Wandering Eyes

Highview Stud stallion Wrote continues to show his versatility with a pair of notable winners in Hong Kong this week. The sire of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous was represented by impressive three-year-old debutant Fast Network, who won the Class 4 Chai Wai Road Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin last Saturday for Dennis Yip. The gelding was the well supported favourite on the strength of strong trial performances and his easy length and a half victory came as no surprise to his trainer. “He trialled very good and also in New Zealand, his trial was very good. I was watching the trial and I thought ‘we must buy this horse’. He’s done the job. Hopefully he will keep improving and I think for the future, later he will stay longer. Right now, he’s just learning,” Yip said. Wrote was also represented by a winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday via the Tony Cruz-trained Flying Wrote. After two encouraging runs to start his career, three-year-old Flying Wrote broke through when he led all the way to fight off Travel Golf by a neck in the Class 4 Dianthus Handicap (1200m). “He has had six runners for five individual winners in Hong Kong,” Highview Stud’s Brent Gillovic said. “Fast Network had his first trip to the races and was impressive winning with his ears pricked and last night Flying Wrote had his third start after a couple of promising efforts and led all the way over 1200m. “Chill Chibi has won four races for Danny Shum and came from a mile back to run fourth in the Derby and I thought his effort to come from last to run fifth in a stop-start Class 2 last night was full of merit. He is a highly promising horse and was having his first run back since the Derby.” Three-year-old Flying Wrote winning under lights at Happy Valley Photo: HKRW A Group One winning son of High Chaparral, Wrote will stand for $8,000+GST this season. “They are on fire in Hong Kong. In fact they are on fire everywhere,” Gillovic said. “He has had a great season including an Oaks winner in Pulchritudinous and Wrote To Arataki won the Tristarc (Gr.2, 1400m). “He is the best value stallion in New Zealand. He is a serious upgrader and what a job he has done. “You only have to look at his sale results to see that the market is very fond of his stock. His yearlings averaged $71,000 in Book 2 at Karaka this year off a $5,000 service fee and they sold up to $290,000 at last year’s Ready To Run Sale. “Anybody who is sitting on a Wrote can be very chirpy, put it that way.” Gillovic said he had enjoyed good enquiries from breeders keen to utilise Wrote, whose highlight victory came in the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (1600m). “The response from breeders has been very positive and he will cover a lot more mares than last year, where he had a little bit of a lull,” Gillovic said. He was going through a bit of a quiet patch like all stallions, but man alive since mid-November last year until now he has been on a roll.” The master of Highview is not surprised to see Wrote’s stock excel in the melting-pot of Hong Kong in addition to Australia and New Zealand. “They are nice horses full stop. They’re good looking, correct with great temperaments and they have a bit of speed,” he said. “For a son of High Chaparral he certainly leaves horses that can get along a bit. They are versatile. Some sprint, some stay. It probably comes down to the mare to be fair.” View the full article

Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan is hoping he can get his hand in the till once more this weekend with his top jumper Berry The Cash who will contest the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m) at Te Rapa. The seven-year-old gelding has been in a purple patch of form, placing first-up over 2200m at Waverley before winning over the same distance at Woodville, and was first past the post in the Manawatu Hurdle (3000m) last start. He will head north to Hamilton this week where he will be met by some stiff opposition, including last year’s winner Nedwin. “Nedwin is obviously a good horse, it is quite a nice field,” Oulaghan said. “We are pretty happy with the way he is. He has done everything right, so he should put in a good show on Saturday.” Berry The Cash will be joined on the float trip north by stablemates Dal Kilchoan and Super Spirit, who will contest the SVS Starting Gates Hurdle (2800m) and Waikato/BOP Racehorse Owners’ Association Steeplechase (3900m) respectively. “Dal Kilchoan has won a steeplechase, but we are just kicking him off, it is just a conditioning run for him in the maiden hurdle,” Oulaghan said. “The other horse (Super Spirit), if he jumps okay, he should go well.” Closer to home, Oulaghan will head to Trentham on Saturday with two runners, including Pinkerton in the Baxters Catering 1600 and Semper Magico in the Hallmark & Stone Parliamentary Handicap (2200m). Pinkerton has won two of his three starts this preparation, while Semper Magico will be looking to recapture some form. “If the track is loose down there it will suit them, but if it is puggy, it won’t be quite their thing. There is a bit of rain forecast for tomorrow (Friday), so that will help them,” Oulaghan said. “Pinkerton is a good back runner and usually runs on strongly.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing has once again been a dominant force this season, aided in no small part by their Riccarton barn, which notched up its 66th win for the season at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday courtesy of Sorcher. Tardily away from the barriers, the four-year-old mare quickly made up lost ground to settle at the rear of the field for jockey Warren Kennedy. Stablemate Fellini set a strong tempo up from, while Kennedy bided his time at the back of the pack. Turning for home the pair had a wall of horses in front of them, but Kennedy was able to find room out wide where Sorcha was able to show a good turn of foot late to capture the lead and score a two-length victory. The daughter of Burgundy had placed on the surface in her two prior outings and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were pleased to see her get the chocolates on Thursday. “It was a really good win and just shows how she’s come of age this season,” Walker said. “She’s strengthened up and just racing so consistently. It’s always extra special to win with a horse that is bred at the farm (Te Akau Stud) and she’s doing a good job. “We think that next season, because of the ability and consistency she’s shown, that she can prove competitive at black type level in stakes races. “She can handle both the polytrack and turf, again showing her versatility, and she won in a really strong manner today.” Bred by Glenn and Cathie Holmes and Te Akau Stud, and owned in conjunction with Paul Martin, Sorcha is the year older sister to stablemate Cu Chulainn, who won two from four and stakes placed in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) last season. Te Akau Racing principal has been rapt with the season to date and the success that has come out of their Riccarton barn, which is overseen by Hunter Durrant and Ashley Handley. “Hunter and Ashley have done a fantastic job for Mark and Sam with the staff and horses at the stables at Riccarton,” Ellis said. “We’ve often found that horses we send down really thrive in the South Island. We’ve had a lot of success at Riccarton, winning the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) seven times, and the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) six times, as well as winning other stakes races, and we love supporting South Island racing.” View the full article

Bargain buy Dusty Road continues to reward his connections and another top showing is expected from the talented performer this weekend. The genuine son of Shamexpress will bid to further his record for trainer Graeme Cameron, who races the four-year-old with his wife Jacky, in the Mike Stent Decorators Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Dusty Road has been out twice on his current campaign and following a resuming second, he finished a gallant runner-behind last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) Pier at Te Aroha. “He’s really at the top of his game and came through his last run well and just gone ahead in leaps and bounds,” Graeme Cameron said. “I can’t believe how well he is at the moment, he’s at peak fitness. He had a run along on Wednesday morning and he was brilliant. “It will be another top field on Saturday and he’s up with the big boys, he’s got the points and put himself right there.” Dusty Road was purchased as a yearling for $4,000 in a private deal struck by Cameron with the horse’s iconic breeder, the late Sir Patrick Hogan. “He’s a real beauty and we’re enjoying him so much, it’s unbelievable fun,” he said. “It’s hard to get a good one and I think he’s one of a lifetime.” Dusty Road is from proven Cambridge Stud stock and is the first foal of Valotia, a daughter of the nursery’s former shuttle stallion Cape Blanco. Valotia is out of the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) winner Singalong who was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Saturday’s outing will continue the path of Dusty Road, a three-time winner of nearly $90,000, toward a likely tilt at next month’s Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m). “I’m thinking about heading to the Cup, I was going to that series at Whangarei but he might not handle that track and believe he’ll prefer New Plymouth,” Cameron said. “Hopefully, he keeps going forward so we can have a crack at some bigger races with him.” Dusty Road will be ridden in his Te Rapa assignment by Jasmine Fawcett, who had partnered him in his last two appearances and they combined last spring to win an open handicap at Tauranga. “Jasmine is on him again, I can’t get her off,” Cameron said. “She knows the horse and gets on really well with him so I’m happy to have her. She does a good job and she’s flying too.” View the full article

Star jumping stablemates The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) and Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) will have to cope with the heftiest of imposts on Saturday if they are to repeat their Te Rapa heroics of 12 months ago. The Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal-trained pair will both have to lump the maximum topweights of 73kg in the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdles (3200m) in their respective title defences. The Cossack was a dominant winner a year ago with 68.5kg and has coped admirably with more weight in the past, albeit over the smaller fences. “He’s carried it before, Nedwin hasn’t yet, over hurdles and he seems to have come up well again,” Nelson said. “If he’s not competitive with it (over steeples) then it’s probably not going to get any better for him.” Two winters ago, The Cossack comfortably won both the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) and KS Browne Hurdle (3100m) under 73kg. The 10-year-old, who will be partnered by Hamish McNeill, has won four of his seven starts over the big fences and goes into Saturday’s contest off the back of an unplaced flat outing in the Woodville Cup (2100m). “We were a bit behind, but I think we have caught up,” Nelson said. “We usually have quite a few jump-outs here and that helps get them ready, but we haven’t had them much at all at Hawke’s Bay with the track reconstruction.” Nelson will lock in The Cossack’s next appearances after the weekend with Trentham the most likely port of call. “We’ll probably got to Wellington after this if we’re happy, I’m not sure about the National and we’ll wait and see how he goes,” he said. Barnmate and past Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) placegetter The Anarchist (NZ) (Raise The Flag) will also go around in the Waikato Steeples following a late-closing fifth over the big jumps when resuming last month off an 11-month break. “He is as tough as old boots and was very good at Hawera,” Nelson said. “It’s taken a long time, but I think he’s learned to be a racehorse.” Nick Downs will guide The Anarchist’s fortunes and will also be aboard Nedwin, who carried 70kg to victory 12 months ago. “I’m happy with him but it’s been a bit unfortunate for him because he hasn’t had the lead-up races like last year,” Nelson said. “He won a couple on the flat when the tracks were wetter and this year we haven’t struck a proper wet track so hopefully we get one of those on Saturday.” Nedwin has won six of his 10 starts over the smaller fences, including last season’s Great Northern Hurdle (4200m), and is likely to take on a new role this winter. “I would be considering a steeplechase for him at some stage this time around,” Nelson said. View the full article

Fresh off the high of winning a A$500,000 race in Brisbane with their star mare La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos), Simon and Katrina Alexander are hoping to keep their winning run going when they head to Trentham on Saturday. They will trek down State Highway One with their promising three-year-old filly Cornelia (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who will be first-up in the TAB Odds Surge Every Race At Trentham 3YO 1000. The daughter of Swiss Ace has had just two starts to date, winning on debut over 1100m at Taupo last December before finishing third over 1200m at Pukekohe a month later. She has enjoyed some time in the paddock and pleased with her resuming trial last month where she was runner-up at Te Awamutu in her 850m heat. The Waikato couple are confident heading into Saturday, with the track rated a Heavy10 on Wednesday, and she will have the benefit of apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland’s one kilogram claim. “She should go well,” Katrina Alexander said. “I think conditions will be favourable to her down there. She has had enough race day experience, and she did some very tough racing last time in. “Her trial here was nice enough without asking her a hell of a lot. She has trained on super and is quite a forward horse. “I know it is a little bit different going in a straight line down there for some of them and going down the chute for the first time can catch them out. “We haven’t had an opportunity to race her against three-year-olds so it will be nice to be able to do that, albeit at this end of the season before we are forced into that more open company. There wasn’t much around for her other than that race down there, so hopefully that goes to plan for her. “She is a powerful horse that loves the wet conditions. The sprint distance is definitely suitable for her. I am looking forward to kicking her off there.” It will be Cornelia’s furthest trip away from home, but Alexander believes her quirky filly will handle the trip and is hoping it will bring her on in maturity ahead of her four-year-old season. “She is a really quirky filly in and around the stable, she is hard work,” Alexander said. “She travels really relaxed to the races and she is a nicer animal to work with when she is out and about than in her normal routine where she likes to call the shots. “I am not too worried about travelling her, I think it will do her good. I think she is a handy horse that can progress and get to open class. If we tick the travel box early on, we will be able to plan more forward for her. “She is generally a very good horse in the feed bin, she carries condition well, and I don’t think the trip should upset her too much.” Cornelia is rated a $4.40 equal second favourite for the race with TAB bookmakers alongside Arcachon (NZ) (Pierro), with Te Akau Racing’s Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and even money favourite. View the full article

Sorcher winning at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday. Photo: Race Images South Te Akau Racing has once again been a dominant force this season, aided in no small part by their Riccarton barn, which notched up its 66th win for the season at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday courtesy of Sorcher. Tardily away from the barriers, the four-year-old mare quickly made up lost ground to settle at the rear of the field for jockey Warren Kennedy. Stablemate Fellini set a strong tempo up front, while Kennedy bided his time at the back of the pack. Turning for home the pair had a wall of horses in front of them, but Kennedy was able to find room out wide where Sorcha was able to show a good turn of foot late to capture the lead and score a two-length victory. The daughter of Burgundy had placed on the surface in her two prior outings and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were pleased to see her get the chocolates on Thursday. “It was a really good win and just shows how she’s come of age this season,” Walker said. “She’s strengthened up and just racing so consistently. It’s always extra special to win with a horse that is bred at the farm (Te Akau Stud) and she’s doing a good job. “We think that next season, because of the ability and consistency she’s shown, that she can prove competitive at black type level in stakes races. “She can handle both the polytrack and turf, again showing her versatility, and she won in a really strong manner today.” Bred by Glenn and Cathie Holmes and Te Akau Stud, and owned in conjunction with Paul Martin, Sorcha is the year older sister to stablemate Cu Chulainn, who won two from four and stakes placed in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) last season. Te Akau Racing principal has been rapt with the season to date and the success that has come out of their Riccarton barn, which is overseen by Hunter Durrant and Ashley Handley. “Hunter and Ashley have done a fantastic job for Mark and Sam with the staff and horses at the stables at Riccarton,” Ellis said. “We’ve often found that horses we send down really thrive in the South Island. We’ve had a lot of success at Riccarton, winning the 2000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) seven times, and the 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) six times, as well as winning other stakes races, and we love supporting South Island racing.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Strickland Stakes Day Where Belmont Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, June 15, 2024 First Race 11:24am AWST Visit Dabble The Group 3 Strickland Stakes will headline the nine-race program at Belmont Park this Saturday afternoon, with racing scheduled to kick off at 11:24am AWST. The track was rated as a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, but with no rain forecast before the meeting, it is expected that the surface will improve into the Good range. The rail will be pushed out to the +10m position for the entire circuit, which should allow the track to play favourably for on-speed runners. Strickland Stakes Tip: Marocchino Although Marrochino finished sixth and was beaten by 2.9 lengths in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes over 1600m, the Lou Luciani-trained gelding will appreciate a rise in trip to 2000m third-up. With no other speed influence in the race, Troy Turner will be able to take up the lead, run the race to suit himself, and gradually lift the tempo in the final 800m. If Marocchino isn’t pressured mid-race and is allowed to get his own way out in front, he will give them all something to chase in the home straight. Strickland Stakes Race 8 – #2 Marrochino (6) 7yo Gelding | T: Lou Luciani | J: Troy Turner (59kg) +450 with Bet365 Best Bet at Belmont: Oly’s Choice After recording a hat-trick of victories at this track over 1600m last start, Oly’s Choice will be seeking to continue his winning streak over slightly further here. The son of Demerit was made to settle three-wide midfield in his most recent start, but still proved too strong at the end of the race as he raced away with a dominant one-length win. From barrier two, William Pike can settle midfield off the rail, and if he shows the same turn of foot from the 300m mark, Oly’s Choice will win again. Best Bet Race 3 – #5 Oly’s Choice (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: William Pike (57.5kg) +120 with Neds Next Best at Belmont: Super Romani Super Romani kicked off this preparation over 1600m and was very good when finishing second behind Here For Cheques at Ascot on May 1. However, the Daniel & Ben Pearce-trained gelding stepped up in trip to 1800m and didn’t run the race out well, recording a disappointing seventh of 11. Now that the son of Super One is third-up (2:1-1-0) and gains the services of William Pike, who jumps off the race favourite to ride this guy, he should be much fitter and ready to win here at a good price with online bookmakers. Next Best Race 5 – #3 Super Romani (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: William Pike (60kg) +600 with PlayUp Best Value at Belmont: Our Rocky Bay Our Rocky Bay ran home nicely from midfield first-up over 1000m at this track on June 8 to finish third, where the Ted Martinovich-trained gelding finished 2.5 lengths off the front-running winner. This son of Awesome Rock found 1000m way too short, and with him rising in trip to 1200m second-up, it is expected that he will only improve off that performance. Brandon Louis can push forward from barrier six to settle in the one-one position, and if he gets into clear air with 300m to go, Our Rocky Bay will prove hard to hold out. Best Value Race 6 – #4 Our Rocky Bay (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Ted Martinovich | J: Brandon Louis (57kg) +850 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Belmont races Belmont quadrella selections Saturday, June 15, 2024 1-4-5-6-9 1-4-6-7-11 1-2-7 7-8-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Stradbroke Handicap Day 2024 Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, June 15, 2024 First Race 11:43am AEST Visit Dabble The Brisbane Racing Club will host its marquee raceday at Eagle Farm this Saturday, with all races to be run at Listed or Group level. The nine-race program will be headlined by the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap and J.J. Atkins. With fine weather forecast for the week and on Saturday, the track is expected to stay in the Good range for the whole meeting. The rail will be pushed out to the +4.5m position for the entire circuit, with the meeting scheduled to kick off at 11:43am AEST. Race 1: Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) Following a similar path as his stablemate Antino did last year, Freedom Rally will have to settle for the Listed Wayne Wilson as a consolation to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap after just missing a start in the field. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding will drop back from Group 1 grade to Listed company after finishing fourth in the Kingsford-Smith Cup last start. James McDonald has been booked for the ride, and if he jumps with the rest of the field, Freedom Rally should prove too classy for his rivals here. Selections: 1 FREEDOM RALLY 7 POISON CHALICE 4 COASTWATCH 5 IKNOWASTAR Next Best Race 1 – #1 Freedom Rally (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: James McDonald (59kg) -105.26 with PlayUp Race 2: Listed Mark Hinkler Handicap (1200m) Pereille couldn’t have been more impressive when winning by a massive four lengths at the Sunshine Coast first-up as the James Cummings-trained gelding ran on from midfield before careering away with an easy win. This four-year-old gelding will appreciate the bigger track at Eagle Farm, and with all four of his wins coming at 1200m, staying at the trip will also suit him. The son of Fastnet Rock will reconnect with James McDonald once again, and if he is within four lengths of the leaders turning for home, Pereille will prove extremely difficult to hold out. Selections: 5 PEREILLE 8 MISS HELLFIRE 14 NASHIRA 10 MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO Best Bet Race 2 – #5 Pereille (11) 4yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (56.5kg) +110 with Betfair Race 3: Listed Oxlade Stakes (1300m) Annabel Neasham and Tom Sherry will combine with Depth Of Character for the second straight start following an ultra-impressive debut at Canterbury, when the two-year-old colt ran home powerfully from last to claim a soft one-length victory over 1250m. The son of Deep Field was still last before the home turn, and he showed a blistering turn of foot to pick up the leaders with 50m to go and pulled away under light riding. At +1000 with online bookmakers, Depth Of Character looks to be a great chance to keep his unbeaten record intact. Selections: 5 DEPTH OF CHARACTER 8 DON’T FORGET JACK 1 EMBASSY 6 MEGASTAR HEART Best Value Race 3 – #5 Depth Of Character (3) 2yo Colt | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Tom Sherry (57kg) +1000 with Boombet Race 4: Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) Daniel Stackhouse heads to Eagle Farm for three rides on Saturday, with Amade appearing to be his best of the lot in the Brisbane Cup. The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding showed his class over this trip in the Listed Sandown Cup last start, as he ran home from last to record an easy 1.8-length victory over Ferago on June 2. This son of Casameton is well known for missing the start and settling near the rear of the field, but if he can show his customary turn of foot late, he will play a prominent role in the finish. Selections: 2 AMADE 7 MOSTLY CLOUDY 5 ALEGRON 3 SELINO Brisbane Cup Race 4 – #2 Amade (7) 10yo Gelding | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Daniel Stackhouse (58.5kg) +380 with Dabble Race 5: Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) Chrysaor has been hitting the line strongly in his two runs back this preparation, and even though he was beaten by 2.8 lengths last start over 1400m, the Chris Waller-trained gelding made up significant ground from the back of the field. Rising to 1600m third-up looks to be the recipe for success for this three-year-old gelding, and the Gunsynd Classic appears to be his target race. Tommy Berry will have to settle at the back of the field, but with good speed expected in this race, Chrysoar will get his chance to finish off down the outside late. Selections: 1 CHRYSAOR 3 RAZORS 9 GERIATRIX 6 INVINCIBLE SPY Gunsynd Classic Race 5 – #1 Chrysaor (18) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (57kg) +900 with Unibet Race 6: Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) If Broadsiding wasn’t considered the best two-year-old in the country before his breathtaking victory in the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes last start, he definitely should be now. The two-year-old colt claimed his third straight victory as he dropped back from the 1600m of his Group 1 Champagne Stakes win to 1400m in the Sires’ Produce and showed his class by winning by a length over Zouna. James McDonald gets back on board the son of Too Darn Hot, and from barrier two, Broadsiding will get the run of the race and should prove too good once again. Selections: 1 BROADSIDING 2 ZOUNA 10 MR ARTEMISIA 6 IMPERIALIST J.J. Atkins Race 6 – #1 Broadsiding (2) 2yo Colt | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (57kg) -142.86 with Bet365 Race 7: Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) Coeur Volante produced a solid fresh run in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes at this track over 1200m when the Mike Moroney-trained filly recorded the fastest last 200m section of the race. This daughter of Proisir settled worse than midfield and did very well to pick her way through the pack to run home strongly down the outside to finish fourth. Blake Shinn will have his work cut out for him from barrier 11, but if he can find a back to follow around the home turn, Coeur Volante’s class and turn of foot should give her every chance to figure in the finish. Selections: 6 COEUR VOLANTE 1 ROOTS 3 COMRADE ROSA 9 CHINNY BOOM Dane Ripper Stakes Race 7 – #6 Coeur Volante (11) 3yo Filly | T: Mike Moroney | J: Blake Shinn (56.5kg) +450 with Neds Race 8: Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) The $3 million Stradbroke Handicap will be the feature race at Eagle Farm, and as usual, the betting is wide open with top horse racing betting sites, with the James Cummings-trained Vilana holding favouritism. With last year’s winner, Think About It, not returning to defend his crown, who will etch their name into Stradbroke history by claiming the 2024 edition of the 1400m contest? Check out HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 Stradbroke Handicap here. Race 9: Group 2 Q22 (2200m) It is hard to go past Fawkner Park in the final race of the day following his slashing run in the Group 1 Doomben Cup over 2000m, when the Annabel Neasham-trained gelding ran home strongly to finish third. Although this will be his first run at Eagle Farm and 2200m, it is expected that the son of Zoffany will appreciate the conditions, and from barrier three, Tyler Schiller can settle closer to the speed and allow Fawkner Park to let down with a strong finish. Selections: 15 FAWKNER PARK 13 HEZASHOCKA 6 ADELAIDE RIVER 4 BOIS D’ARGENT Q22 Race 9 – #15 Fawkner Park (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Tyler Schiller (59kg) +320 with Picklebet Eagle Farm free Saturday quaddie tips Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, June 15, 2024 1 1-3-4-6-9 1-2-3-6-7-8 4-6-13-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

The stage is set for another two-mile showdown in the 2024 Brisbane Cup this Saturday at Eagle Farm Racecourse. A competitive field of 11 contenders will vie for the $400,000 Group 2 prize, with the European import Mostly Cloudy leading the charge. Trained by Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young, Mostly Cloudy sits atop the Brisbane […] The post Mostly Cloudy Poised to Shine in Brisbane Cup 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Race 5 THE TELE OTAKI HANDICAP 1200m BARZETTI (K Hercock) – Trainer Mr. M Eales reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, in his opinion BARZETTI was unsuited to the Soft 6. The post Otaki Maori Racing Club @ Otaki, Saturday 8 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 9 MARSDEN MARINE SUPPLIES 1600m ALADDIN SANE (V Colgan) – Co-trainer Mr. R Wellwood advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of gelding, however, ALADDIN SANE has now been sent for a spell. The post Whangarei Racing Club @ Ruakaka, Saturday 8 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 1 THE UNDERBELLY TITO TRANSPORT LTD MAIDEN 2000m KEEN ON BUBBLES (E Sole) – Trainer Mr. J Wheeler reported to Stewards, the mare has been treated for a viral infection with the appropriate medication. He added the intention is to continue with KEEN ON BUBBLES current preparation. The post Taranaki TRI @ New Plymouth Raceway, Thursday 6 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Veteran handler pins hopes of taking championship lead on emerging duo at Sha Tin meetingView the full article

The curtain closes on Stradbroke Handicap Day in Brisbane this Saturday with the $1.2 million Group 2 The Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm. A talented field of weight-for-age contenders is set for battle, with Annabel Neasham‘s stable holding a strong hand. Fawkner Park sits atop the betting charts at $4 through Ladbrokes, aiming to improve […] The post Neasham Stables Poised for Domination in The Q22 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The stage is set for a wide-open Stradbroke Handicap 2024 this Saturday at Eagle Farm Racecourse. The $3 million Group 1 race (1400m) is Queensland’s biggest racing event, and this year’s edition promises to be a thrilling contest. Tuesday’s barrier draw threw a wrench into pre-race predictions, with several top contenders landing unfavourable outside positions. […] The post 2024 Stradbroke Handicap Set for a Wide-Open Race at Eagle Farm appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Damien Oliver returns to the mounting yard on Maximillius after winning at Moonee Valley. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Kyneton trainer Michael Jones is aiming for his first city win and is hopeful that Inglis Digital purchase Maximillius will bring him success in the Benchmark 84 (1000m) at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday. Bought for $22,500, the former Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding was initially being prepped to regain his ‘ticket’ to race after having issues at the barriers. However, Jones noted that Maximillius has been showing promising signs in trackwork and trials, prompting him to give the gelding a run to recoup some of his purchase price. Jones and his partner Ashleigh have four horses in training and can’t afford to buy top-notch yearlings or highly credentialed horses. They were surprised Maximillius went for such a low price. “Mick Kent Jnr said when I spoke to him that he was worthwhile having a go with,” Jones said. “We thought he would go for a lot more money than that. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you get it wrong. “We’ve only got four in work, and that fluctuates between two and six, and I work full-time as well. “With my partner Ashleigh, we do it all ourselves. We both do the horses in the morning, and she does them in the afternoon, so there are some pretty long days.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sir Lucan on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the 2023 Geelong Cup. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Co-trainer Adrian Bott remains optimistic about Sir Lucan, confident the gelding can recover from his disappointing performance in last weekend’s Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) as he competes in Saturday’s Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill. Bott acknowledged that Sir Lucan’s recent run was not what the stable had expected, but he believes there were mitigating factors. “He might not have enjoyed the really heavy conditions on Saturday, that may have just found him out,” said Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse. “He did have to do a bit of work early from a wide draw, and he may be looking for the 2400 metres now, so I can find a few excuses for him. “He looks well placed here, so I’d try to be forgiving of that last start, if anything.” Horse racing news View the full article

Here To Shock (outside) ridden by Michael Dee has taken out the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben. Photo: Darren Winningham Lindsay Park, with Regan Bayliss, famously won the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1200m) with Redkirk Warrior in 2017 and 2018. Bayliss will aim to secure another Group 1 victory for the stable as he rides Here To Shock in Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm. A winner of nine of his 29 starts, Here To Shock claimed the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 6 and recently won the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on May 25. Ben Hayes stated that the gelding has trained brilliantly since that victory. “We’re very happy with him. He’s been training well. He’s done everything right,” Hayes said. “He’s well-weighted and he’s drawn a good gate. He’s three weeks into the race and it has been a long-range plan for us to get him there. “He’s a horse in form and he’ll run well.” Here To Shock is listed as a +1900 winning hope with horse racing betting sites and will jump from barrier one. Horse racing news View the full article

Vilana ridden by James McDonald takes out the Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham James Cummings is confident that Vilana’s recent victory in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) sets him up perfectly for Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm. The five-year-old drew gate 14 in the barrier draw, firming into outright favouritism at +450 with horse racing bookmakers as of Thursday morning. This will be Vilana’s third attempt in the $3 million contest, having finished eighth in 2022 and tenth last year. “He was dynamic in that race and he really let go, it was a resounding victory there,” Cummings told Racing Queensland regarding Vilana’s Moreton Cup triumph. “He’s perfectly fit, he dropped back in distance to win that Moreton Cup and he steps back up to the seven furlongs in the Stradbroke in good shape. “He pulled up amazing…he was licking his lips coming off the track this morning looking good. “We’re satisfied to accept with a horse on the backup and we’d like to give the horse another opportunity to see if he can go a little closer.” Horse racing news View the full article

Caspar Fownes celebrates his 600th Happy Valley win. Caspar Fownes reached another towering Happy Valley milestone on Wednesday night with a record-extending 600th victory at the city circuit as Angus Chung bolstered hopes of clinching the Tony Cruz Award for the leading home-grown Hong Kong jockey with a double. Four-time Hong Kong champion Fownes – revered as the ‘King of the Valley’ for his success at Happy Valley – clocked up his 600th win with Charming Steed’s win. Well rated by apprentice Ellis Wong, the Hong Kong International Sale graduate slotted his second win from his past three attempts – at his 15th start of the season. Fownes, who has also saddled 510 wins at Sha Tin for a career haul of 1,110, was delighted at reaching the 600-win mark. “It’s massive, it’s such a big number and I’m going to keep on building on that over the next few years, hopefully, and I’m very happy,” Fownes said. “I’ve had a lot of support from my owners, my family and my stable staff. It’s wonderful.” Fownes has saddled more winners at Happy Valley than any other trainer since the advent of professional racing in Hong Kong in 1971/72, having previously eclipsed John Moore’s record of 530 wins at the track. Chung and Cruz combined with a double with Flying Wrote and Outgate as Chung edged closer to clinching the Tony Cruz Award. The 27-year-old has 46 wins for the campaign, 12 more than Vincent Ho with only eight meetings left in the season. “I’m looking for that (Tony Cruz Award) and hopefully I’m keeping the performance and at the end of the season I can still be leading the Tony Cruz Award,” Chung said after partnering Outgate to victory in the Class 2 EWO Challenge Trophy Handicap (1650m). “Very happy (with the double). Outgate is in very good form. I expected the pace would be quicker but I trusted the horse and waited for the last part and the sprint and he did very well.” A four-time winner in England before exporting to Hong Kong, Outgate took time to adjust to his new surroundings. “He’s still quite lightly-raced and if you look back at his early days in Hong Kong he always had problems and health issues,” Cruz said. “He was a horse who was always going to bloom late because he didn’t acclimatise straight away. Now he’s an improving horse and there’s still improvement to come – Group 3 maybe is the maximum for him.” Cruz and Chung also scored with Flying Wrote before Cruz moved into third place in the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship behind Pierre Ng (61) and Francis Lui (61) with 53 wins following Red Hare King’s success for Hugh Bowman in the Class 3 Chamomile Handicap (1650m). Bowman also struck with Danny Shum-trained Comet Splendido to post his second course and distance victory before Lucky Archangel snared the Class 3 Thistle Handicap (1200m) under Matthew Poon for Frankie Lor. Keith Yeung strengthened his successful association with Chris So-trained Jubilation when gelding charged from last on the turn after pre-race plans were thrown into disarray with a sluggish start. “He’s a lovely horse, very, very honest and always gives his best,” said Yeung, who has been aboard the gelding in all five of his Hong Kong wins. “He didn’t jump well today. We were planning to go forward, maybe as a leader or just behind the leader. “But he was awkward out of the gate, so I decided to take him back and just switch him off and he responded really well at the top of the straight and he got them nicely.” Red Elegance surged late under Matthew Chadwick for Chief Stipelas Whyte before Youthful Spirits claimed a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with a strong performance under Zac Purton for Mark Newnham. Horse racing news View the full article

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has released a statement following the broadcasting of an RTE Investigates documentary “Horses: Making a Killing”, focusing on what happens to Irish racehorses upon their retirement. The HRI's statement read: “The Board, management and staff of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) are deeply shocked and appalled by the content of the RTE Investigates documentary broadcast on RTE 1 tonight. “The criminal behaviour depicted in the RTE documentary is disgusting and is not the experience of the vast majority of the 30,000 people who make their livelihood in the horse racing and breeding industry in Ireland. “HRI has zero tolerance for mistreatment of horses in any circumstance and criminal and regulatory sanction must be imposed on anyone found to have behaved in an illegal way towards horses. “Equine safety and care is HRI's top priority, and this year HRI will invest €16.1 million in welfare and integrity services. The thoroughbred horse is enshrined in Irish and EU law. Significant legal and regulatory checks and balances are in place for thoroughbred horses from birth through their racing career and life cycle. “HRI will review the issues raised in the RTE documentary and will actively support any Department of Agriculture or Garda investigation, and urge anyone with information about mistreatment of horses to report it to An Garda Siochana.” The post HRI Issues Statement In Response To RTE Investigates Documentary appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

OCALA, FL – The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training opened with a steady session and figures largely in line with the auction's opening session in 2023. “It was a solid opening session with results on par with last year,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “We have two more days to go and there are lots of good horses left.” From a catalogue of 350 juveniles, 259 horses were offered Wednesday with 173 selling for a gross of $6,825,500. The session average was $39,454 and the median was $21,000. During last year's opening session, 192 horses grossed $7,110,400 for an average of $37,033 and a median of $20,000. With 86 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 33.2% Wednesday. It was 27.8% a year ago. A filly by Tiz the Law brought the top price of Wednesday's session, selling for $400,000 to Bill Childs. The juvenile was consigned by Tom McCrocklin, who topped the OBS Spring sale two months ago with another first-crop daughter of the GI Belmont S. victor who sold for $1.9 million to Michael Lund Petersen. Tom McCrocklin | Photos by Z The session topper was one of six to top the $200,000 mark Wednesday. There were three–including the $450,000 session topper–to hit that mark during last year's opening session. Asked if he was satisfied by the number of buyers on the grounds, Wojciechowski said, “You always want to see more activity on the grounds. But we see a lot of online activity–that seems to be a thing of the future. And I think maybe people don't come onto the grounds as early as they used to because of the amount of data that we are giving them–under-tack previews, walking videos, pictures. A lot of people are becoming very comfortable using that as a good, at least, first start.” The OBS June sale continues through Friday with sessions beginning each day at 10 a.m. Childs Strikes for Tiz the Law Filly Bill Childs, who has been an active buyer all spring, had one more filly to add to his stable before transitioning from the sales ring to the racetrack, purchasing a daughter of Tiz the Law (hip 187) for $400,000 Wednesday at OBS. The juvenile, consigned by Tom McCrocklin, was making her second trip through the ring this spring after RNA'ing for $190,000 at the OBS April sale. Bill Childs | Photos by Z “We loved her in the last sale,” Childs said. “She worked fast then, she worked fast this time. It's a good family. She just fits the mold of what we are trying to find.” The dark bay filly worked a quarter-mile in a bullet :20 2/5 during last week's under-tack preview for the auction. Out of Southern Silence (Dixie Union), she is a half-sister to stakes winners Liberate (Gemologist) and Esplanade (Daredevil) and was purchased by Mustang Farms for $80,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. McCrocklin has had success with fillies from Tiz the Law's first crop. The consignor, who said he purchased hip 187 after she RNA'd in April, sold the $1.9-million sale topper by the GI Belmont S. winner at that auction. Childs said the filly was the last juvenile on his to-do list at the sale. “I am done. I have had enough,” he said with a laugh. “We have more fillies than we planned on this year, but we like the ones we have.” Childs will be heading west to watch his Midland Money (Shancelot), a $650,000 purchase at the OBS March sale, debut at Santa Anita with trainer Bob Baffert. “We like him,” Childs said of the colt. “Bob has a Win Win Win filly [Zedan Racing's $1.8-million Nooni] who starts tomorrow. And then he has a Tiz the Law filly [$1.9-million OBS April topper] that he likes real well. We kind of like them.” Also at OBS this spring, Childs purchased a filly by McKinzie (hip 1143) for $600,000 at the Spring sale and a colt by that Gainesway stallion (hip 89) for $$750,000 at the March sale. The post $400,000 Tiz the Law Filly Leads the Way at OBS June Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Adhamo, winless in seven starts since taking the 2022 United Nations Stakes (G1T) at Monmouth Park, returns to the Jersey Shore June 15 with his connections' hopes of regaining his best form.View the full article

Liss House had cause to celebrate again at the conclusion of the second and final session of the Goffs Arkle Sale Part 1 on Wednesday, having sold a gelding by Tunis (Pol) to Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins for €210,000. That followed the consignor's other significant result during Tuesday's opening session when Ian Ferguson purchased their gelding by No Risk At All (Fr) for €160,000. Already named Leader Des Bordes (Fr) (lot 317), the Tunis gelding is a half-brother to the top-class French chasers Utopie Des Bordes (Fr) (Antarctique {Ire}) and Victoire Des Borde (Fr) (Antarctique {Ire}), plus Kopek Des Bordes (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}), an impressive bumper winner for Mullins during the latest season. Lot 360, Lakefield Farm's filly by No Risk At All (Fr) out of the G3 Prix Exbury heroine Pearl Sky (Fr) (Kahyasi {Ire}), was another highlight of Wednesday's session when selling to Aiden and Olly Murphy for €125,000, while lot 274 also commanded a six-figure sum when selling to Grandville Racing for €110,000. A gelding by Goliath Du Berlais (Fr), he was consigned by Brown Island Stables and is fittingly set to join Martin Brassil, trainer of the multiple Grade 1 winner Fastorslow (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr})–a half-brother to this horse's dam. From a marginally smaller catalogue than in 2023 the clearance rate dropped by 9% to 80%, with 340 lots being sold over the course of the two sessions for a total of €16,529,000 (-19%) at an average of €48,615 (-7%) and a median of €42,000 (-12.5%). Reflecting on the sale, Henry Beeby, Goffs chief executive, said, “The Arkle Sale is truly the first-choice sale for so many of the leading NH Store vendors and consignors these days and we were proud to assemble a catalogue that accounts for the lion's share of the best on offer once again this year. “It is no secret that there was a feeling of trepidation as the sale approached as it has been a tough year in several ways, not least with the weather that played such havoc with the point to point season, but the overriding vibe from the two days was a sale of vibrancy and strength with the familiar refrain that it is 'hard to buy the good ones' regularly heard. “While the statistics are behind last year, they have only been bettered by the last two amazing renewals of the sale and we must put the trade into the context of the world today which is a much different place to 12 months ago so therefore derive a level of satisfaction from the results.” The Goffs Arkle Sale Part 2 begins at 10am on Thursday. The catalogue can be viewed here. The post Harold Kirk And Willie Mullins Sign For Top Lot At Goffs Arkle Sale Part 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article