Wandering Eyes

Introduced in the same seven-furlong Goodwood maiden on Thursday that Ballydoyle won with Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2016, Dreamy (Ire) (American Pharoah–Tapestry {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) became the latest to fly the flag for the Rosegreen stable in a largely fruitful week. Bred by Flaxman Stables and Coolmore and carrying the famed colours of the Niarchos Family, the daughter of the G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine qas quickly away from her high draw before being settled in fourth by Ryan Moore. Taking her time to build in the closing stages, the 5-2 favourite stayed on strongly to reel in Bouvier (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) close home and prevail by a neck. 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒚 American Pharoah filly Dreamy got going late to make a winning debut and complete a brilliant treble on the day for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien. @Ballydoyle | @Goodwood_Races pic.twitter.com/DMIYPhYcmU — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 1, 2024 The post Goodwood Debut Win For American Pharoah’s Daughter Of Tapestry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The once-beaten Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) will look to give Godolphin a third winner in the five-year history of the GII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes as she bids to add to her latest success in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational over the same mile-and-three-sixteenths journey July 6. The homebred ran the table in the first four starts of her career, a pair of victories at two followed by two more this season at Meydan, including a jaw-dropping score in the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas Mar. 2 that defies any real description. A good seventh, beaten just over four lengths in what has proven to be a productive running of the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on the first Sunday in May, Cinderella's Dream lobbed along near the back of the field and whooshed past her rivals to take out the Belmont Oaks last time. William Buick makes another trans-Atlantic trip for the ride on Friday. “She's in great nick and she's done very, very well since her last run,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “She broke the track record there last time at Aqueduct in the Belmont Oaks, which was impressive.” Greenfinch (Justify) represents the Aidan O'Brien team, and while considerably less accomplished on paper than the favorite, she sports Timeform ratings that suggest that she is not out of her depth in this first go at Grade I level. A maiden winner over the Dundalk all-weather last November, the homebred–whose dam Misty For Me (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas in 2011–is a half-sister to G1SWs Roly Poly (War Front) and U S Navy Flag (War Front) and GSW Cover Song (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), and she earned this opportunity when carrying Wayne Lordan to a clear-cut victory in the Listed Cairn Rouge Stakes at Killarney July 17. Ryan Moore, who has almost shockingly never won a race at Saratoga, is in for the ride. Segesta (Ghostzapper) came from just off the speed to take the GII Wonder Again Stakes at Aqueduct May 27 but made the majority of the running in the Belmont Oaks before being caught in the late stages. She is–somewhat surprisingly–the only entrant from the barn of Chad Brown, but trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. has two chances. Kathynmarissa (American Pharoah) ran on nicely to finish third to Dancing N Dixie (Neolithic) in the June 29 Tepin Stakes at Churchill, while Macanga (American Pharoah) was a pacesetting third in the Wild Applause Stakes downstate on June 22. Hall of Fame Figures A Wide-Open Heat A field of eight sophomore males is set to face the starter for Friday's GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, and with six of the runners having posted Beyer Speed Figures in the mid to upper 80s and with none of the entrants having cracked 90, there is no standout. Neat (Constitution) is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line on the strength of his 13-1 upset of Keeneland's GIII Transylvania Stakes in April and a 3/4-length victory in the June 29 Manila Stakes down at Aqueduct. He can certainly win this, but may need to improve on his Beyer top of 86. The filly Buttercream Babe (Twirling Candy) owns the field's top turf figure, an 88 Beyer for a one-mile allowance victory over Friday's course and distance on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8. She was fractionally unlucky to finish second in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Handicap July 13 and she'll have to race without Lasix this time, but cannot be eliminated. Zverev (Oscar Performance) certainly isn't out of this if he is able to reproduce the sort of form that saw him dominate a June 20 Churchill allowance where he defeated recent Saratoga winner West Hollywood (Uncle Mo). More consistent than he has been spectacular, Lagynos (Kantharos) has run some competitive races on the grass, finishing a close third at longshot odds in the Transylvania and behind Trikari (Oscar Performance) in the GII American Turf Stakes at Churchill May 4. Second in the June 4 Audubon Stakes over nine panels, he was an even fourth in the American Derby June 29 and maybe this cutback to the mile is what he is looking for. The post ‘Dream’ Scenario Looms In Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets for Keeneland's 2024 Fall Meet, slated for Oct. 4-26, will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 9 a.m. ET., the track said in a press release on Thursday. A variety of ticket options are available, and all tickets must be pre-purchased via Keeneland's Official Online Ticket Office. Keeneland has increased the purses for five stakes races during the 2024 Fall Meet by a combined total of $800,000, which brings the total purse for all 22 stakes races held over the 17-day meet to a record-setting $9.85 million. All Fall Meet stakes include KTDF contributions. Also of note, The Hill will be open for tailgating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the meet. Fans can watch racing and football via a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while live music and food trucks will be available. The post Keeneland Fall Meet Tickets On Sale To Public Aug. 20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An interval of 136 years between Apollo and Justify, followed by one of just five to Mage, tells us all we need to know about the way modern trainers can (and increasingly prefer to) prepare their Derby prospects. So these remain very early days for the freshmen sires, nowadays responsible for such a large portion of every juvenile crop. In this era of monster books, especially, even the rookie with most action to date has barely scratched the surface. At the moment that's Vekoma, who lies second in the freshman prizemoney table with 11 winners from 28 starters. He will be able to call on no fewer than 130 named foals in his debut crop. Nonetheless, anyone who enjoys a little Schadenfreude can imagine the anxiety with which every new starter is annually monitored when an expensive sire fails to land running. There are conspicuous cases every year, and of course many end up turning things round after the manner of Arrogate. So nobody should be panicking at this stage, even if they're charging multiples of the $12,500 fee via which Complexity has so far sired 12 winners (two stakes, one graded stakes) from just 18 starters. What's really tough, however, is when stallions quickly suggest unexpected prowess from marginal opportunity, only to be swamped by rivals whose mediocre ratios can eventually be suppressed behind their sheer output. Adverts acclaiming “Yet another stakes winner for X” should very often translate as: “Gosh, can you believe that X, with all his opportunity, is still bumping along at three percent?” Because horses that punch above weight from small, cheaply assembled books will almost invariably have seen their numbers meanwhile dwindle further yet, making it difficult to maintain momentum. Among last year's intake, for instance, will enough people remember, for long enough, the way a couple of Complexity's neighbors are performing at $5,000: Preservationist has had 26 winners (three in stakes) from 52 starters this year, a better strike-rate than any other second-crop sire; while Divisidero has two stakes winners from just 19 starters. They had to settle for 27 mares between them in 2023, so these horses (both carrying excellent bloodlines, incidentally) must depend on far-sighted breeders stepping up to give them the opportunity they have surely earned. Casalu | Benoit I mention this because no freshman has made a better start from a small base than Caracaro, with four winners from five starters to date from his 39 named foals conceived at $6,500. These include Kentucky Juvenile Stakes winner West Memorial and Del Mar debut romper Casalu, a $775,000 sensation at OBS April. Whether Caracaro can consolidate from here remains to be seen, but these straws in the wind deserve to be caught when so much hot air is guaranteed for rivals with huge cavalries to bring into play. Instilled Regard has fielded three scorers from five, while his sales reception makes it absolutely no surprise that the very interesting Win Win Win has had four from eight. But for now I want to focus on Caracaro because we've just been reminded of the kind of odds his farm must overcome, in seeking such an imaginative niche in the midst of the Bluegrass superpowers. Nakatomi, winner of the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes last weekend, belongs to the second crop of Firing Line, who retired to Crestwood in 2017. Unfortunately he did so having long been out of the limelight, making no impact in a solitary 4-year-old start after derailing in the GI Preakness. But he had only been worn down late by American Pharoah in the Derby, and previously won the GIII Sunland Derby by 14 lengths, breaking the track record, and missed a juvenile Grade I by a nose. There was one glaring problem: his sire Line of David. While Kantharos has meanwhile given Lion Heart credibility as a sire of sires, the fact is that Line of David produced nothing else remotely close to Firing Line (whose damsire Hold For Gold hardly improved matters). On the other hand, Firing Line is out of a Grade I-placed half-sister to the dams of Grade I milers Sharp Azteca (Freud) and Bowies Hero (Artie Schiller), from a line tracing to matriarchs Kamar and Square Angel. Not many rolled the dice, even at $5,000, and then–the last straw–it turned out that Firing Line's fertility was ordinary. Yet there was some genetic functionality here. As a second crop sire, he mustered 23 winners from 37 starters including two placed at Grade II level. Nakatomi | Sarah Andrew One of those was Nakatomi himself, sharp enough to bookend his first campaign with Keeneland wins at the Spring Meet and in the Bowman Mill. But it has really been with maturity that he has thrived, making the podium at the Breeders' Cup last fall and now making his Grade I breakout. All too late, however, to rescue his sire from oblivion: last year Firing Line covered five mares and was sold to the Philippines. Okay, fair enough: his road was already too steep for Firing Line to get away with patchy fertility as well. And, as we have discovered elsewhere, Nakatomi's dam must also take some credit. But let's hope that whatever ill luck he endured can be redressed by the horse now filling the breach on the same roster. Caracaro is certainly a contrast to his magnificently robust neighbor Heart To Heart, who won graded stakes at three, four, five, six and seven, in that he managed no more than four starts. But in that brief window he split Country Grammer and Mystic Guide in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes, and also ran second in the GI Travers. His mother is by War Front out of GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Santa Catarina (Unbridled), while the next dam was a Storm Cat half-sister to a Classic winner in Europe, a line tracing to Lady Be Good. To the marketplace, however, first and foremost Caracaro is a son of Uncle Mo who created a buzz with his debut at the 2-year-old sales. For now he's keeping some much more expensive sires in the shade, and laying down a marker that should not be crushed when their tanks eventually come rolling through. Record Shows Top Gun's Range Sierra Leone couldn't quite find the extra reserves on Saturday, having once again consumed a ton of gas with one of his trademark moves from nowhere, but Gun Runner now appears to have another sophomore monster in World Record. His exhibition of speed in the GII Amsterdam could hardly be in greater contrast with late-running Sierra Leone. With Gun Pilot and Vahva slipstreaming Gunite, the last Amsterdam winner, with Grade I wins this year round a single turn, their sire is as remarkable for his range as his class. World Record | Sarah Andrew World Record actually has a ton of chlorophyll in his pedigree, his first three dams being by Exceed And Excel (Aus), Last Tycoon (Ire) and Grey Dawn (Fr). But his second dam certainly responded to dirt covers from Silver Charm and Cherokee Run respectively to produce Miss Isella, a triple Grade I scorer/GI Go For Wand runner-up, and GII Arkansas Derby winner Sir Cherokee, and it feels safe to assume that he won't be trying grass any time soon. We must congratulate Joel Politi for picking out World Record's half-sister by Violence for $80,000 at Keeneland last September. She's just started breezing at Churchill, but is now a valuable commodity whatever she can do on the track. And, after last week's plaudits, we must again give a nod to the Runnymede team, who co-bred World Record and sold him to Maverick Racing for $410,000 as a weanling at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Parenting All About Genes Like Gun Runner, Justify has quickly positioned himself as eligible to fill an eventual void as the likes of Into Mischief (19) and Curlin (20) enter the evening of their careers. And it's been another auspicious week for the Triple Crown winner. Parenting (inside) | Benoit His pinhook sensation Ruling Court lived up to every cent of his record $2.3 million Arqana Breeze-Up tag with a brilliant debut at Sandown. Norman Williamson found this colt for $150,000 at Keeneland last September, and again we must reprise compliments offered last week, this time to co-breeder and consignor Nursery Place, where Williamson knew that the youngster would have received a peerless grounding. Ruling Court heads the early betting on next year's Derby, though there's plainly a long way to go before he can give Justify a second consecutive Epsom champion from what remains a fairly small footprint in Europe. It only took a minor 11th hour hiccup, after all, to cause another son to miss the GI Haskell Stakes. Parenting instead surfaced in an allowance at Santa Anita last Sunday, holding off a far more seasoned rival after setting some pretty exacting fractions. That consolidated his 'TDN Rising Star' debut and stakes romp, and his ambitious new owners may yet see him enter the championship equation on one coast or other (GI Travers/GI Pacific Classic). Bred by Jason Hall and BCS Thoroughbreds, Parenting did not enter a ring until OBS April last year, when prepared by Paul Sharp for a $750,000 sale. His breeze was backed up by a pedigree tracing to Sam-Son linchpin No Class as sixth dam, via a Seattle Slew half-sister to Smart Strike/Dance Smartly as fourth. Closer up, his mother is a half-sister to GI Woodbine Mile winner El Tormenta (Stormy Atlantic) by Lemon Drop Kid, whose dam was also by Seattle Slew. Fast as he is, with those genes behind him, Parenting is going to keep on running. The post Breeding Digest: Keep Small Books Out Of The Firing Line appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden winner Wizard Of Odds (Ire) (Arizona {Ire}) topped the ThoroughBid July Sale on Thursday. BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe bought the juvenile for £50,000. Sold as lot 28 by Baronrath Stables, he was trained by Charles O'Brien to win at Down Royal two weeks ago. Donohoe said, “I've been keeping my eye on the ThoroughBid sales ever since they kicked off and was interested when I saw Wizard Of Odds entered. He's a horse I've been following all season. “He'll be staying in-training in Ireland for some Irish clients and looks to have a bright future. He's a horse with a fair bit of height and scope for a 2-year-old, so I think he'll have a little break and then be tried over further. He looks like being a nice mile type for next year.” Of the 52 lots offered, 23 sold for a gross of €121,700. The average was £5,291 and the median was £2,500. CEO of ThoroughBid, James Richardson, said, “With a good spread of quality and variety, it's no surprise that this was a very lively sale. It was a busy session, with bidders tuning in from America, Australia, the Middle East and right across Europe. “We're delighted to have seen such an exciting 2-year-old like Wizard Of Odds go under our online hammer. He's sold well for £50,000 and we look forward to following his future steps. “We're seeing an increasing amount of owners and trainers come to our door and hope to see many more as we go through the year.” The post Wizard Of Odds Tops ThoroughBid July Sale at £50k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I Wish I Win ridden by Luke Nolen takes out the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham Last season’s Everest (1200m) runner-up, I Wish I Win, is looking to go one better come October. The gelding has been confirmed to represent Entain’s Trackside Media in the $20 million race at Randwick on October 19. Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, I Wish I Win finished just 0.4 lengths behind last year’s winner, Think About It. “We’re delighted to be involved with ‘Wish’ again, together with the team at Waikato Stud and Moody Coleman Racing,” said Cameron Rodger, Entain Australia and New Zealand managing director. “His win in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup in Brisbane last month showed us he’s going to be perfectly primed to climb the Randwick mountain in October and we’re sure he’s going to have plenty of Kiwi fans cheering him on too.” I Wish I Win is the second horse officially confirmed for The Everest, following the selection of former West Australian sprinter Bustling by slot holders Max Whitby and Neil Werrett. With over two months to go until The Everest, I Wish I Win is a $4.50 favourite with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot. Photo: RacingNSW Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s promising young horses from last season, Lady Of Camelot and Storm Boy, are gearing up for the new racing season with trials at Randwick on Friday. Lady Of Camelot, the impressive winner of the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) last season, will be piloted by Tim Clark in a 850-metre trial. Lady Of Camelot features in several futures markets with horse racing bookmakers, but it is in The Everest (1200m) markets where she is a $15 chance. Storm Boy, who narrowly missed out as a favourite in the Slipper, will have James McDonald in the saddle for a trial shortly after. Also returning to the track is Switzerland, trained by Chris Waller, who despite a disappointing run in the Slipper after a strong start to his career, is looking to make an impact at the top level season. Storm Boy and Switzerland are $7 & $13 respectively in Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

What Rosehill Races Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, August 3, 2024 First Race 11:30am AEST Visit Dabble Rosehill Gardens Racecourse is the destination for NSW metro racing on Saturday, with a bumper 10-race program set for decision. The rail is out +7m the entire circuit, and although the track is rated a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, punters can anticipate an upgrade into the Good range thanks to the sunny skies forecast leading into the weekend. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 11:30am local time. Best Bet at Rosehill: Vivy Air Formerly trained by Archie Alexander, Vivy Air debuts for the Ciaron Maher barn on the back of two impressive barrier trials. Her most recent piece of work at Warwick Farm on July 15 particularly caught the eye, with the daughter of Hellbent careering through the wire under her own steam to get within 1.3 lengths of Northumbria. Her form from last preparation reads exceptionally well for this BM72 contest, and although the 1200m might be short of her best trip moving forward, Vivy Air should still prove too classy for this lot first-up. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Vivy Air (2) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: James McDonald (59kg) +150 with Picklebet Next Best at Rosehill: Spring Lee Spring Lee returns after a short 77-day spell and appears primed to strike first-up. The four-year-old was no match for Commemorative at the end of last campaign in the Listed Denise Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone on May 18, but finished a clear runner-up to signify she still has plenty of upside moving forward. Barrier two should allow Rachel King to take closer order throughout the 1100m this time, and provided she can replicate a similar performance in this weaker BM78 contest, Spring Lee should be figuring in the finish. Next Best Race 7 – #9 Spring Lee (2) 4yo Mare | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Rachel King (56kg) +200 with Bet365 Best Value at Rosehill: More Secrets As highlighted in the Follow Files, More Secrets looks set to peak after a bold display in the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at this course and distance on July 20. The daughter of More Than Ready powered through the line despite a torrid run in transit, closing within a half-length of Jojo Was A Man. She was contesting genuine Group 1 company prior to that effort, and provided Tim Clark can slot in closer from stall seven on Saturday, the $9.00 available with online bookmakers about More Secrets will seem too big a price as they turn for home. Best Value Race 8 – #8 More Secrets (7) 7yo Mare | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Tim Clark (55kg) +800 with Neds Rosehill Saturday quaddie tips Rosehill Gardens quadrella selections Saturday, August 3, 2024 3-9 1-3-4-8-10-14 2-3-10-12 1-2-7-10-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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What Palmerston Sprint Day 2024 Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, August 3, 2024 First Race 12:55pm ACST Visit Dabble The biggest weekend of the year in the Top End kicks off with the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) – the Darwin Cup Carnival’s Day 7 feature. The premier race in the NT for the sprinters has attracted an outstanding field with up to eight horses capable of winning. The seven-event program has attracted 79 acceptors with sunny and breezy conditions the forecast, and a top temperature of 32C. The rail will be in the true position and Fannie Bay will once again be a good dirt surface. Palmerston Sprint Tip: Star Magnum Returning from a spell, Star Magnum was third behind Palmerston Sprint favourite Spaceship over 1200m (BM76) in May. The son of Magnus then finished second behind Rising Sphere over 1100m (BM76) and Spaceship in open company over 1200m in June. The seven-year-old gelding then won two open 1100m handicaps in July after pinging the gates and controlling matters out in front. Ninth in last year’s Palmerston, Star Magnum is a big hope should he once again make a good start and lead. Palmerston Sprint Race 7 – #4 Star Magnum (8) 7yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Emma Lines (56.5kg) Bet with Picklebet BEST BET: Captain George After two seconds over 1200m (0-70) and 1200m (BM54) in April, Captain George had a break before returning to finish second over 1100m (0-58) in June. Jumping from barrier two a fortnight ago over 1100m (0-58), the six-year-old gelding settled midfield on the fence before heading to the middle of the track to seal a comfortable victory by 2.8 lengths. Best Bet Race 6 – #1 Captain George (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60.5kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Global Wonder Global Wonder, the seven-year-old gelding, with a Top End record of 41: 5-14-9, was a certainty beaten over 1600m (0-66) on July 20. After blowing the start, the son of Hinchinbrook was 15 lengths behind the leader Marvelous Night in last place passing the 1100m before winding up at the 600m. Marvelous Night was well clear at the home turn before Global Wonder finished one length adrift in second place. He can go one better this time around. Next Best Race 1 – #1 Global Wonder (1) 7yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60kg) Bet with PlayUp BEST VALUE: Pompeii Empire The five-year-old gelding Pompeii Empire from SA has impressed in three Darwin starts. A first up third over 1200m (0-66) on June 29 was followed by a close second over 1100m (0-66) behind track record holder Patriotic King on July 17. In last Saturday’s Flying Sprint (1100m), the son of Magnus finished strongly from the back when less than a length behind Palmerston Sprint hope Star Magnum in second place. Best Value Race 4 – #2 Pompeii Empire (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Kym Healy | J: Ianish Luximon (61kg) Bet with Neds Saturday Darwin quaddie tips – 3/8/2024 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, August 3, 2024 1-2-4-6 1-5-9-10-12 1-2-3 1-3-4-6-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

Aidan O'Brien knew he still had a top-class filly on his hands despite Opera Singer (Justify–Liscanna {re}, by Sadler's Wells) missing out on all the early-season mile monuments and the late Evie Stockwell's homebred who had wowed in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac duly delivered up in trip in Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. Able to control the 10-furlong contest from the front throughout, the 9-4 second favourite really turned it on passing the three-furlong pole and had to be brave late as the 16-1 shot See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) threatened to emulate her dam Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in causing an upset in a prestige British group 1. Tough to the line in response to Ryan Moore's urgings, Opera Singer had a neck to spare over Jeff Smith's homebred, who was promoting the Eclipse form having been a well-beaten fourth behind City Of Troy (Justify) at Sandown. There was another 3/4 of a length to the speedy closer and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) in third, with the 7-4 favourite Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) only sixth having looked uncomfortable on this unique track. “We always felt she was crying out for a step up in trip and she's a very good filly who could step up further,” O'Brien said. “If she is going to the Arc, she might go for the [G1] Prix Vermeille before but if the ground was bad at Longchamp she could go to the Breeders' Cup instead. Last year, we thought her and City Of Troy were the best 2-year-old filly and colt we'd ever had.” in FULL CRY Opera Singer stays the ten furlongs well to win the Group 1 @Qatar_Racing Nassau Stakes under Ryan Moore. Could she be an Arc contender?#QatarGoodwoodFestival #GloriousGoodwood pic.twitter.com/vM12Qa6I6f — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 1, 2024 The post Justify’s Arc Bound Opera Singer Not For Passing In The Nassau appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore and Westerberg's 'TDN Rising Star' Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Devoted To You {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) followed up an eighth-length debut tally at the Curragh with a black-type breakthrough back there in June's G3 International Stakes and, penalised three pounds for his narrow success in the latter, dipped into deep reserves to maintain his perfect record with a battling performance in Thursday's G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. The 4-5 favourite allowed this track's Listed Cocked Hat Stakes victor Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) establish a clear advantage through halfway and took closer order turning for home. Bustled along with three furlongs remaining to gain an edge passing the quarter-mile pole, he was joined by G3 Hampton Court Stakes third Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) approaching the final furlong and found plenty under a late drive to deny that rival by a neck in game fashion. The runner-up was 3 3/4 lengths clear of G1 Derby fifth Sayedaty Sadaty (Ire) (Anodin {Ire}) as Meydaan faded late to finish nine lengths back in fourth. “Jan Brueghel stays very well, but he is very babyish and green,” said Aidan O'Brien after collecting a fourth renewal of the G1 St Leger trial. “He had to do an extra round in the parade ring because we were talking, Ryan [Moore] had to go down on his own and said he was very green going to the start. Ryan was delighted when the other horse went off in front and time and distance is going to improve him. We didn't do anything with him last year and you can really see it now. Ryan was very good on him and you'd have to be very happy. He led the other two to the leader and then got left there. All he was doing was looking in front of him and he wasn't really concentrating because he is such a baby, but he fought them off when Ryan asked him. It was a bit of a crash-course to come here, he had a lot to learn in a short time and I would say you'd have to go straight to the St Leger. It is only his third run but I wouldn't think there would be a chance for a run in between. He was a lot heavier today than for his last run, which usually means he is maturing. We also have the horse that won at Royal Ascot [Illinois] for the St Leger and the Irish Derby winner Los Angeles is a possible.” Moore added, “Jan Brueghel will get better, there is definitely more class in there and we just need to get it out.” It wasn't pretty but he's still unbeaten toughs it out to land the Group 3 Gordon Stakes under an animated Ryan Moore. Thoughts on his Leger prospects?@Goodwood_Races | @Qatar_Racing pic.twitter.com/0Nsx4aOTLU — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 1, 2024 Pedigree Notes Jan Brueghel is the ninth of 11 foals and one of eight scorers for G2 Debutante Stakes and G3 Park Express Stakes placegetter Devoted To You (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), herself kin to a sextet of black-type performers headed by GIII Honeybee Stakes victrix Humble Eight (Seattle Battle). His second dam Alleged Devotion (Alleged) is a half-sister to G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Derby heroine Balanchine (Storm Bird). The May-foaled bay is a full-brother to G1 Irish Derby hero Sovereign (Ire) and G1 Irish St Leger third Dawn Rising (Ire). He is also kin to a yearling filly by St Mark's Basilica (Fr) and a weanling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB). Thursday, Goodwood, Britain JOHN PEARCE RACING GORDON STAKES-G3, £200,000, Goodwood, 8-1, 3yo, 11f 218yT, 2:34.76, g/f. 1–JAN BRUEGHEL (IRE), 132, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Devoted To You (Ire) (MGSP-Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 2nd Dam: Alleged Devotion, by Alleged 3rd Dam: Morning Devotion, by Affirmed TDN Rising Star. O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £113,420. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 3-3-0-0, $221,264. *Full to Sovereign (Ire), G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, $1,173,919; and Dawn Rising (Ire), G1SP-Ire & GSP-Eng, $277,824. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Bellum Justum (Ire), 129, c, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Natural Beauty (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). (375,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £43,000. 3–Sayedaty Sadaty (Ire), 129, c, 3, Anodin (Ire)–Bell Su River (GB), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€30,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-Australian Bloodstock; B-Thomas Lines (IRE); T-David Simcock. £21,520. Margins: NK, 3 3/4, 9. Odds: 0.80, 2.75, 11.00. Also Ran: Meydaan (Ire). Scratched: Align The Stars (Ire). The post TDN Rising Star Jan Brueghel Digs Deep For Gordon Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is rolling out the Makeover Champions program by inviting members of the Thoroughbred industry to demonstrate public support for former connected horses who are headed to the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, the RRP said in a press release on Thursday. Former connections, including breeders, owners, trainers, and stallion farms are eligible to participate in the program. Makeover Champions will share updates about their former connected horses throughout the event. Additional participation options include volunteering at the Thoroughbred Makeover, attending to cheer on their former connected horses or making a monetary donation in support of the RRP's charitable mission. “We've seen an ever-increasing number of connections over the past decade of work at the RRP who are keenly interested in what their horses are doing beyond racing,” said RRP Executive Director Kirsten Green. “Outcomes for Thoroughbreds will only continue to improve if we as an industry strive to consider their life cycle holistically and embrace the career that comes after racing, not just consider it a 'plan B.'” Click here to learn more. The post Retired Racehorse Project Introduces Makeover Champions Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) will begin its second season with a stop at Kentucky Downs on Sunday, Sept. 1, the track said in a Thursday release. Launched last year, the NTL tour adds a competitive component for its teams based on the outcome of races. At Kentucky Downs, that will involve a five-race sequence culminating in the $500,000 National Thoroughbred League Handicap. There are no nomination, entry or starter fees for the scheduled handicap, though horses must be nominated by Aug. 19, with declarations to be made by Aug. 24 and weights announced Aug. 26. Of the $500,000 purse, $200,000 is restricted to eligible Kentucky-breds. “We want to support innovation that's designed to create new fans and we're happy to have the NTL at Kentucky Downs for the second year,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs's vice president for racing. “There's not a better place to launch our season than in two unique venues like as Nashville and Kentucky Downs,” said NTL President Tom Ludt. “We appreciative the Kentucky Downs team for helping to facilitate our dream designed to grow the sport we all love.” As part of the festivities, the NTL is staging an on-track party in Kentucky Downs's VIP Chalet. The public can join the NTL VIP party by buying tickets through the track's online ticket office. The post National Thoroughbred League Second Season Starts At Kentucky Downs Sept. 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eleanora Kennedy's Black Forza (Complexity–Harlee Honey, by Harlan's Holiday), a £220,000 Goffs UK Breeze-Up graduate, shed maiden status at Fairyhouse last month and stepped forward to notch a landmark win for his Airdie Stud-based freshman sire (by Macleans Music) in Thursday's G2 Markel Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. The Michael O'Callaghan trainee was steadied after the break and settled several lengths off the tempo in seventh through the early fractions of this six-furlong dash. Coming under pressure to reduce arrears approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 9-1 chance went fifth entering the final furlong and continued his withering run on the stands' side to nab Wathnan Racing's The Strikin Viking (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) by a half-length in the dying strides. Bearstone Stud's Intrusively (GB) (Territories {Ire}) kept on strongly in the closing stages to finish 3/4-of-a-length adrift in third. A game performance from Black Forza who makes it back-to-back wins, taking out the Group 2 @MarkelUK Richmond Stakes for @DylanBrowneMcM and @MDOCallaghan! pic.twitter.com/edEvKUeD7B — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) August 1, 2024 The post Black Forza Becomes Complexity’s First European Stakes Winner With Richmond Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Craig Fravel, who served as the executive vice chair for The Stronach Group's 1/ST Racing, is leaving the company and becoming a partner and senior advisor with Southern California-based Brown Advisory, the global, private and independent investment management firm said in a release early Thursday. Beginning in late 2019, Fravel was hired to lead 1/ST Racing as its chief executive during the equine fatality crisis at Santa Anita. His tenure also included presiding over the sale of Pimlico Race Course and the closing of Golden Gate Fields. Prior to that, Fravel was the President and CEO of the Breeders' Cup, from 2011 through 2019, and President of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club where he worked from 1990 to 2011. “We are very excited to have Craig join our firm. He has a demonstrated track record of success and trust–he knows how to bring people together and get things done,” said Mike Hankin, president and CEO. “Craig's thoughtful approach to finding solutions combined with his connections, network and expertise in and beyond horse racing will be very valuable to our clients.” Also, Fravel served on the board of Equibase and while at the Breeders' Cup he was a member of the board of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. “After a rewarding career in the Thoroughbred racing industry, it is thrilling to have an opportunity to bring the skills and relationships developed over the years to Brown Advisory as it expands its presence in California,” said Fravel. “While I am deeply grateful for the experiences and friends I have enjoyed in racing, it is a great time for me and my family to undertake a new challenge. The culture, integrity and excellence I have personally witnessed in my interactions with Brown Advisory and its colleagues in recent years gives me confidence that the next chapter will be as fulfilling as the last.” Fravel is on the board of The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Southern California Equine Foundation and the Dolly Green Research Foundation. On the roll of The Jockey Club of America, he chairs that organization's Thoroughbred Safety Committee and he is also a Breeders' Cup member. Brown's latest hire started his career at the San Diego law firm of Luce, Forward, Hamilton and Scripps after graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law. The post Craig Fravel Leaves Stronach To Join Brown Advisory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Terry Gillett-trained Dakota Lee makes her Darwin debut on Saturday in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m). There are a host of in-form speedsters in Darwin, so the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) on Saturday is shaping as a thrilling contest. In 2020, just 0.6 lengths separated the first five horses across the line with Gary Clarke’s Enigman sneaking home. It was one of the more spectacular finishes at Fannie Bay and it might well be an exciting conclusion to the Palmerston this weekend. Clarke, who has won the Palmerston five times since 2016, goes into the Darwin Cup Carnival’s Day 7 feature with three starters, including Spaceship – the $5 favourite with online bookmakers. Six other horses were also under double figure odds – last year’s winner Early Crow ($5.50) from the Chris Pollard stable, Chris Nash’s Ideas Man ($6), Clarke’s Lumber Punk ($7.50), Terry Gillett’s Dakota Lee ($7.50) from Alice Springs, Pollard’s Kerioth ($8.50) and Phil Cole’s Star Magnum ($9.50). Early Crow, Ideas Man, Kerioth and Star Magnum saluted at the top level in the Top End during July. Lumber Punk was a last start second when he powered home to trail Early Crow by half a length over 1200m in weight-for-age company a fortnight ago. Spaceship, who won his first three starts after arriving from Queensland, was fourth in the same weight-for-age contest and drops 4kg for the Palmerston. Dakota Lee, who boasts 10 wins from 10 starts in the Red Centre, debuts at Fannie Bay. Cole’s Conclave Prince ($11) finished second behind Kerioth over 1200m (0-76) before winning over 1100m (0-70) during July. Clarke’s former NSW galloper Seguso ($15) worked home nicely in his NT debut when second behind Star Magnum in open company over 1100m on July 6. A leading Darwin racing analyst, who wished to remain anonymous due to his links with a local stable, labelled this year’s Palmerston field as arguably one of the strongest ever. “Spaceship has been a popular favourite for a while, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Early Crow or Ideas Man are the punter’s elect on Saturday,” he said. “Can Early Crow win again, can last year’s runner up Ideas Man take the next step? “Spaceship only has 54.5kg and barrier two, and with Jarrod Todd on board he’s the one to beat. “Chris Pollard has done a great job with Early Crow and Kerioth after they spent time with the Clarke stable after cutting ties with the Dick Leech yard. Despite her formidable record in the Red Centre, Dakota Lee will need to be at her best come Saturday’s feature. “Everyone is aware of Dakota Lee’s issues over the years, but she had three wins in Alice before heading here,” he said. “There’s no doubt she has ability, but she’s drawn the outside gate (12) and although I’m not writing her off I fear trainer Terry Gillett may regret not giving her a start before the Palmerston. “Kerioth has been terrific and only carries 54kg, but barrier 11 could also hinder his hopes. “Star Magnum, who usually jumps well, could be competitive because in his last two wins over 1100m they couldn’t catch him after getting to an early lead. “Star Magnum won the Flying Sprint last weekend, Early Crow won that race last year. “Lightweight hopes Lumber Punk, Seguso and Conclave Prince must be respected.” 2024 Palmerston Sprint Tips David White (horsebetting.com.au) 4 STAR MAGNUM 1 IDEAS MAN 6 SPACESHIP 10 LUMBER PUNK Craig Sant (Darwin Racecaller) 7 KERIOTH 5 SEGUSO 10 LUMBER PUNK 3 EARLY CROW Greg Aldam (Thoroughbred Racing NT) 10 LUMBER PUNK 1 IDEAS MAN 3 EARLY CROW 7 KERIOTH Andrew O’Toole (Sky Racing) 1 IDEAS MAN 5 SEGUSO 6 SPACESHIP 10 LUMBER PUNK Horse racing news View the full article

Jarrod Todd steers Shakattak to success in the $40,000 Dabble Cup. Fittingly, champion Darwin trainer Gary Clarke and jockey Jarrod Todd claimed the final race of the 2023/24 season at Fannie Bay on Wednesday. It occurred in the feature on Day 6 of the Darwin Cup Carnival when five-year-old gelding Shakattak – the $1.95 favourite with online bookmakers – won the $40,000 Dabble Cup (1300m). The son of Shalaa saluted over 1300m (0-66) on July 13 following a first up seventh over 1200m (0-66) in June when he arrived from Clinton McDonald’s Cranbourne stable. For Clarke and Todd, it was their third straight Carnival feature with Masatora sealing the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m) on July 20 and Wolfburn landing the $50,000 Metric Mile (1600m) last Saturday. Clarke, winner of the Top End and Country trainers’ premiership for a 12th straight year, finished the season with 68 wins. Todd ended the campaign with 60 wins to claim the jockeys’ premiership for the fifth year in the row. Looking ahead to the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) on Saturday and the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on Monday, Clarke and Todd are in the mix as Spaceship and Wolfburn are serious contenders. Fourth behind leaders Plague Stone, Swing With Junior and Budgerigar in the Dabble Cup, Shakattak found clear air in the home straight before kicking away at the 100m to seal victory by 1.3 lengths. Jason Manning’s Budgerigar ($12) fought on gamely for second after travelling three deep for the entire trip, while Neil Dyer’s Yaki Ishi ($6.50) finished strongly and wasn’t all that far away in third place. Clarke had a winning double when six-year-old mare Adelaide River ($7), led from start to finish to overcome Tom Logan’s Polarising ($1.65 fav) and Kerry Petrick’s Flash Fiorente ($26) over 1100m. Polarising, a spectacular last start winner, was desperately unlucky when flattened at the back of the field at the 800m before finishing 1.6 lengths adrift of the winner. Trainer Chris Nash and jockey Mark Pegus had two wins with five-year-old mare Li’l Wonder ($5.50) getting home over 1200m (0-62) and seven-year-old gelding Mr Have A Chat ($3.20 fav) getting the chocolates over 1100m. Li’l Wonder led from start to finish to clip Phil Cole’s Soul Spirit ($6) and Kym Healy’s Cyclonite ($19) by 3.5 lengths, while Mr Have A Chat skipped two lengths clear at the 600m before getting home by 0.8 lengths from Clarke’s Kumicho ($3.60) and Healy’s Real Valentia ($5.50). Tayarn Halter’s I’m A Dreamer ($11), who wasn’t far from the lead, ended a 13 month drought with victory over 1600m (0-62) when the six-year-old gelding shook off Dan Morgan’s Dartboard ($12) and Petrick’s Real Divine ($21) in a blanket finish. Neil Dyer and Noel Callow, combined for victory when five-year-old mare Ariarne hit the front exiting the back straight before clocking Chris Pollard’s stablemates Go Barney Go ($10) and Full Damage ($15) by 6.2 lengths in a 1300m maiden. Horse racing news View the full article

Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is on course in his bid to enhance an already excellent record this season with a crack at the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois on August 11. The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old has been one of the stars of the year in Britain, kicking off with a win in the Listed Doncaster Mile on the opening day of the turf season before going on to victory in the G2 Bet365 Mile and G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was also second to Audience (GB) in the G1 Lockinge Stakes. Charyn took to the July Course for a racecourse gallop on Thursday morning with Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle, as he has been for each of the colt's starts this year. Working over six and half furlongs, the grey breezed past his lead horse in the final furlong of the gallop, with both trainer and jockey declaring themselves to be pleased with the morning's exercise. “He's heading to Deauville for the Jacques Le Marois and he looks in great form,” Varian told TDN. “That's always been the plan. We took him out of the Sussex [Stakes] a little while ago to focus on the one plan and I can't see any reason why Deauville shouldn't suit him. That gallop will bring him on. Silvestre was happy with him and he looks in really good shape.” Charyn, who was bred by Grangemore Stud and bought by Bizakov's Sumbe operation as a yearling, has already been successful in France, having won the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly two years ago. He posted some decent efforts in defeat during his three-year-old season, including finishing third behind Paddington (GB) in last year's Sussex Stakes and third to Angel Bleu (Fr) in the G2 Celebration Mile. The latter, who is also a son of Dark Angel, is already installed on the Sumbe stallion roster at Haras de Montfort et Preaux in Normandy. With a burgeoning presence in France, Bizakov, who also owns Hesmonds Stud in England, now stands four stallions and sponsors the entire card on Sumbe Prix Morny day at Deauville. Varian added of Charyn, whose efforts this season have guaranteed him an eventual berth in the Sumbe stallion yard, “He's a horse with a really good constitution and a great mind. We've got 11 days to go so helpfully we'll have a smooth passage between now and the race, but we're very happy with him. He's right on schedule.” Nurlan Bizakov's laidback and rather lovely Charyn took to the July Course this morning in the company of @SilvDSousa and his trainer @varianstable as he prepares for his next G1 run in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. pic.twitter.com/WqRY2Knjwj — Emma Berry (@CollingsBerry) August 1, 2024 The post Charyn ‘Right on Schedule’ For Jacques Le Marois appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Ipswich Races Where Ipswich Turf Club – 219 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba QLD 4304 When Friday, August 2, 2024 First Race 12:36pm AEST Visit Dabble Queensland racing will head to the Ipswich Turf Club for a competitive eight-race card this Friday afternoon. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with no rain on the forecast, it is expected to improve into the Good range. The rail will be in the +3m position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 12:36pm AEST. Best Bet at Ipswich: Uchi Uchi claimed a strong win at Toowoomba over 870m first-up and maintained her undefeated record from three starts. The Lindsay Hatch-trained mare settled on speed, took over at the 150m mark, and held off a late challenge from So Extra to win by half a length. This daughter of Performer will stay in the same grade and race over 800m, so if Dylan Bennett can settle in the first four from barrier five, there is no reason to think Uchi can’t win again. Best Bet Race 6 – #3 Uchi (5) 4yo Mare | T: Lindsay Hatch | J: Dylan Bennett (a3) (62kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Ipswich: Miss Middle Park On her debut for the Tony Gollan stable, Miss Middle Park was involved in an 1110m race at Doomben where multiple horses were hampered by an incident in the barriers. This daughter of Maurice settled at the rear of the field before she picked her way through to run home strongly into third place. The five-year-old mare is expected to improve second-up and appreciate a solid tempo in this contest. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Miss Middle Park (5) 6yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: James Orman (57.5kg) Bet with Dabble Best Value at Ipswich: Umabett After a close miss at this track last time out, Umabett will be seeking to go one better and break her maiden. Last start, this daughter of Better Than Ready recorded the fastest last 600m, 400m and 200m sections of the race but found trouble in the final 200m and could only manage second place. From barrier two, Cody Collis can settle in the one-one position, and with even luck, Umabett can break her maiden at the fourth time of asking. Best Value Race 2 – #12 Umabett (2) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Cody Collis (a1.5) (55kg) Bet with Picklebet Friday quaddie tips for Ipswich races Ipswich quadrella selections Friday, August 2, 2024 1-2-3-4 3-7 4-5-8-14 2-4-5-10-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Race 6 CAMPBELL INFRASTRUCTURE 2200m DANZINO (J Doyle) – Trainer Mr. S Phelan reported to Stewards, that on Monday 29 July, Danzino, underwent a veterinarian examination and a chiropractor examination with no abnormalities being detected. S Phelan further advised the gelding had a few days of light work and it is his intention to continue with DANZINO’S current preparation. INNOCENT VICTIM (J Fawcett) – Trainer Mr. S Cole reported to Stewards, that on Tuesday 30 July, INNOCENT VICTIM underwent a veterinarian examination which included x-rays with results showing a bone chip to the knee of the right foreleg. Surgery to remove the bone chip was performed on Wednesday 31 July. S Cole further advised INNOCENT VICTIM will be sent to spell to recover. The post Racing Rotorua @ Arawa Park, Thursday 25 July 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 HUMPHRIES CONSTRUCTION 1400m LUXURIANT (L Allpress) – Te Akau Racing Manager, Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of LUXURIANT and will continue with the current preparation. R Trumper further advised the stable will look to nominate the gelding at Awapuni Synthetic meeting in a few weeks time. The post Manawatu Racing Club @ Awapuni Synthetic, Thursday 25 July 202 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and JD Hayes finished just shy of 200 winners in the recently completely season and will be looking for an early Stakes race win at Flemington on Saturday. The brothers prepared 199 winners Australia wide for the 2023-24 season and got the 2024-25 season off to a good start with an early double at Cranbourne on Thursday. But at Flemington on Saturday the Lindsay Park team will be pinning their hopes in Crosshaven (Smart Missile) and Nicolini Vito (Nicconi) in the Gr.3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m). The Daniel Nakhle bred and raced Crosshaven, who officially turned seven on Thursday, has been a difficult horse to follow later in his career but has struck form of late since being restricted to straight racing at Flemington. The gelding won the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) as a three-year-old and later the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington and as an older galloper the Gr. 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. But he was in the wilderness for a time until breaking back into winning form over 1100m at Flemington on June 22. JD Hayes said races like the Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) and the Gr.2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m), down the Flemington straight, could be on Crosshaven’s agenda if he runs well on Saturday. “He has a liking for the straight and has got himself back into form, so we’ll keep to the straight if the program permits it,” Hayes said. “He’s been up a long time, but he’s very fresh and well in himself and he’s a rock-hard fit gelding and he’s done terrific with the time between runs.” Among their winners at Cranbourne on Thursday was talented three-year-old Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto), who broke through for a strong maiden victory over 1400m, having contested Group races in his two-year-old season. “Today was almost D-Day so he needed to get the victory on the board for some patient owners,” stable representative Will Evans said. “We have always had a very high opinion of this horse and he has come back this preparation as a gelding. “He was a bit unlucky the other day (when second at Ballarat). Today Mick Dee just took him to the front today and made him do it and he should go through the grades now and he handled the wet ground well.” View the full article

JJ Rayner will bid to follow in the footsteps of her father Evan with rugged stayer Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) at the Riccarton carnival. She has her sights set on Saturday’s Avon City Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) as a lead into the Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) seven days later. Rayner senior completed the feature jumping double in 1990 with Mister Divinsky (NZ) (Lavinsky), a dashing performer who remained unbeaten in six starts over the smaller fences, while Van Winkle also placed in both events. His daughter JJ can’t fault Lord Spencer’s preparation ahead of the weekend and is also delighted stablemate Hacksaw Ridge (NZ) (Power) made the field for the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m). Both horses enjoyed a smooth trip south to Riccarton from their Wanganui base earlier this week. “They both travelled nicely and have eaten well so everything is all good with them,” she said. “With Lord Spencer, it would be nice if he could do a Mister Divinsky but I don’t know if we can beat (favourite) Berry The Cash but we’ll be giving it a good go.” A son of Zed, Lord Spencer placed in both the Awapuni Hurdle (3000m) and the Waikato Hurdle (3200m) before finishing fourth in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) and was a last-start sixth in the Wellington Hurdle (3200m). “He’s been racing well and we’ve got Lemmy Chief Stipelas back on, he started the season on him but then had to jump off to ride on the flat at Wellington when we went to Te Rapa,” Rayner said. “The horse had a hard run last time when he covered a lot of ground, but he recovered really well and his work since has been great. “The further he goes the better he’ll be so the distance of the National will suit him. “We’re hoping he can be right there on Saturday, he always hits a flat spot with a round to go and you just have to leave him alone, the more you bustle him the more piggy he gets. “You just have to let him do his thing and then he’ll pick up again and work into it.” Winter Cup contender Hacksaw Ridge has already made his mark at black type level with a runner-up finish on his home track in last season’s Listed Ag Training Stakes (1600m). More recently, the Power gelding ran second in the Poverty Bay Cup (1600m) at Hastings and was then fifth in the Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham after interference at barrier rise. “We were thinking he may not get in, but he has so that’s great and with 53kg we were lucky enough to get Kevin Kalychurun on him,” Rayner said. “He’s got that light weight, and he likes a bad track so he might just be in with a show.” View the full article

New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust are on-course assisting our equine athletes in their time of need, so the industry is preparing to give back during their “Here For The Horse” campaign from August 1. Established in 2016, the NZHAT was initially the brainchild of equine veterinarians Dr. Peter Gillespie and Dr. Bill Bishop over five years prior, who sought out a solution to how injuries on race day could be handled in a dignified, safe and effective manner. Through the assistance and support of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, Harness Racing New Zealand and the Racing Integrity Board, the project came to life and the first ambulance was debuted during New Zealand Cup Week at Riccarton Park in November of 2018. A racing enthusiast and owner, Jo Starr is a key figure in the running of this important operation and among the key figures behind their upcoming campaign. “The horse ambulance was set up as a charitable trust and through the help of several generous sponsors including the likes of Cambridge Stud and Valachi Downs, we were able to commence the building process of our fleet,” Starr said. “I got involved as a volunteer around the time of Cup Week in 2018. Being a long-time racing enthusiast and a lover of thoroughbreds, it made me realise I wanted to be involved in helping improve outcomes when these incidents happen. “I was a volunteer for two years whilst working full-time, and the trust just got bigger and bigger through social media, marketing and getting positive stories out there. “We got to the stage where we had seven or eight ambulances around the country and were operating as a service like St John, so I came on part-time to run the operations in terms of driver training, organisation and health-and-safety alongside the fundraising. “It has expanded hugely over the past couple of years, we attend every race meeting, trials and harness races, as well as attending quite a number of equestrian events so the demand continues to grow. We are having to scale-up further with increased racedays next season as well. “We have a tenth horse ambulance being deployed in Otago in six weeks’ time, which will mean that we can cover the whole country, having four in the South Island and six in the North Island. “I give huge kudos to NZTR and HRNZ for funding the basic costs so we can provide this service across all race meetings. New Zealand racing is front-footing animal welfare and social license, they are very proactive in making progress and this is tangible proof of that.” As a charity, the Trust has fundraised more than $1.5 million to build the custom horse ambulances, with design features that ensure the horse is treated with the utmost care and comfort. “The design is all evidence-based and developed by equine vets, so we have unique features such as a padded crush to support the horse, and hydraulics that can drop the ambulance to the ground, so we are always aiming to look out for the horse’s welfare,” Starr said. “We work very closely with the stewards and the raceday vet, because we are all part of the response. “We have also, for example, transported Per Incanto from the equine hospital to Cambridge Stud to convalesce when he was injured, so the service extends beyond raceday. “Our main mission is to get horses safely from the location to the equine hospital or vet clinic so the outcome is more likely to be positive.” The new season will also mark the commencement of the “Here For The Horse” campaign, whereby the Trust has challenged all clubs with a race meeting between August 1st and 10th to engage supporters and raise funds for this essential service. Canterbury Jockey Club have already made their mark, putting a tender on the $100,000 Synthetic Innovation Race sponsorship, with funds going directly to the Trust, while Auckland Trotting Club has also asked stakeholders for donations during three “Friday Night Lights” meetings, and at two Tuesday meetings at Cambridge Harness. “We wanted to kick off the fundraising appeal on the horse’s birthday, and hoped to get as many stakeholders involved in the racing industry as we could,” Starr said. “During the campaign period there are a couple of race meetings where the NZHAT silks will be used, these are Awapuni on the 9th and Te Rapa on the 10th. “We have asked some of the trainers to carry the silks with their best chance of the day at Te Rapa and donate $500 if their horse wins. Many have agreed whether they win or not, while Waikato Stud have generously offered to dollar-match this. “A lot of trainers have been very generous as often when their horses need assistance, they are the ones handling the aftermath, so they are very appreciative of this service. “Part of this campaign is raising awareness around what we do, and letting people know that we are a charity. Though we do get the bulk of our funding from the 1% welfare levy on stakes, we need to fundraise to cover depreciation and continue into the future. “For me it’s not like a job as I love the sport and we’re all here for the horses, which is what this campaign is all about.” Online platform gavelhouse.com will also be staging a fabulous selection of ‘unique experiences’ for auction with donations going to NZHAT, including a “taste’ of Cambridge Stud and Wairarapa’s Little Avondale Stud. In addition to the experiences on offer, LOVERACING.NZ is providing racing fans with an incredible opportunity to own two wonderful pieces of racing memorabilia while supporting the Trust’s winter appeal. Up for auction are two framed pairs of jockey breeches, signed by the legendary Glen Boss and Damien Oliver, following their exhibition gallop aboard Mufhasa and Bostonian at TAB Karaka Millions at Ellerslie. These will make a truly cherished collector’s item for any racing enthusiast, with all proceeds going to NZHAT. Check out the listings at gavelhouse.com: Bid for Bossy’s Breeches Grab the G.O.A.T’s Breeches If you can, please support the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust’s winter appeal to raise funds and awareness for their vital mahi. You can do so by clicking here to donate to NZHAT’s winter appeal. View the full article

Outstanding wet track performer Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) will carry his lightest weight for years when he takes aim at the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 127th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The evergreen performer will tackle the Riccarton feature for the third time, having finished fourth 12 months ago under 61kg and runner-up with 60kg in 2021. “He has travelled down better than last year and has eaten everything and has been working really well,” New Plymouth trainer and part-owner Allan Sharrock said. “It’s been a while since he went around with 56.5kg, he’s only three and a-half off the minimum.” The last time he won with less than 58kg was when he carried 55kg to victory in the 2021 Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) under rider Sam Weatherley, who will be reunited with the son of No Excuse Needed at Riccarton. Justaskme ran third three starts back in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) before he worked home late for fifth after tailing off over 1400m at Hastings. Last time out, he was sixth in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) which was relocated from its traditional venue on his home track to Hawera. “His run was solid at Wanganui after he got held up at the wrong time and in the Cup, it was a race that probably didn’t suit him as much as it would have at New Plymouth,” Sharrock said. “I was happy with him and his work on Monday before he left was very, very good and he worked super again on Thursday morning.” The winner of 12 of his 46 starts, Justaskme is coming toward the end of his career with limited future options for the rising 10-year-old. “There’s very little for him, he is quite effective as a jumper but nowadays I haven’t got the track riders and jumping riders at New Plymouth,” Sharrock said. “At one time we did, we had everyone here but they’ve gone so if you’re going to go down that road you’ve got to have the tools that Paul Nelson, Dummy (Kevin Myers) and Mark Oulaghan have got. “He’s a wet track horse and he’s won more than $500,000 so he’s been a great horse and if we could pull this one off it would be a nice prize at the end of it.” Sharrock is likely to keep Justaskme ticking over in the hope of ongoing rain-affected tracks. “I’ll probably keep him ticking over to see if they get a wet spring at Hastings, he ran second in the Livamol (Gr.1, 2040m) a couple of years ago when it was a bog,” he said. Sharrock will also have a number of runners at Hawera on Sunday and plumped for a stable newcomer as his best chance in the Peter Kuklinski Retirement (1200m). “Confetti has to run against a strong maiden, but she trialled well the other day. I got her off Peter and Dawn Williams when they retired,” he said. Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, the Ocean Park mare has raced three times and was runner-up at Te Rapa at her last appearance in May. View the full article