Wandering Eyes

Relishing the step up to seven furlongs on Saturday, Al Shaqab's G3 Princess Margaret Stakes winner Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Cashla Bay {GB}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) mastered her peers in Deauville's G2 Prix du Calvados. Always travelling easily under Dylan Browne McMonagle tracking the pace, the Ollie Sangster-trained 7-5 favourite cruised to the front two out and was committed soon after en route to inflicting a three-length defeat on the previously unbeaten Fraise Des Bois (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}). 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 (O. Sangster) en démonstration dans le Prix du Calvados (Gr.2) à Deauville. Le jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle signe un beau doublé ce samedi ! pic.twitter.com/WXsCJl92a4 — Equidia (@equidia) August 17, 2024 The post Too Darn Hot’s Simmering Wins The Calvados For Al Shaqab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae has a great record campaigning horses in the South Island and he is hoping that will continue this spring when he heads to Riccarton with Saturday winner Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver). The well-travelled four-year-old had been in great form on her home track over winter, placing in all four of her starts, including a last start third behind Group One winner Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) and Group Three winner Master Fay (Deep Field). Rae went into Saturday’s Mountfield Quarry (1100m) quietly confident, and that was duly rewarded with an all the way victory by his mare in the hands of Waikato hoop Jasmine Fawcett. “She has got a wee bit of class about her,” Rae said. “She is a lovely horse and is easy to do anything with. I have got great partners in the horse with me.” Fawcett shared Rae’s confidence heading into the race and was pleased to get home by 1-3/4 lengths over fellow Ruakaka runner Patricia. “She loves this track, she can gallop, and she got the job done,” Fawcett said. “She ran into a couple of nice horses last start, one of those being Crocetti, so I knew the form was really good today and she performed well.” Rae hasn’t been afraid of travelling with Illicit Dreams in the past, having campaigned in the Central Districts and Canterbury in previous seasons, winning the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton as a juvenile last year before returning to the Christchurch venue last spring where she was runner-up in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) behind Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard). The Northland horseman is now contemplating a return to Riccarton over spring with his charge, with an eye towards New Zealand Cup week. “I think I might have a shot at the Stewards (Listed, 1200m) or something like that later on, but we will just take it one race at a time,” he said. While looking forward to heading to Riccarton with Illicit Dreams once more, Rae said he would ideally like to avoid the country’s leading barn. “She travelled down to Wanganui as a two-year-old and just got beaten by Te Akau (Sky On Fire), she went down a year later to Riccarton and got beaten by Te Akau again (Viva Vienna), so when they are not in the race I have got a chance,” he quipped. View the full article

Joseph O'Brien trainee Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Simannka {Ire}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}) followed up a June 29 debut sixth at the Curragh with a breakthrough score at Killarney last month and continued on the upgrade with a career high in Saturday's Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at Deauville. Breaking well to assert for an early lead, the 2-1 favourite was comfortable on the front end until coming under pressure in the straight and kept on strongly under continued rousting inside the final 300 metres to withstand the late threat of Rose Salvaje (Ire) (Maximum Security) by 3/4-of-a-length in game fashion. “He's a nice colt, he's stepping forward from race to race and this was another step forward from his maiden win last time,” said O'Brien. “It was a strong maiden [at Killarney], he's tough and Dylan [Brown McMonagle] said he kept finding all the way to the line. He looks a nice colt for the future and will probably now go for the Goffs Million.” Apples And Bananas, who becomes the 46h stakes winner for his sire, is the second of three foals and lone scorer produced by Listed Lenebane Stakes third Simannka (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), herself out of a winning half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning sire Sinndar (Ire) (Grand Lodge). The May-foaled bay, whose third dam is stakes-winning matriarch Sinntara (Ire) (Lashkari {GB}), is full to a yearling colt. Double landed! Apples And Bananas makes all at @fgdeauville for @JosephOBrien2 and @DylanBrowneMcM… pic.twitter.com/5WBcSpnbve — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 17, 2024 Saturday, Deauville, France CRITERIUM DU FONDS EUROPEEN DE L'ELEVAGE-Listed, €130,000, Deauville, 8-17, 2yo, 8fT, 1:46.68, sf. 1–APPLES AND BANANAS (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Simannka (Ire) (SP-Ire), by Mastercraftsman (Ire) 2nd Dam: Simkana (Ire), by Kalanisi (Ire) 3rd Dam: Sinntara (Ire), by Lashkari (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€130,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR). O-MacLennan, Shanahan & Magnier; B-Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Brown McMonagle. €65,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €76,200. 2–Rosa Salvaje (Ire), 122, f, 2, Maximum Security–Idle Hour, by Malibu Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€75,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Ecurie Francky Defosse, EARL Haras de l'Hotellerie, SNIG Elevage, Frederic Sauque & Christopher Head; B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (IRE); T-Christopher Head. €26,000. 3–Lazy Griff (Ger), 126, c, 2, Protectionist (Ger)–Linarda (Den), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€75,000 Ylg '23 BBAGS). O-Middleham Park Racing & G Griffiths; B-Gestut Westerberg (GER); T-Charlie Johnston. €19,500. Margins: 3/4, 3HF, NO. Odds: 2.00, 2.20, 18.00. Also Ran: Silius (Ire), Cap Saint Martin (Fr), Aloysius (Fr). The post Wootton Bassett’s Apples And Bananas Makes All at Deauville for Black-Type Breakthrough appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gentleman Roy ridden by Mark Zahra winning the P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) After Mr Brightside claimed back-to-back victories in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m), Lindsay Park have made it a hat-trick, with Gentleman Roy ($5.00) holding on in a grandstand finish at Caulfield on Saturday. The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained eight-year-old was on deck for his own individual hat-trick of wins on Saturday, with the son of So You Think seeking to continue his rich vein of form from the winter. He was unable to dictate terms this time, with Mark Zahra electing to sit in behind Buffalo River ($11.00) with Ben Melham putting the handlebars down on the returning eight-year-old. It left a stack of rivals bunching up turning for home, causing a somewhat messy finish for some key gallopers in behind. Gentleman Roy was able to avoid the backlash as he hit the front early in the straight, leaving Pinstriped ($7.00) to make a looping run with 400m left to travel, with the Enver Jusufovic-trained gelding hanging in on Jimmy The Bear ($9.00) in the final furlong. Pericles ($2.60) didn’t have much luck when trying to get into the clear, while New Zealand raider Aegon ($17.00) came with a withering burst when it was all over, leaving Gentleman Roy to claim an impressive victory in the 2024 P.B. Lawrence Stakes. 2024 Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes Replay – Gentleman Roy Co-trainer JD Hayes was on course to celebrate the win and credited the entire team for the return to form for Gentleman Roy. “It’s unbelievable just to get him back and firing,” said Hayes. “He had a bit of time of and we nursed him back, it’s just a credit to the team we’re surrounded by and the facilities we’ve got access to be able to get him back. “It’s quite fitting to win it with Gentleman Roy and Mr Brightside the last two because they were really pinnacle horses that were quite key to when we first got handed a license. They were both sitting in the barn as maidens, and looking back now it was quite handy. “This was just perfect in the calendar. It’s good to finally win at Caulfield with the horse, so we’ll see how he pulls up, but I think he’s in for a nice spring.” Mark Zahra was elated with the win of his mount and credited his toughness to claiming victory on Saturday. “He’s a beautiful ride,” said Zahra. “He flies the start and then he’ll come back to wherever you want. “It’s a tough one when Buffalo River is in the race, you’ve got to time it because he can keep going so you’ve got to show him a little bit of respect, and at the 600m I thought I’ve got Buffalo River covered. “I got to the front, and I thought he still had a bit, but when Pinstriped came he just kept fighting and finding. He’s so tough the horse, you know he won’t win by a lot, but when there’s something right beside him he’ll definitely fight it off, he’s very competitive.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Noosa Cup Day 2024 Where Sunshine Coast Turf Club – 170 Pierce Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551 When Sunday, August 18, 2024 First Race 12:54pm AEST Visit Dabble The $50,000 Noosa Cup will headline proceedings at the Sunshine Coast this Sunday afternoon. Due to heavy rainfall during the week, the seven-race meeting will be held on the synthetic track. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit, with racing scheduled to kick off at 12:54pm AEST. Noosa Cup tip: Menazzi Menazzi finished as strongly as any of his rivals to run third over the Sunny Coast 1200m first-up, beaten 1.9 lengths by Vetta Velocita. This son of Pride Of Dubai will meet the two runners that beat him last start; however, the rise in trip to 1400m second-up will suit him best. With the aid of Cody Collis’ 1.5kg claim, Menazzi can push forward from barrier 10 and find the gun run behind the speed. Noosa Cup Race 6 – #4 Menazzi (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: Cody Collis (a1.5) (60kg) Bet with Dabble Best Bet at Sunshine Coast: Artzino Artzino was slow to get going on the Gold Coast Polytrack on August 3, but he finished off strongly to run third over 1540m. The son of Tarzino showed a liking for the synthetic track, and now that he steps up to 1600m, he will get conditions to suit. If Damien Thornton can get him to jump well and settle midfield, Artzino can record his first win for the Jack Bruce stable. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Artzino (11) 5yo Gelding | T: Jack Bruce | J: Damien Thornton (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Sunshine Coast: Ashfall Ashfall hit the line hard to finish second behind Singer Sargent over the Sunshine Coast 1800m last start, indicating a rise in trip to 2150m will suit him perfectly. Bailey Wheeler sticks aboard for the four-year-old gelding’s first run on the synthetic, and if he can settle in the middle of the pack off the fence, Ashfall’s turn of foot will give him every chance to break through for a deserved win. Next Best Race 3 – #3 Ashfall (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: Bailey Wheeler (58.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunshine Coast quaddie tips for Saturday Sunshine Coast quadrella selections Sunday, August 18, 2024 1-2-5-6-8 1-2-3-6 1-4-5-6 2-3-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Drifting ridden by Blake Shinn wins the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) A front-running masterclass by Blake Shinn has paid dividends for Drifting ($3.10) to claim the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Zousain was already a Group 3 winner as a two-year-old, with a victory in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill last preparation. She was forced to lug the top-weight to victory on Saturday, but it didn’t seem to hinder the lightly raced three-year-old, with Shinn taking complete control from the jump. He managed to tick off some manageable sectionals in the middle stages aboard the first-up filly before giving a strong kick in the final furlong, clinging on from the fast-finishing Tasmanian invader Geegees Mistruth ($9.00) The well-supported favourite Kuroyanagi ($2.50) seemingly got every chance under Jamie Kah, with the Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea-trained filly stalking every step of the way from the one-one but didn’t let down with her customary turn-of-foot settling for a fourth-place finish. It was all about the winner in the end though as Peter Snowden praised the win of his filly while keeping his cards close to his chest in regard to where we’ll see Drifting later in the spring. 2024 Group 3 Quezette Stakes Replay – Drifting “It’s good to see her win like that,” said Snowden. “Blake (Shinn) rode her extremely well and I’d been disappointed if she didn’t win come the corner considering the run she had. “She’s got a bombproof attitude, she’s got brilliant gate speed, and that’ll take you a long way. To be able to harness that and bring them back and rate them, and he did that perfectly today and hopefully that’s not her last win. “Hopefully she can keep kicking goals.” Blake Shinn was impressed with the victory as well and credited the Snowden camp having Drifting ready to fire first-up. “Very exciting filly,” said Shinn. “Full credit to Peter (Snowden), he’s placed her really well and she’s just a pleasure to ride, full proof in terms of her manners, and she’s had form around some great fillies. “Although she had to concede some weight to her opposition, we had a nice run in front, and her class shone through. She was fantastic.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Sunday, August 18, 2024 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble Wyong is the destination for provincial racing on Sunday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and although the track was rated a Heavy 9 at the time of acceptances, punters can expect an upgrade into the Soft range. Check out our Wyong betting tips and quaddie numbers for the meeting on August 18. Best Bet at Wyong: Memoria Memoria appears set to peak third-up into the campaign after a luckless performance at Rosehill on August 3. The daughter of Caravaggio sat three wide without cover for the entire journey, with the five-year-old dropping out of contention in the home straight. Gate four should allow Benjamin Osmond to find the one-one this time, and with this Class 6 contest lacking depth, Memoria should have the class to dispatch this lot. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Memoria (4) 5yo Mare | T: Kris Lees | J: Benjamin Osmond (a3) (59kg) +340 with Bet365 Next Best at Wyong: Guzumped Guzumped was the last one turning for home at Canterbury on August 7 and looked to be finishing the best of the beaten brigade. The Brad Widdup-trained gelding launched at Victory Roll in the shadows of the post, just missing out by a nose. Stepping up to the 2000m appears ideal, and with Tommy Berry electing to stick aboard this progressive stayer, expect Guzumped to be storming over the top to claim the Wyong Cup Prelude. Next Best Race 7 – #8 Guzumped (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Brad Widdup | J: Tommy Berry (56kg) +190 with Neds Best Value at Wyong: Flying Rani Flying Rani was no match for Zeitung at Canterbury on August 7, but the fast-finishing effort suggests she is worth following in this wide-open BM64 contest. Tyler Schiller will have no choice but to drag back from barrier 15, but with a strong tempo likely in this big field, Flying Rani should get every opportunity to finish over the top and claim her second career win at start seven. Best Value Race 8 – #11 Flying Rani (15) 4yo Mare | T: Matthew Smith | J: Tyler Schiller (57.5kg) +1000 with PlayUp Wyong Sunday quaddie picks – 18/8/2024 Wyong quadrella selections Sunday, August 18, 2024 2-3-5-6-8 2-4-5-12 4-8 1-3-8-11-13 Horse racing tips
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Australia's darling racemare Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}), who carved out a reputation as being one of the world's best sprinters following an unbeaten 25-race career, has died one day shy of her 18th birthday following laminitis disease. The winner of 15 Group 1 races was humanely euthanised at the Scone Equine Hospital on Saturday morning after giving birth to a foal. “You don't think it affects you, but you are being stupid not to think it doesn't,” her trainer Peter Moody told reporters at Caulfield, as reported by Racing.com. “It's impossible not to get attached to most animals, let alone one like her. She had the foal this morning, a colt foal by Snitzel and they put her down shortly after that on humane grounds. “They scanned her feet yesterday and there was no blood flow at all to her feet. There was minimum blood flow to her feet anyhow but there was none and she's such a big girl. I rang all the staff and told them. They were all very upset.” Black Caviar was added to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame after retiring in 2013, amassing nearly $8 million for prize-money. But perhaps she will be best remembered in Europe for her victory in the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, where a stunningly-cool Luke Nolen stopped riding towards the finish, with the 1-6 favourite holding on to win by just a head from the fast-finishing Moonlight Cloud. Nolen, who guided Black Caviar to the majority of her wins, commented, “It's a hollow feeling. You could say she was just a horse, but she was more than a horse and that's why we're feeling a bit blue. She meant a great deal to us. “She was an integral part of my career but, more importantly, she was so important for racing itself. She was one of our equine heroes. It was great to be a part of her story, but I always felt a bit guilty because anyone could've done the job.” The post Legendary Australian Sprinter Black Caviar Dies Following Laminitis Disease appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Band Of Brothers ridden by Damian Lane wins the Vain Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Matthew Ellerton & Damien Lane have combined with Band Of Brothers ($5.50) to claim the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. The son of Omaha Beach proved far too classy in the three-year-old feature, courtesy of a perfectly timed steer by Lane, landing into the one-one throughout the journey to gain the ideal stalking position. He was able to gain the back of Winchester ($15.00) in the middle stages, who was happy to sit outside the leader, as Interest Point ($4.20) cruised along at a genuine tempo under Michael Dee. The race set up nicely for the back markers to come into play, as the eventual winner came with his run, as did Let’sfacethemusic ($4.40), powering down the centre of the course but unable to reel in the unassailable lead of Band Of Brothers. Meanwhile, the well-supported favourite, Wonder Boy ($3.20), was doing his best work late, charging into third, with the Jerome Hunter-trained gelding already looking for a step up in trip. It was all about the winner in the end though, as Band Of Brotherw never looked in doubt in claiming the Group 3 feature. 2024 Group 3 Vain Stakes Replay – Band Of Brothers Matthew Ellerton was at home celebrating the victory while recovering from a stroke suffered in Bali back in early July, but his calls were heard to apply the blinkers as Lane spoke post-race. “It just switched him on a little bit (the application of blinkers),” said Lane. “He was very hesitant to lead last start and I just felt like he was going to pull up to a trot, he had his ears pricked and he was stopping and starting. “We always liked him but probably to see him winning a Group race was probably a stretch. “Credit to the team identifying this race, we elected to come here rather than the benchmark 64 on Wednesday.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley training partnership had plenty to celebrate on Saturday when they produced a superb quinella in the feature event at Ruakaka, the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), with stable runners So Naive (NZ) (US Navy Flag) and Toruk Makto (NZ) (Eminent). So Naive, a stunning son of The Oaks Stud resident stallion U S Navy Flag, had won twice from four starts during his two-year-old campaign and was fitted for his new season resumption with a comfortable win at the Cambridge trials last month. Rider Craig Grylls sent him forward from barrier rise but found himself out three wide as pacemakers I’m All In (NZ) (Zoustar), racing in the colours of race sponsor Cambridge Stud, and Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) placegetter Full Force (Cosmic Force) setting a steady speed in front. Grylls didn’t panic and had his mount relaxed rounding the home bend as the pressure went on. I’m All In kicked hard at the 200m but so did So Naive as he hit the front shortly afterwards before holding out a late charge from Toruk Makto who closed to within a length with an eye-catching burst from well back in the running. It was the second time the pair have provided the quinella in a race after they finished in the same order over 1100m at Ellerslie in October last year, with Cooksley delighted with both horses. “He (So Naive) has grown and got a bit stronger, so the further he goes the better he will get,” Cooksley said. “Give him another six months and he will be even bigger and stronger but so will the second horse who went good as well. “It’s good to see the two-year-olds come back well as three-year-olds, so hopefully they can keep going. “I’m not sure where we will see them next but we will work it out.” Grylls was also suitably impressed with the victory. “We were drawn towards the outside and with the inside getting a bit cut up now I was happy to stay out three-wide on the train,” he said. “I was just keeping out of the kick back as a couple I had ridden earlier had responded badly to it. I was quite happy out there as he is a beautiful big horse and I was pretty confident a wee way out we would pick them up as he let down well. “He wasn’t real comfortable in it (the wet track) but he showed last season he has a good turn of foot and I think they are going to be in for a lot of fun with him.” Bred by Dr K C Tan, So Naïve is raced by Able International, a long-term client for the stable after being purchased out of Kilgravin Lodge’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft by Wallace Thoroughbreds for $37,500. He has now won three of his five starts and $133,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Taranaki representative Tobias (NZ) (Complacent), carrying the black and gold hoops of the Taranaki province, proved too tough in a slogging finish to the ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m) on Saturday. Apprentice rider Ellie Sole made good use of her 4kg claim to reduce the seven-year-old’s weight from 61kgs to a more manageable 57kg impost as she sat in third before sending him to the lead at the 600m. With Sole riding hard, the Tony Dravitzki-prepared runner refused to yield as he held out the challenges of Ghazzah (Akeed Mofeed), race favourite Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood) and Drop Of Something (NZ) (Telperion) over the final 200m, taking the event by more than a length and adding a fourth consecutive victory to his career record. An emotional Dravitzki was struggling to come to terms with what the lightly raced son of Complacent had achieved in his recent starts. “That was unbelievable really as I’d never won two races in a row and now this guy has won four,” he said. “He’s been a very tough horse and one of the toughest you could get to break in, but he has grown into himself this year and taken us on an unbelievable trip. “Some people were saying it was 49 days since his last run, but I went on holiday for two weeks and so did he. I wasn’t concerned about that, but it was just the weight. “Ellie has now won three from three on him and I just told her to be positive and go forward. They seem to be winning on the rail so she switched to there in the straight and got the chocolates. “Not in my wildest dreams I could have imagined this.” Dravitzki co-bred the gelding with his brother John and brother-in-law Ian McCaul and they race the gelding with friend Noel George. From the Zabeel mare Zabolta, Tobias is closely related to the dual Group One winner Bazelle (NZ) (Zabeel) and has now won seven races from 25 starts and more than $156,000 in prizemoney for his connections. View the full article

In-form galloper Rise At Dawn is likely to be set for a black-type assignment after notching a comfortable victory at Caulfield on Saturday in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1600m). The four-year-old son of Almanzor is prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, and has now won six of his 11 starts. Ridden by Michael Dee, Rise At Dawn sat outside Keats, who led throughout and applied the pressure upon straightening to score by three-quarters of a length from Kettle Hill and Rhapsody Chic. “Keats got rolling into the bend which probably suited Rise At Dawn, having the race fitness, and that’s how he gets ridden,” Ben Hayes said. “He just gets to that high-cruising speed and holds it right to the line and he’s really gutsy at the end. “I think the mile is definitely his trip but now he’s fit, there’s so many nice options. He’s won a Benchmark 100 today and he is the fit horse on the scene. “He’s been in work a long time so we have just got to manage him run by run. “But if he pulls up well and we’re really happy with him, he probably deserves a shot at a stakes race.” Hayes suggested the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) back at Caulfield in a fortnight could be an option. “It could be suitable for him out there in front with no weight,” Hayes said. “He’s a super horse who has given his whole ownership group a really big thrill. We’ve got a long time employee in Bruno Rouge-Serret in the horse. He’s really looked after us and he taught me how to saddle horses, so it’s good to get a winner for him.” Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Rise At Dawn was purchased by Lindsay Park for A$90,000 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He has now won A$371,335 for connections. By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, Rise At Dawn is an older brother of last season’s Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) placegetter Kay’s Ruebe with their dam the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner and multiple Group One placegetter Kay’s Awake. View the full article

It may have taken a few more races than expected but there couldn’t have been a more fitting result for local trainer Allan Sharrock as his great mate Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) provided his mentor with his 1000th New Zealand win in the training ranks at New Plymouth on Saturday. Sharrock entered the day on 999 victories and was confidently expected to pick up victory in one of the opening races on the card, however, he had to play the bridesmaid role as Tisse (NZ) (Belardo), Bella Timing (NZ) (Time Test) and Indian Gold (NZ) (Ocean Park) all filled the runner-up position in their respective events. By the time the fifth event on the card rolled around many were thinking this wasn’t to be Sharrock’s day, however, the nine-year-old warhorse Justaskme wasn’t having any of that as he produced a typical dogged effort to come from last in the hands of apprentice Rihaan Goyaram to collect career win number 13 and his sixth on his home patch. Despite settling last of the nine runners, Justaskme travelled sweetly in the testing Heavy10 track conditions on offer with Goyaram setting him alight at the 800m to circle the field out wide and hit the front turning for home. Justaskme was resolute in his desire and held all challengers at bay as he coasted home to win the Makita 1800 by just on three lengths from Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir), who chased hard down the straight, along with third-placed runner Sacred Pearl (NZ) (Sacred Falls). Sharrock, who numbers 75 Group and Listed wins amongst his 1000 win tally with horses of the calibre of Grout (NZ) (Gold Brose), Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel), Wahid (NZ) (Almutawakel), Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar) and Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed), admitted he had been worried when he couldn’t take a trick earlier in the day. “He’s been a grand horse for me, my brother and one of my best mates in Kempy (Tony Kemp),” Sharrock said. “I came in here all confident and got kicked and kicked and kicked, and I thought this isn’t going the way I saw it. “I had been having a few words to the jockey (Goyaram) throughout the day and I asked him if he had done any video footage and he said to me he was going to ride him like Johnathan Parkes and be into him at the 800m and he did. “We’ll go home and watch the rugby tonight but I’d say we will have a proper event with all my friends and colleagues to celebrate.” Bred by Sharrock, who co-owns him with his brother Bruce and former Kiwi rugby league international Tony Kemp, Justaskme has now won 13 of his 48 starts and more than $538,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Stratford trainer Tina Egan was charging to the bar at New Plymouth on Saturday to celebrate Chajaba (NZ) (Keano) taking out the New Plymouth Building Supplies 1400. The eight-year-old son of Keano jumped well and was taken straight to the front by apprentice jockey Ciel Butler, who quickly handed up to Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavisock). Butler elected to keep to the rail throughout and her decision was rewarded on the Heavy10 footing, hitting the front with 400m to go and maintaining their advantage to the post, winning by half a length over Make Time (NZ) (Makfi). Butler and Chajaba have formed a formidable partnership, recording three wins from nine starts, and Butler was full of praise for the gelding post-race. “Tavis Court came around and I was happy to take a trail. He relaxed and I was very happy, and he kicked nice and strong,” she said. “He is just so tough and he puts in everything he has every time he races, it doesn’t matter what it is. “Tina does a fantastic job, she is such a great horsewoman. He is beautiful to ride.” Egan was delighted to get the winning result with Chajaba, particularly with the less-than-ideal build-up this preparation. “He has had an interrupted prep,” said Egan, who also co-bred and part-owns the gelding. “He pulled a muscle earlier on and I didn’t get to go to the races I wanted to leading into the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m). “He has had a stone bruise and he hasn’t really been on four feet until today.” Egan had planned on heading straight to next week’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa with Chajaba following his last start placing, but said she was coerced into heading to New Plymouth on Saturday, and she is glad she did. “I wanted to wait until the Foxbridge next week, but my partner wanted her to go this week,” she said. Chajaba means a lot to Egan, who named him after her three children, and she said he is well named given what they do after every victory. “He is named after my three kids – the twins are Chase and Jade, and Bailey – so that is how we got Chajaba, and if he wins, we charge to the bar,” she said. “We will be charging to the bar (now).” View the full article

So Naive winning the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley training partnership had plenty to celebrate on Saturday when they produced a superb quinella in the feature event at Ruakaka, the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), with stable runners So Naive and Toruk Makto. So Naive, a stunning son of The Oaks Stud resident stallion U S Navy Flag, had won twice from four starts during his two-year-old campaign and was fitted for his new season resumption with a comfortable win at the Cambridge trials last month. Rider Craig Grylls sent him forward from barrier rise but found himself out three wide as pacemakers I’m All In and Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) placegetter Full Force setting a steady speed in front. Grylls didn’t panic and had his mount relaxed rounding the home bend as the pressure went on. I’m All In kicked hard at the 200m but so did So Naive as he hit the front shortly afterwards before holding out a late charge from Toruk Makto who closed to within a length with an eye-catching burst from well back in the running. 2024 Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes Replay – So Naive It was the second time the pair have provided the quinella in a race after they finished in the same order over 1100m at Ellerslie in October last year, with Cooksley delighted with both horses. “He (So Naive) has grown and got a bit stronger, so the further he goes the better he will get,” Cooksley said. “Give him another six months and he will be even bigger and stronger but so will the second horse who went good as well. “It’s good to see the two-year-olds come back well as three-year-olds, so hopefully they can keep going. “I’m not sure where we will see them next but we will work it out.” Grylls was also suitably impressed with the victory. “We were drawn towards the outside and with the inside getting a bit cut up now I was happy to stay out three-wide on the train,” he said. “I was just keeping out of the kick back as a couple I had ridden earlier had responded badly to it. I was quite happy out there as he is a beautiful big horse and I was pretty confident a wee way out we would pick them up as he let down well. “He wasn’t real comfortable in it (the wet track) but he showed last season he has a good turn of foot and I think they are going to be in for a lot of fun with him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rise At Dawn in the hands of Mick Dee scored a comfortable victory at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli In-form galloper Rise At Dawn is likely to be set for a black-type assignment after notching a comfortable victory at Caulfield on Saturday. The four-year-old son of Almanzor is prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, and has now won six of his 11 starts. Ridden by Michael Dee, Rise At Dawn sat outside Keats, who led throughout and applied the pressure upon straightening to score by three-quarters of a length from Kettle Hill and Rhapsody Chic. “Keats got rolling into the bend which probably suited Rise At Dawn, having the race fitness, and that’s how he gets ridden,” Ben Hayes said. “He just gets to that high-cruising speed and holds it right to the line and he’s really gutsy at the end. “I think the mile is definitely his trip but now he’s fit, there’s so many nice options. He’s won a Benchmark 100 today and he is the fit horse on the scene. “He’s been in work a long time so we have just got to manage him run by run. “But if he pulls up well and we’re really happy with him, he probably deserves a shot at a stakes race.” Hayes suggested the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) back at Caulfield in a fortnight could be an option. “It could be suitable for him out there in front with no weight,” Hayes said. “He’s a super horse who has given his whole ownership group a really big thrill. We’ve got a long time employee in Bruno Rouge-Serret in the horse. He’s really looked after us and he taught me how to saddle horses, so it’s good to get a winner for him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Australia’s greatest ever sprint, Black Caviar. (Racing Photos) Australia’s greatest sprinter, Black Caviar, has passed away after a short battle with Laminitis. The unbeaten champion of the turf had been suffering complications due to a milk infection in recent weeks, and after giving birth to a Snitzel colt on early Saturday morning, Black Caviar was humanly euthanised at Scone Equine Hospital. Black Caviar’s connections took to X/Twitter to confirm the news and made a statement on their one-in-a-lifetime mare. “It is with deep sadness that the Madden, Hawkes, Wilkie, Taylor and Werrett families wish to advise that champion mare Black Caviar passed away peacefully today. “Black Caviar was a once-in-a-lifetime horse, most famous for her stellar racing career which saw her undefeated with 25 wins from 25 starts.” The statement went on to describe some of the wonder mare’s greatest achievements, including a win on the world stage at Royal Ascot when claiming victory in the 2012 Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m). Peter Moody spoke to the tragic loss as well, adding. “She was a remarkable horse that gave us all the ride of a lifetime and memories.” During her four years of racing, Black Caviar amassed an incredible $8 million in prizemoney to go along with her 15 Group 1 victories. Black Caviar leaves behind an incredible legacy in Australian racing. Horse racing news View the full article

Illicit Dreams winning at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae has a great record campaigning horses in the South Island and he is hoping that will continue this spring when he heads to Riccarton with Saturday winner Illicit Dreams. The well-travelled four-year-old had been in great form on her home track over winter, placing in all four of her starts, including a last start third behind Group One winner Crocetti and Group Three winner Master Fay. Rae went into Saturday’s event quietly confident, and that was duly rewarded with an all the way victory by his mare in the hands of Waikato hoop Jasmine Fawcett. “She has got a wee bit of class about her,” Rae said. “She is a lovely horse and is easy to do anything with. I have got great partners in the horse with me.” Fawcett shared Rae’s confidence heading into the race and was pleased to get home by 1.75 lengths over fellow Ruakaka runner Patricia. “She loves this track, she can gallop, and she got the job done,” Fawcett said. “She ran into a couple of nice horses last start, one of those being Crocetti, so I knew the form was really good today and she performed well.” Rae hasn’t been afraid of travelling with Illicit Dreams in the past, having campaigned in the Central Districts and Canterbury in previous seasons, winning the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton as a juvenile last year before returning to the Christchurch venue last spring where she was runner-up in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) behind Viva Vienna. The Northland horseman is now contemplating a return to Riccarton over spring with his charge, with an eye towards New Zealand Cup week. “I think I might have a shot at the Stewards (Listed, 1200m) or something like that later on, but we will just take it one race at a time,” he said. While looking forward to heading to Riccarton with Illicit Dreams once more, Rae said he would ideally like to avoid the country’s leading barn. “She travelled down to Wanganui as a two-year-old and just got beaten by Te Akau (Sky On Fire), she went down a year later to Riccarton and got beaten by Te Akau again (Viva Vienna), so when they are not in the race I have got a chance,” he quipped. Horse racing news View the full article

Justaskme winning at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) It may have taken a few more races than expected but there couldn’t have been a more fitting result for local trainer Allan Sharrock as his great mate Justaskme provided his mentor with his 1000th New Zealand win in the training ranks at New Plymouth on Saturday. Sharrock entered the day on 999 victories and was confidently expected to pick up victory in one of the opening races on the card, however, he had to play the bridesmaid role as Tisse, Bella Timing and Indian Gold all filled the runner-up position in their respective events. By the time the fifth event on the card rolled around, many were thinking this wasn’t to be Sharrock’s day; however, the nine-year-old warhorse Justaskme wasn’t having any of that, as he produced a typical dogged effort to come from last in the hands of apprentice Rihaan Goyaram to collect career win number 13 and his sixth on his home patch. Despite settling last of the nine runners, Justaskme travelled sweetly in the testing Heavy 10 track conditions on offer with Goyaram setting him alight at the 800m to circle the field out wide and hit the front turning for home. Justaskme was resolute in his desire and held all challengers at bay as he coasted home to win the Makita 1800 by just on three lengths from Soldier Boy, who chased hard down the straight, along with third-placed runner Sacred Pearl. Sharrock, who numbers 75 Group and Listed wins amongst his 1000-win tally with horses of the calibre of Grout, Kawi, Wahid, Shez Sinsational and Ladies Man, admitted he had been worried when he couldn’t take a trick earlier in the day. “He’s been a grand horse for me, my brother and one of my best mates in Kempy (Tony Kemp),” Sharrock said. “I came in here all confident and got kicked and kicked and kicked, and I thought this isn’t going the way I saw it. “I had been having a few words to the jockey (Goyaram) throughout the day and I asked him if he had done any video footage and he said to me he was going to ride him like Johnathan Parkes and be into him at the 800m and he did. “We’ll go home and watch the rugby tonight but I’d say we will have a proper event with all my friends and colleagues to celebrate.” Horse racing news View the full article

Black Caviar, Australia’s greatest sprinter, has passed away aged 17 following a battle with laminitis. View the full article

Legendary mare Black Caviar passed away peacefully on Saturday, aged 18. View the full article

Chris Waller has unearthed another potential Group 1 star. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) The Chris Waller-trained Autumn Glow ($3.10) produced a statement debut victory at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, careering away with the opening event of the program. The daughter of The Autumn Sun couldn’t have been more impressive, dispatching her rivals by 2.5 lengths, cruising past the well-supported favourite Dawn Service ($2.30) with 200m left to travel. Tyler Schiller manoeuvred the unraced three-year-old into the one-one throughout the 1300m journey, and from there, it was all over as Autumn Glow proved far too classy in the concluding stages. It comes after being a late withdrawal from Wednesday’s Kensington meeting at Randwick, with Chris Waller confirming post-race that the decision was made to head to this BM72 contest amongst concerns a Heavy surface may hinder the unraced filly. “She was entered to race last Wednesday at Randwick on the Kensington track and there was rain on the day,” said Waller. “I just wanted her to have the best possible experience. This track at Rosehill is probably one of the best in the world, it gives horses a great experience, hence the reason why racing’s so good here. “You need horses to have good experiences, so she’s had that today and she’s on her way to bigger and better things.” Waller went on to suggest they wouldn’t rush the three-year-old, but a possible Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) tilt could be on the cards. “We’ll look at how she pulls up because respecting it’s her first preparation, some horses can cope better or worse, some might take the next step, some really struggle, so that will tell us first and foremost. “We’d love to be able to get her to a Flight Stakes if we can.” After Saturday’s impressive victory, Autumn Glow has firmed into $4.50 on the second line on betting with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on October 5. Horse racing news View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. – Saturday is going to be a big day for horses being pointed to the $1.24-million GI Travers Stakes. Two key horses for the race–Dornoch (Good Magic) and Fierceness (City of Light)–had their final works switched from Friday to Saturday. They will join Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Honor Marie (Honor Code) and Batten Down (Tapit), who are all scheduled to have their final Midsummer Derby moves on Saturday. Saratoga did have some heavy rain on Thursday, but the track appeared ok on Friday morning. Danny Gargan, the trainer of GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes champ Dornoch, did not like what he saw. “We got another day (Saturday) and the weather looks beautiful,” Gargan said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Friday morning. “We just decided to wait another day.” Dornoch, who could be made the morning-line Travers favorite when the field is drawn on Sunday, will work four furlongs in company, Gargan said. “Maybe Ringy Dingy (Dialed In),” Gargan said. “She (3-year-old filly) has worked with him many, many times and she has outworked him several times. We are going to try and go :48, :49. He worked fast last week; we don't need another :47.” Two Travers horses did get their final works in on Friday. Chad Brown had unbeaten Unmatched Wisdom (Cairo Prince) work five furlongs in 1:00.41 (3/6) on the main track. He won the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga on July 24 in his last start to run his record to three-for-three. Brown, who also trains Sierra Leone, knows the Travers is a big ask for Unmatched Wisdom, but also is confident the colt has plenty of upside. “He is a beautiful horse who has high expectations,” Brown said at his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “It is a huge step jumping up to a Grade I against really seasoned 3-year-olds that are at the top of the division. He has a real tall order there. But I love bringing an undefeated horse to a race like this. He certainly hasn't learned how to lose.” Unmatched Wisdom broke his maiden by 6 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct on May 10 and then won an allowance, also at the Big A, by 5 3/4 lengths on June 24. Then he took the Curlin, going gate-to-wire. Brown though, says he does not have to be on the lead. “He won on the lead in the Curlin because there wasn't much speed in the race,” he said. “I think if he has a target, he is going to be much more effective and he should have one in this race. I do think he is sitting on a big race, and he is going to have to be because this is a big one.” The other Travers horse to work on Friday was Corporate Power (Curlin) for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. The runner-up in the Curlin went four furlongs in :47.44 (1/45) on the Oklahoma Training Track. A Cinderella Story for Carl Spackler and Chad Brown Of course, the name jumps right out at you. Especially if you are a fan of the 1980 movie “Caddyshack.” Carl Spackler was the hapless groundskeeper at Bushwood Country Club in the iconic flick and was played by Bill Murray. And it is the name of a racehorse trained by Chad Brown and owned by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds. The 4-year-old Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has won three of four starts this year, the most recent being the GI Fourstardave Handicap last Sunday. Carl Spackler heading to the winner's circle Sunday | Sarah Andrew To paraphrase Caddyshack's Carl, it was certainly a Cinderella Story. Carl's popularity swelled after that race, partly because of his name, mostly because of his ability. The Fourstardave was his first Grade I victory. “He is a fan favorite because of his name and his big, white face,” Brown said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. “He's a neat horse and he's a neat story.” His jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, is married to the former Cassidy Edwards, daughter of Bob and Kristine Edwards of e Five Racing. Carl Spackler has won three of his four career starts at Saratoga Race Course, all of them in graded stakes races. He won the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes last year and added the GIII Kelso earlier in the meet and then won the Fourstardave. Overall, Carl Spackler has six wins in nine career starts. For Brown, it was his first-ever win in the Fourstardave. He grew up in nearby Mechanicville and remembers sitting out in the picnic area with his parents and betting on the legendary Fourstardave, who won at least one race at Saratoga every year from 1987-1994. “Growing up and betting on Fourstardave with my parents was a real cool experience,” Brown said. “One of the sure bets of the meet was that that horse would win. They weren't big (bets), I was just a kid. I probably should not have been betting, but they were winners.” Casse, The Last Trainer To Run A Filly in Travers, Weighs In On Thorpedo Anna In 2018, a filly named Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro) captured the imagination of the GI Travers Stakes when she ran in the Midsummer Derby. Mark Casse with Wonder Gadot | Sarah Andrew Before the race, there were buttons made, depicting the filly as Wonder Woman, ala Gal Gadot, the actress who played the Amazon superheroine. Wonder Gadot could not back up the hype as she finished 10th–and last–in that Travers, which was won by Catholic Boy (More Than Ready). Wonder Gadot went off at odds of 11-1, the sixth choice in the wagering. Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) will be the first filly since then to try to conquer the boys in the Travers when she takes a spot in the starting gate next Saturday. “She is pretty impressive,” Casse said of Thorpedo Anna, who has won six of seven career starts by a combined 36 1/4 lengths. Casse's mind wandered back to that day in 2018 when Wonder Gadot took her shot against colts. “She didn't run very well,” Casse said. “We have had great luck with running fillies against colts, but we did not have great luck with that one. Got Stormy beat colts twice, Tepin did it all the time. Of course, those were on grass.” Wonder Gadot had beaten the boys twice in Canada, taking the prestigious Queen's Plate by 4 3/4 lengths and the Prince of Wales Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths. That gave Casse the confidence to try the Travers. It didn't work out. “You can't make horses do things they can't do,” Casse said. “The biggest thing about training horses is keeping them happy and knowing how to keep them happy. Good horses win when everything goes their way; great horses win when they don't.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: It Will Be a Crowded Work Tab For Travers Horses On Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a full-brother to multiple group winner Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). 16.05 Newbury, Mdn, £40,000, 2yo, 7fT FITZMAURICE (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) makes his debut at the track that hosted his multiple group-winning full-brother Chindit (Ire) on five occasions, with a win in the G3 Greenham Stakes and a runner-up finish in the G1 Lockinge Stakes among his efforts here. Bought by Wathnan Racing for 470,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 1, the William Haggas trainee encounters other intriguing newcomers including Ballydoyle's Aftermath (Ire) (Justify), whose dam is a full-sister to Galileo's Group 1 winners Misty For Me (Ire) and Ballydoyle (Ire); Victorious Racing's 500,000gns fellow Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase Into Combat (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a Ralph Beckett-trained son of a half to Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}); and Juddmonte's Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a Harry Charlton-trained son of the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) whose best progeny so far is Dubawi's multiple group-winning sire Time Test (GB). 16.16 Doncaster, Novice, £25,000, 2yo, 7f 6yT CHANCELLOR (GB) (Kingman {GB}) bids to get back on track as the Gosdens look to restore his confidence after a deflating third when the hot favourite in Ascot's Listed Pat Eddery Stakes last month. Cheveley Park Stud's son of their GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}) had dazzled on debut to join his sire's long list of TDN Rising Stars and while he was overturned on the King George card he lost a front shoe and that form has been boosted this week by New Century (GB) (Kameko). The post Wathnan’s 470k Brother To Chindit Starts At Newbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite coming from a relatively small pool of Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, recent winners from the King's Plate (run as the Queen's Plate from 1952-2022) continue to distinguish themselves in the graded stakes ranks.View the full article