Feek said he and his wife were not tempted by the St Leger, preferring to keep the three-year-old at 2500m for the time being. “We were happy to keep the horse to 2500 metres and the way that race ended up panning out I was really pleased that we didn’t run as it turned into a sit and sprint,” Feek said. “Despite it being 2800 metres, in my opinion it didn’t look like a true staying contest.” Feek considers Gold Wolf an out-and-out stayer who ran out a strong 2400m when successful in the Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield on April 6. On that occasion he defeated New Zealand visitor Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc De Cambes) while two starts prior he chased home Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) in the Listed Tasmanian Derby and who has since taken out the Gr.3 Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville last Saturday. Both are in Saturday’s contest and are up high in betting markets. “We respect every horse in the race and it’s going to be very tough,” Feek said. “But there’s bits of form with Bold Soul and beating Antrim Coast that suggests our horse lines up pretty well.” Neil Farley, who has ridden Gold Wolf in five of his eight starts, and his two wins, made the trek from outside of Ballarat to partner the gelding in a tick over 1600m trial at Moe on April 26. Feek said it was what he wanted to see from Gold Wolf, although he believes the gelding has plateaued in his condition since the Caulfield win. “The horse is very, very fit,” Feek said. “We’re happy with him but in the back of my mind was that a peak performance winning the Galilee Series Final. “There are no negatives, but I haven’t seen any obvious improvement. His coat is starting to become a bit wintry, but all the other checklists that we do, we’re ticking those boxes. “He’s probably plateaued for the preparation and hopefully that is enough to be competitive.” View the full article

Charles Cassar is excited about unveiling his quality Kiwi recruit Spring Tide (NZ) (Darci Brahma) on Wednesday, but he is approaching his excursion to Warrnambool with caution. The seven-year-old son of Darci Brahma will make his Australian debut in the A$200,000 Listed Wangoom Handicap. Cassar has only had a few runners over the May Racing Carnival but keeps an eye on it every year and recognises what a challenge it is to win there. “I know a lot of trainers set their horses for the Carnival down there, but I try and avoid it,” he said with a laugh. “I haven’t had a lot of horses go there. It’s always hard against the local trainers down there.” But Cassar is happy to tackle the 1200-metre event with Spring Tide, who brings Group One form from New Zealand. The seven-year-old finished fourth in the Tarzino Trophy, beaten 2-1/4 lengths by Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel), at Hastings in September last year. Spring Tide, who was trained by Chrissy Bambry and then John Bary in New Zealand, finished second in the previous two editions of the 1400m Tarzino Trophy. He hasn’t won in 11 starts, dating back to September 2021, and Cassar quickly learned he is a horse who has his quirks. “He’s run into some good horses in New Zealand but, to be fair, his form is a little bit hit or miss,” Cassar said. “He’d get beaten a head in a Group One and then get beaten 12 lengths in an open handicap. “But he’s settled in quite well. There’s no fault about his quality, or his ability to gallop, but he is not a straight-forward horse.” Despite his impressive form, Spring Tide is one of the outsiders in Wednesday’s event and Cassar hopes it will be an uncomplicated ride for Neil Farley from barrier seven in the field of 16. “I’m happy with that draw, hopefully from seven he can come out good, find a spot where he’s comfortable and present at the top of the straight,” Cassar said. Despite his impressive credentials, Spring Tide is a $41 chance in the Wangoom market, which is headed by last-start Flemington winner Midtown Boss (Street Boss). View the full article

The Kiwis hit early on the opening day of Warrnambool’s three-day May carnival, with the Mark Walker-trained Leaderboard (Street Cry) winning the two-mile maiden hurdle on Tuesday in the hands of expat Kiwi jumps jockey Aaron Kuru. The American-bred son of Street Cry was given a hurdle trial earlier this month after arriving at Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn and jumped well when finishing runner-up in the Maiden Hurdle (3200m) at Pakenham 11 days later. He was positioned beautifully in the one-one by Kuru for much of the race on Tuesday before he was asked to improve three wide down the back straight. He hit the lead just after the second-to-last hurdle and continued to break away to score a comfortable 3-3/4 length victory. “It will be a huge thrill for Mark (Walker), it’s his first runner at the Warrnambool Carnival and his first winner,” Kuru said. “We’re all extremely proud what he and the Te Akau team have done over here, so congratulations. “I thought we had a kind time throughout (the race) and we were going pretty steady. I knew I had a good galloper underneath me and his jumping was really good today. “I had a lot in reserve, but he’s a bit tricky this horse and can pull up if he hits the front too soon. I was there (in front) a long way from home and hoping I could get him across the line. “He’s such a good galloper and I knew I just had to use that to my strengths. Fair play to the horse, he’s done a great job today.” Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna, Leaderboard was purchased in October 2018 at the Tattersalls Sale in the United Kingdom and has gone on to win eight races, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), and has earned more than $400,000 in prizemoney. “It’s a great thrill to win with our first runner at the Warrnambool Carnival, and John and Jessica (Galvin, Fortuna principals) and their owners are terrific supporters of the stable,” Walker said. “He’s been a great old horse, to win a Wellington Cup and now a Maiden Hurdle at such a prestigious carnival. “He’s got a very bright future in the jumps role and it’s a great thrill to have won the race. I’ve always loved jumps racing and hopefully it can continue to be well supported in New Zealand.” John Glavin was on course soaking up the unique atmosphere that Warrnambool offers. “There are over 50 owners in this horse, but I’m the only man standing here today,” he said. “It’s my first time to Warrnambool and it’s a fantastic carnival, so it’s a pleasure to be here. “We had a degree of confidence. He’s a lovely galloper and jumper and he’ll get better over the bigger jumps, I think. So today was a wee bit of a test, but he took no prisoners out there. “It’s always good when you leg-up Aaron (Kuru), you always know we’ve got a good chance.” View the full article

Winter targets now await Group Three-winning sprinter Johny Johny (NZ) (Charm Spirit) following his pleasing trial at Te Awamutu on Tuesday. The Tim and Margaret Carter-trained six-year-old was in fine form over the same period last year, winning four consecutive races, culminating in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa in October. The firmer tracks didn’t suit the son of Charm Spirit in his three outings over summer and he went for a spell following his last-placed finish in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. The Carters were pleased with his trial on Tuesday where he led from start to finish in his 850m heat. “He had a bit of a blowout today and he needed it, so that was good,” Tim Carter said. “He seems to like the cut out of the ground, he didn’t seem that happy on those firmer tracks, so we thought we would give him a decent break and see what he can do through the winter and go from there. “There is not a lot around for him because of the weight, he is always going to carry a bit of weight, but we are just going to pick and choose where we go a little bit. “Long-term we are probably looking at aiming towards the Foxbridge (Gr.2, 1200m), but we will take him quietly through. He has come up well.” Stablemate Fortune Family (NZ) also pleased with his runner-up effort in his 850m heat, and Carter is looking forward to the two-year-old son of Super Seth making his raceday debut. “He went a nice trial and he will race here in New Zealand. Joe Doyle (jockey) was quite happy with him,” Carter said. The stable has a number of youngsters coming through and Carter said his wife, Margaret, is particularly excited about the prospects of a rising two-year-old. “We have got quite a few two-year-olds coming up,” he said. “Marg is really looking forward to racing a filly by Complacent, which is a rising two-year-old, so we will see how we go with her. She is out of a mare called Shining Light, which was a Star Way mare.” Shining Light (NZ) was trained by John Sargent and was placed at stakes level on five occasions, including the Gr.2 Hawke’s bay Gold Cup (2200m), Gr.3 Rotorua Cup (2170m), Gr.3 Cuddles Stakes (1600m), Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) and Listed Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m). She has also left her mark as a broodmare, being the dam of Group One performer Vassilator (NZ) (Zacinto). View the full article

Last season’s Champion South Island apprentice jockey Yogesh Atchamah moved to Christchurch at the start of the year, and he is loving every moment. Atchamah moved to the Garden City to continue his apprenticeship under Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston, and he has enjoyed several career highlights in that time. In January he scored a four-timer at Reefton, and at Wingatui on Sunday he went close to matching that achievement when posting a winning treble. The 28-year-old Mauritian kicked off the day in winning fashion aboard the Kelvin Tyler-trained Go Lotte in the Positive Signs + Print 82 1400m. He teamed up with the Riverton horseman later on the card to score with Albatross in the Rylock Otago 75 1600m, and rode the Danny Crozier-trained Toblerone to her maiden victory in the Nellies Restaurant & Bar Maiden 1400m. “I was very confident when I was going to the races. I thought I could get three wins and I was pleased that I did it,” Atchamah said. “I rode Go Lotte last time. I told the trainer I would like to be on the horse again and I was confident we could win. “I knew Danny Crozier’s horse came from up north and it was his second run down south. The other one (Albatross) for Kelvin won by four lengths last time and I was confident they would go well again.” Atchamah became interested in horse racing as a child, but it wasn’t until he started working as a groom in his homeland that a career as a jockey entered his mind. “When I was young, I was watching races back home with my father and brother, and then one of my friend’s took me to the racecourse,” he said. “I left school at a young age and I told my mum I wanted to work with horses. “I was working as a groom and then my boss asked me if I wanted to ride, I said yes, and it has gone from there.” While content pursuing a career as a jockey in his homeland, Atchamah was offered a job with Balcairn trainers John and Karen Parsons via their now co-trainer Vicky Ramhit. “He was looking for people to work for them and he offered me a job,” Atchamah said. Atchamah has lived in the wider Canterbury area for the last four years but has now found himself in the South Island’s capital working for leading trainer Andrew Carston, and Atchamah said the move has been a great assist to his riding. “I can see the four months since I have worked for him, I have improved a lot. I get a lot of good advice,” he said. Atchamah said he has also taken confidence from former stable apprentice Kozzi Asano’s success, with the former Champion apprentice jockey now plying his trade in the North Island. While Atchamah has ambitions of following in his stable predecessor’s footsteps, he said for now his focus is on outriding his three-kilogram claim by season’s end. “Last year I was (South Island) Champion Apprentice. This year I would like to out ride my three-kilogram claim this season,” he said. Atchamah has a number of horses he is looking forward to riding over the next few months to help him achieve that goal, with the top of the list being a stable favourite. “I really like one for Andrew’s called Mogul, he is my favourite horse,” he said. View the full article

A pair of Pencarrow Stud homebreds are on target for a dual classic attack during the Brisbane winter carnival. The progressive Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) carries the familiar silks of farm principal Sir Peter Vela, who also bred and shares in the ownership of another last-start winner in Waikato Girl (NZ) (Savabeel). Both fillies are likely contenders for the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) with the former a daughter of Tarzino, who completed a hat-trick of wins for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Michael Freedman-prepared Waikato Girl was successful for the second time in seven appearances when the Savabeel three-year-old claimed the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm at her most recent outing. Tomodachi put forward a compelling case for a trip to Brisbane with her weekend victory over 1600m. “That’s on the table now and it looks the logical next step, assuming she’s doing well,” Pencarrow Stud Manager Leon Casey said. “She has got all the good attributes that the top horses in her family have, mainly the ability to accelerate. “She has coped with the wet tracks in the lower grades, but we do think she will be a lot better on top of the ground.” There is also a family history of success in Brisbane with third dam Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) an Oaks winner before later claiming Group One honours in the Melbourne Cup (3200m), Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the BMW Stakes (2400m). Tomodachi is out of the High Chaparral mare Quintessentially (NZ), a three-time winning daughter of the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up Uberalles (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway). “The family has been really active with a lot of nice horses coming through and fresh black type,” Casey said. “Tomodachi was always going to be retained, she’s a lovely type. “The mare has got a Vadamos filly being broken in, a Hello Youmzain yearling colt and she’s in foal to Sword Of State.” Waikato Girl was purchased out of Pencarrow’s 2022 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by agent Michael Wallace for $600,000 on behalf of the Boston-based Kuldeep Singh Rajput’s Gandharvi operation. “She made very good money and we kept a piece of her and she’ll also be a Queensland Oaks contender,” Casey said. Waikato Girl is out of the Irish-bred Galileo mare Scintillula, who won the Gr.3 Meld Stakes (1800m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes (1400m). She subsequently ran fourth in three starts for Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie before retirement and has also produced Waikato Girl’s Group-performed sister Butter Chicken (NZ) (Savabeel). Half-sister Stella Splendida (NZ), by Zoustar, won on four occasions for Te Akau while Scintillula’s Savabeel colt, the unraced Tempestry (NZ), was purchased by Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster for $230,000 at Karaka last year. The mare has since produced a daughter and son of Savabeel and is in foal to champion stallion Proisir. View the full article

Cody Cole will head to Ruakaka with a competitive selection of runners on Wednesday before chasing a black-type target closer to home over the weekend with Renovations (NZ) (Ardrossan). Cole found the winner’s circle twice across the North Island last week, including at Wanganui when consistent galloper Extortion (NZ) (Casino Prince) took out the Rating 75 1400m event, his fourth career win in a resurgent season for the six-year-old. “He went super, Kozzi (Asano, jockey) gave him every chance and rated him perfectly outside the leader. He kicked well when he needed to, the horse has been going really well after being on the nearly retired list a few times,” Cole said. “He doesn’t cop really heavy tracks so he’ll probably have one more run, provided the tracks hold up, and based off this season he’s shown he deserves another crack in the spring.” Shifting his focus to the Ruakaka meeting on Wednesday, Cole has engaged four runners, including three for prominent owner-breeder Gerry Harvey. Among them is lightly-tried mare Kind Thoughts (NZ), the four-year-old daughter of Tarzino having shown promise throughout her short career, including a narrow second in a competitive Rating 65 event on New Year’s Day that proved a strong form race with the likes of Wallen (NZ) (Tarzino) and Mosinvader (NZ) (Vadamos). “We’re just using Wednesday as a bit of a trial for her, she’s probably a bit better than a midweek race, but I thought we would get a better surface up there than at the Te Awamutu trials on Tuesday,” Cole said. “We just had a set back with her otherwise she would’ve been racing a month to six weeks ago. She’s a lovely mare that has got a bright future and hasn’t done much wrong in her career to date. “She’s up and ready to go so it would be a shame to put her in the paddock now, so she can have a couple of runs and if the weather holds, she can head to Te Rapa next. “We just hope to get her rating up so we can look at some nicer races next season, because I think she is progressive.” Matthew Cameron will partner the Tarzino mare in the June Bream Bay Business Day (1400m), while Michael McNab is engaged to ride Latrelle (NZ) (Redwood) and Bocote (NZ) (Redwood) in the Porthouse Bar & Eatery (1400m) and Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) respectively. “Bocote just had a few niggles after her first-up run and ended up being spelled. She trialled well the other day and has been working really well for a maiden, so if she can run up to her work, she’ll go a bold race,” Cole said. Bridgerton (NZ) will complete Cole’s representatives at Ruakaka in the Lion Red (2100m), the Tavistock mare likely to appreciate the step-up over ground with Craig Grylls on board. “We had to go all the way to Hawera to get a start as she missed out at Rotorua, and it was a super run, she was fresh-up with no trials or jumpout, so it was really good,” Cole said. “2000m is her pet trip and should suit her nicely.” The Matamata horseman will bring a smaller team to Te Rapa on Saturday, with promising juvenile Renovations set to contest the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m). A daughter of Ardrossan, Renovations delivered a strong maiden win at the Waikato venue after performing creditably in stakes company the start prior, and Cole is hopeful she can complete her juvenile season on a high in the feature. “She’s flying, she galloped in between races at Te Rapa on Saturday and they were kind enough to let her have a look around there,” he said. “We had a little setback with her, but she worked really well and I couldn’t be happier with her. “I’m looking forward to that, but she’ll be off to the paddock afterwards and looking towards her three-year-old season.” View the full article

It will be full-circle for 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) when she is offered at the broodmare sale on the Gold Coast next month. By champion sire I Am Invincible, the Australian-bred Imperatriz was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $360,000 at the 2020 Gold Coast yearling sales and went on to win nearly $7 million in stakes from her 19 wins and four placings from 27 starts. “We sought proposals for the sale from the major Australasian thoroughbred sale companies, and she returns to where her fairytale career began,” Ellis said. “There is no doubt Imperatriz will be the headline act on the thoroughbred auction calendar internationally. “She is the most globally recognised mare ever offered at public auction in the Southern Hemisphere. Her outstanding achievements speak volumes about her exceptional talent and tenacity on the track. “Imperatriz won more Group One races than any other horse worldwide in 2023, solidifying her status as one of the greatest race mares of recent times. She is a rare and valuable gem who will be highly sought after.” Imperatriz is the highest rated mare (by Racing Post Rating) to be offered at public auction – higher than the international sales ring sensations Lady Aurelia, Alcohol Free, Gamine and Monomoy Girl. In unique circumstances, Imperatriz will remain safely in her paddock at Te Akau Stud while her sale is conducted on site virtually, with bidding online and at the venue. Imperatriz won 10 Group One races in her star-studded career, six of those in Australia, along with four Group Two and two Group Three titles. She broke The Valley track record in the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) and smashed that record at her next start in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m). Imperatriz is also the only horse to have won the Group One Sprint Triple Crown at The Valley and uniquely achieved this in both the calendar year and again this season. Awarded the titles of New Zealand’s Champion 3YO of the Year and Champion Sprinter/Miler of the Year at four, Imperatriz uniquely finds herself in the conversation of 2023/24 Horse of the Year honours on both sides of the Tasman. Ellis said Imperatriz has given Te Akau Racing and her syndicate members so many highlights and they are looking forward to watching her step into her new role as a broodmare. “Her remarkable journey has inspired fans across the racing world and we could not be more proud of this beautiful, kind mare as her next chapter begins,” he said. “It has been an honour to have her race in the Te Akau tangerine.” View the full article

Reigning Champion South Island apprentice jockey Yogesh Atchamah. Photo: Race Images South Last season’s Champion South Island apprentice jockey Yogesh Atchamah moved to Christchurch at the start of the year, and he is loving every moment. Atchamah moved to the Garden City to continue his apprenticeship under Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston, and he has enjoyed several career highlights in that time. In January he scored a four-timer at Reefton, and at Wingatui on Sunday he went close to matching that achievement when posting a winning treble. The 28-year-old Mauritian kicked off the day in winning fashion aboard the Kelvin Tyler-trained Go Lotte in the Positive Signs + Print 82 1400m. He teamed up with the Riverton horseman later on the card to score with Albatross in the Rylock Otago 75 1600m, and rode the Danny Crozier-trained Toblerone to her maiden victory in the Nellies Restaurant & Bar Maiden 1400m. “I was very confident when I was going to the races. I thought I could get three wins and I was pleased that I did it,” Atchamah said. “I rode Go Lotte last time. I told the trainer I would like to be on the horse again and I was confident we could win. “I knew Danny Crozier’s horse came from up north and it was his second run down south. The other one (Albatross) for Kelvin won by four lengths last time and I was confident they would go well again.” Atchamah became interested in horse racing as a child, but it wasn’t until he started working as a groom in his homeland that a career as a jockey entered his mind. “When I was young, I was watching races back home with my father and brother, and then one of my friend’s took me to the racecourse,” he said. “I left school at a young age and I told my mum I wanted to work with horses. “I was working as a groom and then my boss asked me if I wanted to ride, I said yes, and it has gone from there.” While content pursuing a career as a jockey in his homeland, Atchamah was offered a job with Balcairn trainers John and Karen Parsons via their now co-trainer Vicky Ramhit. “He was looking for people to work for them and he offered me a job,” Atchamah said. Atchamah has lived in the wider Canterbury area for the last four years but has now found himself in the South Island’s capital working for leading trainer Andrew Carston, and Atchamah said the move has been a great assist to his riding. “I can see the four months since I have worked for him, I have improved a lot. I get a lot of good advice,” he said. Atchamah said he has also taken confidence from former stable apprentice Kozzi Asano’s success, with the former Champion apprentice jockey now plying his trade in the North Island. While Atchamah has ambitions of following in his stable predecessor’s footsteps, he said for now his focus is on outriding his three-kilogram claim by season’s end. “Last year I was (South Island) Champion Apprentice. This year I would like to out ride my three-kilogram claim this season,” he said. Atchamah has a number of horses he is looking forward to riding over the next few months to help him achieve that goal, with the top of the list being a stable favourite. “I really like one for Andrew’s called Mogul, he is my favourite horse,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

Leaderboard winning at Warrnambool on Tuesday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli The Kiwis hit early on the opening day of Warrnambool’s three-day May carnival, with the Mark Walker-trained Leaderboard winning the two-mile maiden hurdle on Tuesday in the hands of expat Kiwi jumps jockey Aaron Kuru. The American-bred son of Street Cry was given a hurdle trial earlier this month after arriving at Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn and jumped well when finishing runner-up in the Maiden Hurdle (3200m) at Pakenham 11 days later. He was positioned beautifully in the one-one by Kuru for much of the race on Tuesday before he was asked to improve three wide down the back straight. He hit the lead just after the second-to-last hurdle and continued to break away to score a comfortable 3.75-length victory. “It will be a huge thrill for Mark (Walker), it’s his first runner at the Warrnambool Carnival and his first winner,” Kuru said. “We’re all extremely proud what he and the Te Akau team have done over here, so congratulations. “I thought we had a kind time throughout (the race) and we were going pretty steady. I knew I had a good galloper underneath me and his jumping was really good today. “I had a lot in reserve, but he’s a bit tricky this horse and can pull up if he hits the front too soon. I was there (in front) a long way from home and hoping I could get him across the line. “He’s such a good galloper and I knew I just had to use that to my strengths. Fair play to the horse, he’s done a great job today.” Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna, Leaderboard was purchased in October 2018 at the Tattersalls Sale in the United Kingdom and has gone on to win eight races, including the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m), and has earned more than $400,000 in prizemoney. “It’s a great thrill to win with our first runner at the Warrnambool Carnival, and John and Jessica (Galvin, Fortuna principals) and their owners are terrific supporters of the stable,” Walker said. “He’s been a great old horse, to win a Wellington Cup and now a Maiden Hurdle at such a prestigious carnival. “He’s got a very bright future in the jumps role and it’s a great thrill to have won the race. I’ve always loved jumps racing and hopefully it can continue to be well supported in New Zealand.” John Glavin was on course soaking up the unique atmosphere that Warrnambool offers. “There are over 50 owners in this horse, but I’m the only man standing here today,” he said. “It’s my first time to Warrnambool and it’s a fantastic carnival, so it’s a pleasure to be here. “We had a degree of confidence. He’s a lovely galloper and jumper and he’ll get better over the bigger jumps, I think. So today was a wee bit of a test, but he took no prisoners out there. “It’s always good when you leg-up Aaron (Kuru), you always know we’ve got a good chance.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ka Ying Generation is a one-time winner in Hong Kong. Andrea Atzeni hopes Ka Ying Generation can take advantage of a favourable weight spread in Sunday’s Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) at Sha Tin. Ka Ying Generation rates 34 points below Russian Emperor, who is also entered, on a mark of 83. Only two horses are positioned under Ka Ying Generation among 12 entries, while Money Catcher, Senor Toba and Five G Patch all sit at a mark of 100 or above. Trained by Pierre Ng, Ka Ying Generation finished a daring third in last month’s Hong Kong Derby (2000m). The four-year-old attempted to make all that day, even putting a few lengths on the field in the home straight, before being caught late. “Off the back of his Derby run, with a light weight – I know he’s stepping up to a mile and a half, but he should have every chance,” Atzeni said. “These distances or any distances, when you gain weight from some of these top horses it’s a big advantage and he’s a young, up-and-coming horse that could be anything.” Ka Ying Generation was previously trained by Donnacha O’Brien in Ireland, where he was a one-time winner. Atzeni has been in the plate for two barrier trials since his Hong Kong Derby third placing. “It’s hard to judge him on his trials because they’re over 1200 metres. He’s got no speed, so he doesn’t really get going until he gets past the line,” he said. Five out of the last seven editions of the Queen Mother Memorial Cup have been won by a four-year-old. Caspar Fownes is aiming for a hat-trick this year following the triumphs of Senor Toba (2022) and Straight Arron (2023). Senor Toba returns for Fownes in this weekend’s renewal: “He’s in good nick. We’ve targeted this race for a while, we’ve kept him fresh for it. There’s quite a few nice horses in there but we know it’s his favourite distance in Hong Kong, so we’ll certainly be hoping for a competitive race and a first three finish.” Fownes saddles seven runners at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, while Atzeni takes seven rides at the midweek fixture, including Ka Ying Cheer. “I rode him at the back end of last year. He actually ran quite well in a decent race,” Atzeni said. “He’s obviously up in grade but he has a light weight (116lb) and on the back of his last run he should be very competitive – hopefully with improvement.” Ka Ying Cheer finished second in his Happy Valley debut earlier this month, missing by a neck over tomorrow night’s course and distance. The 61-rater has raced only once in 2024 after five starts – including one win – earlier this season. “He travelled quite strongly and finished off quite nicely (last start). He has course and distance form, so hopefully that comeback run will have brought him on a little bit,” Atzeni said. Francis Lui lamented Sunday’s ground conditions at Sha Tin after torrential rain throughout the week and across last weekend saw Golden Sixty race on a yielding surface in the HK$22 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m). “He’s ok after the race. He got beat, so he’s not happy. The weather didn’t help him – the ground,” Lui said. “Golden Sixty has a good turn of foot, he just needs good going and soft ground is not for him.” Lui has four entrants at Happy Valley tomorrow. Yellowfin returns to the city circuit for the first time since the start of 2023 in the Class 3 Deauville Handicap (1650m). “He’s been around Happy Valley before but at that time he wasn’t ready yet. I think he can handle it, no problem,” Lui said. Horse racing news View the full article

Record-breaking galloper’s owner yet to confirm whether he will be retired after Champions Day defeatView the full article

Trainer Ricky Yiu believes meeting with Hong Kong’s premier middle-distance horse over a mile ‘would be very interesting’View the full article

Highview Stud has added another touch of Australian flavour to its stallion roster with the recruitment of Mr Mozart, a Group Two-winning son of the champion sire Snitzel. The impeccably-bred entire was prepared by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes to win five of his 16 starts, placing in another three and earning A$796,900. A Sydney debut winner at two, Mr Mozart’s highlight victory came in the Gr.2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m), beating Group One winners Never Been Kissed and Fangirl. He also won the Gr.3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m), Gr.3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) and Listed Exford Plate (1400m), defeating multiple Group One winner Artorius in the latter. A consistent galloper across three seasons, Mr Mozart boasts placings in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m), Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) and A$1 million Silver Eagle (1300m), and he was fourth in the Gr.3 Baillieu Handicap (1400m), Gr.3 Vain Stakes (1100m) and Gr.3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m). “I’ve always been keen to stand a son of Snitzel. He’s a super stallion. When the opportunity arose to purchase a shareholding in Mr Mozart, we jumped at it,” Highview Stud’s Brent Gillovic said. “It is what the Australians know and the best thing about this horse is he has got proper Australian form. He is a multiple Group winner in Sydney and Melbourne so his progeny will have appeal to the Australian buying bench. “He raced against and beat top-liners including the likes of Artorious, Fangirl and Never Been Kissed.” Highview Stud has joined forces with James Chapman of Jamieson Park to secure Mr Mozart. Chapman raced Mr Mozart’s well-related Group Three winning dam Euro Angel with a group of Australian owners and the same partnership enjoyed the ride with her first foal Mr Mozart. “He is going to suit New Zealand. He has the Snitzel strength and is a good size and on his dam side he has a pedigree that should see him throw middle distance and classic horses too. He is over 16hh and is a deep chestnut colour, very flashy. He is a good-looking horse with a lot of bone, powerfully built and very correct. “He is a very attractive horse and I would encourage people to come and have a look at him.” Mr Mozart will stand at $6,000+GST this spring and his pedigree on the dam side will resonate with New Zealand breeders. He is out of the Rip Van Winkle mare Euro Angel, who was bred by Windsor Park Stud and won three races headed by Caulfield’s Gr.3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m). Euro Angel’s dam is the Listed winner and Group One-placed Polish Princess, who also produced Australian Group Two winners Leebaz and Polish Knight, along with Zebrowski, who like Polish Knight finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). Zebrowski won twice at Group Three level in Hong Kong. Along with Highview Stud and another partner, Chapman is keen to throw his support behind the young stallion. “He was a tough front running horse and just a very good horse, quite frankly,” Chapman said. “I was looking for somewhere to stand the horse and I bought all the other owners out except for one owner who has a 10 percent interest. “I will be putting some good resources behind him. I hope to send 20 mares and will be buying mares specifically to suit Mr Mozart. I’d like to find speed-type mares, that’s my plan.” With more than 40 mares on the books, Chapman has recently purchased Colero Park in Ohaupo as he increases his investment in the breeding industry. “I have brought most of my mares back from Australia now. I have done pretty well out of my New Zealand-bred horses,” Chapman said. “If you mate a mare in Australia you are competing with the Australian breeders whereas here you have a New Zealand-bred horse which Australians come here to buy. That is where I am heading and hopefully I have got it right.” Chapman said with the enhanced prize money in New Zealand, including the likes of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) and a bolstered $1.5 million Karaka Million 3YO (1600m), Mr Mozart was an ideal candidate to produce the required style of horse. “I think there is a real opening in New Zealand for that type of horse. We have bred the classic horses for Australia but with these new races I think there will be demand for 1400m type of horses.” Chapman said Mr Mozart comes from one of the best families in the stud book and the partnership that raced Euro Angel have more to look forward to. “He was the first foal and an outstanding type,” Chapman said. “At the moment we have a two-year-old Pierro gelding out of the mare in work and a Snitzel full brother yearling who is a magnificent horse. We have a Maurice filly that has just been weaned and the mare is back in foal to Snitzel, so we have great faith in her progeny and I have no doubt Mr Mozart will make his mark at stud.” Breeding Rights are available in Mr Mozart, with Highview Stud also committing to support the horse with 15-20 mares. “Before he kicks off he has a good base between James and ourselves and we’d like to think Highview have always presented breeders with very reasonably priced stallions, and this is no exception,” Gillovic said. “It represents a chance for breeders to do very well and he has all the right credentials.” Meanwhile, Highview Stud have also announced service fees for proven sires Divine Prophet ($9,000+GST), Santos ($8,000+GST) and Wrote ($8,000+GST). View the full article