Wandering Eyes

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, has issued a positive bulletin on star mare Inspiral (GB) as she prepares to embark on her five-year-old campaign. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Inspiral was last seen running out an impressive winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita in November, her third top-level success of the season having already won the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville for the second year in a row and the Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket. The daughter of Frankel (GB) subsequently won the 2023 Eclipse Award for Champion Turf Female, a notable achievement for the Cheveley Park team who have made the sporting decision to keep her in training in 2024, with the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury on Saturday, May 18 being identified as a likely first port of call. “The Lockinge is the plan, but obviously she is a filly that likes to take her time to come in the spring as we've seen before,” said Richardson. “Certainly the Lockinge looks the first engagement we can consider and, if she tells us she's not quite ready, then we can wait until the Queen Anne [at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, June 18]. “She seems to be happy and well back in the yard and I watched her come up Warren Hill the other morning and she went up there nicely and quietly, so we will see how we go.” Inspiral had not raced beyond a mile before her Breeders' Cup triumph, but that performance over 10 furlongs provides more options ahead of a five-year-old campaign which will see her try to add to her six Group 1 victories. Richardson added, “I think John is keen to start her off at a mile and then we can build over the campaign hopefully, all being well. We will definitely be considering going a mile and a quarter. “She's five now and a lovely filly who is still maturing and developing. She had a lovely break at the stud after America and they are a long time in the paddocks, so she is a mare we can really enjoy. She had a nice visit to us and was out in the paddock with her usual companions. She is always very inquisitive with her ears pricked, seeing who is coming round the corner next.” The post Inspiral Limbering Up For Possible Lockinge Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The curtain came up at Longchamp on Sunday, with the 'réouverture' being conducted in extremely testing conditions but nevertheless providing a welcome return to action at France's premier racecourse. The most important thing on arrival in the Bois de Boulogne is to make it into the track without being mown down by one or more of the cyclists within the relentless peloton that streams past the gates of Longchamp of a weekend. Everything after that feels like a blessing. And indeed we were blessed with an almost dry and definitely warm day. Every trainer, breeder, farmer and clerk of the course has been preoccupied with the exceptionally wet spring that has seen race meetings abandoned and paddocks poached. In assessing the results from Leopardstown to Longchamp on Sunday it will be hard to gauge how well these three-year-olds will fare on faster underfoot conditions but Christophe Ferland believes that his G3 Prix La Force winner Atlast (Fr) (Farhh {GB}) is simply a good horse who, as the old adage goes, will go on any ground. A solid and flashy chestnut, the Wertheimers' homebred is certainly an imposing specimen and won decisively despite his slightly awkward head carriage. His Sangster-bred granddam Pitamakan (Danzig) had been bought as a Keeneland yearling for $400,000 and is herself a third-generation descendant of the influential matriarch Courtly Dee (Never Bend). It remains regrettable that Atlast's sire Farhh is only able to cover small books of mares owing to his poor fertility, but perhaps that is key to his success, and this looks another really interesting prospect for the son of Pivotal (GB), who on Monday was represented by the G3 Prix Edmond Blanc winner Tribalist (GB). Atlast will surely now be aimed with the intention that he joins Fonteyn (GB) and King Of Change (GB) on the list of Group 1 winners by Farhh. The latter of that pair has his first two-year-old runners this season, as does Farhh's unusually fast son Far Above (Ire). Hernon Dreams On Gavin Hernon, who eschewed his native Ireland to start training in Chantilly six years ago, was the toast of the winner's enclosure at Longchamp on Sunday. His fellow Chantilly trainer Tim Donworth shouted “The Irish are taking over” as Hernon collected his trophy from sponsor Kieran Lalor after Dare To Dream (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) opened her season in portentous fashion with victory in the G3 Al Shira'aa Racing Prix Vanteaux. Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux, Meridian International and Scuderia Waldeck, Dare To Dream was well bought by her trainer at €67,000 from Arqana's October Yearling Sale, especially when one considers that the mission Hernon was given by owner Dun Shing Lee was to buy a filly good enough to run in the Oaks. And that's not just any Oaks, either. Lee meant the original Oaks, at Epsom, where he was born and raised. So far, so good, as Dare To Dream is the only French-trained filly among the 58 entries for the Betfred Oaks on May 31. With a Classic trial under her belt, a Derby winner as a sire and Arc winner Danedream (Ger) as her aunt, she will have every right to be there. Another Ballysax Star? I've always loved the Ballysax Stakes. For a particularly heady period at the turn of this century its roll of honour featured Galileo (Ire), High Chaparral (Ire) and Yeats (Ire) in just four years. It ebbs and flows, of course, but since then there have been some proper names added, such as Fame And Glory (GB), Banimpire (Ire), Fascinating Rock (Ire) and Rekindling (GB). The most recent Derby winner to emanate from the Ballysax was Harzand (Ire) in 2016. Dallas Star (Fr) took the 2024 Ballysax on Sunday and could be the horse to elevate the profile of his sire Cloth Of Stars (Ire), who was eighth behind Harzand at Epsom and went on to win the G1 Prix Ganay as well as finishing second and third in consecutive Arcs won by Enable (GB). Dallas Star is another to have been sold by Monceaux, this time as a foal for breeders Eliane Dieuaide and Domaine Billard et Fils, for €30,000. He was picked up by Robson Aguiar for 50,000gns as a yearling at Tattersalls and, when he failed to sell, was retained at the Craven Breeze-up Sale for 180,000gns and now runs in the Amo Racing colours, which were so narrowly vanquished in last year's Derby aboard King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Sent off at 50/1, Dallas Star's victory was clearly not expected, and he had two better fancied rivals from Ballydoyle behind him. The third home, Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), had been sent off favourite and he is a half-brother to Debutante (Fr) (Gold Away {Fr}), dam of the above-mentioned Dare To Dream, and to Danedream. Cloth Of Stars was also responsible for the third-placed Birr Castle (Fr) in the G2 Prix d'Harcourt. The race provided yet another triumph for Jerome Reynier, and was won by Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) on his second start for Ecurie Benaroussi Sofiane after being bought for €500,000 at Arqana's Arc Sale. The previous weekend, Reynier, who is currently top of the French trainers' table, had enjoyed his first winner on Dubai World Cup night when Facteur Cheval (Ire) won the G1 Dubai Turf. Third Classic Contender for Wellenspiel If you saddle a horse with the name Weltbeste (Ger) you'd better hope that she can live up to it, but Gestut Rottgen had something of a clue in the fact that the daughter of Soldier Hollow (GB) is a full-sister to a Deutsches Derby winner, Weltstar (Ger), and a half-sister to another, Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco Ger}). Now two from two in her races to date following victory at Mulheim on Sunday for Rottgen's new trainer Maxim Pecheur, Weltbeste heads the market for the G1 Preis der Diana on August 4. That's a long way off, of course, but if it seems too fantastical to imagine that their dam Wellenspiel (Ger) (Sternkoenig {Ire}) could produce three German Classic winners, it is worth remembering that that feat was achieved not too long ago by Sacarina (GB) (Old Vic {GB}), the dam of Samum (Ger), Schiaparelli (Ger) and Salve Regina (Ger), all sired by Monsun (Ger), Ward Starts Ascot Hype Rolling These days, nothing quite says spring is here like a Wesley Ward speedball rocketing from the gates to tear up the early Keeneland juvenile races and book a place on the plane for Royal Ascot. Step forward Shoot It True, a daughter of Munnings, who claimed a TDN Rising Star with her victory in the first two-year-old race of the season after scoring in emphatic fashion by an eased-down seven and a half lengths. Queen Mary ahoy? It would be no surprise. Stefano Cherchi Remembered at Santa Anita and Beyond At Santa Anita on Saturday, Frankie Dettori stole the show as only he can do, winning six races in a row, including the GII Santa Anita Oaks aboard Nothing Like You (Malibu Moon) for his main ally Bob Baffert. Dettori wasn't the only Italian to triumph at the 'Great RIP', however, with Umberto Rispoli winning the GIII Monrovia S., before Antonio Fresu claimed the major race of the day, the GI Santa Anita Derby, on the Phil d'Amato-trained Stronghold (Ghostzapper). Of course, the Italian jockey who has been in the thoughts of racing folk the world over this week is Stefano Cherchi, who died last Wednesday, a fortnight after sustaining devastating head injuries in a race fall at Canberra, Australia. Fresu paid an emotional tribute to his compatriot after his first Grade I win on American soil. He said, “I want to dedicate this to my friend who passed away the other day. I felt like he was there with me today. Stefano Cherchi was an amazing guy.” The death of Cherchi at the age of just 23 has rocked so many of his friends and colleagues in the business. In Newmarket, where the Sardinian had been based since the age of 16 with Marco Botti, the trainer said simply, “I feel like I've lost a son.” Cherchi's former weighing-room colleague in Britain, Callum Shepherd, perhaps summed up his loss most eloquently. “He was not defined by his abilities in the saddle, or by the races he has won,” Shepherd said. “What defined him to us, those lucky enough to have known him, and I really do mean lucky, was the human being he was. “He was a great friend, he was incredibly kind, and I think he thrived off making those around him happy. Certainly he was far more bothered about others than he was about himself.” There can really be no finer tribute than that. It has been a terribly sad week, and we offer sincere condolences to Stefano Cherchi's family and friends. His life was celebrated at a remembrance mass in Sydney on Monday and another service will take place on Sunday, April 28, at Our Lady Immaculate and Saint Etheldreda Church in Newmarket. He will not be forgotten. The post Seven Days: Reawakening appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After a busy three seasons, the world’s highest-rated sprinter will get the longest break of his careerView the full article

Manawatu horsewoman Gail Temperton has experienced a stellar month, which got even better on Saturday when her homebred mare Royal Flower attained black-type when placing in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham. While the outsider in the field for Saturday’s contest, Royal Flower’s result didn’t come as a surprise to Temperton, who was delighted to earn some black-type with her mare. “It is always good for a mare, especially as I am a breeder as well. It was very nice – a good run and a good ride,” Temperton said. “It was only a field of nine and I knew the track would suit her. I was concerned about getting flushed out wide on that big bend at Trentham because the barriers were relatively close to the corner. Unfortunately, she had to go a bit hard early and I think that was her undoing. I don’t think she would have beaten Apostrophe, but I think she would have been a little closer if she hadn’t had to work quite so hard.” Temperton has been pleased with the way Royal Flower has come through the race and is now eyeing the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa later this month with her mare. “She is a box of birds, she has eaten all of her feed. She always comes through her racing very well, she has got a good constitution,” Temperton said. “I have been ringing about for jockeys to see if we go to Te Rapa on the 27th (of April). We will see what evolves between now and then, but that would be my aim.” Bred and raced by Temperton, alongside her partner Stanley Alexander under their Taikorea Thoroughbreds banner, Royal Flower is by New Zealand Champion stallion Proisir and out of their two-win mare Ishidanzin. “I own her mother, who was a favourite of mine, she was only a two-win mare and her pedigree had got a bit empty. I wanted to keep her mother because I like her so much, so I am very pleased,” Temperton said. “This is Ishidanzin’s second foal, her first foal was a Vespa and she was very fast. She won a couple of jumpouts and showed me a lot of promise, and then she had an accident and we had to euthanise her, which was very sad. The mare has been good to me and it is good to formalise it.” Temperton also has a yearling full-brother to Royal Flower she intends on offering at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale later this year. “I didn’t put him in the yearling sales,” Temperton said. “I thought Royal Flower could do this, given more time, and the pedigree didn’t have much until Royal Flower gave it a bit of black-type. I will put him in the Ready To Runs now.” Ishidanzin has been served by Little Avondale Stud stallion Time Test, with Temperton wanting to support more local farm’s after selling her share in Proisir. “I sold my Proisir share so I no longer had the use of him. We always go a long distance to the studs from here and I wanted to support people who were closer to us, and I just like Time Test,” Temperton said. “I am interested that Jeff Lynds won with a staying horse (Cheval de Foudre) on Saturday at Trentham. That (staying horses) might be where Time Test is heading.” While rapt with Royal Flower’s weekend result, it was just the icing on the cake for Temperton over the last month, with her homebred Mark Twain placing in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie before booking his berth in November’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington when taking out the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at the Melbourne track nine days ago. Temperton said his results have been a tonic for her and Alexander, who can’t wait to see what the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding can do in the spring. “I was a bit down in the dumps before Mark Twain did his thing. It was a bad time of the year, we had had a drought, and I am getting on in years,” she said. “Mark Twain really gave us a huge boost because he has done our other broodmares a great favour. Suddenly my list of raggle-taggle broodmares are not so raggle-taggle after all.” If he takes up his golden ticket in the Melbourne Cup later this year, Mark Twain won’t be the first in his family to take his place in the field, with half-brother Pentathlon having contested the 2016 edition of the two-mile feature, where he finished ninth behind Almandin. “We bought her (Pinders Prize, dam) from Tom Jamieson and she raced in the CD (Central Districts) three times, Howie Matthews trained her,” Temperton said. “Mr Jamieson was selling up a group of horses and we bought her at the sales. We sent her to Pentire because we are a Rich Hill client, have been for a long time, and she is closely related to Pentathon, who was a very good staying horse by Pentire. That is how we bred Pentathlon. “He was a very good horse, a very hard-working, good stayer. He was Group placed several times. The fillies haven’t been quite as good as the colts out of that mare, but every colt we have bred from her has sold well and raced well.” Temperton’s association with the Melbourne Cup doesn’t just lie with the horses she has bred. “I had an uncle, Eric Temperton, who had high acclaim for winning a Melbourne Cup with Silver Knight in 1971, but it is usually forgotten that another horse of his, Magnifique, ran second the following year,” she said. “They were both ridden by Bruce Marsh.” While Temperton has high hopes for Mark Twain in the Melbourne Cup this year, she is also excited about the future with his Vadamos two-year-old half-brother, the last foal out of Pinders Prize. “We have a two-year-old by Vadamos,” Temperton said. “I am told Vadamos’ are a little out of favour at the moment and the buyers want to see him do a bit more. I will hang onto him because I think Vadamos can do that. If anyone wants him at the right price between now and the Derby they can talk to me, otherwise I will just plod along and end up there myself with a bit of luck.” Temperton and Alexander are continuing to breed from a handful of broodmares, with a focus on up-and-coming local stallions. “The old mare Pinders Prize, we are not going to breed from her again, but she has two daughters – Surprizing and Nosecondprize,” Temperton said. “Nosecondprize is the mother of Samuel Langhorne, who is racing quite well in Australia at the moment for Mick Kent. “I have got two mares I raced called Miss Benci, who is in-foal to Derryn, and Edwardian Lady, who is in-foal to The Bold One. “When we sold the share in Proisir, I also wanted to support the local studs, and I wanted to pick out something that was an up-and-coming stallion rather than spend a lot of money on an established one. I think I have done that with The Bold One.” View the full article

Antrim Coast continued his upward Derby trajectory on Saturday, despite having to settle for second in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield. The Stephen Marsh-trained three-year-old finished second behind Orchestral in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March and franked that form with a tough victory in the Gr.3 Alistair Clark Stakes (2040m) over Kiwi filly Quintessa at The Valley. Antrim Coast lined-up on Saturday at much shorter odds, but came off second-best to fellow Kiwi-bred Gold Wolf, going down by a head. Marsh was pleased with the gelding’s performance but admitted that pressure was placed too soon in a testing 2400m contest. “I thought he went super, I couldn’t have asked for any better from him,” Marsh said. “The rider was very apologetic, he just went so far from home and needed to be a lot more patient. We feel he would’ve been very hard to beat, but he was probably travelling so well that he’s gone for him too early. “But he’s come through it really well, he’s right on track for the South Australian Derby. He’s always been a laid-back horse, takes everything in his stride and loves it. He’s the ultimate racehorse.” Antrim Coast is now set to represent his owner-breeder, Dick Karreman of The Oaks Stud, in the $1 million Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 4, a race won by New Zealand-breds for the last three years. Back home, Marsh collected black-type placings at Trentham with Provence, who was a close-up second in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m), and Skyman, who finished third in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). A daughter of Savabeel, Provence has risen rapidly through the grades since breaking maiden status fresh-up in late-December, picking up three victories before surging into runner-up position behind Bradman in her black-type debut. “She ran really well, just probably wanted a better track. Sam (Spratt, jockey) said she couldn’t quite sprint as well as she thought she could’ve, but she’s gone terrific,” Marsh said. “She definitely needed time, she’s come back a lot better as a four-year-old and has come a long way in one season. It wasn’t that long ago she was a maiden and now she’s running in good black-type races. “She’ll go to Ellerslie for the Easter Handicap (Gr.3, 1600m) now, where she’s won before, and it’s a beautiful track so it should suit her a lot more. “She’ll only get better from here, she might be one of those horses you see in good weight-for-age races next season.” In his first season under Marsh’s care, Mukhadram gelding Skyman has contested five Group races in as many starts, with Saturday’s effort capping off fourth and fifth placings in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) respectively. Marsh was pleased with his front-running performance, leading up to the 200m mark, and fighting on bravely to fill the minor placings behind Nereus and He’s A Doozy. “He also ran really nicely, Sam just said he wants a good firm track,” he said. “He’ll go out for a spell now and we’ll see a really nice horse next season getting to those better tracks. I’m really happy with how he’s performed this campaign.” Marsh’s black-type bridesmaid streak was rectified in the undercard at Pukekohe, with victories from both Billy Lincoln and Lerado. View the full article

Imperatriz’s (I Am Invincible) season is now over but don’t expect to hear David Ellis now ramping up a campaign for her to be crowned Australia’s Champion Racehorse for the 2023/24 season. The five-year-old finished fourth in last Saturday’s Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick won by Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun), her only unplaced run in a season that netted five Group One wins, which took her career Group One tally to 10. Imperatriz on Monday flies home to New Zealand, where she will spell before returning to Cranbourne later in the year, and while Ellis thinks being crowned Australian Horse Of The Year would be a fitting accolade, she does not need to title to justify a successful first Australian season for Te Akau. “I don’t get involved in judging her with other stables but we’re just so incredible proud,” Te Akau principal Ellis said. “What a great way to start our Cranbourne stable, with a horse that’s rated the second best in the world, the best sprinter in the world, and we’re just very proud to have been able to buy her.” A $360,000 Magic Millions Gold Cost yearling, the Mark Walker-trained daughter of I Am Invincible is one of the leading contenders for the Horse Of The Year award, with Cups double champion Without A Fight (Teofilo) shaping as her biggest rival. Two-time Group One winner and All-Star Mile heroine Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) gets the chance to further press her claims in this Saturday’s $5 million Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. The T J Smith Stakes was the fourth run in a campaign that realised Group One wins in the Gr.1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) and Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) and a game Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) second placing under 58kg. Imperatriz was undefeated in a spring campaign that started with Group Two success in the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) before Group One wins in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m), Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m). The T J Smith Stakes, in which Imperatriz sweated up badly pre-race and was a victim of interference in the run, was her first run in Sydney for the season and Ellis said it did not provide a true guide on whether she can replicate her Melbourne form in Sydney. For that reason, the $20 million The Everest – a race she bypassed in spring to remain in Victoria – remains an option later in the year. “It was a very hard race for us to get a guide, she was held up quite a bit, but we were very proud of her. “We’ll have everything open for next season.” View the full article

Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis continued his good run of form at his home track on Sunday, securing a winning double and bookending the eight-race meeting in the process. “We have won five races in eight days now, so we have been going alright,” he said. Hasstobeyou kicked off the meeting in winning fashion when taking out the Editor’s Cut Sports Bar Handicap (1200m). The daughter of Darci Brahma was tardily away but quickly made up her early deficit and found herself in the trail behind pacemaker Papagena. Hasstobeyou enjoyed the economical trip, however, Jockey Kendra Bakker had to guide her charge four-wide down the straight to find clear running room where Hasstobeyou quickly found the lead and ran out a 1-1/4 length victor. “We didn’t expect her to be slow out of the barriers, but she is certainly a better chaser than a leader, so that worked out well,” Dennis said. “She looked the winner a long way out. She got out just in time and boomed home over the top of them. It was quite impressive in the end.” Black-type targets are the ultimate aim with the six-year-old, however, Dennis said he will consult with her owners before making any concrete plans. “She is possibly coming up to the end of her preparation, she may only have a couple of more starts in her,” he said. “We had a go at a Group Three last time and they (owners) would certainly like to get some black-type with her. “I will just talk with the owners and come up with a plan.” The stable finished the meeting like they started it, with The Royal Diva taking out the Northern Sports Bar & TAB Handicap (1600m). “It was really nice to get a win for the family and their stallion, The King,” Dennis said “She had a freshen-up after her last run which seemed to do her the world of good. She was quite impressive too. I don’t how good the horses are that she beat, but all they can do is win.” Earlier on the card, stablemate The Princie One made her first raceday appearance in nearly a year when runner-up in The Ave Sports Bar Maiden (1200m). The daughter of Savabeel will now head for a spell and Dennis believes the best is still ahead of her. “She has been a frustrating horse, she is her own worst enemy at times,” he said. “We expected a little bit better yesterday, so she is going to go out now for three or four months, have a really good break and clear her head. “The family all get better with time and she will get the opportunity for that too.” Meanwhile, Dennis is looking forward to heading to Riccarton on Saturday where Great Time will contest the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m), while stablemate On Song will also trek north to line-up in the rating 65 1200m event. “They are both last start winners and both were very impressive,” Dennis said. “They will be stepping up in company, but I am very confident they can both cope with it.” View the full article

An investment in an English mare more than 30 years ago is continuing to reward Blandford Lodge, with a homebred descendant successful on the opening day of The Championships at Randwick. The John O’Shea-trained Good Banter appreciated the step up in distance to claim the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) and double her winning tally from a handful of appearances. “It was fantastic to get a win on that day, it was really good and being by Tavistock out of that family she was always going to be a middle-distance filly,” Blandford Lodge’s Graham Bax said. “I think she will carry on to be an Oaks type, I don’t know whether she would run in Sydney and maybe they’ll lean more toward the Queensland Oaks (Gr.1, 2200m).” Good Banter was bred by Blandford and on their behalf sold by Blue Gum Farm at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for A$280,000 to Louis Le Metayer’s Astute Bloodstock. “We’ve been involved with the family ever since I bought (fifth dam) Polly Soleil more than 30 years ago off Ron Denby,” Bax said. By Roi Soleil, Polly Soleil was a half-sister to Avon Valley who stood at stud for Denby and sired Group One winners Avon Angel, Sir Avon and Valley Of Carome. Among Polly Soleil’s four winners was Soleil Rouge, who was a two-time Group winner, and more recently they have featured in the pedigrees of the Blandford-bred and sold three-time Group One winners Danzdanzdance and Lucia Valentina. “Soleil Rouge was a good mare to me and (multiple Group winner) Silky Red Boxer is from the family, which we’ve obviously still got offshoots of,” Bax said. “There’s a whole range of them, it goes on and on and then there’s Katie O’Neill, who is the dam of She Will Be Loved who won the Gr.2 Sir Edward Manifold (1610m).” The recent Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) winner Lady Laguna is another decorated member of the family. Blandford graduate Ahuriri, out of Lucia Valentina’s half-sister Mackenzie Kate, also ran in the Adrian Knox with the Chris Waller-trained filly finishing midfield. The daughter of Almanzor was sold at Karaka to Waller and Bax and wife Helen-Gaye’s daughter Kylie for $210,000. “Good Banter and Ahuriri, who Chris rates a bit, were in our paddocks here at home and grew up together,” he said. Good Banter is a daughter of the Savabeel mare Danza Kuduro, a half-sister to Danzdanzdance and Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) winner Le Gai Soleil. “We raced Le Gai Soleil and she’s back here with a Wootton Bassett colt at foot and is in foal to Proisir,” Bax said. Bax initially sold Danza Kuduro at the Premier Yearling Sale for A70,000 and she subsequently won three races. “I kept in touch with one of the guys that bought her off me and he texted me and said we are going to retire the mare,” he said. “I thought I need her back because Danzdanzdance was going pretty well so I got hold of (agent) Bruce Perry. “I asked him to get hold of the owners of Danza Kuduro and see if you can buy her for me, which he did.” The mare’s unraced Ocean Park filly, named See Me Dance, was sold at Karaka for $70,000 in 2023 to Wylie Dalziel and Peter Moody with Danza Kuduro now in foal to Starspangledbanner’s multiple Group One-winning son State Of Rest. “It’s been a fantastic family and Kylie was well-rewarded this year when she sold a Per Incanto filly out of the family at Karaka for $280,000 to Wexford Stables,” Bax said. She is a daughter of the unraced Mastercraftsman mare Ouzo, dam of the Group performers Aspen Colorado and Canuhandleajandal. “We’ve still got plenty of the family around, so hopefully it keeps us all going,” Bax said. View the full article

Antrim Coast (closest to camera) prepare for the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) after a second-placed finish at Caulfield last Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Antrim Coast continued his upward Derby trajectory on Saturday, despite having to settle for second in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield. The Stephen Marsh-trained three-year-old finished second behind Orchestral in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March and franked that form with a tough victory in the Group 2 Alistair Clark Stakes (2040m) over Kiwi filly Quintessa at Moonee Valley. Antrim Coast lined-up on Saturday at much shorter odds, but came off second-best to fellow Kiwi-bred Gold Wolf, going down by a head. Marsh was pleased with the gelding’s performance but admitted that pressure was placed too soon in a testing 2400m contest. “I thought he went super, I couldn’t have asked for any better from him,” Marsh said. “The rider was very apologetic, he just went so far from home and needed to be a lot more patient. We feel he would’ve been very hard to beat, but he was probably travelling so well that he’s gone for him too early. “But he’s come through it really well, he’s right on track for the South Australian Derby. He’s always been a laid-back horse, takes everything in his stride and loves it. He’s the ultimate racehorse.” Antrim Coast is now set to represent his owner-breeder, Dick Karreman of The Oaks Stud, in the $1 million Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 4, a race won by New Zealand-breds for the last three years. Horse racing news View the full article

The only living foal of champion mare Winx has been sold for $10 million, the world record sum for a filly. View the full article

Manfred Man’s superstar faces ‘three to four months’ on the sidelines after suffering the injury at Sha Tin on SundayView the full article

Trainer Pierre Ng confirms Champions Day target for last-start Hong Kong Derby runner-upView the full article

Tony Cruz celebrates his 1,500th Hong Kong victory. Tony Cruz further cemented his place in Hong Kong racing’s firmament of stars by reaching the 1,500-win milestone as a trainer with Beauty Joy’s victory in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 April). Cruz, 67, became only the third trainer to reach the towering 1,500-win landmark in Hong Kong behind John Moore (1,735) and John Size (1,534), having also ridden 946 wins in Hong Kong as a six-time champion jockey and dual champion trainer. Revered for excellence and longevity, Cruz was among the first intake of apprentices into The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School in 1972 before starring in Hong Kong aboard champions such as Co-Tack and overseas with Triptych. Since retiring as a jockey and taking out a trainers’ license in 1996, Cruz has relentlessly pursued success at the highest level, producing three Hong Kong Horse of the Year winners – Silent Witness, Bullish Luck and Exultant – while building a stunning portfolio highlighted by Silent Witness’ Hong Kong record of 17 consecutive wins, and a string of Group 1 triumphs in the city. Cruz has also prevailed at the highest level as a trainer abroad, striking twice at Group 1 level in Japan and again last month in Dubai with California Spangle in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m). Crowned champion Hong Kong trainer in 1999/2000 and 2004/2005, Cruz said: “I’m very proud to be licensed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club for so many years. I’ve seen Hong Kong racing change so much over the years and I’m so lucky to be part of it. “I was born and raised here. My Dad (Johnny) was a jockey. I was meant to be part of this racing game – to be a jockey and a trainer. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the best places to train horses in the world. It’s an achievement in any trainer’s lifetime to make 1,500 winners.” Cruz aims to bolster his collection of feature race wins when Beauty Joy tackles the HK$22 million FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on April 28 after the gelding slotted his most important win in Hong Kong after a clinical ride by Brenton Avdulla. “He’s never been an easy horse to ride and you need a top jockey on and Brenton was the man for the job today – he had a perfect race today. He’s always been a class horse, but difficult to ride in a race,” Cruz said after Beauty Joy finished strongly to down Beauty Eternal with Red Lion third in 1:34.03. Avdulla, who has formed a powerful alliance with Cruz, said: “I think the barrier’s very important and probably a bit of rain in the ground, too. He was able to jump on terms and I was able to sort of hold my spot without using him too much, and it was probably the first time in a long time he hasn’t thrown his head, which is a bonus.” Jumping smoothly, Beauty Joy tracked the leading division along the fence before fanning to the middle of the track in the straight and wearing down Beauty Eternal by one-and-a-quarter lengths with the same margin to Red Lion. Referring to Cruz’s achievement, the Australian said: “He (Cruz) has always been a trainer or a jockey, he’s what everyone in Hong Kong aspires to be and he’s going to be a legend of the turf when we’re all gone in 100 years. He’s always going to be a part of history, so for me to link up with him in my first season, I owe him a lot. I’m very thankful.” Cruz and Avdulla capped their Group 2 success with Californiatotality’s triumph on a memorable day for the duo. Avdulla shared riding honours with compatriot Hugh Bowman, who scored with Lucky Sweynesse in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) for Manfred Man and Hasten Delight for Francis Lui. Winner of four races in Australia for Peter Robl, the Star Turn gelding earned a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus after surging to a 1.75-length win at only his second Hong Kong start. Winning Steps provided Pierre Ng with his 55th win of the season with victory under Matthew Poon after Chris So-trained Master Of All broke through at his 11th start with victory under Keith Yeung. Derek Leung’s patience on Super Goldi provided decisive ito give Frankie Lor his 30th win of the campaign before Full Credit blitzed his opposition with a 5.25-length victory under Lyle Hewitson for trainer Mark Newnham. “He’s shown good ability from the time he’s started here. It was very impressive,” Newnham said. “I expected him to win, but I didn’t expect him to win like that. He’s improved a little bit each week. “We’ve got lots of new horses like this and it’s just a matter of holding your nerve and being patient. The last thing you want to be is impatient because you can ruin a good horse before you make them a good horse.” A masterful front-running ride by Alexis Badel enabled Danny Shum-trained Eighteen Carat to win the Class 3 Harlech Handicap (2000m). Horse racing news View the full article

Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) sealed consecutive HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) wins on Sunday at Sha Tin for jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Manfred Man. Banishing the memories of back-to-back defeats across his last two outings, Lucky Sweynesse returned in emphatic style on rain dampened ground to round up the field in 1m 09.17s as favourite, while Invincible Sage held on for second with Flying Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) grabbing third. “He needs no introduction. He’s Hong Kong’s best sprinter and he has been for some time. He’s an ultra-consistent horse and it’s an honour to ride horses of this calibre. It was just delightful to get the job done today,” Bowman said. Now the earner of HK$74.27 million, Lucky Sweynesse is a remarkable 16-time winner from 24 starts – including four times at Group One level – and was crowned Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) last season. Lucky Sweynesse settled at the rear as Nervous Witness fired to an early lead. Turning into the home straight, Bowman sat patiently aboard the five-year-old before pressing the button in the final furlong to run down a tenacious Invincible Sage. “I was confident in the run because I thought the pace was frantic early and I was able to get in a really smooth, comfortable rhythm throughout. I knew what I had underneath me when I asked him to extend,” Bowman said. Lucky Sweynesse finished sixth in the HK$13 million Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and fifth in the HK$13 million Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) before today. The 132-rater will now chase consecutive wins in the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 28 April). “At this moment, I’m very happy and we will plan for 28th of April, 1200 (metres) for him again. I hope he can keep his form but I think it should be no problem,” Man said. Lucky Sweynesse has won three times this term. He captured the HK$26 million Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) last December. “The horse normally keeps very well but the last few runs we’ve had a little bit of bad luck and then this race Hugh Bowman rode a good race for us – more patient,” Man said. Lucky Sweynesse was sold at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale out of Woburn Farm’s 2020 draft for $90,000 to Joe Barnes’ J & I Bloodstock. The gelding was a six length trial winner at Ellerslie out of Shelley Hale’s Cambridge stable before transferring to Hong Kong. Fly-in jockey James McDonald will reunite with Lucky Sweynesse next start. View the full article

What Kembla Grange Races Where Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Hwy, Kembla Grange NSW 2526 When Tuesday, April 9, 2024 First Race 1:35pm AEST Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to the Illawarra region of NSW on Tuesday afternoon, with Kembla Grange set to host an ultra-competitive seven-race program from 1:35pm local time. The surface is rated Heavy 10 at the time of writing, and although there will be some reprieve from the deluge that hit the area over the weekend, punters shouldn’t be anticipating any upgrade. The rail is out +7m for the entire circuit, so watch for jockeys to be searching for better going down the centre of the course as the day progresses. Best Bet: Cormac T Cormac T has found his stride since joining the Annabel Neasham barn and appears primed to make it back-to-back wins after a strong second-up victory at Hawkesbury on March 19. It was a well-deserved maiden victory for the son of Nathaniel, only getting clear in the last 150m to score. He looks well placed in this Class 1 contest, and with the step up to 2000m a major positive, Cormac T should have this lot covered. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Cormac T (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Tom Marquand (59kg) +190 with PlayUp Next Best: Devon County The John Sargent-trained Devon County showed glimpses of brilliance in his two runner-up finishes last preparation. He raced greenly throughout the campaign, and the team elected to send the lightly raced son of Tavistock to the paddock for education. He caught the eye in a recent trial behind Doncaster Mile winner Celestial Legend at Randwick on March 22, and provided he can bring that form to the races, Devon County will be right in this. Next Best Race 2 – #1 Devon County (6) 4yo Gelding | T: John Sargent | J: Rory Hutchings (60kg) +320 with Neds Best Value: Mogul Monarch Mogul Monarch gets set to make his debut on the back of two impressive barrier trials, with the latest being a visually stunning display at Newcastle on March 27. He circled his rivals with relative ease, going on to score by 2.2 lengths under a hold for Rory Hutchings. The Kim Waugh barn has taken its time placing Mogul Monarch, and provided gallopers are making ground down the centre late in the day, that patience should pay dividends. Best Value Race 5 – #3 Mogul Monarch (13) 2yo Colt | T: Kim Waugh | J: Rory Hutchings (57kg) +900 with Bet365 Tuesday Kembla Grange quaddie tips – 9/4/2024 Kembla Grange quadrella selections Tuesday, April 9, 2024 2-6-8 1-2-3-8-11-12-13 1-3-8-9-10 1-3-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Lucky Sweynesse surpasses Invincible Sage. Lucky Sweynesse sealed consecutive HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) wins on Sunday at Sha Tin for jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Manfred Man. Banishing the memories of back-to-back defeats across his last two outings, Lucky Sweynesse returned in emphatic style on rain dampened ground to round up the field in 1:09.17 as favourite, while Invincible Sage held on for second with Flying Ace grabbing third. “He needs no introduction. He’s Hong Kong’s best sprinter and he has been for some time. He’s an ultra-consistent horse and it’s an honour to ride horses of this calibre. It was just delightful to get the job done today,” Bowman said. Now the earner of HK$74.27 million, Lucky Sweynesse is a remarkable 16-time winner from 24 starts – including four times at Group 1 level – and was crowned Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) last season. Lucky Sweynesse settled at the rear as Nervous Witness fired to an early lead. Turning into the home straight, Bowman sat patiently aboard the five-year-old before pressing the button in the final furlong to run down a tenacious Invincible Sage. 2024 Group 2 Sprint Cup Replay – Lucky Sweynesse “I was confident in the run because I thought the pace was frantic early and I was able to get in a really smooth, comfortable rhythm throughout. I knew what I had underneath me when I asked him to extend,” Bowman said. Lucky Sweynesse finished sixth in the HK$13 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and fifth in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) before today. The 132-rater will now chase consecutive wins in the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, April 28). “At this moment, I’m very happy and we will plan for 28th of April, 1200 (metres) for him again. I hope he can keep his form but I think it should be no problem,” Man said. Lucky Sweynesse has won three times this term. He captured the HK$26 million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) last December. “The horse normally keeps very well but the last few runs we’ve had a little bit of bad luck and then this race Hugh Bowman rode a good race for us – more patient,” Man said. Fly-in jockey James McDonald will reunite with Lucky Sweynesse next start. Trained by David Hall, Invincible Sage made his first appearance at Group 2 level today. Flying Ace is also under Hall’s care. “I know Invincible Sage very well and it was no surprise to me to see him perform at the level he did. He’s just got a little bit of maturing to do before he reaches the level of Lucky Sweynesse, if he ever does. But he’s a lovely progressive horse as well and it’s good to see him competing so well,” Bowman said. Invincible Sage has won three times in Hong Kong, twice under Bowman. The four-year-old placed second in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) last January. Horse racing news View the full article

Horse Racing on Monday, April 8 will feature four meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Tamworth & Wagga. Monday Racing Tips – April 8, 2024 Tamworth Racing Tips Wagga Racing Tips As always, there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 8, 2024, check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Horse racing tips View the full article

Trainer Kerry Petrick, born and raised in the Red Centre, claimed her third Alice Springs Cup (2000m) at Pioneer Park on Sunday when five-year-old gelding Venting won the $110,000 feature. For Petrick, who started her training career in Darwin in 1996, victory in the Cup followed in the footsteps of Mister Cheval (1999) and He’s Here (2009). It was Venting’s second big Territory win after nailing the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m) during the 2022 Darwin Cup Carnival at Fannie Bay. With Stan Tsaikos aboard on Sunday, the son of Star Witness was fourth passing the winning post the first time, and settled in fifth up the side of the course once exiting the home straight. Venting ($9) remained in fifth place along the back straight as Neil Dyer’s $3.20 favourite Hettinger (Aaraon Sweeney) held a narrow lead over Carrol Hunter’s $11 hope Desert Lass (Casey Hunter). Kym Healy’s $15 chance Taipan Tommy (Emma Lines) and Michael Hickmott’s $13 prospect Exalted Fire (Sonja Logan) were next as Garret Lynch’s $14 contender Shiny Rock (Saryn Fawke) moved up inside Venting passing the 800m. Desert Lass, second in last year’s Cup, took it up to Hettinger at the 600m and they skipped two lengths clear just as Venting started to make ground on Taipan Tommy and Exalted Fire. With 400m to go, Venting, Taipan Tommy and Exalted Fire had caught Hettinger and Desert Lass, and although Shiny Rock elected to go four wide in search of glory, no other runner was making ground from the back of the pack. Into the home straight, Venting clearly had momentum and was matching strides with the leaders at the 300m mark as Exalted Fire looked to split Hettinger and Desert Lass. Venting was in the box seat with 150m to go before edging clear to prevail by 1.2 lengths from the mighty seven-year-old mare Desert Lass, with Exalted Fire a close-up third. Hettinger, winner of the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) and Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) leading up to Sunday, was a further length and a half adrift in fourth place. Back in 2022, Venting had four starts for Petrick during the Darwin Carnival – he finished seventh in the Cup (2050m) following the Derby – before heading back to Andrew Bobbin’s Stawell stable. He returned in March last year, and by the end of 2023, he had raced on 10 occasions in Alice Springs and Darwin for Petrick for three wins and five minor placings. A third over 1400m (0-70) in January was followed by two wins over 1600m (0-70) in February and he wasn’t that far away when third in the St Patrick’s Day Cup and fourth in the Chief Minister’s Cup in March. Renowned for pinching a race if allowed to control matters out in front, Tsaikos has endured plenty of success and won the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 season. Carnival wins had included the Metric Mile (That’s Justified) and Bridge Toyota Cup (Kaonic) in the Top End, as well as the NT Guineas (Valley Prince) in the Red Centre. He then booted Terry Gillett’s Supreme Attraction home in last year’s Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in Alice Springs; the same combination finished fourth in Saturday’s $100,000 feature. Venting is in line to win the Ladbrokes Territory Treble where connections will pick up a $100,000 bonus should he return to Fannie Bay and win the $60,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) on July 13 and the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 5. 2024 Alice Springs Cup Replay – Venting Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, April 8. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximize your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for April 8, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Place A 4 Leg Multi, If One Leg Fails, Bonus Back Up To $50 Applies to your first eligible 4+ leg multi each day. Paid in bonus cash. Must use available balance. T&C’s apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for April 8, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Fandom (GB) returned a winner at Keeneland April 7 in $250,000 Palisades Stakes, overtaking an impressive group of runners at the finish at the same meet he broke his maiden. View the full article

A return to one-turn proved a difference maker for Denim and Pearls April 7 as she romped in the seven furlong $400,000 Beaumont Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.View the full article

Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) reversed the form with her G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies conqueror, Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) Daiwa Major (Jpn), as she ran out an authoritative winner of Sunday's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) at Hanshin Racecourse, the first leg of the Japanese Triple Tiara. The hitherto unbeaten Ascoli Piceno was crowned champion Japanese two-year-old filly in 2023, though Stellenbosch didn't have much to find with the favourite on their Hanshin Juvenile Fillies running when she'd finished best of all from the rear of the field to be beaten just a neck at the line. This time Joao Moreira's mount always had Ascoli Piceno in her sights having recovered quickly from a slow start to race on the immediate inside of her old rival, with the pair finding a slot in mid-division as Shonan Manuela (Jpn) (Just A Way {Jpn}) led the field in the early stages. Swinging wide on the home turn, Stellenbosch quickly moved ahead of Ascoli Piceno and again impressed with her strength at the finish as she powered home to claim brief leader Etes Vous Prets (Jpn) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the final 100 metres. Ascoli Piceno tried to match strides with the winner but was still three quarters of a length behind at the line, with another half a length back to the fast-finishing Light Back (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in third. It was a third victory in the Oka Sho for trainer Sakae Kunieda, who was previously successful in 2010 with Apapane (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) and in 2018 with the brilliant Triple Tiara heroine Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), while Brazilian-born Moreira was celebrating his first win in the Classic. “She didn't jump very well, but she did nothing wrong during the race–she was very impressive,” said Moreira. “When we were approaching the home turn, we were trapped but as we passed by the 500-metre marker, we were able to split horses. She went up front a little bit too early and I was worried she couldn't sustain her speed all the way to the end but, as with all good horses, she has proved to be capable and has given me my second Group 1 win in Japan which will be in my heart forever.” Stellenbosch shares her sire with Daring Tact (Jpn), who also completed the Triple Tiara in 2020, while Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) became the seventh filly to win all three legs in 2023. The next leg, the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), takes place at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday, May 19. Prior to filling the runner-up spot in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, Stellenbosch won two of her first three starts last year, making a successful debut over nine furlongs at Sapporo in July before bouncing back from her first defeat to double her career tally over a mile at Tokyo in November. Pedigree Notes Stellenbosch is one of three Classic winners and four Group 1 winners for Epiphaneia, who won the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) himself in 2013. He later doubled his tally at the top level when also winning the Japan Cup the following year. As well as the Triple Tiara heroine Daring Tact, Epiphaneia is also responsible for the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) winner Efforia (Jpn), who subsequently struck in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and G1 Arima Kinen in a brilliant three-year-old campaign in 2021. Circle Of Life (Jpn) was the champion two-year-old filly for Epiphaneia the same year when the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies was her standout victory. Last year's Hanshin Juvenile Fillies runner-up Stellenbosch is the first winner and first runner out of the winning Bloukrans (Jpn), who did her best work at around 10 furlongs on turf. Bloukrans is in turn out of a half-sister to the late Deep Impact (Jpn), the Japanese Triple Crown winner who quickly rose to become one of the world's most influential stallions. Deep Impact and Stellenbosch's grandam, Land's Edge (Jpn), were both out of the blue hen Wind In Her Hair (Ire), herself a Group 1 winner in Germany and runner-up in the G1 Oaks at Epsom. Sunday, Hanshin, Japan OKA SHO (JAPANESE 1000 GUINEAS)-G1, ¥304,040,000, Hanshin, 4-7, 3yo, f, 1600mT, 1:32.20, fm. 1–STELLENBOSCH (JPN), 121, f, 2, Epiphaneia (Jpn) 1st Dam: Bloukrans (Jpn), by Rulership (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Land's Edge (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark (Jpn) 3rd Dam: Wind in Her Hair (Ire), by Alzao 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Katsumi Yoshida; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Sakae Kunieda; J-Joao Moreira; ¥166,628,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0, ¥215,468,000. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Ascoli Piceno (Jpn), 121, f, 3, by Daiwa Major (Jpn)–Ascolti (Jpn), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥63,608,000. 3–Light Back (Jpn), 121, f, 3, by Kizuna (Jpn)–In The Spotlight (Ire), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (¥242,000,000 Ylg '22 HOKJUL). O-Kazuhiro Masuda; B-Lake Villa Farm (Jpn); ¥38,804,000. Margins: 3/4, NK, HF. Odds: 3.30, 2.50, 13.60. Also ran: Sweep Feet (Jpn), Etes Vous Prets (Ire), Wide Latour (Jpn), Sekitoba East (Jpn), Queen's Walk (Jpn), Teumessa (Jpn), Hawaian Tiare (Jpn), Ipheion (Jpn), Chicago Sting (Jpn), Cervinia (Jpn), Mask All Win (Jpn), Cecile Plage (Jpn), Corazon Beat (Jpn), Shonan Manuela (Jpn), Catfight (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. It was overnight glory for Stellenbosch and magic man Joao Moreira in the Japanese Oka Sho (1000 Guineas)!#ステレンボッシュ #競馬 #桜花賞 @netkeiba pic.twitter.com/qLZVWiwIUb — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 7, 2024 The post Strong Finish Carries Stellenbosch To Oka Sho Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chad Brown sends out a strong hand of fillies and mares, led by grade 1 winners Gina Romantica and Surge Capacity, in search of his seventh Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) victory in the last 10 years.View the full article

When Wood Memorial (G2) winner Resilience was a foal, he carried himself in the way that elite racehorses do; with a self-assured manner that showed he knew what was expected of a horse with his pedigree.View the full article

What Gundagai Cup Day @ Wagga Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Monday, April 8, 2024 First Race 12:35pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing heads to the NSW Riverina on Sunday afternoon for the annual running of the $36,000 Gundagai Cup (1800m). The rail is in the true position throughout the entire circuit, with the track rated Heavy 8. Racing at Wagga is set to commence at 12:45pm local time. Note: This meeting was set to be run at Gundagai on Sunday, but was transferred to Wagga’s Riverside track as a meeting on Monday. Wagga Cup Tip: Cliff House Cliff House should be able to make it back-to-back wins after careering away with the Albury Mile (1600m) last time out. The son of Starcraft was far more dominant visually than the half-length margin might suggest, as he and the runner-up cleared out on their rivals in the concluding stages. The 1800m looks ideal, and although Danny Beasley may need to circle the field from stall 17, Cliff House appears classy enough to get the job done in the Gundagai Cup. Gundagai Cup Race 8 – #3 Cliff House (17) 5yo Gelding | T: Tim Donnelly | J: Danny Beasley (59kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Bet at Wagga: Luna Rocks Luna Rocks resumed after a 201-day spell at Albury on March 22, and although she was beaten by a length, it was a positive outing for the Mitchell Beer-trained mare. She made strong inroads from the rear of the field, managing to sprint into second place despite the long layoff. Expect Angus Villiers to send her forward this time from barrier four, and with Luna Rocks set to relish the Heavy conditions, she will look the winner at some stage. Best Bet Race 6 – #2 Luna Rocks (4) 4yo Mare | T: Mitchell Beer | J: Angus Villiers (a1.5) (61.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Wagga: Suspect Suspect kicked clear to claim his maiden victory at Albury on March 21 and gets a terrific opportunity to make his way back into the winners’ circle. The son of I Am Invincible had been crying out for a step up in trip to 1400m and managed to put them away stylishly when given his cue. This Class 2 contest will prove a much tougher task, but with a confidence-building win under his belt, Suspect can secure another victory at start seven. Next Best Race 7 – #1 Suspect (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Mitchell Beer | J: Angus Villiers (a1.5) (59.5kg) Bet with Dabble Monday quaddie tips for Gundagai Cup Day Wagga quadrella selections Wagga, April 8, 2024 2-7-8-11-12 2-4-5-9 1-2 3 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article