Wandering Eyes

Croix du Nord reclaimed his spot atop Japan's 3-year-old division with a smooth victory in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1) June 1 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Following a June 1 breeze over the Saratoga Race Course main track, Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism will be entered in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (G1), according to trainer Michael McCarthy.View the full article

2nd-Monmouth, $56,175, Msw, 6-1, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :53.21, ft, 2 1/2 lengths. DEE'S ON DOW (f, 2, Nyquist–Helena the First, by Lemon Drop Kid), sent off at 9-5 for this unveiling, broke alertly and was sent to the front, carving out an opening quarter in :22.54. Straightening for home while in the clear as the slow-breaking favorite Stormy City (Sea Wizard) took up chase on the outside, Dee's On Dow proved best on the day, scoring by 2 1/2 lengths over Stormy City. Jetty's Home (Enticed) rounded out the trifecta. A half-sister to MGSW and GISP Pretty N Cool (Scat Daddy), Helena the First is also responsible for a yearling filly by Olympiad and dropped a colt by Flameaway this season. Sales history: $65,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $27,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $130,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $31,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Lea Farms LLC; B-Nancy C. Shuford (KY); T-Jorge Delgado. The post Nyquist’s Dee’s on Dow Graduates in Career Unveiling at Monmouth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-Churchill Downs, $117,750, Msw, 6-1, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:04.32, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. COMPORT (c, 2, Collected–Bartlett Narrows, by Flatter) debuted as a 6-1 shot here, and got the jump on heavy favorite Cannoneer (Into Mischief). The chalk suddenly accelerated to seize the lead before the end of the backstretch, but Comport was not going to intimated. The pair battled into the lane, but the 2-year-old got the better of his rival and surged ahead to graduate by 2 1/4 lengths. 'Insight' runners like Password (Uncle Mo) came from the clouds to finish as the runner-up, while Cannoneer faded to third. Macchiato (Gun Runner) was fifth. A half-sister to SW Trace Creek (Harperstown), the winner's dam is responsible for a yearling colt by Daredevil and she foaled a filly by Nyquist Apr. 26. Sales History: $135,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Joseph W. Sutton; B-Edwin Anthony (KY); T-Eddie Kenneally. Comport was first in R4 at @churchilldowns under @luissaezpty for trainer Eddie Kenneally! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/x9x6a4ZYcj — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 1, 2025 The post Collected Colt Exhibits ‘Comport’-ment In Maiden Score At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-Monmouth, $51,275, Msw, 6-1, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:11.05, ft, 9 1/2 lengths. SINGLEMINDED (c, 3, Win Win Win–Eva London {SP}, by Adios Charlie) debuted Apr. 5 at Gulfstream Park in a mile turf maiden, and never left midpack for most of the race, finishing sixth in what became a blanket scramble on the wire. Moved to the main track and given blinkers for this second jump, the betting public made him the 6-5 second choice behind Bob Mo (Uncle Mo), who stepped forward to set the tempo as the 4-5 favorite. Never far from that leader behind :22.30 and a half in :46.22, Singleminded took command passing the quarter pole and the race was over from there as he drew away from his rivals to win by 9 1/2 lengths over Bob Mo. The victor is a half-brother to SP London Ghost (Shaman Ghost), and is his dam's fourth winner in a row from as many on the ground. Their 2023 Awesome Slew sibling died but Eva London did produce a yearling colt by Colonel Liam before being bred back to the stallion for 2025. Singleminded is the 20th winner for Win Win Win (by Hat Trick {Jpn}). Sales history: $80,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $31,930. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Ocala Stud, Dr. William & Alice B. Russell & William J. Terrill (FL); T-Chad C. Brown. The post Win Win Win’s Singleminded Goes Turf to Dirt, Graduates Stylishly at Monmouth Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Baley Hare has been named racing secretary at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming. He succeeds Dan Bork, who will transition to the same role at Colonial Downs in Virginia. Hare, a native of Illinois, grew up in the industry alongside his father, Scott, a former jockey and longtime jockey agent, and his mother, Darcy, a former trainer. Before working in racing offices across Kentucky, Hare was a racing official in Louisiana and Texas. “I'm thankful for the opportunity and appreciate the confidence from our team in naming me to this role,” Hare said. “Ellis Park has always held a special place in Kentucky racing, and it's exciting to build on the strong, year-round racing product we have across the state.” In addition to his new duties at Ellis Park, Hare will continue in his role at Churchill Downs, where he serves as paddock judge and racing official during the Spring, September and Fall meets. Bork, who has served as racing secretary at Ellis Park since 2006, praised Hare's growth and readiness for the position. “I wouldn't leave this position in anyone else's hands besides Baley,” Bork said. “Over the past several years, we've worked hand-in-hand managing entries and coordinating the day-to-day racing operation. With Ellis Park and Colonial Downs both operating as top-tier summer circuits, I know we'll continue to support each other and the broader goals of our racing program.” The post Baley Hare Named Ellis Racing Secretary appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Churchill Downs, $91,300, Msw, 6-1, 2yo, 5f, :58.46, ft, 1/2 length. DUKE OF SUGGINS (c, 2, Tom's d'Etat–Graceful Fancy, by Liam's Map), let go at 26-1 to for debut, was hustled into contention but soon settled in fourth as 2-1 choice Pupil (Tacitus) and Gold Pearl (Om) showed the way through a :22.36 quarter. With still plenty to do in early stretch, Duke of Suggins found his best stride late, forging to the lead en route to a 1/2-length score over closing Sleepingonfreedom (Independence Hall) with Mo' Em Down (Caracaro) up for third. Favored Pupil faded to seventh. Carrying this colt, Graceful Fancy was purchased for $100,000 by breeder Sun Valley Farm at the Keeneland January sale in 2023. A daughter of Grade I winner Icon Project (Empire Maker), the half-sister to GSW Fashion Business (GB) (Frankel {GB}) produced a filly by Twirling Candy last term followed by a Life Is Good colt this season. Sales history: $12,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $11,000 Ylg '24 EASOCT; $50,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $52,320. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Greg McDonald; B-Sun Valley Farm (KY); T-Albert M. Stall, Jr. The post Tom’s d’Etat’s Duke of Suggins Wins on Debut at Churchill Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Brian Knippenberg knew there was something wrong with Mercante (Gun Runner), but didn't know what it was. He also knew that the horse had a ton of talent and maybe he could patch him up and he'd be a useful horse. Not many would have done so. It would have been easy to give up on a horse that was sidelined for 15 months after he finished third in a July 22, 2023 allowance race at Saratoga for trainer Bill Mott. Fast forward to the present and Mercante looks like one of the best turf horse in training. His latest win came in the GIII Arlington S. on Saturday at Churchill Downs. It was after that July 2023 race that Mott sent the horse back to Hermitage Farm, owned by Carl Pollard. Knippenberg is his farm manager and trains a few horses for him on the side, mainly the ones that aren't good enough to make it at the bigger circuits. Knippenberg wasn't given any instructions or given a time frame. Rather, Pollard wanted him to look under the hood and try to figure out what was wrong with Mercante. Mercante had a tendon problem, but it was an unusual one. There was swelling in the afflicted area, but otherwise Mercante appeared to be perfectly sound. “There was no structural damage and he wasn't unsound,” Knippenberg said. “It was just an unsightly swelling. Nobody could figure out what was happening.” So, with the blessing of his veterinarian, Knippenberg decided to put Mercante back into serious training. He also asked Pollard if he could train the horse. “I told Mr. Pollard that I appreciated every horse he's ever sent me,” the trainer said. “I've loved winning races for him. How about giving me a chance with a potentially big time horse like Mercante? He waited about 30 days and then he said go for it. That's how the whole thing got set in motion.” The swelling remained an issue, but Mercante was otherwise training well and Knippenberg thought he was ready for a race. “We had him entered at Churchill and two days before the race, the leg just blew up. It was really bad. We sent him straight to the clinic. As is the case so often in life, the swelling was a blessing in disguise.” This time someone figured out what was going on. “They did an ultrasound on him and they found this tiny tear in what is called the manica,” Knippenberg said. According to the website vet-anatomy, the manica flexoria are bands of tissue proximal and distal to the fetlock, made of lateral and medial margins of the superficial digital flexor tendon. If they could repair this problem, there would be no reason why Mercante couldn't come back and, perhaps, develop into a stakes horse. But would it be worth the cost, the time and the effort? All he had done for Mott was break his maiden in six starts. “There was no damage to the tendon,” Knippenberg said. “It's not a weight bearing structure. There was just this tiny tear in the manica that was rubbing the tendon. This is an expensive surgery that involves a lengthy recovery. I stood by the horse. He would have been fine without surgery. It wasn't a quality of life issue. I told Mr. Pollard that this horse was worth it. He was on the sidelines for 15 months. Six months of that was post op after the surgery. Mr. Pollard went for it. Thank goodness he did because the horse has backed him up.” The Arlington was his seventh race since the long layoff and he's won four of them and was second in the GI Old Forester BourbonTurf Classic at Churchill. “I'm proud of Brian because he fooled with him and fooled with him,” Pollard said. “Bill Mott did a great job with him, but there was always something wrong. I was ready to give up on him.” Knippenberg said most owners probably would have given up on Mercante. “Mr. Pollard is the greatest owner in the world,” Knippenberg said. “He always defaults to his trainers and his farm managers. He will have an opinion, but he will trust the experts. He wasn't pushing to retire him. I presented him with the possible options. We could retire him and give him away as a riding horse or we could do this surgery The success rate on that surgery is about 70-30, which is not really great odds for something that is pretty expensive. But he went for it. He's game and he loves racing. As far as caring for horses, even the ones that can't race, I've never seen anyone like him. It's never a money issue with him. He always does what's right by the race horse.” For Knippenberg, Mercante has been a once-in-a-lifetime horse. He's been training since 2003 and has won 53 races. But many of the horses that came his way were Hermitage horses that didn't look like they had much of a future. “I'm not looking to train a string of horses,” Knippenberg said. “It was kind of a side thing I do with horses that have a little bit of a rap sheet. That's why this is such a cool story that a horse like Mercante would come in to the barn. We're not going to the sales and buying $500,000 horses to try to win big races. It just one that passed through our hands and turned out to be this kind of a horse.” Knippenberg has one other horse in training. The other is the claimer Sassy and Bold (Daddy Long Legs). Like Mercante, she has won three races so far this year. Knippenberg is 6-for-10 on the year. “The most special part is that Mr. Pollard has supported me by naming me his farm manager and sending me horses to train,” Knippenberg said. “It was really special to win this race for him. It is gratifying because you always wonder why am I racing on the small circuits? Is it because I don't know what I'm doing? So it is nice to have a horse with this ability and he runs to his abilities. It's been really fun.” Knippenberg wasn't sure what would be next for Mercante, but he said he will look at all the top grass stakes. “We used to be a Cinderella story,” the trainer said. “Not anymore. With the way he's been running, there are very high expectations every time he starts.” Patching Up “Patches” Reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Patches O'Houlihan (Reload) was scratched from Saturday's GIII Jacques Cartier S. at Woodbine, but trainer Bob Tiller is optimistic that the 5-year-old won't be sidelined for long. “We came in early [Saturday] morning and the first thing we looked at him and as soon we saw him, we knew that something wasn't right,” Tiller said. “He looked dull to me and we looked in the corner and he had left a lot of food. He wasn't feeling right. We couldn't run him. I would never run a horse in a situation like that where you might get a poor performance and make him even sicker. We love him to death. We adore him. We had to do the right thing and scratch him. He's much better today. It's just the second day, but we are optimistic. We'll do a lot of tests on him. I'm very confident he'll snap out of this.” The post The Week in Review: Brian Knippenberg Never Gave Up on Mercante and Now He’s Being Rewarded appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bobby Flay and James Ventura's Crudo (Justify) confirmed his readiness for Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes with a four-furlong work in :48.86 (4/17) over the Oklahoma training track Sunday in Saratoga. Last-out winner of the Sir Barton Stakes, the colt worked in company with GI Woody Stephens Stakes contender Gate to Wire (Munnings). He broke off about one length back and traveled to the outside of Gate to Wire as NYRA clockers timed him through splits of :12 4/5, :24 4/5, and out in 1:01 3/5 and 1:14 3/5. “I thought it was an excellent move,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He worked really well, galloped out nicely. I was very pleased with him. He's had a good couple weeks since he ran.” Crudo, a front-running 7 1/4-length maiden winner going seven furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 19, romped home by 7 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton at Pimilco May 17. He will be making his fourth lifetime start in the Belmont. “It's undoubtedly a pretty strong field,” Pletcher said. “The top three from the Derby look to be really good colts. We've always been really high on the way the horse trained. His last two races have been very good.” Pletcher will also saddle WinStar Farm and Repole Stable's Uncaged (Curlin) in the Belmont. The post Crudo on Go for Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) tuned up for his rematch with Derby runner-up and GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) in Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes with a four-furlong work in :48.84 (3/17) over the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga Sunday. The Godolphin homebred, working solo under exercise rider Neil Poznansky, was caught by NYRA clockers through splits of :12 3/5, :24 2/5 and out in 1:02 flat and 1:16 3/5. “He went well,” trainer Bill Mott said of the work. “We just wanted a nice breeze, in :48, :49, which is what we got. He galloped out good. He looked smooth. He came back good. It was a maintenance-type breeze, and that is what we got.” Sovereignty made his racetrack debut at Saratoga last summer, finishing fourth Aug. 24. Sunday's work was the colt's third straight breeze at the upstate New York venue since winning the May 3 Derby. He worked four furlongs in :49.76 (13/32) May 17 and five furlongs in 1:02.54 (4/5) May 24. The post ‘He Looked Smooth’: Sovereignty Tunes Up for Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's Sunly had looked one to follow when going two-for-two in the Listed Prix de la Seine and stayed on the rise with a smooth win in the G3 Prix de Royaumont at Chantilly on Sunday. Always travelling easily for Christophe Soumillon, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained daughter of Night Of Thunder took control a furlong from home en route to a 2 1/2-length success from Cloth Of Stars' Indalimos. In doing so, the 9-10 favourite was completing a family Group 3 weekend double following the exploits of the sire's equally-exciting Estrange at Haydock on Saturday. A filly going places! Sunly proves a class above in the Group Three Prix de Royaumont at Chantilly! pic.twitter.com/FAMzhDYsCz — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 1, 2025 Sunday, Chantilly, France PRIX DE ROYAUMONT-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 6-1, 3yo, f, 12fT, 2:27.76, gd. 1–SUNLY (GB), 123, f, 3, by Night Of Thunder (Ire) 1st Dam: Suffused (GB) (MGSW-US, GISP-Can & SP-Eng, $697,248), by Champs Elysees (GB) 2nd Dam: Scuffle (GB), by Daylami (Ire) 3rd Dam: Tantina, by Distant View 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Juddmonte Farms Inc; B-Juddmonte Farms Ireland Ltd; T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Christophe Soumillon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €81,000. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Indalimos (Fr), 123, f, 3, Cloth Of Stars (Ire)–Lucy The Painter (Ire), by Excellent Art (GB). (€12,000 RNA Ylg '23 ARQFEB; €47,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT). O-Yves Burrus; B-John Plowden Carrington; T-Andre Fabre. €16,000. 3–Eleganz (Ire), 123, f, 3, Adlerflug (Ger)–Kizingo (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€300,000 Ylg '23 BBAGS). O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Gestut Rottgen; T-Andre Fabre. €12,000. Margins: 2HF, SNK, NK. Odds: 0.90, 6.40, 8.10. Also Ran: Ginalyah (Ire), Rabbit's Foot (Fr), Secret Of Love (GB), Zakharova (Fr), Konada (Fr). The post Night Of Thunder’s Sunly Unbeaten After Royaumont Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After losing his unbeaten record when second in April's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), Croix Du Nord was on something of a recovery mission, and he delivered when it counted, running out a three-quarter length winner of the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on Sunday. Masquerade Ball (Duramente), third in the Satsuki Sho, charged home second, 1 1/2 lengths to the good of Shohei (Saturnalia). The betting public felt the 2400 metres of the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) was well within the son of Kitasan Black's scope, and they duly made him the 11-10 favourite. On a quest to be the fifth Derby winner for Sunday Racing, the eventual winner raced in a stalking fourth behind the dueling leaders Satono Shining (Kizuna) and Ho O Atman (Duramente) with Sho Hei in third. Ho O Atman took the lead outright once the field had entered the backstretch, and Yuichi Kitamura remained patient aboard Croix Du North. Trying to steal a march on his rivals, Ho O Atman opened up a double-digit margin at one point and still had a huge gap back to Satono Shining on the far turn. That lead shrank rapidly once the pacesetter reached the 500-metre mark and a cluster of horses appeared poised with their challenges. Churning away 100 metres later, Croix Du Nord found the front 1 1/2 furlongs from home and he held firm as the rallying Masquerade Ball came flying for second and a game Shohei took third. Satono Shining held on four fourth, a neck back of the third-place finisher. “I felt it was my responsibility to make Croix du Nord a Derby winner ever since the colt won the Hopeful Stakes, so my feeling now is that I am relieved to have accomplished by mission,” said jockey Yuichi Kitamura. “The whole process since the win last year, including our runner-up effort in the Satsuki Sho, was a meaningful and precious learning experience for me. The colt felt great today and I was able to come into the race with every confidence so victory itself came as no surprise to me.” A winner of his first three starts at two including the G2 Hai Nisai Stakes and G1 Hopeful Stakes, Croix Du Nord was second in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) to Museum Mile (Leontes) in April. That rival finished sixth on Sunday. Pedigree Notes Kitasan Black is best known as the sire of globetrotting wunderkind Equinox, but Croix Du Nord paved new ground on Sunday with his victory. Equinox was second in the 2022 Japanese Derby, the same position as the son of Black Tide's other Group 1 winner Sol Oriens, who placed in the race in 2023. Overall, the Shadai Stallion Station resident has sired 13 stakes winners with 10 of them at the group/graded level. Rising Cross (Cape Cross) last graced the sales ring when she was a 73,333gns buy-back when offered by John Best Racing Stables during the Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale of 2005. A winner of the G3 Prestige Stakes at two, the dark bay won the G2 Park Hill Stakes at three, and was also second in the G1 Oaks and third in the G1 Irish Oaks. Kept in training at five, she was third in the GIII Bewitch Stakes in the U.S. and retired with earnings of over $500,000. Croix Du Nord is one of 13 foals out of Rising Cross, 10 of which have run with seven winners among them. Besides the Japanese Derby hero, her best is the Manhattan Café filly Earthrise, who was placed thrice at Group 3 level in Japan. Rising Cross's latest offspring is a juvenile full-brother to the winner named Charing Cross, and a yearling filly by Satono Diamond. This is the extended family of G1 Derby winners Morston and Blakeney. Sunday, Tokyo Japan TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)-G1, ¥609,590,000, Tokyo, 6-1, 3yo, c/f, 2400mT, 2:23.70, fm. 1–CROIX DU NORD (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Kitasan Black (Jpn) 1st Dam: Rising Cross (GB) (GSP & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Ire, GSP-US, 501,841), by Cape Cross (Ire) 2nd Dam: Woodrising (GB), by Nomination (GB) 3rd Dam: Bodham (GB), by Bustino (GB) O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Takashi Saito; J-Yuichi Kitamura; ¥327,713,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Colt-Jpn, 5-4-1-0, ¥532,486,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Masquerade Ball (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Duramente (Jpn)–Mask Off (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn). O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥127,918,000. 3–Shohei (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Saturnalia (Jpn)–Oro Trajet (Jpn), by Orfevre (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Tatsue Ishikawa; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥78,959,000. Margins: 3/4, 1HF, NK. Odds: 1.10, 5.80, 13.40. Also Ran: Satono Shining (Jpn), Eri King (Jpn), Museum Mile (Jpn), M's (Jpn), Giovanni (Jpn), Feiern Kranz (Jpn), Lila Emblem (Jpn), Ho O Atman (Jpn), Kalamatianos (Jpn), Toppi Born (Jpn), Fandom (Jpn), Dragon Boost (Jpn), Nishino Agent (Jpn), Readiness (Jpn), Faust Rasen (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. #クロワドノール !! The Tokyo Yushun – Japanese Derby – went to favored #13 CROIX DU NORD, a son of Kitasan Black. Yuichi Kitamura in the irons for Takashi Saito. pic.twitter.com/keqec1xG0u — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 1, 2025 The post Kitasan Black’s Croix Du Nord Finds His True North In Japanese Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A seemingly wide-open renewal of Chantilly's G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club ultimately produced the most straightforward outcome as Ballydoyle's Camille Pissarro prevailed as the 12-5 favourite. Drawn against the rail, one of the stable's abundance of Wootton Bassett colts only had to follow the pace aided by the yard's Trinity College taking the shortest route. Ryan Moore's only complication came in the closing stages as he needed to thread the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner through a gap no more a horse's width but he had all the momentum with his mount having saved so much energy throughout. At the line, the sire's second Classic winner of 2025 had half a length to spare over Godolphin's Cualificar, Lope De Vega's G3 Prix la Force and G3 Prix de Guiche-winning son of the Oaks heroine Qualify who covered himself in glory from stall 12. Juddmonte's Detain was a neck away in third, making it a one-three for Wootton Bassett as it had been in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains when Camille Pissarro had been two places behind stablemate Henri Matisse. “He did everything right today and Aidan had him in a beautiful frame of mind,” Moore said after steering his second Prix du Jockey Club winner and first for Ballydoyle. “Fair play to Christophe [Soumillon], he said he'd have no problem with the trip and he showed nice acceleration there. He put them away.” Camille Pissarro wins the 2025 Prix du Jockey Club! pic.twitter.com/jDSfeDzVba — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 1, 2025 The post ‘He Put Them Away’: Moore Charmed By Wootton Bassett’s Jockey Club Hero Camille Pissarro appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Michael McCarthy confirmed Sunday morning that Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) will run in Saturday's Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. The announcement came after Journalism worked four furlongs in :47.50 Saturday morning on Saratoga's main track, with regular jockey Umberto Rispoli on board. “Based off what I saw here this morning, I would be hard-pressed to find a reason not to enter,” McCarthy said, standing outside Journalism's stall at the Oklahoma training track. McCarthy said the horse would be entered Sunday when entries are taken. The draw takes place Monday in downtown Saratoga. Journalism finished second in the Kentucky Derby as the favorite, behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who is also being pointed towards the Belmont. Asked if was looking forward to the race, Aron Wellman, president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbreds, the colt's owner, said, “Absolutely. This is an American classic, man. You only get three shots at them. We have been fortunate to particpate and compete in the first two. It would mean a lot. There is a lot of importance associated with this race. And we feel like we've got the goods.” Journalism, with Umberto Rispoli up, worked a half mile over the Saratoga main track. NYRA clockers caught him in 23 4/5, 47 2/5, 1:00 flat, and 1:12 4/5 pic.twitter.com/L6QGMmy8Mt — Keith-TripleDeadHeat (@TripleDeadHeat) June 1, 2025 The post Journalism A Go For Belmont Stakes After Saratoga Work appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The unbeaten Midak will represent the Aga Khan Studs in the G1 Betfred Derby on Saturday, June 7, after connections announced he would be supplemented for the Epsom feature. This year's edition of the race will be run in memory of the late His Highness Aga Khan IV. A homebred, the son of Footstepsinthesand won a maiden on the all-weather at first asking in March and prevailed over turf a month later in a conditions affair both over 2200 metres. He ran out a 2 1/2-length winner of the G3 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud on May 9. Princess Zahra Aga Khan confirmed the colt's participation to Racing TV on Sunday and said, “He's unbeaten in three starts, we know he gets the trip, he's got the right kind of character to be able to handle Tattenham Corner and all the noise that comes with the Epsom Derby. “It's nice to have a runner this year because the race is being run in honour of my father and he's done everything he should to be a valid runner in the Epsom Derby.” She added, “When Midak won his last race, I asked Francis [-Henri Graffard] 'this is a Jockey Club horse isn't it' and he said 'we can't as you have another runner for that race and there is also another horse in our stable'. “I then asked 'what are you thinking of doing' and he just looked at me and replied, 'Epsom'. We all thought it would be lovely to have a runner in the race and he has ticked all the boxes and there is no reason not to run him.” The late Aga Khan won his first Derby with Shergar in 1981, with Shahrastani following in 1986 and Kahyasi in 1988. Midak's broodmare sire Sinndar stamped his name on the Blue Riband in 2000, with Harzand bolting up under Pat Smullen in 2016. Said Graffard, who will run Calandagan (Gleneagles) in the G1 Coronation Cup the day prior, “The Derby at Epsom is a dream race for me, I have walked the course and my grandfather would always talk to me about the Epsom Derby. “We have this horse Midak who needed supplementing for either the Prix du Jockey Club or Derby, so I said to Princess Zahra 'you already have two runners in the Jockey Club, so why not give it a go in the Derby'. “British racing has very kindly named the Derby in honour of His Highness the Aga Khan this year, so we will take our chance.” The post Unbeaten Midak To Be Supplemented For Betfred Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godspeed's finishing sectionals in the G3 Prix de la Grotte showed us that she was a class act and Peter Bradley's colour-bearer confirmed that in Sunday's G2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly. This was effectively won at the break, with Christophe Soumillon instantly getting a length on the inexperienced favourite Vadinska and able to sit in mid-division while that peer was anchored out the back. Slipping by the leader Eponine with ease passing two out, the Carlos and Yann Lerner-trained daughter of Hello Youmzain was in cruise control from there en route to a length verdict over that daughter of Tamayuz. Time Test's Betty Clover was a length further away in third, with the 9-10 market-leader Vadinska ending up fifth in a race that proved a write-off in all areas bar the educational. “We had plenty of confidence, as we know she has a lot of talent,” Yann Lerner said of the winner, sent off the 7-2 second favourite after her eighth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches from stall 13. “The [G1] Diane is an option, but first I need to talk with all the partners. She is a very easy filly and it's a question of whether she can use that turn of foot over 2,100.” Godspeed takes out the Group Two Prix de Sandringham! She puts the race to bed with a good turn of foot to beat Eponine and it's another credible run from Betty Clover in third! pic.twitter.com/KLCZ4sKR43 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 1, 2025 Sunday, Chantilly, France PRIX DE SANDRINGHAM-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 6-1, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:35.07, gd. 1–GODSPEED (FR), 126, f, 3, by Hello Youmzain (Fr) 1st Dam: Mary's Precedent (Fr) (SW-Fr, $115,373), by Storming Home (GB) 2nd Dam: Suvretta Queen (Ire), by Polish Precedent 3rd Dam: Allwaki, by Miswaki 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Peter R Bradley III, F&O Hinderze Racing & Ecurie JML Racing; B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran, Ecurie Melanie & Stephane Gilibert; T-Carlos & Yann Lerner; J-Christophe Soumillon. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-2, €103,800. *1/2 to Mary's France (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Eponine (Ire), 126, f, 3, Tamayuz (GB)–Porcelaine (Ire), by Kodiac (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Cotton House Bloodstock; T-Philippe Sogorb. €28,600. 3–Betty Clover (GB), 126, f, 3, Time Test (GB)–Reprieval (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). O-The Ascot Revellers & Partner; B/T-Eve Johnson Houghton. €13,650. Margins: 1, 1, HD. Odds: 3.50, 10.00, 5.60. Also Ran: Relaxx (Fr), Vadinska (Ire), Ghoufrann (Ire), Tigress Of Gaul (Fr), Mimos (Fr). The post Hello Youmzain’s Godspeed Wins The Sandringham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand bred horses won five of the seven races carded at the final meeting to be staged by the Penang Turf Club in Malaysia on Saturday. Trainer Simon Dunderdale was full of praise for jockey Blaike McDougall after he piloted Sacred Buddy (NZ) (Sacred Falls) to victory in the RM150,000 Penang Turf Club Memorial Trophy (1100m). Making his third appearance in the country after notching five wins from Open Maiden to Class 4 at Kranji, the Sacred Falls gelding overcame a check halfway through the Cosmo C set-weight race and took a split between runners in the final 200m to claim victory by a neck. “He (McDougall) is a class jockey,” said Dunderdale who also combined with McDougall to take out the opening event on Bull Fight. “The horse (Sacred Buddy) has been improving since he came over from Singapore.” Sacred Buddy rewrote the 1110m track record with a time of 1 min 2.80 second, shaving 0.9 second off the previous best set in 2013. “We got a check but he (Sacred Buddy) refused to be beaten and came home strongly,” said McDougall who was riding at the track at the first and last time. “It is a lovely track and it’s sad racing has to end here.” Talkingtalkingguru (NZ) (Telperion) got his second win in succession in the Special Class 5 (1200m). The former Singapore runner has got all three career wins since arriving in Malaysia. Graphjet Express (NZ) (Belardo) got a hard fought victory in the in the RM100,000 Jockey Club of Turkiye Trophy (1400m) he returned to racing earlier this month after being on the sidelines for nine months. Another former Singapore galloper, previously raced as Tenebrosi with Te Akau Racing, Contarelli (NZ) got his third win since arriving in Malaysia in the Special Class 4 (1400m). Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn), who won the Penang Gold Cup on this track last December, will go down in history as the very last winner in Penang, taking out the last race (Special Rapid Stakes A- 1300m). The Mendelssohn gelding has now won seven of 12 starts since arriving in the country from New Zealand. “I had some good winners here. I will miss the place,” said trainer Cheng Han Yong as he and the connections of Lucky Magic unhurled a banner with the words “We will miss you forever Penang Turf Club” at the winner’s enclosure. View the full article

It was May 23 and Tom Ryan was anxiously waiting for a phone call.View the full article

Driver Penalties G Martin | Waikato Bay of Plenty 29 May; careless driving; suspended 30 May – 6 June inclusive. C Wilson | Waikato Bay of Plenty 29 May; use of whip; suspended 30 May – 28 June inclusive. C Hackett | Waikato Bay of Plenty 29 May; careless driving; fined $250. S Hill | NZ Metropolitan 30 May; use of whip; suspended 3-8 June inclusive, L Whittaker | NZ Metropolitan 30 May; contacted track markers; fined $100. D Balle | Non-raceday dated 22 May; misconduct; suspended 10 February – 16 June inclusive and costs of $10,600. P Hunter | Ashburton 1 June; use of whip; suspended 3-26 June inclusive. N Williamson | Ashburton 1 June; use of whip (2 charges); suspended 3-15 June and fined $500. B Munro | Ashburton 1 June; use of whip; suspended 2-8 June inclusive. R May | Ashburton 1 June; crossed over prior to start; fined $200. S Tomlinson | Ashburton 1 June; contacted track marker; fined $100. J Thomas | Ashburton 1 June; delayed the start; fined $200. J Morrison | Ashburton 1 June; careless driving; fined $300. Trainer Penalties M & N Purdon | Auckland 30 May; incorrect gear; fined $100. B Ward | Ashburton 1 June; late to present runner on course; fined $200. Horse Penalties HIGHER POWER | Auckland 30 May; broke at start; must complete mobile start trial. TIME FOR VICTORY | NZ Metropolitan 30 May; stood on mark; must complete standing start trial. ROCKETS STAR | NZ Metropolitan 30 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. HARRIET’S MOMENT | Ashburton 1 June; fractious prior to start; must complete standing start trial. FREEZE FRAME | Ashburton 1 June; late scratching after falling prior to start; must complete trial. Protests HAPPY HILL | Auckland 30 May; excessive galloping during race; disqualified from 4th. TIME FOR VICTORY | NZ Metropolitan 30 May; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. HARRIET’S MOMENT | Ashburton 1 June; started from incorrect barrier position gaining an advantage; disqualified from 3rd. The post 26 May – 1 June 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties M McNab | Tauranga 28 May; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 31 May). B Murray | Canterbury 29 May; medical clearance required. V Colgan | Waikato 31 May; use of whip; fined $250. H Hassman | Otago 1 June; failed to ride to finish; suspended 9-20 June inclusive. L Callaway | Otago 1 June; failed to weigh in; suspended 12-25 June inclusive and riding fee forfeited. Trainer Penalty P Gerard | Waikato 31 May; late rider declaration; fined $100. Horse Penalties VIDENTE | Tauranga 28 May; late scratching after becoming cast in barrier; must complete trial. AGAPE | Canterbury 29 May; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. MOTIONTIME | Canterbury 29 May; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. SWINDLE | Waikato 31 May; lame; veterinary clearance required. Protest BALZANO | Otago 1 June; ride failed to weigh in; disqualified from 4th. General The Racing Tauranga meeting of 28 May was abandoned after Race 4 due to unsafe track conditions. The post 26 May – 1 June 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Patrick and Michelle Payne’s The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) made it six wins from six jumps starts with a gutsy Australian Hurdle victory at Sandown on Sunday. Despite coming under riding from Tom Ryan a fair way from home, the striking grey, who cost Prime Thoroughbreds just $30,000 as a yearling, surged in the straight and lifted late to score by just under two lengths as a $3.10 chance. Highland Blaze flew late to go into second, while Affluential (NZ) (Zed) tired late to run a brave third, but The Cunning Fox was far too good and further stamped himself as one of the stars of the hurdling caper. Ryan, who picked up his fourth Australian Hurdle and his second consecutively, was full of praise for his mount. “He probably should not have won today, but it was only the fact that the horse is so tough,” he said. “We didn’t go overly quick, and then they quickened at the top of the hill, and I was totally left flat-footed. I said, ‘I’m beaten here.’ “But to be fair to him, he winged the second-last and I was hoping just to stay on their coattails. “But once we got into the straight, I gave him one backhander is all, and the way he went… you could nearly see him putting the ears back and fighting. “He is a tough, tough horse.” The Cunning Fox was bred by Sven Hanson who bred and raced Reliable Man, who stands at Westbury Stud in New Zealand. View the full article

Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel) put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday. A winner at her first two starts through the spring, Cool Aza Rene had started favourite in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) in December, but after an uncharacteristic performance to finish the last of five, the filly pulled up shin-sore. Returning to Te Akau’s Riccarton stable in the late autumn, Cool Aza Rene trialled impressively at Ashburton before journeying further south to the Dunedin venue, where she was the most-experienced in a field made up of a number of first-starters. The daughter of Cool Aza Beel was a deserved favourite, but punters still identified Eternal Light ($5.30), stablemate Options Open ($5.70), and Better Shared ($6.30) as potential dangers. Jumping from barrier seven, apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll was positive early, driving forward to settle off the fence in third. The big-striding El Vaquero headed the juvenile field into the home turn and Cool Aza Rene picked up to draw level with him at the 200m, and despite getting a decent bump from her rival, the filly was too tough and got up by a head. Debutant Eternal Light wasn’t far away in third, with another length margin back to an improving Better Shared. “It was a good tough effort and obviously she got through the testing ground quite well,” said Mark Walker, who trains her in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “She showed a lot of heart to get up and win, close to the line. “She’s building quite a nice record and we’ll look to run her again on the 21st of June in the two-year-old race over 1000m at Riccarton. “We really do like the progeny of Cool Aza Beel, especially as they look as though they’ll keep developing into much better three-year-olds.” Cool Aza Rene is by a former Te Akau Racing galloper in Cool Aza Beel, while her dam, Irene, is by another past star of the stable in Xtravagant. She was purchased for A$55,000 out of Newhaven Park’s draft at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and from four starts, has earned just shy of $85,000. View the full article

A lifelong ambition was fulfilled for Jordan Rogan at Wanganui on Saturday, when the young New Plymouth trainer prepared his first winner in Snipsnap (NZ) (Vadamos). Having worked in both the harness and galloping codes, Rogan had been immersed in the racing industry for a number of years before being gifted Snipsnap, a son of Vadamos who had trialled once in the care of Hunterville horsewoman Lydia Pickford. Pickford indicated that the horse would require plenty of time, and after underperforming in his first four starts, Rogan gave the gelding over 18 months away from the races. Returning in a fresh state, Snipsnap was the rank outsider at $78 in the Sound Electrical Maiden (1340m), but got away positively under Mereana Hudson and raced on-speed to the home turn. Snipsnap had the odds-on favourite Atkins hot on his heels on straightening, but after fending off Just A Nudge to his inside, the gelding kicked clear in the final bounds to score over a late-closing Waft. Rogan was rapt with the performance, a big reward after exercising plenty of patience with the five-year-old. “It was a day I’ll never forget,” he said. “It was especially good to do it with a horse like him, we’ve given him a year and a half off, so to get him back to the races and winning first-up is pretty cool. “He was the first horse I started under my own name, I’ve worked in the harness code as well and had a winner as an owner, and then this horse was given to me by Lydia Pickford. She thought he just needed a bit of time and I gave him a few runs a couple of years ago, and as I said on TV, I think on average he was beaten 21 lengths. “He just needed more time and luckily, I had the patience to do it.” Bred by Daniel and Elias Nahkle, Snipsnap is out of a Perfectly Ready mare Ready Steady, who won five races and placed at stakes level as a three-year-old. Four of Ready Steady’s victories came on a good track, and Rogan suspects his charge may not be looking for much worse than Saturday’s Heavy8 surface. “He’s been a bit deceiving, but yesterday wasn’t too wet and I don’t think he’ll cop a really heavy track so we’ll just have to see and play it by ear,” he said. “I think he could get a mile, Mereana was pretty happy with him and said he won without really letting down yesterday. I don’t really know what I’ve got, hopefully something better than a maiden anyway.” Originally from the Manawatu, Rogan grew up watching the races with his father and still follows the harness, while plying his trade in the thoroughbred code. “I’m born and bred in Palmerston North, and my Dad was always very interested in racing and watching it on TV,” he said. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be in racing. “I helped in a couple of stables in Palmy then for a couple of people up north, I’ve always loved both codes. I’ve strapped at the races for a couple of different trainers and always give anyone a hand, it’s been good to do both and I still keep up with who is winning in the harness up north as well. Rogan is now based out of John Wheeler’s stable in the Taranaki region, where he and his partner, apprentice jockey Elle Sole, have a couple of young horses coming through. “I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing without John Wheeler, I train my horses out of his stable and work for him,” he said. “I have the use of the track and walker, so that’s a big help. “I just have the one racehorse at the moment, but I’m breaking three in and have a broodmare in foal, so it’s starting to get up there a bit. I’m enjoying doing the breakers with my partner and having a nice, select number at the moment. “In the future, I’d like to be able to get to something a bit bigger, but I’m happy with where I’m at right now.” View the full article

Cambridge apprentice Elen Nicholas has spent more time on the sidelines than in the saddle over the last couple of years, but she was back where she belongs at Te Rapa on Saturday – in the winner’s circle. Nicholas returned from her most recent injury earlier in May and the Phillip Devcich-trained El Zoro (NZ) (Burgundy) delivered a much-awaited first success for the young hoop, saluting in the Wright Civil 2200. Settling in the one-one, El Zoro travelled in a good rhythm throughout the staying contest and loomed up on the home turn, finding a good kick in the straight to score by a length from Justice. “It was good to get one over the line, because I’d had a few rides before getting the monkey off the back,” Nicholas said. “It was really good. “He was actually my first ride back from injury, the first day that I’d ridden him I thought he was a bit of an older, lazy horse and I sent him a little bit too hard and woke him up too much. “It worked out perfectly in the race this time, I got a nice position on him and rode him a little bit more conservatively. It paid off in the end.” Originally hailing from Wales, Nicholas initially came to New Zealand in mid-2018 and commenced her apprenticeship in 2020, and while she has accumulated over 80 winners since, the road has been far from smooth. Nicholas has sustained a number of injuries in race-riding falls, the worst of those coming at Hastings in January last year, when her mount was brought down by another horse. The talented hoop broke her leg in three places, requiring a plate in her ankle and a long road to recovery. While hugely disappointed to be back at square one, Nicholas, alongside her partner Shaun Phelan, made a conscious decision to give her body the time it needed to fully heal. “I just wanted to give myself plenty of time because I’ve made a comeback too soon in the past,” she said. “I spoke with my partner Shaun and we agreed at least a year off the scene would be beneficial. “There were times where it looked like I wouldn’t make a return to riding at all, but I gave myself a full 12 months and then decided to get the plate removed from my ankle, even though I didn’t have to have that done. “I got the plate removed in December and then I’ve just been slowly building back, I work with a personal trainer online in the UK called James from XCompete. He’s helped a lot with my fitness and nutrition, and because I’m not a completely natural lightweight, there’s been a little bit of a challenge with that. “But, because I’ve had so much time to get myself in the right shape for it, it has been alright getting back.” At the age of 28, Nicholas has experienced more adversity than the average athlete would encounter in their entire career. Despite this, she’s gained a fresh perspective, hoping to assist other riders through similar struggles in the future. “I found the first time being injured, it was pretty scary,” she said. “You’re used to being so busy with trainers calling you, riding, and being around your racing family, so when that all gets switched off, the silence for any young person is pretty daunting. “Now that it’s happened to me a couple of times, I’ve learned how to deal with it and it’s opened up my eyes to a future after racing. I’d quite like to do something where I can support jockeys through injuries or wanting to make a comeback to racing, that would be something I’d look into. “I’ve been lucky to have the support of friends and family, they’ve always backed me in this journey and I’m very grateful and appreciative to them. Ted McLachlan (agent) was a big influence to me coming back riding, he was very supportive and is a great mentor. “It can be a hard place, but you can overcome it with the right tools.” While the physical and mental setbacks have been tough, Nicholas’ love for the sport never faded, and with at least 18 months remaining in her apprenticeship, she has one goal in mind. “I love riding horses and racing, so that never went away, but the biggest thing was that every time I thought about retiring, it honestly made me pretty depressed,” she said. “I thought that if my body is right and I’m fit enough for it, I don’t need to finish riding just yet. I ride the horses in trackwork at Shaun’s and we’ve got a few nice horses in work, so working with them was a nice incentive to come back. “We had a chat with NZTR last year, and I can’t remember off the top of my head, but I have at least a year and a half left of my apprenticeship left, if not slightly more. Because I’ve had so much time with injury, it’s great that they allow you to put it on hold. “I’d like to ride 100 winners, that is a personal goal that I’ve set myself.” View the full article

A week after pulling off a first-up masterstroke with the veteran Ata Rangi (NZ) (Haradasun) at Ellerslie, John Bell is hoping to see another bold return to racing this weekend – this time from one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in his Cambridge stable. Monday’s Waihou Tavern (1150m) at Te Aroha will mark the first raceday appearance in 152 days for Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto). The well-related son of Per Incanto and the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner Fleur De Lune is raced by his breeders Elizabeth and Peter Martin and has so far had seven starts for four wins, a third and a fourth. The gelding kicked off his career with a pair of smart victories last July, winning by two and a half lengths at Tauranga and by a length and three-quarters at Te Rapa. His first defeat was a close third at Ellerslie in September behind the subsequent dual Group winner and Group One placegetter Luberon. After another third placing at Tauranga, where he was beaten by a long neck and a nose, Twain returned to winning form with back-to-back sprint successes at Tauranga and Ellerslie in November. The placegetters in those races included Francee and Glamour Tycoon, who have both gone on to win at Listed level this autumn. Twain’s most recent appearance came at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, where the four-year-old finished fourth in a Rating 75 sprint behind Poetic Champion, Sweynesday and Shoes. Bell entered Twain for a first-up run at Te Rapa last weekend but scratched him in favour of a trial at Waipa on Tuesday. Twain won his 850m heat by two lengths. “We’re very happy with the horse,” Bell said. “As Bart Cummings always said, ‘If in doubt, pull out.’ We followed that philosophy in scratching him from Te Rapa and giving him a quiet trial instead. “We were very pleased with what he did in that trial and how he came through it. Everything’s going well ahead of his return to racing on Monday. “He’s not a Heavy10 horse, but he does have class. Looking at the field, there’s a number of on-pace runners there, so we’ll have to form a plan with Triston (Moodley, jockey) on how best to approach the race.” Twain will attempt to follow the example of his nine-year-old stablemate Ata Rangi, who won a 2200m open handicap at Ellerslie last Sunday in his first start for 204 days. “I worked with Ken Browne for a number of years, and what he always did with his jumpers was bring them into work on New Year’s Day and quietly build them up from there,” Bell said. “I followed that blueprint with this horse. I knew he was fit going into that race, he was given a lovely ride – an incredible ride, really, for a 4kg claimer (Hayley Hassman) – and the plan worked. “He’s likely to run again at Ellerslie next Saturday, and we’ll just take it from there. If we think he’s ready for a jumps race and there’s a suitable option for him in the northern region, we may go in that direction, but there’s no rush to do that while he’s going nicely on the flat.” View the full article