Wandering Eyes

Champion filly Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) will return to the scene of her greatest triumph when she kicks off her 4-year-old campaign in the May 3 GI La Troienne S. at Churchill Downs. Pretty Mischievous won last year's GI Kentucky Oaks, a win that went a long way toward her earning an Eclipse Award as the nation's outstanding 3-year-old filly. “She's been doing great and working very well,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “We're very happy with the way she has progressed from three to four. We won't know until we actually get her on the racetrack, but we've been very pleased with the way she's been working. She seems as enthusiastic as ever and is working as well as she ever has. We're looking forward to getting her back.” Pretty Mischievous was being pointed for last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and made the trip to Santa Anita. But Walsh pulled her out of the race because he wasn't happy with the way she was doing. “We brought her out there and she didn't travel well,” he said. “She got a little colicky when we got her out there and she was acting dull. It was coming to the end of the year and she wasn't giving us the right vibes. We didn't want to risk having no horse this year. We thought we'd do the smart thing and take her out. Hopefully, she can make up for it this year.” After the Breeders' Cup, she was sent to Godolphin's Kentucky farm and was given a couple of months off. Walsh said the filly arrived at his barn at Palm Meadows in Florida around the first of the year. She had her first recorded workout Feb. 22 and followed that up with seven more works. The most recent was a five-furlong breeze at Keeneland Apr. 13 in which she went in 1:01. Walsh said the filly will be moved to Churchill Downs next week to prepare for her 2024 debut in the La Troienne. “You always look forward to getting a horse like this back,” he said. “It's exciting to have a horse of her caliber, a champion filly. It will be exciting to see how it goes. If she improves at all she should be very tough in that division this year. She worked really well here last week. She looks as good, if not better, than she ever has.” So far as future plans, Walsh said he has not mapped out a schedule, but will point for this year's Distaff. “We'll start with this race and see how it goes,” he said. “Obviously, the Breeders' Cup at the end of the year is a goal. If she maintains her form we'll point her to all of the top races.” In addition to the Oaks, Pretty Mischievous won last year's GII Rachel Alexandra S, the GI Acorn S. and the GI Test S. The post Pretty Mischievous to Make 4-Year-Old Debut in La Troienne Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Vlahos (r, 3, Kantharos–Must Be Dreaming, by Run Away and Hide), a razor sharp debut winner for owner Dan Northrup and trainer Luis Mendez with a 98 Beyer Speed Figure at Santa Anita Mar. 9, has been purchased privately by Ty Leatherman and Todd Cady and transferred to Chief Stipe O'Neill. The sale price was not disclosed. The chestnut, a steal for $35,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, is aiming to make his next start in the $600,000 GII Pat Day Mile S. on the Kentucky Derby undercard. He has posted three workouts since joining the O'Neill barn, most recently stopping the clock for five furlongs in 1:02.20 (33/45) in Arcadia Apr. 13. The news was first reported by Daily Racing Form's Steve Andersen. “He came over to us in great shape with an eye-popping debut,” O'Neill said. “Sometimes when you get a horse like that your expectations are so high that they never live up to them. But so far, he's a beast. He's a big, good-looking colt with a great mind. His one stride is an average horse's stride and a half–he covers a lot of ground. We're just super excited and optimistic.” Cady, Leatherman and O'Neill recently teamed up to win the G2 Godolphin Mile with Two Rivers Over (Tamarkuz) on the Dubai World Cup undercard at Meydan. Cady and Leatherman claimed Two Rivers Over for just $30,000 out of a maiden claimer at Ellis Park last June. “Both great guys,” O'Neill said. “I've trained for Ty for, geez, 15-20 years maybe. We got lucky and won the Japan Cup Dirt with a horse named Fleetstreet Dancer back in 2003. He took a little hiatus from the business and came back bigger than ever a few years back. I was so grateful that he called me to reunite. He's been great.” O'Neill continued, “Todd Cady I've trained for the past couple of years. He's awesome. The great thing with Ty and Todd, they both know the sport really well and they're both successful businessmen. They've got a good approach and a good sense of being patient and doing the right thing. Both great guys to train for and we've been lucky so far.” The two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer and the aforementioned duo have had success buying off Mendez and Northrup before. Like Vlahos, last year's GI Cotillion S. Ceiling Crusher (Mr. Big) was acquired privately by a group including Cady and Leatherman and transferred to O'Neill following a debut score for Mendez and Northrup at Santa Anita. Mendez was also the original trainer of the talented sprinter and young Taylor Made stallion Dr. Schivel (Violence), who was purchased privately and moved to trainer Mark Glatt for his 3-year-old season. “We're all pretty friendly with Luis Mendez and (his business partner and bloodstock agent) John Brocklebank, two really sharp horsemen,” O'Neill said. “After his debut we had heard that they were willing to take on a couple of partners if anyone would be interested. We reached out to John and Luis and got a deal done. Two of the gentlemen that were in on him in the debut are still in–Dan Northrup and Greg Pappas. It's four good guys and most importantly a really good horse.” Overlooked at 13-1 in his unveiling, the blinkered Vlahos was hustled to the front by Edwin Maldonado from his rail draw and sped through fractions of :21.47 and :43.69 in the 6 1/2-furlong affair. He began to give them the slip on the far turn, switched over to his right lead as they straightened for home and kept on motoring down the stretch to win impressively by 4 1/2 lengths. Vlahos's form was further flattered when the third-place finisher that day Ball Don't Lie (Blame) returned to graduate with a 97 Beyer Speed Figure for Glatt at Santa Anita Apr. 6. Vlahos's sire Kantharos is responsible for nine graded/group winners worldwide. Vlahos, bred in Kentucky by John Bates, Ron Kirk and Greg McDonald, is the first to the races for the two-time winner Must Be Dreaming, a full-sister to Canadian champion Are You Kidding Me. The 10-year-old mare Must Be Dreaming was purchased by Denali Stud for $40,000 while in foal to Tiz the Law at the 2023 Keeneland January Sale. Must Be Dreaming produced a colt by Tiz the Law last year and was bred to Charlatan for 2024. “There's no buyer's remorse at this point,” O'Neill concluded. “We're excited. We're definitely throwing him into the deep end. But he just acts like that horse that is more mature than his race record would say.” Race 4 at Santa Anita went to #1 VLAHOS, who produced a 13-1 upset over 9-1 runner up #4 Feel the Magic.@MaldonadoJockey up for trainer Luis Mendez on the son of Kantharos. pic.twitter.com/alLX1ZK5iS — TVG (@TVG) March 9, 2024 The post Flashy Debut Winner Vlahos, Now with Chief Stipe O’Neill, Targeting Pat Day Mile for New Connections appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wood Memorial (G2) winner Resilience and 2023's champion 2-year-old filly Just F Y I recorded their first Churchill Downs workouts April 18 after racing in respective Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep races nearly two weeks ago.View the full article

Trainer Bill Mott's barn sent out a pair of Classic aspirants Thursday morning, including Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman's GII Wood Memorial winner Resilience (Into Mischief) along with George Krikorian's GI Ashland S. runner-up Just F Y I (Justify) returned to the work tab to continue their preparations for the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The duo began their work together at 7:30 a.m. ET after galloping about one mile. The defending champion juvenile filly Just F Y I worked to the outside of Resilience and began one-length behind. By the quarter-pole, Just F Y I moved about a length in front of Resilience but, by the wire, the duo finished together. Resilience, who covered four furlongs in :50.2, finished his five-furlong gallop out in 1:02.80 while Just F Y I went four panels in :50 flat, galloping out in 1:03.40, according to Churchill Downs Clocker John Nichols. “I thought [Resilience] had a great trip in the Wood Memorial,” Mott said. “I thought Johnny [Velazquez] rode him great. He might have gotten a little jammed up on the first turn but got clear down the backside. When he asked him, he responded and he finished up well. The best part is he looked good visually. Resilience is out of Meadowsweet (Smart Strike), a daughter of MGISW Tranquility Lake (Rahy) and a half-sister to Grade I scorers Courageous Cat (Storm Cat) and After Market (Storm Cat). “The entire family of this horse has been very accomplished on the racetrack. Part of the family is Courageous Cat, who I trained for a Grade I win [in the Shoemaker Mile]. The owners have been in the breeding business a long time and Resilience is just the result of their program.” Resilience was bred in Kentucky by Pam and the late Marty Wygod, the parents of Bushnell. This would be the first starter in the Kentucky Derby for the Wygod family along with Waldman, a longtime partner of the Wygods. Resilience and Just F Y I are stabled in Mott's Barn 19. The post Mott Classic Contenders Resilience, Just F Y I Return to the Work Tab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Micheal Orlandi's Compas Stallions will sponsor the Space Traveller Irish EBF Committed S. at Navan on Saturday, Apr. 27, the racecourse announced on Thursday. One of seven stallions on the roster, Space Traveller (GB) is a Group 2 winner, and is standing his second season at stud. The Space Traveller Irish EBF Committed S. is one of three black-type races on the card, alongside the SBK Vintage Crop S. and the G3 Irish EBF Salsabil S. There will also be a Flat Season Preview at the racecourse featuring Orlandi, host David Jennings, Irish Champion Jockey Colin Keane and Kevin Blake. Owner and stud manager Orlandi said, “We are delighted to sponsor the Space Traveller Irish EBF Committed S. at Navan, a stepping stone to Royal Ascot success. As Space Traveller won at Royal Ascot himself, it seems the perfect fit, both in name and race conditions. Space Traveller's first foals have landed and have been met with rave reviews. We look forward to welcoming breeders to Navan on Saturday the 27th.” The post Compas Stallions To Sponsor Space Traveller Committed Stakes At Navan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 14 horses have been supplemented to the Keeneland April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, which will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 26, closing day of the Spring Meet. Click here for the online catalog. Keeneland will accept approved supplemental entries to the April Sale until the sale date. Supplements include: Tennessee (Justify) – a lightly raced 3-year-old colt out of Grade 3-placed Zinzay, by Smart Strike. A half-brother to stakes winner and Grade I-placed Moon Over Miami, he is from the family of Grade/Group I winner Music Note, Mystic Guide and Musical Chimes. Tennessee, who has won two of four career races, is consigned by ELiTE, agent. Uncle Jake (Uncle Mo), a 4-year-old ridgling who is undefeated in three races in 2024. He scored by 9 1/4-length victory in allowance company at Keeneland Apr. 11. Uncle Jake is out of multiple Grade III winner Tasha's Miracle (Harlan's Holiday), and from the family of Grade I winner Off the Tracks and Grade II winners Concord Point and General Jim. He is consigned by Vaccarezza Racing, agent. Wit (Practical Joke) – a 5-year-old Grade III winner and Grade I-placed is cataloged as a stallion prospect only. At two, he won the GIII Sanford S. and placed in the GI Hopeful S. and the GI Champagne S. At three, he won the GIII Bay Shore S. and the Better Talk Now S. and placed in the GI Hollywood Derby, the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. and the GIII Bryan Station S. Consigned by Gainesway, agent, Wit retires with 10 wins/placings in 13 races and earnings of $648,000. Click here for the enhanced digital catalog on www.Keeneland.com. The catalog, also available through the Equineline Sales Catalog iPad app, includes pedigrees, Equibase past performances and race videos, Daily Racing Form past performances, and Ragozin and Thoro-Graph figures. Consignors may upload photographs and walking videos. A print catalog is now available for pickup from the Welcome Center at Keeneland along with a separate booklet with Equibase past performances. A supplemental catalog also will be printed prior to the sale. A barn order list produced and distributed around Monday, Apr. 22 when the catalog–including supplements–is close to final. The post 14 Horses Supplemented to Kee April Selected HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah's battle-hardened Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}–Hard Walnut {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) had twice chased home City Of Troy (Justify) in juvenile pattern races last term and, while tipping his hat to that old foe, threw down a Classic marker of his own with a hugely impressive 3 1/2-length triumph in Thursday's one-mile G3 bet365 Craven S. at Newmarket. The Richard Hannon trainee broke on the front end and was restrained to accept a tow in an overall third before inching into second passing halfway. Thundering forward to seize control approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 17-2 chance surged clear in taking fashion up the hill to easily outpoint G1 Dewhurst S. third Eben Shaddad (Calyx {GB}) by daylight. Jane Chapple-Hyam's once-raced trainee Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) ran on well in the closing stages and finished 2 1/4 lengths adrift in third. Baron Eduoard de Rothschild's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon victor and G1 Criterium International runner-up Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) raced too freely through the early fractions, making little impression at the business end, and crossed the line in sixth. Haatem had already made three visits to the track before running fifth in Royal Ascot's G2 Coventry S. and was City Of Troy's closest pursuer when a 6 1/2-length second in July's G2 Superlative S. at Newmarket. Back on song for Goodwood's G2 Vintage S. next time, he ran unplaced in two subsequent Group 2 contests and closed out a nine-race freshman campaign with a fifth behind City Of Troy, once more, and Eben Shaddad in October's G1 Dewhurst S. over the final seven furlongs of this Rowley Mile last time. Haatem wins the bet365 Craven Stakes! The Phoenix Of Spain colt has plenty of experience from last term and is too good for Eben Sheddad for @rhannonracing at @NewmarketRace. Both of these colts were well adrift of a certain City Of Troy last year… pic.twitter.com/u53ufWL9wt — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 18, 2024 Pedigree Notes Haatem is the fifth of six foals and one of three scorers out of a dual-winning half-sister to G3 Premio Carlo Vittadini and G3 Premio del Giubileo runner-up Father Frost (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and Listed Prix Pelleas, Listed Doncaster Mile and Listed Foundation S. placegetter Born To Be Alive (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}). His second dam Yaria (Ire) (Danehill), herself a daughter of G1 Phoenix S. runner-up Yara (Ire) (Sri Pekan), is a winning sibling of dual stakes scorer Emirates Gold (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}), Listed Prix Melisande victrix Yarastar (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and the stakes-placed Yario (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Haatem, half-brother to a yearling filly by Inns Of Court (Ire), hails from the family of G1SW sires Homme De Loi (Ire) (Law Society) and Mister Majestic (Ire) (Tumble Wind). Thursday, Newmarket, Britain BET365 CRAVEN S.-G3, £85,000, Newmarket, 4-18, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:35.09, gd. 1–HAATEM (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) 1st Dam: Hard Walnut (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire) 2nd Dam: Yaria (Ire), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Yara (Ire), by Sri Pekan (€28,000 RNA Wlg '21 GOFNO1; 27,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah; B-Hyde Park Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Sean Levey. £48,204. Lifetime Record: 10-3-1-2, $263,592. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Eben Shaddad, 128, c, 3, Calyx (GB)–Galileo's Lady, by Galileo (Ire). ($100,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; €190,000 2yo '23 ARQMAY). O-HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled & Najd Stud; B-Charles Fipke (KY); T-John & Thady Gosden. £18,275. 3–Sons And Lovers (GB), 128, c, 3, Study Of Man (Ire)–So In Love (GB), by Smart Strike. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€40,000 Ylg '22 GOAUYR). O-Hugo Morriss & Kirsten Rausing; B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Jane Chapple-Hyam. £9,146. Margins: 3HF, 2 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 8.50, 3.33, 28.00. Also Ran: Cambridge (Ire), Native Approach (GB), Alcantor (Fr), Champagne Prince (GB). The post Phoenix Of Spain’s Haatem Powers To Impressive Craven Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kirsten Rausing's Lanwades Stud will be open to visitors for a full-day tour through Discover Newmarket on Thursday, May 16, the tourism organisation announced on Thursday. Guests will be treated to a stallion parade of Lanwades Stud's trio of stallions–Bobby's Kitten, Sea The Moon (Ger) and Study Of Man (Ire). In addition, a visit to the Warren Hill Gallops will be in the offing, as well as a tour of Newmarket, and a visit to the National Horseracing Museum. Tickets are £90 per person, including a £6 lunch voucher to be redeemed at the National Horseracing Museum's Tack Room restaurant. Tickets are also available at the Discover Newmarket website. Guests should meet outside the National Horseracing Museum at 8:45 a.m. on the day of the tour. The post Lanwades Stud Tour Available Through Discover Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Group 1 winner Panthalassa (Jpn) will shuttle to Yulong in Australia for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season later this year. Trained in Japan by Yoshito Yahagi, Panthalassa won seven of his 27 starts and was a familiar name on the international stage, demonstrating rare versatility in winning the 2022 G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan–when dead-heating with Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})–and the 2023 G1 Saudi Cup on the Riyadh dirt. The son of Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) brought the curtain down on his career in a retirement ceremony at Nakayama Racecourse in January and has recently been standing his first Northern Hemisphere breeding season at Arrow Stud in Japan. Vin Cox, Yulong's general manager, said, “It is such a wonderful opportunity to have Panthalassa standing at Yulong. Winning international Group 1 races on both dirt and turf as an older horse demonstrates an amazing versatility and soundness that he will undoubtedly pass on to his progeny. “With earnings of A$21million, he is the highest earning horse ever to stand in Australia and has an outcross pedigree that should provide huge appeal for breeders.” Panthalassa has been introduced at Yulong at a fee of A$16,500 (around €9,960). The post Panthalassa To Shuttle To Yulong In Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Tokyo and Fukushima Racecourses: Saturday, April 20, 2024 6th-TOK, ¥14,880,000 ($96k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600m ASSURBANIPAL (c, 3, Arrogate–Georgie's Angel, by Bellamy Road) makes a much-anticipated return to the races, having graduated at first asking over this course and distance back in November (see below, SC 12). A full-brother to two-time Grade I-winning juvenile Cave Rock, the Apr. 17 foal topped the 2022 Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale on Champion Equine's bid of $700,000 and was knocked down to Katsumi Yoshida for $1.05 million at last year's OBS March Sale. Longford Farm acquired Grade III winner Georgie's Angel for $75,000 with this colt in utero at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. B-Kathleen Schweizer (NY) Sunday, April 21, 2024 3rd-FKS, ¥10,480,000 ($68k), Maiden, 3yo, 1700m G T ROSSO (f, 3, Curlin–Eltimaas, by Ghostzapper), a $525,000 purchase by JS Company out of the 2022 Keeneland September Sale, is a half-sister to Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Drefong (Gio Ponti)–who has had a fair bit of success at stud in Japan–and to Sui (Candy Ride {Arg}), a $300,000 KEESEP yearling and $675,000 OBS March breezer who was a two-time winner in Japan and produced an Orfevre (Jpn) filly for her first foal in 2023. Eltimaas, a half-sister to champion juvenile Action This Day (Kris S.), was acquired by Machmer Hall for $77,000 in foal to Mizzen Mast at Keeneland November in 2013. B-Machmer Hall, Carrie & Craig Brogden (KY) The post Cave Rock Full-Brother, F-T Topper, Assurbanipal Returns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) was named one of three non-profits to receive the “Maker's Mark Bourbon: Greats of the Gate” Man-O-War bottle proceeds. Proceeds from the Man o' War bottle will support construction of a new food pantry located at The Thoroughbred Center on Paris Pike, Keeneland's year-round training facility, making it accessible to industry workers. For the first three years of the 10-year series, the “Greats of the Gate” bottle will also support Kentucky Harvest and Art Center of the Bluegrass. The Art Center of the Bluegrass connects people to art, culture, and creativity through exhibits, hands-on art making, arts appreciation, and cultural experiences, while the mission of Kentucky Harvest is to end local hunger by connecting with food donors and engaging volunteers to rescue excess food and move it from those who have it to those in need. BGFC provides various programs and services, including food assistance program, to horsemen/women working on Central Kentucky farms, backstretch, and other Thoroughbred facilities. BGFC serves Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford, Scott and Jessamine area farms and facilities. “This is a 'wish come true' and perfect timing for the charity, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary,” BGFC Executive Director Julie Kwasniewski said. “Along with our foodbank partners, the charity will now have a central location to regularly provide fresh food, along with grant-funded hygiene/baby, cleaning items to farm/track families. Most importantly, the TTC location will give better access to those in need of our benevolent services and referrals BGFC offers.” The post New Food Pantry Among Recipients of Maker’s Mark Man o’ War Bottle Proceeds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new incentive programme for the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene was launched by France Galop this spring. In danger of being downgraded from Group 2 to Group 3 status next year, the race now has a quintet of lead-up sprint-race qualifiers where the winner will be automatically entered in the June 2 1000-metre sprint and the €1,200 entry fee will be waived. Two of the five qualifying races have already taken place, the Prix Cor de Chasse at Deauville on Apr. 9, won by Vicious Harry (Fr) (Harry Angel {Ire}), and the G3 Prix Sigy at Chantilly, which was claimed by Sajir (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) on Apr. 15. The remaining qualifiers for the event are as follows: Prix Servanne over 1200 metres at Chantilly on May 2 Prix de Saint-Georges over 1000 metres at ParisLongchamp on May 12 G3 Prix Texanita going 1200 metres at Chantilly on May 17 In Italy, the €640,200 G2 Derby Italiano over 2200 metres will be held on Sunday, May 19. Open to colts and fillies, the Capannelle showpiece is one of the most lucrative Group 2 races in Europe. A generous travel incentive is being offered for prospective entrants, with entries closing on Monday, Apr. 29 at 10:30 a.m. local time. The entry fee is €1,455. Supplemental entries will be accepted until 10:30 a.m. on May 16 for a cost of €48,200. Declarations, at a fee of €2,910, are due by 8:30 a.m. on May 17. The post France Galop To Offer Incentives For Prix Du Gros-Chene appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matscot will contest the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Fresh off his rich payday after taking out last Saturday’s $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton, Matscot will return to the Christchurch track this weekend in search of more feature spoils. Initially set to target Saturday’s Group 3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), trainer Sharon Robertson elected to make a late bid for the Southern Alps last week, which more than paid off for the local trainer. Her decision earned her and fellow part-owners $175,000, bringing Matscot’s season tally to four wins, including the Listed Spring Classic (2000m), Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) and Southern Alps Challenge, and nearly $290,000 in earnings. “It was nice to get that win (Southern Alps Challenge),” Robertson said. “We were originally just going to go for the Cup this week, but we decided to go in and it worked out well.” Robertson has been pleased with the way he has come through the run and is looking forward to stepping him up over ground this weekend in the Canterbury Gold Cup, which will be his last start of the season. “He will benefit from the step up to 2000m, he likes that distance,” she said. “He is going out once he has finished here on Saturday afternoon because he has been up for quite a while. He will go out for two or three months and then come back for the spring.” Robertson also co-bred Matscot out of her five-win mare Bewarned, with the son of Haradasun being the last of four foals out of the daughter of Danske. “She had four foals but the only one that was any good was this one (Matscot),” Robertson said. “He has taken a long time, but it has been worth it.” Robertson will also be represented on Saturday by Hey Now and debutant Yorrick. “Hey Now probably needs a bit more moisture, but I don’t think we are going to get it,” Robertson said. “We will just go back from that draw (14) and see what happens. He is honest. “It will be more for education with Yorrick, he is still learning.” Horse racing news View the full article

Snazzytavi will be one of two contenders for trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall in Saturday’s Group 3 Easter Handicap at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall were rapt with their treble at Arawa Park on Wednesday, and they are hoping they can continue that winning form into the rest of the week. Therapeutic kicked off the treble before Confiance and Darci’s Angel carried Social Racing’s colours to victory respectively. “I am absolutely over the moon,” Richardson said. “It’s good for Social Racing, Brent and Wendy Cooper have been very good supporters, and the owners of Therapeutic as well, it was a great day.” It was a nice appetiser ahead of a couple of exciting days for the stable, culminating with two quality stakes chances at Ellerslie on Saturday. Stakes performer Snazzytavi and Group Two performer Channel Surfer will tackle the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m) and Richardson believes both horses are in with a show. “Snazzytavi and Channel Surfer are both lovely horses and both are good chances. We just like to have horses in a big race,” he said. “It’s a little bit disappointing that it is a Group Three now. It is a prestigious race and one that everyone loves to win. It used to be a Group One, but I am sure they had good reason to downgrade it, but it is disappointing.” Snazzytavi heads into the race fresh after recovering from a stone bruise since her placing in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata last month. “Bringing her back to the mile, there is a question mark, but she hasn’t raced for a while because she had a bit of a stone bruise” Richardson said. “She is better off a bit fresh anyway. She will be an interesting runner from an awkward draw (10).” Snazzytavi is coming towards the end of her campaign and Richardson said she will be an ideal Cups mare next season. “Without confirming it with Cambridge stud, she is getting to a stage where she will probably need a rest soon and she will look at the Cups races next season,” he said. Channel Surfer also takes a placing into Saturday, having run third over a mile at Trentham a fortnight ago. “It was a very good run last time,” Richardson said. “He missed the kick and got held up halfway up the straight at Wellington. He has definitely improved on that run. He had 58.5kg last time and now he has got 53kg on his back. He will be an interesting runner.” Richarson will also head to Ellerslie with Lovearoadie. “She got trapped three-wide last time. It certainly wasn’t the jockey’s fault, it’s just the way it turned out,” Richardson said. “We have got a lot of enthusiastic owners from all over the country in her, so hopefully she goes well.” A day prior, the stable will have two contenders at their home meeting, including Sorghaghtani and Chante Moi. “Sorghaghtani is a very, very good horse that has had more issues than I have,” Richardson said. “She is getting better and stronger, and her work on Tuesday was good. I would ideally have liked to have given her a trial. She is going into tomorrow not 100 percent fit, but it doesn’t mean she can’t win. “Chante Moi has improved lengths since she had a spell and come back in.” Horse racing news View the full article

Investigate will contest the Group 3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Up and coming staying prospect Investigate promises to give another bold account of himself at Ellerslie on Saturday in what is likely to be the final appearance of his current campaign. The Tony Pike-prepared son of Dundeel has relished the step up to middle distance racing and appeals as a leading chance in the Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m). He is one of a quartet of strong black type chances for Pike, who also has Lanikai in the three-year-old feature while Rudyard contests the Group 3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) and Boss ‘N’ Highheels runs in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m). He will be further represented at Riccarton by Dangerous Liaisons, who will be chasing a degree of compensation after she was forced to bypass her intended stakes target last weekend. Investigate was a runaway winner in his first crack at 2000m two runs back before he handled a sharp rise in class in style when runner-up in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham. “Obviously, he jumped from a very weak maiden at Taranaki to a good performance significantly up in grade,” Pike said. “He’s always suggested he’s a really genuine staying three-year-old and he got squeezed up late and was strong through the line at Wellington. “It looks a similar race for him on Saturday and this will probably be his last run. He’s come a long way in a short time, so I’d suggest he’ll go out and come back next season.” Lanikai has yet to break his maiden and the son of Ocean Park will appreciate the step up to 2100m off the back of placings up to a mile. “He’s a horse we’ve always really liked all the way through. His racing manners have let him down a touch and he’s had a few wide gates as well,” Pike said. “He’s a lovely horse in the making who wants to do a few things wrong, so we’ll ride him a lot quieter than he has been and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run a lot better than his price.” Charm Spirit four-year-old Rudyard lines up in the Easter in grand form with four wins and five top-four finishes from his last nine starts. “He’s come of age this season and is very professional and been in very solid form, it doesn’t appear as if anything has changed going by his trackwork,” Pike said. “It looks a perfect race for him, ideally we would have liked to have got in with a couple of kilos less in weight than 57kg, but that probably reflects the lack of horses at this level. “The wide draw is a bit of a concern, but he’ll go forward and he should be hard to beat going back up to a mile.” Written Tycoon filly Boss ‘N’ Highheels was unbeaten in two trial appearances before carrying that form over to race day on debut. “She’s a lovely type and we were really concerned about the track conditions at Matamata when the rain came,” Pike said. “She’s got a beautiful, sweet low action and ability got her through and on a better surface at Ellerslie she will be even better. “She has drawn wide, but she seems to have good gate speed and hopefully she can get across without ding too much work. She’s a really progressive filly.” Dangerous Liaisons is back to full health for her assignment at Riccarton after the No Nay Never filly originally headed south for last weekend’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m). “She was sound on the Friday night and on Saturday morning she was three out of five lame with a throbbing pulse in her foot,” Pike said. “That popped pretty quickly and she’s sound as a bell now but missed the race we wanted so she’s going to have to run for a consolation prize.” Horse racing news View the full article

Caspar Fownes celebrates the milestone with Ellis Wong. The Fownes name has been synonymous with Hong Kong racing across the past 40-plus years and Caspar, son of former trainer Lawrie, became only the fourth horseman after John Moore (1,735), John Size (1,535) and Tony Cruz (1,502) to reach 1,100 Hong Kong wins on Wednesday night at Happy Valley. Assistant to his late father for several seasons, Fownes, 56, gained his licence in 2003/04 and since then he has been crowned Hong Kong Champion Trainer four times: 2006/07, 2008/09, 2013/14 and 2020/21. He is best known for handling top talents Lucky Nine, Sky Field, The Duke, Southern Legend, Super Satin, Sky Darci and Green Birdie. “It’s a nice number and we’ll keep trying to build on that and hopefully we can get to where we want to get. We’re happy and it’s good that Ronan (Fownes) is with me now, learning the game, so it’s been a bit more special to have my young man with me. It’s nice and all in all it’s a nice team effort,” Fownes said. The milestone came as Ellis Wong capped a double atop Kaholo Angel. “It’s very special and to get it with the young lad, my indentured apprentice Ellis, it was good. It’s kind of funny because we felt looking at the race that we would jump and use our gate speed and go forward and see what happens,” Fownes said. “I said to the kid though, when you’re out there you have got to ride these races and start to think for yourself, for whatever reason you don’t ping the gates or they just come out a little bit tardy, always go to ‘Plan B’ and learn a little bit yourself, which was good. “He did the right thing there and gave the horse a nice chance. He was electrifying over the last part – it’s nice to see that.” Known as the long-time ‘King of the Valley’, Fownes has 596 wins at the city circuit, which includes a famous six-win afternoon in 2010. The trainer is readying Straight Arron for a HK$28 million Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) tilt at Sha Tin on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, April 28) after the horse finished sixth in the Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan last month. “I’m happy with him. He came out of quarantine on Monday (15 April) and he had a bit of pace work yesterday morning. The plan is to bring him here (Happy Valley) on Friday (19 April) for a trial. Just to keep him nice and ticking over. “Obviously, you hope they can come back nicely, especially from what I felt was a nice effort in Dubai, a brave effort against some of the best horses. At 2000 metres, we hope that we can run in the first four and just be competitive,” Fownes said. Wong also scored aboard Super Axiom for trainer Me Tsui. Jerry Chau and Danny Shum collected doubles. The duo combined with Exuberant. Shum prevailed again with Flying Silver thanks to a sweet ride from Angus Chung, who also bagged a brace. Shum concedes the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) is a big test for Victor The Winner: “He’s good. It’s hard to beat California Spangle, he’s too good.” Romantic Warrior is aiming to become the first horse in history to record three wins in the FWD QEII Cup following his victories in 2022 and 2023. “He’s very fit, he’s very good and he’s doing well. I’m expecting him to run a very good race,” Shum said. Chung moved to within one of the 70-win graduation mark as Superb Capitalist won for trainer Tony Cruz. Matthew Chadwick bounced to the front aboard California Touch and was never headed, for trainer Cody Mo. Following 10 top-three finishes, Turin Warrior grasped an overdue first Hong Kong win for Karis Teetan and trainer Manfred Man. Northern Beast, a son of Maurice, recorded a breakthrough victory for Hugh Bowman and trainer David Hall. The four-year-old overhauled a determined Big Two by three quarters of a length. “He deserved the win. He’s been a consistent horse, he lost form at the back end of last year but he’s been showing signs of regaining his own form. He’s better than Class 5 – it wasn’t a dominant win but I thought it had a lot of merit,” Bowman said. Zoom Boom closed out the midweek programme with victory under Harry Bentley for trainer Chief Stipelas Whyte. Horse racing news View the full article

Waitak will jump from barrier 10 in Saturday’s $5 million The Quokka (1200m) in Perth. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) An omen barrier may prove the key to Waitak’s success in a star-studded line-up for Saturday’s $5 million The Quokka (1200m) in Perth. The son of Proisir is trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and the latter flew from their Matamata base to Western Australia to be present at the Breakfast With The Stars promotional event, where he drew barrier 10 for the Group 1 Railway (1200m) winner. While the gate assists Waitak’s racing pattern of settling back and showing his sharp sprint late, it also has acted as a springboard for many of Wexford’s great victories, more recently Molly Bloom’s Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Dragon Leap’s Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). “It’s been a very lucky number for our stable with good results as number 10, and barrier 10,” Scott said. “My birthday is actually on the 10th as well. “For Waitak, it suits him as he can go back and settle in, and possibly be in the open to get home late. It should give him an opportunity to open up in the straight.” Earlier on Wednesday morning, Waitak and travelling representative Erin Leighton galloped on the course proper at Ascot Racecourse with Scott watching on. “He worked yesterday morning on the course proper on nice soft ground and we couldn’t have been more pleased with how he moved through his gallop. Erin was really pleased, she said he felt quite explosive so we couldn’t be happier with his work,” he said. “He’s handled the travel and recovered well, his appetite is good and he’s consuming a good lot of feed. “He’s sound and very well within himself, and he’s continued to thrive over here in the warmth.” With temperatures reaching as high as 33 degrees in Perth this week, Scott has been wary of the four-year-old’s routine in contrast to the Kiwi climate. “We’ve brought his work back a fair bit with the heat, as well as with his long trip over, you can’t quite do as much as you would back home in cooler temperatures. It’s just been a matter of ticking him over,” Scott said. “We’re under no illusion that it’s going to be a very strong field, but he’s going as well as he can which is the exciting part. They’ve done a great job of building the race up so it’s all go for Saturday.” Waitak and jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor will represent Trackside Media in the $5 million slot race, and he has shortened into +2500, with glamour local mare Amelia’s Jewel heading the market at +250 with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

New Zealander rider Michael McNab has answered the call to partner Maharba (Pride of Dubai) in the Hareeba Stakes at Mornington. With the potential of a jockey shortage at Mornington, trainer Grahame Begg and owner Gary Towzell got on the front foot in the search of a jockey for Maharba at Mornington. The three-year-old runs in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, but longer-term Wagga-based Towzell has his eyes on a feature race at home next month. With that in mind, Wagga-based jockey Danny Beasley was offered the mount at Mornington with the view to riding Maharba in the Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on May 2. After initially accepting the offer, Beasley contacted Begg on Monday to turn the Mornington ride as he was unable to get a flight to and from Melbourne on Saturday in time for a near full book of rides at Wagga the following day. It was a scramble for Begg afterwards to find a jockey, eventually contacting leading New Zealand rider Michael McNab who is in Melbourne to partner Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m). “Jockeys were always going to be a premium on Saturday,” Begg said. “I thought I had a jockey, especially with a jockey shortage with those going to Perth and Sydney, but he was unable to make it, which made it a bit tickly, so we were left scrambling around. “He’s owned in Wagga by Gary Towzell and he wants to have a runner in the Town Plate, so that’s why he asked me to book Danny Beasley. “I asked him to come and ride him on Saturday to get the feel of him, but it’s fallen through. “I did read a story that Michael was coming over to ride in the Mornington Cup, so I was straight on the phone.” That jockey merry-go-round has added to the frustration Begg has had with Maharba this campaign. Begg was rueing the lack of suitable three-year-old sprinting options for the gelding during the autumn and was eyeing off the Country Discovery (1200m) at Yarra Valley on Good Friday. However, Maharba missed a run there when he was an emergency while on Saturday the gelding has drawn gate 13 in the 15-horse field. “He missed that run at Yarra Valley, which was disappointing, but he’s had a 1000-metre jump-out, so he all’s good to go, but he’s drawn a poor gate,” Begg said. View the full article

Group 3 winner Grand Impact is ready to get his career back on track in the Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on Saturday. Grand Impact burst onto the racing scene in spring 2022, winning his first three starts including the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes on a Heavy track at Caulfield. His co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr then threw him in the deep end when they ran him in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and he finished 12th, but only 5.25 lengths adrift of winner In Secret. He then didn’t race again until a month ago, when he finished fifth behind Extratwo over 1200 metres at The Valley on March 23, with Price saying at the time that the four-year-old stallion would improve with the run. “He was always going to be vulnerable with his race fitness and that tightened him up nicely,” Kent Jnr said of the performance. “We’ve given him a month between runs to get fitter and he’s going quite well at home.” Kent Jnr pointed out that Grand Impact is still an entire and can still be a bit wayward. “We’d like to see him do it on race day still. We’re happy with the horse but we’d love a bit of rain,” he said. The stable will also saddle up the five-year-old mare Party For One, who will also be suited by a wet track according to Kent Jnr. View the full article

Mark Walker will have at least five runners at Morphettville next Saturday as Te Akau Racing attempts to plunder the record prizemoney on offer during Adelaide’s showpiece carnival. The stable’s NZ Oaks (2400m) placegetter Qali Al Farrasha will make her Australian debut in the $1 million Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), while Skew Wiff will look to add an Australian G1 win to her top-flight New Zealand success when she tackles the $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m). Melbourne-based assistant trainer Ben Gleeson said Qali Al Farrasha has been in Australia for several weeks and while connections did contemplate a lead-up run, it was decided that a quiet 1000-metre jumpout at Cranbourne on Monday was the best option for the daughter of Almanzor. “The horses are in form so it’s hard not to run them and now with the prizemoney boosts in those Group 1 races, it’s too hard to not come over,” Gleeson said. “Skew Wiff will run in the Sangster and Qali Al Farrasha will come across for the Oaks. “She’s (Qali Al Farrasha) been over here for about a month now and she’s just been building up slowly. “We were thinking about running her beforehand, but she’s got plenty of fitness and she’s quite a small, light thing, so it was just a tricky timeframe. “We gave her a quiet jumpout on Monday and she gave us confidence that it’s worth bringing her over. “We know that she runs the trip, having run third in the New Zealand Oaks, so we know that we’re going to have a filly that sees out the 2000m.” Gleeson confirmed that in-form mare Sans Doute, a last-start winner of the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m), will run in the rebranded G3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m), while Stakes winner Zourion, who was last seen running in the G1 Thousand Guineas during the spring, will likely return to the track in the G2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m). He said he is particularly bullish about the prospects of G1 winner Campionessa, who finished midfield without luck in the G1 Queen of the Turf (1600m) in Sydney last week. “Campionessa is going to come over for the Queen of the South,” Gleeson said. “She was caught three wide in the Queen of the Turf and she wasn’t given any favours. “She had a bit of interference with Atishu, but she was picking up again in the last 100m and she probably hasn’t received the attention for how big her run actually was. “We’re adamant she’s airborne at the moment, hence why we’re going from Sydney to Adelaide in two weeks, which isn’t normally what we’d do. “J-Mac (James McDonald) is going to rider her, which is a big acquisition.” Gleeson reported that Quintessa, who won the G1 Levin Classic in January before running well in the Australian Guineas, Alister Clark Stakes and ATC Oaks, has returned to New Zealand for a spell. “That’s it for her,” he said. “She’s already back at Te Akau Stud in New Zealand, where she’ll have a good six-week spell there. “She’ll probably start her spring campaign in New Zealand before coming back to Cranbourne. “We now know she’s probably not an out-and-out stayer, so we’ll target her towards mile and 2000-metre races as a four-year-old.” View the full article

The international and domestic buying bench went head-to-head during the 2024 National Online Yearling Sale held on Gavelhouse Plus, with top prices secured by the progeny of Ace High, King’s Legacy, Per Incanto, and Zousain just to name a few. However, it was the renowned nursery Brighthill Farm’s, Lot 36 that came out on top. The filly by in-form sire Written Tycoon from Mozzie Monster (Sebring) was secured by Stephen Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $80,000. “We love Written Tycoon as a stallion, and his fillies are like gold, they are getting harder to source,” commented Dylan Johnson. “We’ve had great success with his chestnut fillies, Velocious winning the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO and following it up with a Group One win, while Glamour Tycoon has been very impressive this season. “She [Lot 36] is being syndicated and there are shares still available. She has a fantastic pedigree being the first foal from a winning stakes-performed Sebring mare. “We are thrilled to have secured such a nice one for incredible value,” he added. Lot 22, a gelding by the first-season sire King’s Legacy was also snapped up by the Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock combination for $41,000 from Landsdowne Park’s draft. Daniel Nakhle secured Lot 15 on behalf of the Entain Student Stable for $48,000. Offered by Landsdowne Park Prominent owner Daniel Nakhle secured two lots on behalf of the Entain Student Stable. He went to $48,000 for Lot 15, a daughter of Per Incanto from Landsdowne Park’s draft, and then later purchased Lot 73, a colt by Ocean Park for $26,000 from Rich Hill Stud. “It was a no-brainer to support the school and its students, and with Entain giving us massive support it was something I really wanted to do,” commented Nakhle. “It will be a great learning curve for these students and Donovan Mansour will be running the stable at Cambridge. “It’s a very exciting adventure for the students before they head into the world of work,” he added. “We think the Per Incanto filly will be a lovely three-year-old, she was beautifully presented, and I just fell in love with the Ocean Park – the Landsdowne Park and Rich Hill team have prepared these yearlings brilliantly.” Australian trainer Mick Price went to $31,000 for Lot 16 the daughter of Ace High from Kiara from Rich Hill Stud’s draft. There were a number of notable trainers and agents active during the online auction, with Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Japan, and New Zealand all represented on the buyers lists. Australian trainer Mick Price who co-trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, went to $31,000 for Lot 16 the daughter of Ace High from Kiara from Rich Hill Stud’s draft. While Richardson Racing and Brendon McCullum teamed up to purchase Lot 25 a filly by Zousain for $32,000 from the same draft. NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones reflected on the evening of selling. “We saw good interest and strong competition for the quality yearlings on offer, and those who did their homework have come away with some lovely horses.” “Our buyers have a good grasp of the online format, with an abundance of information supplied by our vendors, providing full transparency and confidence in the product on offer. “The Karaka Millions eligibility has proven a huge drawcard for the Sale, and I fully expect some of these horses to be competing in the Series over the coming seasons,” he added. “The team is working hard behind the scenes, and we expect to sell more horses over the next few days.” All unbroken yearlings purchased from the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates of the online sale can compete for a share of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). Entries close Friday 17 May 2024. To make enquiries about any Passed Lots contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz. View the full article

A better barrier draw will keep Grid Girl at home for the Mornington Guineas. Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes have elected to keep Grid Girl (NZ) (Time Test) in Melbourne for another start before the possibility of tackling Stakes company. Grid Girl will run in the Mornington Guineas (1600m) on Saturday rather than travel to Adelaide for the Listed H C Nitschke Stakes (1400m) on the inner track at Morphettville. A better barrier draw at Mornington, four as against 14, was crucial in that decision, but also Ben Hayes’ desire to see the filly at 1600m. And if Grid Girl performs up to expectation on Saturday, Hayes said the filly could travel to Morphettville on May 4 for the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m). “We had her dual accepted here and in Adelaide,” Hayes said. “She’s drawn four here and 14 over in Adelaide, so we’ll stay here, and I wouldn’t mind trying her at the mile either and if she was to win and look impressive, then we would seriously consider heading to Adelaide for a mile race there.” Grid Girl had raced twice in New Zealand before coming on the radar of Australian buyers. She had beaten home the future Group 1 winner Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) at her second race start when placed at Hastings last October. Grid Girl scored first-up over 1400m at Sandown in maiden grade in February before being placed at that track at her next outing. At her most recent start, Grid Girl scored over 1400m at Pakenham. Hayes said the most appealing part of that victory was the way in which she attacked the line. “The best part of her race last time was through the line, which is what you want to see,” he said. “She’s always been a good track worker at home, very enthusiastic, and that is probably what pleases us the most. “She relaxed better last time and finished off, so stepping to the mile, that is what we want to see, and I’m sure she’s ready to run a strong race.” View the full article

Fresh off his rich payday after taking out last Saturday’s $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton, Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) will return to the Christchurch track this weekend in search of more feature spoils. Initially set to target Saturday’s Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m), trainer Sharon Robertson elected to make a late bid for the Southern Alps last week, which more than paid off for the local trainer. Her decision earned her and fellow part-owners $175,000, bringing Matscot’s season tally to four wins, including the Listed Spring Classic (2000m), Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) and Southern Alps Challenge, and nearly $290,000 in earnings. “It was nice to get that win (Southern Alps Challenge),” Robertson said. “We were originally just going to go for the Cup this week, but we decided to go in and it worked out well.” Robertson has been pleased with the way he has come through the run and is looking forward to stepping him up over ground this weekend in the Canterbury Gold Cup, which will be his last start of the season. “He will benefit from the step up to 2000m, he likes that distance,” she said. “He is going out once he has finished here on Saturday afternoon because he has been up for quite a while. He will go out for two or three months and then come back for the spring.” Robertson also co-bred Matscot out of her five-win mare Bewarned, with the son of Haradasun being the last of four foals out of the daughter of Danske. “She had four foals but the only one that was any good was this one (Matscot),” Robertson said. “He has taken a long time, but it has been worth it.” Robertson will also be represented on Saturday by Hey Now (NZ) (Zacinto) in the Happy 50th Clarkey Maiden (1400m) and debutant Yorrick (NZ) (Redwood) in the Riccarton Park Function Centre Maiden (1400m). “Hey Now probably needs a bit more moisture, but I don’t think we are going to get it,” Robertson said. “We will just go back from that draw (14) and see what happens. He is honest. “It will be more for education with Yorrick, he is still learning.” View the full article

Fraser Auret couldn’t find any reason not to send his ultra-consistent filly Race Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) south to chase down a deserved black-type victory. The Marton trainer can’t fault the three-year-old, who will again be partnered by Lisa Allpress in Saturday’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton. “It’s always a case of race by race with these fillies and I was certainly mindful that she has had a big season and there’s only so many times you can ask these young girls to peak,” Auret said. “Her work has indicated that she is really well in herself and there’s no signs whatsoever that she has come to the end of things, so that’s the reason she’s headed south.” Race Ace was a gallant last-start fifth under Allpress in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham off the back of a runner-up finish in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2000m). “She ran a really creditable race in the Oaks and I think she’s a lot more suited to the 2000m than 2400m,” Auret said. “It wasn’t the perfect preparation for the Oaks with the rescheduled Lowland Stakes at Taupo popping up seven days beforehand. “She ran an enormous second in the Lowland and we had been 50-50 whether we should go there, but any black type is so important and it was well worth it.” Race Ace has one win to her credit from 10 attempts, but a further six placings emphasise her genuine nature. “She’s had a wonderful preparation and been right up there all the way through her campaign, she’s had a really solid season,” Auret said. He has had several cracks at lifting the Warstep title and came closest in 2021 when his charge had the misfortune to bump into a Stephen Marsh-trained filly who was to go on to multiple Group One successes for Chris Waller. “It’s a race that has eluded me before, we were second with Exquisite Pearl (NZ) (Power) one year when Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) won it and have had a couple of other goes,” Auret said. Race Ace travelled without incident to Christchurch earlier this week. “She went down on Tuesday night and has settled in well so it’s full steam ahead,” Auret said. “She’s staying at Sam Wynne’s property and we’ve stayed there before and she’s a terrific horsewoman in her own right so it works really well.” Race Ace is a daughter of Swiss Ace and the American stakes performer Megan’s Tough Love, a pedigree that may not have immediately instilled confidence in her middle-distance prospects. “She ran second in O’Leary’s Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1340m) at Wanganui in the early part of the season and I definitely felt then that she was more of a sprinter,” Auret said. “I just think with experience and becoming more relaxed she has got over more ground, it’s down to her attitude more than anything else. “She just loves stable life and the job, she’s been a pleasure to train, that’s for sure.” View the full article

Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall were rapt with their treble at Arawa Park on Wednesday, and they are hoping they can continue that winning form into the rest of the week. Therapeutic (NZ) (Time Test) kicked off the treble when taking out the Greenlight Insurance Brokers 1560 before Confiance (NZ) (Proisir) and Darci’s Angel (NZ) (Darci Brahma) carried Social Racing’s colours to victory in the Novara Park 1560 and Campbell Infrastructure 1560 respectively. “I am absolutely over the moon,” Richardson said. “It’s good for Social Racing, Brent and Wendy Cooper have been very good supporters, and the owners of Therapeutic as well, it was a great day.” It was a nice appetiser ahead of a couple of exciting days for the stable, culminating with two quality stakes chances at Ellerslie on Saturday. Stakes performer Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) and Group Two performer Channel Surfer (NZ) (Derryn) will tackle the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) and Richardson believes both horses are in with a show. “Snazzytavi and Channel Surfer are both lovely horses and both are good chances. We just like to have horses in a big race,” he said. “It’s a little bit disappointing that it is a Group Three now. It is a prestigious race and one that everyone loves to win. It used to be a Group One, but I am sure they had good reason to downgrade it, but it is disappointing.” Snazzytavi heads into the race fresh after recovering from a stone bruise since her placing in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata last month. “Bringing her back to the mile, there is a question mark, but she hasn’t raced for a while because she had a bit of a stone bruise,” Richardson said. “She is better off a bit fresh anyway. She will be an interesting runner from an awkward draw (10).” Snazzytavi is coming towards the end of her campaign and Richardson said she will be an ideal Cups mare next season. “Without confirming it with Cambridge Stud, she is getting to a stage where she will probably need a rest soon and she will look at the Cups races next season,” he said. Channel Surfer also takes a placing into Saturday, having run third over a mile at Trentham a fortnight ago. “It was a very good run last time,” Richardson said. “He missed the kick and got held up halfway up the straight at Wellington. He has definitely improved on that run. He had 58.5kg last time and now he has got 53kg on his back. He will be an interesting runner.” Richarson will also head to Ellerslie with Lovearoadie (NZ) (Savile Row), who will contest the Ellerslie Events 1200. “She got trapped three-wide last time. It certainly wasn’t the jockey’s fault, it’s just the way it turned out,” Richardson said. “We have got a lot of enthusiastic owners from all over the country in her, so hopefully she goes well.” A day prior, the stable will have two contenders at their home meeting, including Sorghaghtani (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) and Chante Moi (NZ) (Savabeel). “Sorghaghtani is a very, very good horse that has had more issues than I have,” Richardson said. “She is getting better and stronger, and her work on Tuesday was good. I would ideally have liked to have given her a trial. She is going into tomorrow not 100 percent fit, but it doesn’t mean she can’t win. “Chante Moi has improved lengths since she had a spell and come back in.” View the full article