Wandering Eyes

Red Centre trainer Carrol Hunter with partner Ken Rogerson, a former leading trainer in New Zealand, Victoria and Alice Springs trainer, who passed away in January. There will be emotion when the Carrol Hunter-trained Desert Lass lines up in the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on Sunday. The seven-year-old mare, second in the Red Centre’s biggest race last year, makes her third and final appearance in the feature, with Hunter confirming that she will retire at the end of the season following the Darwin Cup Carnival. Whether this weekend will be her final Pioneer Park start is unknown, but recent form suggests that with 55.5kg the daughter of Rock Hero is a serious Cup hope. The tears will be flowing should Desert Lass win after Hunter’s partner Ken Rogerson, a prominent NZ, Victorian and Alice Springs trainer, passed away in January. Sixth in last year’s Darwin Cup (2050m) in August, Desert Lass has had six starts back in Alice for two wins, two seconds, and a third. Victory over 1400m (BM76) on March 2 was followed by a third (1600m) on March 9 and a second (1900m) on March 27 in open company. Desert Lass’ record for Hunter is 15:3-5-2; the mare’s overall record after 40 Alice Springs starts and five Darwin starts is 45: 9-13-7. “She’s going as well as last year, it was a really good run in the 1900m with 60kg,” Hunter said. “She had 4kg more than any other runner, a great conditioning run for Sunday. “She’s not a big burly mare, just a rare horse that puts in every start.” Missing the opportunity to train the mare in 2020 before she was transferred from the Scott Westover stable to the Lisa Whittle yard, Desert Lass ended up with Hunter a year ago when Whittle relocated temporarily to SA. Hunter, who has won Alice Springs’ 1200m Pioneer Sprint (Dry ‘N’ Sober) and Darwin’s 1200m Palmerston Sprint (Bowline), is looking forward to the Cup. “We’ve drawn very well (three), so hopefully that puts us in a nice position,” she said. “She’ll hopefully be more forward than too far back, that helps on this track.” Desert Lass is owned by Chris Chief Stipelas, who has enjoyed a personal and professional rapport with Hunter. “Chris has owned horses with Ken and I for some 25 years,” Hunter said. “She owned an Alice store and I worked for her for more than 10 years. “She’s a very good friend, Chris actually owned horses with Ken and I before I started working for her. “I think Chris is pretty happy with the job of done with Desert Lass.” Hunter, a licenced person with the Alice Springs Turf Club since 1983 as a track rider, stablehand, and trainer, has been in the thoughts of the NT racing community since Rogerson’s passing. “I miss Ken, but the support has been wonderful – winning the Cup will be a fairytale,” she said. “Casey Hunter, Desert Lass’ regular rider, has been a huge support, which I really do appreciate. “She came down from Darwin earlier in the year. “She has been riding work and is probably one of the hardest working jockeys there is.” 2024 Alice Springs Cup Final Field 1. Write Your Name (11) T: Gary Clarke J: Jade Hampson W: 61kg F: 51×87 Age: 8YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Jillimarg +1600 +340 2. Shiny Rock (5) T: Garret Lynch J: Sairyn Fawke W: 59kg F: 811×2 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Fastnet Rock Dam: Shakeyourbody (USA) +900 +200 3. Lake’s Folly (9) T: Michael Hickmott J: Todd Pannell W: 56.5kg F: 7255x Age: 7YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Pierro Dam: Mama’s Choice +450 +110 4. Exalted Fire (4) T: Michael Hickmott J: Sonja Logan W: 56kg F: 874×7 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Valentia Dam: Exalted Halo +800 +180 5. Desert Lass (3) T: Carrol Hunter J: Casey Hunter W: 55.5kg F: 2317x Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Rock Hero Dam: Paleste +1800 +380 6. Son Of Bielski (12) T: Chris Nash J: Andrew Mallyon W: 55.5kg F: 11×11 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Dissident Dam: Valourina +400 +100 7. Hettinger (2) T: Neil Dyer J: Aaron Sweeney W: 54kg F: 11668 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Fast Love (NZ) +320 -125 8. Boom Boom Sweet (10) T: Kerry Petrick J: Paul Denton W: 54kg F: 12227 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Jakkalberry (IRE) Dam: Ultra Explosive (NZ) +1600 +340 9. Venting (6) T: Kerry Petrick J: Stan Tsaikos W: 54kg F: 43113 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Star Witness Dam: Vintage Strike (USA) +700 +160 10. Vallabar (1) T: Gary Clarke J: Jarrod Todd W: 54kg F: 32383 Age: 8YO Color: Bay Sex: Rig Sire: Widden Valley Dam: Sure Paint +2200 +450 11. Quizzle (8) T: Ray Viney J: Jessie Philpot W: 54kg F: 61331 Age: 5YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Sizzling Dam: Queen Tara +5000 +1000 12. Taipan Tommy (13) T: Kym Healy J: Emma Lines W: 54kg F: 31168 Age: 8YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Dark Valley Dam: Venerable +1100 +240 13 (1E). Equal Balance (14) T: Kym Healy J: TBC W: 54kg F: 4279x Age: 9YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Hinchinbrook Dam: Equivalence +6000 +1200 14 (2E). Duty (7) T: Ray Viney J: TBC W: 54kg F: 54116 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Fastnet Rock Dam: Risk Aversion +6000 +1200 Horse racing news View the full article

Eamonn McEvoy, who has been at the helm of Nass racecourse for almost five years, will join Tattersalls Ireland as Bloodstock Sales Director. Prior to his tenure at Naas, McEvoy served as Racing and Stud Manager for Rick Barnes of Grangecon Stud for eight years. Additionally, he has worked at stud farms in England, the USA and Australia, as well as Saudi Arabia, where he worked as Assistant Manager under the late Michael Buckley at HH Prince Sultan Al Kabeer's racing and breeding operation, playing a pivotal role in the development of a new racetrack for Prince Sultan. Commenting on the new appointment, Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland said. “We are delighted to appoint Eamonn as Bloodstock Sales Director of Tattersalls Ireland. Eamonn's extensive leadership experience and proven ability to drive change and improvement within the industry make him an invaluable addition to our team. “Having regularly dealt with Eamonn while he was Racing and Stud Manager at Grangecon Stud I can lay testament to his professionalism and knowledge. He is also extremely well regarded throughout the industry and on behalf of all the team at Tattersalls Ireland, we welcome Eamonn to his new role and look foward to working with him.” McEvoy, who will commence his new position in early May, added, “I am honoured to be joining Tattersalls Ireland, especially at such an important time of the year with the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up Sale and the Store Sales fast approaching. The company has a proud history with a diverse calendar of sales which continue to go from strength to strength and I'm looking forward to working alongside the well-respected teams at Fairyhouse and Newmarket. I've enjoyed a fantastic time at Naas Racecourse and would like to express my gratitude to the board and team there and wish them continued success going forward.” The post Naas Racecourse Manager Eamonn McEvoy To Join Tattersalls Ireland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For racing fans, Saturday is one of the best days on the racing calendar, with Day 1 of The Championships taking centre stage at Royal Randwick. However, it wouldn’t be a big Sydney sporting event without torrential rain. The rains are here, Marge! If there is ever a major sporting event on in Sydney, just pack a brolly and every bit of wet weather gear you own. It can be the Pink Test at the SCG in January, or more importantly, Day 1 of The Championships at the start of April each year. Upwards of 300mm of rain has been forecast to fall at the track from Thursday-Saturday, and it would be more suitable to see Noah’s ark hitting top speed in the final furlong of the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) rather than Imperatriz or I Wish I Win. If we have learned anything throughout the years with Peter V’Landys in charge, Racing NSW will spare no expense to get their premium raceday going ahead without a hitch. We’ve seen helicopters flown close to the ground to help dry out tracks, but unless there is a miracle, Day 1 of The Championships looks destined to be washed out, and the remainder of the Autumn Carnival will be pushed back a week. “Relatively unknown commentator” Now, the team at Punt Drunk are certainly not a bunch of sensitive Sallys; however, when the great Matt Hill is declared a “relatively unknown commentator”, we spit chips. Sure, for the uneducated (non-racing fans), Hill’s dulcet tones may be a bit of a new experience for AFL fans, but within the space of a month, he has skyrocketed to one of the best callers in the AFL. Who would’ve thought that a caller who calls what is happening, rather than having a chat about pizza toppings, would be well-received? More of Matt Hill is always a positive! Racing NSW having a completely normal one When you think of some of the great racing names you think of Winx, Makybe Diva, Black Caviar, Phar Lap and Kingston Town. Throw in trainers like Bart Cummings and TJ Smith and you would think they have races deservingly named in their honour, with the prizemoney to match. Prizemoney of races named after Australian turf figures: Winx – $1m Makybe Diva – $750k Black Caviar (Lightning) – $1m Phar Lap – $300k Kingston Town – $250k Bart Cummings – $500k TJ Smith – $3m Russell Balding – $3m — Bren O’Brien (@streetruffian) April 1, 2024 In the case of Winx, Makybe Diva and Black Caviar, at least they have Group 1 races named in their honours, as does legendary trainer TJ Smith. That luxury isn’t afforded to Phar Lap, Kingston Town and the greatest trainer of all time, Bart Cummings. However, former Racing NSW chairman Ruseell Balding received an unlikely “honour” during the week. The Winners Stakes (1300m) has traditionally been named after the reinging Everest champion, example being the Giga Kick Stakes. However, from 2024 and beyond, the race will be known as the Russell Balding Stakes and will be run for $3 million! Turn it up. Let’s name a BM70 after the bloke and not bring to shame some true legends of the turf. About Punt Drunk Welcome to Punt Drunk – our weekly column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump… If you have any stories that you want our Punt Drunk Team to cover or just want to say G’day send us a message on: Horse racing news View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, April 7, 2024 First Race 12:45pm HKT (2:45pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon for a bumper 10-race program starting at 12:45pm local time. The Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) and Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) share top billing for the meeting as the rail moves out to the B+2 position. The forecast suggests that some heavy rainfall could hit the course this week, but thanks to the sensational drainage of the Sha Tin circuit, the surface should be rated somewhere in the Soft range. Sprint Cup: Lucky Sweynesse Lucky Sweynesse could lose the tag of ‘world’s best sprinter’ if he doesn’t perform this Sunday. The five-year-old had excuses in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on March 10, racing wide without cover at the rear of the field over an unsuitable trip. Getting back to the 1200m journey should be ideal for Lucky Sweynesse, and with set weights helping his chances, punters should expect a return to his electrifying best in the Sprint Cup. Sprint Cup Race 7 – #1 Lucky Sweynesse (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Manfred Man | J: Hugh Bowman (58kg) Bet with Neds Chairman’s Trophy: Beauty Eternal Beauty Eternal was sensational two starts back in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on January 21, closing off into a clear second-place finish behind Voyage Bubble. He then got into a bumping duel in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, hindering his chances of success a long way from home. The mile seems to be his favoured trip, and with Hong Kong’s best electing to stay in the saddle, Beauty Eternal and Zac Purton can combine to claim victory in the Chairman’s Trophy. Chairman’s Trophy Race 8 – #2 Beauty Eternal (8) 5yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Bet at Sha Tin: Eighty Light Years Eighty Light Years has found the minor money in all three attempts in Class 3 company. He sat outside the leader in his most recent start, blunting his usually blistering turn-of-foot as he was swallowed up in the shadows of the post. Watch for Zac Purton to take a sit this time and ride the son of Dream Ahead a bit more conservatively from stall three. If he lands in the one-one, Eighty Lights Years will be hard to beat. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Eighty Light Years (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Benno Yung | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Bet with Unibet Next Best at Sha Tin: The Khan The Khan finally draws a barrier after copping gates 11, 11, and 12 to start his first Hong Kong campaign. It has left the son of Acclamation with too much work to do from the rear of the field, being forced to drag back in all three starts to date. He has shown enough through the wire to suggest the 1400m will be ideal, and with barrier one allowing Alexis Badel to trail the leaders’ back throughout, The Khan should be right in this. Next Best Race 4 – #7 The Khan (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Alexis Badel (56.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Sha Tin: Unbelievable Formerly trained by Aiden O’Brien in Ireland, Unbelievable is set for his fourth Hong Kong appearance since arriving at the Frankie Lor barn. He was aimed at the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 24 and gave a great account of himself, only going down by four lengths. He finished off gamely on that occasion, and although he now must lug top weight in this Class 3 contest, Unbelievable still has plenty of upside compared to some key rivals. Best Value Race 10 – #1 Unbelievable (4) 4yo Colt | T: Frankie Lor | J: Derek Leung (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Hong Kong quaddie tips – Sunday 7/4/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, April 7, 2024 1 2-3-5-6-11-12 1-2-3-4-7-12 1-3-4-9-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

Devastate will be one of two runners for trainer Andrew Forsman in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stakes performers Saint Bathans and Devastate will take an important step towards an Ellerslie feature when lining up at Pukekohe on Saturday. The Andrew Forsman-trained pair are at different stages of their preparation, with in-form Maurice gelding Saint Bathans dropping back in distance after finishing a creditable fourth in the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga, adding to his narrow runner-up finish in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Cambridge-based Forsman is wary of the step-back in distance for the five-year-old, while indicating it proved the ideal lead-in for the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie two weeks later. “He’s come through Tauranga well, we’re aiming for an Easter with him and didn’t want to go a month between runs,” he said. “Dropping back to 1300m on a quick track will be tough on him, but I think it’ll be a nice run for him to keep ticking over for the mile.” A Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) winner at three, Devastate maintained his consistent record through the spring, culminating in a second-placed effort in the Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m), and will resume from a 128-day hiatus. “He’s actually trialled up well, and he’s got the ability to jump and put himself in the race. He could be a horse that could run a cheeky race, and of those three, he may be quite sharp over 1300m fresh-up,” Forsman said. “Ideally, this will set him up for the Easter as well.” Meanwhile, Ethereal Star avoided the heavy conditions at Tauranga a fortnight ago, and the talented daughter of Snitzel will represent Forsman in the Stella Artois 1600. “We’ve just been trying to find the right race for her, and this looks suitable to give her a chance to prove whether she can run out a strong mile, and possibly further,” he said. A runner-up in last year’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), Ethereal Star will be joined by Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) placegetter Rebecchi, who showed promise as a Derby prospect before suffering a pair of cardiac arrythmias. “We can’t really fault him in trackwork, we gave him a trial the other day and I thought he was okay over a distance that was too short for him,” Forsman said. “We’ve taken the blinkers off and we just want to see him in a race-day scenario running well and pulling up well. If so, then he could be a contender for the Championship Stakes (Group 3, 2100m). Undefeated in three trials, Ardrossan juvenile Yaldi will be among several first-starters in the TAB 1200, and Forsman is looking forward to testing his ability from the ace draw. “It’s hard to know where he sits with two trials on the polytrack, he was good at Taupo, but trials are one thing and race-day is another,” he said. “He has trained on well, and he’s drawn one, so he’ll get his chance to prove whether he’s a real two-year-old. He’s a big scopey type, so we’ll know after Saturday if he will press on to further two-year-old racing, or he may take a bit more time.” Later on the eight-race card, Mr Mojo Risin’ and Armino have accepted, while Shocking mare Blissfull Lady returns to a staying trip, contending with the extreme outside draw. Horse racing news View the full article

What Gundagai Cup Day Where Gundagai Showground & Racecourse – Oibell Dr, Gundagai NSW 2722 When Sunday, April 7, 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, and with the track rated Soft 6 leading into the weekend with more showers on the way, punters should expect a downgrade into the Heavy range. Racing at Gundagai is set to commence at 12:35pm local time. Gundagai 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) +100 with Picklebet Best Bet at Gundagai: 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) +360 with Neds Next Best at Gundagai: 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) +220 with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Gundagai Cup Day Gundagai quadrella selections Sunday, April 7, 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

Trainer Linda Rice and jockey Jose Lezcano combined to win five races on Thursday's eight-race card at Aqueduct Racetrack. Rice, who captured the recently concluded Aqueduct winter meet training title with 23 wins, won with all five of her starters on Thursday's program, while Lezcano won with five-of-six mounts. Three of the Rice-Lezcano scores came for owner Winning Move Stable. Rice, who won a record-equaling 164 races on the NYRA circuit last year, was pleased to kick off the Aqueduct spring meet in style. “I've had a few four-win days, a lot of three-win days, but not five in one day. It is pretty exciting,” Rice said. “The races went for me. Did I think we'd win five? No, not necessarily, but I knew we would have a good day.” The quintet of scores kicked off in Race 2 as Winning Move Stable's Solib (American Pharoah) romped to victory in a seven-furlong claiming sprint for older New York-bred fillies and mares. The success continued in Race 4 as the Rice-owned Screaming Uncle (Bolt d'Oro) prevailed in a claiming sprint for 3-year-olds and upward. Winning Move Stable would sweep Race 6 and Race 7 as New York-bred Cinderella's Cause (Congrats) won a one-turn mile claimer against open company older fillies and mares one race before graded stakes-winner Joey Freshwater (Jimmy Creed) ran off to an impressive score in an allowance optional-claiming tilt for older horses. “I'll tell you Joey Freshwater ran a superb race. He really stepped up. It was a tough race and he really ran great,” said Rice of last year's GIII Bay Shore winner. “Joey Freshwater's race was pretty tough, a three-other-than in New York is always tough. Frankly I was thrilled with the way he ran, and it was just a dominant performance.” The day concluded in Race 8 as Everything's Cricket Racing's New York homebred Freedsdale (Redesdale) made a winning debut with a prominent trip in a state-bred maiden special weight for sophomores. “This 3-year-old in the last race had been training beautifully and I thought he would run great,” Rice said. “I wasn't sure it would be a win, but I was surprised he was such a long price.” The post Linda Rice Goes Five-For-Five on Big A Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hasstobeyou will lineup at Ascot Park on Sunday. Photo: Tayler Strong Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis is set to line-up eight horses at his home meeting on Sunday and is hopeful of taking home several winning cheques. Six-year-old mare Hasstobeyou will drop back in class when she contests the Editor’s Cut Sports Bar Handicap (1200m), having finished last in the Group 3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton a fortnight ago. She had been in good form prior to that run, winning one and runner-up in two of her last three starts, and Dennis said she wasn’t genuine to the line in her Christchurch outing. “She was probably not entirely genuine when she got headed, she just threw the towel a bit. It wasn’t a really hard run and she looks to have bounced through it well,” he said. “It is a drop back in class and a drop back in distance as well (on Sunday). It is a small field and it is worth a crack with a nice, light weight (51kg). Kendra (Bakker, apprentice jockey) rode her once before at Invercargill and ran second, so she knows the horse and I am looking forward to having her back on.” Dennis is also upbeat about the chances of in-form mare Sacred Dream. “She is going well,” Dennis said. “Once she stepped up to a staying trip she has really come into her own. I would expect more of the same for her on Sunday.” Dennis has received plenty of support from North Island stud farms since his brief stint in the North Island last year and will showcase that backing where he will line-up Glitzal for Cambridge Stud and Missoni for Waikato Stud. “Glitzal was disappointing on Saturday at Riverton,” Dennis said. “Sam (Wynne, jockey) said she didn’t handle the track and she got a check in the final stage of the race, but she looks to have bounced through it well. From a wider draw (8), if she can put her best foot forward she should be right there in the finish. “It was a big improvement last start from Missoni to run second on a heavy track, which she did cop. The track is going to be better this Sunday. It is the same distance on a tighter turning track, I am just hoping that the improved performance has woken her up and she is starting to figure it out a bit now and putting it all together. She is going to need to be a bit sharper around Invercargill over 1400m to be in the finish, but she very well may be.” Dennis said he is enjoying the support from his northern clients. “Windsor Park have got a horse here as well and quite a few North Island owners do,” he said. “We had a couple of winners for Markwood Lodge on Monday. We all need support like that and we are only as good as the horses we have got to train.” Dennis is also looking forward to resuming The Princie One. The three-year-old daughter of Savabeel had three starts as a juvenile, for two placings and a fourth in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m). It’s been nearly a year since that last start, with her return to racing being hindered by a barrier incident at the start of the year. “She had a mishap in the barriers on New Year’s Day at Riverton,” Dennis said. “I had her back at the jumpouts last week and she won her heat pretty comfortably and had no incident in the barrier. All is positive. “She will get some weight relief with Donovan Cooper (apprentice jockey), and we would expect to see her pretty prominent in the running and fighting out the finish. “There is no doubt that she has got ability and if she can front up like we expect her to, there may be bigger things on her horizon in the coming 12 to 18 months.” In the following race, Dennis will have a two-pronged attack courtesy of Helly Belly and Medina. “Helly Belly won a jumpout last week. The horses that finished second, third and fourth all won at Riverton, so that is very encouraging,” Dennis said. “I know she has never raced over 1200m before but she is looking pretty sharp. “Medina unfortunately lunged at the gates before they opened at Riverton and that meant she was slow away, but came with a massive finish for sixth. If she gets out of the gates and is in a prominent position, she should be right there in the finish too.” Dennis’ representation on Sunday will be rounded out by The Royal Diva. “The Royal Diva has had a brief let-up and has come back in looking well,” Dennis said. “She has got weight relief too so she will look to push forward and be handy. The cut out of the track is only going to help her as we get into the wetter months.” Horse racing news View the full article

Hugh Bowman is optimistic Lucky Sweynesse can atone for a pair of recent Group One defeats when the world’s top-rated sprinter contests the HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 April). Bowman will have his first ride on Manfred Man’s charge after the 132-rater finished sixth in the Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) under Zac Purton on 28 January and fifth in the Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) under James McDonald on 10 March. Bowman has galloped Lucky Sweynesse, winner of 15 of 23 starts, and is excited to partner the five-year-old. “I’ve sat on him a couple of times. We’ve jumped him out down the back straight last week and did a bit of steady pace work this week. He feels good,” the Australian said. “Obviously he needs no introduction, but looking forward to the opportunity.” With 58kg, Lucky Sweynesse will start from barrier seven, conceding five pounds to 10 rivals – Lucky With You, Howdeepisyourlove, Duke Wai, Flying Ace, Adios, Whizz Kid, Invincible Sage, Packing Treadmill, Nervous Witness and Tomodachi Kokoroe. Addressing Lucky Sweynesse’s habit of making tardy starts from the gates, Bowman said: “The ideal would be to get out on even terms but, if he is sluggish which he seems to have developed a bit a habit of doing, I think I still have more options from a draw like (barrier) seven than I would if I was in two or three. “We’ll have to wait and see, I suppose, but it would be beneficial if he wasn’t as far back as he has been in recent starts.” Sunday’s race shapes as a key test for Lucky Sweynesse who, along with Lucky With You, Howdeepisyourlove, Duke Wai, Flying Ace, Adios, Invincible Sage, Tomodachi Kokoroe and Nervous Witness, is entered for the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on 28 April. Bowman will ride dual Hong Kong Champion Stayer Russian Emperor in the HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) this weekend. Chief Stipelas Whyte’s flagbearer has drawn barrier three and, with 58kg, will face Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Sword Point, Nimble Nimbus, Red Lion, Encountered, Healthy Happy, Money Catcher, Taj Dragon, Happy Together, Super Sunny Sing and The Best Peach, who will all carry 56kg. “I’m looking forward to feeling him (Russian Emperor). In reality, at 1600 metres in this type of race, it’s probably a bit short for him but, it would be nice to get the opportunity to ride him again. I feel like he’s just going along nicely this season and there’s going to be some suitable races for him coming up, so we’ll see where we’re at,” Bowman said. Alexis Badel has combined with Frankie Lor’s Happy Together for five wins and two minor placings from eight starts this season and hopes the five-year-old can enhance an impressive campaign on Sunday. “He (Happy Together) is doing pretty well. I can’t fault him, he’s been in great form and hopefully he can carry on this way. “I think he’s a good horse, he’s a quality horse – he’s got a good heart, a fighting spirit,” Badel said. “I’m very happy to see if he can step up to a better class. He’s a horse with a good turn of foot, he likes to finish, he likes to run late. So, coming back to a shorter trip, I assume I’ll be somewhere midfield. He’s quite versatile.” Three of Hong Kong’s leading racing figures could reach significant landmarks this weekend, including dual champion trainer Tony Cruz (1,499), four-time champion handler Caspar Fownes (1,098) and six-time champion jockey Zac Purton (1,697). Sunday’s (7 April) 10-race card at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Severn Handicap (1400m) at 12.45pm. View the full article

Mapperley Stud has announced their stallion service fees for the 2024 season with their proven son of High Chaparral – Contributer spearheading their roster at a fee of $18,000 +GST. Adding further firepower to their lineup is exciting young sire Armory, a son of leading international sire Galileo, who stands at an unchanged fee of $10,000 +GST this season. Contributer has had a brilliant season on the racetrack siring 5 individual stakes across Australasia, highlighted by Campionessa (NZ), a winner of 5 stakes races this season with her Group One triumph coming in the Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day. “Campionessa has been a wonderful mare for Contributer and Mapperley,” Stud Master Simms Davison said. “She’s now a winner of 11 races and it is great to see her rewarded with a Group One win this preparation. “She’s going great over in Australia winning a Group Two this prep and we now look forward to her next start in the Group One mares race at Randwick.” Group One winner Lion’s Roar (NZ), from the first crop of Contributer, and promising three-year-old Snow Patrol (NZ) join Campionessa as the stallion’s Australian Group winners this season, with this feat made even more impressive with only 41 runners to the track in Australia. “He’s quickly building a very good reputation as a sire,” Davison added. “His offspring have proven to have natural ability and are tough, sound racehorses. He’s performing at 70% winners to runners in Australia, which is right up there with the elite stallions.” “Statistically, Contributer is performing better than the elite sons of High Chaparral such as So You Think, Dundeel and Toronado. This should give New Zealand breeders massive incentive to support him this season, especially at his competitive fee.” The performances of Contributer’s offspring haven’t gone unnoticed by buyers with his yearlings averaging $149,000 in the Book 1 sale at Karaka 2024, an increase from $135,000 the year prior. “We were thrilled to see the market gravitate to the Contributer’s at the yearling sales, he had some lovely types up there and they have all gone to the top stables which is really encouraging,” Davison said. “He keeps selling well at the yearling sales which indicates the buyers like them, so breeders should have full confidence breeding to him as a proven stallion at what we believe is a value fee.” “I have had word from a number of top Australian trainers that they have one in their stable that they really like. Add this to the fact that he’s got his best books in terms of numbers and quality coming through over the next couple of years, I think he has the ability to go onto new heights.” Armory has continued to be a popular choice among breeders in New Zealand covering another impressive book of mares in his second season at stud. The champion son of Galileo has covered 246 mares in his first two years at stud with breeders enthused about the quality of his first crop of foals. “We have been absolutely rapt with the quality of the Armory foals,” Davison said. “We have some cracking sorts on the farm, big strong athletic types with great shoulders and powerful hindquarters. He’s very much stamped them like himself.” “We are really excited about his prospects as a sire, they look as though they will be strong enough to show something at two and train on to be even better older horses just like he did.” “Our excitement has already shifted to presenting these Armorys to the market for sale, I think they will be very well received by buyers.” Profondo, who stands at Windsor Park Stud, also bolsters Mapperley Stud’s stallion ranks with the Group One winning son of Deep Impact covering a full book of mares in his debut season. “Profondo was a massive hit with breeders last season,” Davison said. “He was full within hours of us releasing his fee, which gave us a great vote of confidence that we selected the right stallion for the New Zealand market.” “He ticks every box – he has rock star looks, is a Group One winner in Australia, and is by the global sire sensation Deep Impact. He’s going to be given every opportunity to be successful at stud.” “The traction on him has rolled into his second season as well, he’s approaching a full book for the upcoming season which is fantastic and a big mark of approval for him. Savile Row will also stand at Mapperley Stud in the 2024 season and offers breeders an affordable option to access the fantastic Dubawi sire line at a fee of $2,500 +GST. View the full article

A year ago, I Wish I Win scored his first elite-level scalp in the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m), and on Saturday his connections are hoping for a repeat dose. After his heroics at Randwick last year, he went on to place in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in September before finishing runner-up in the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick a month later. The Sydney slot race is once again at the forefront of trainer Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s minds this year and they are planning on taking a similar path towards the rich sprint, kicking off with a hopeful title defence in the TJ Smith. “Everything with this autumn campaign is geared towards having him back and having another crack at The Everest over spring,” Coleman said. “We had the horse there in really good order last year, unfortunately the way the race panned out from the barrier we drew, things didn’t go our way. “I think we can be confident in the way the horse performed and so if we can rinse and repeat the process that led up to him getting there in that state of mind and a healthy, happy horse, then I think we can give it a red-hot crack and hopefully go one better.” I Wish I Win, who races in the colours of breeder and part-owner Waikato Stud, has enjoyed a decent spell since The Everest last year and his trainers said he has thrived with the break. “Since his preparation over spring, I Wish I Win has been able to have his first really decent spell since arriving in Australia from New Zealand, and it seems to have done him the world of good,” Coleman said. “He has come back and looks fantastic, he is bigger and stronger.” The TJ Smith will be part of a very light autumn preparation for I Wish I Win, with Coleman saying the ownership of Waikato Stud and Moody gives them the luxury of not having to overtax their gelding. “We are in quite a unique position with this horse where he is owned by Mark Chittick (Waikato Stud principal) and Peter Moody. We are under no pressure to have the horse racing multiple times a preparation,” Coleman said. Coleman was rapt to get the win in the TJ Smith with I Wish I Win last year, but now officially in training partnership with Moody, a win in this year’s edition would have even more meaning for the Victorian horsewoman. “When Wish won the TJ 12 months ago, that was a very special day. From last to first it was a huge run and it was a really gutsy performance. It was brilliant to see,” she said. “He is just a special horse to have around the stable and he is a favourite of everyone. We are just loving having him as part of our team. “If we were able to defend our TJ title, it would be very special for all of us at Moody Racing. We haven’t won a Group One since being in partnership, so it would be the first with my name on there as well, which would be very special.” View the full article

Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis is set to line-up eight horses at his home meeting on Sunday and is hopeful of taking home several winning cheques. Six-year-old mare Hasstobeyou will drop back in class when she contests the Editor’s Cut Sports Bar Handicap (1200m), having finished last in the Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton a fortnight ago. She had been in good form prior to that run, winning one and runner-up in two of her last three starts, and Dennis said she wasn’t genuine to the line in her Christchurch outing. “She was probably not entirely genuine when she got headed, she just threw the towel a bit. It wasn’t a really hard run and she looks to have bounced through it well,” he said. “It is a drop back in class and a drop back in distance as well (on Sunday). It is a small field and it is worth a crack with a nice, light weight (51kg). Kendra (Bakker, apprentice jockey) rode her once before at Invercargill and ran second, so she knows the horse and I am looking forward to having her back on.” Dennis is also upbeat about the chances of in-form mare Sacred Dream, who takes a win and two placings into the Waikiwi Tavern & The Foundry Restaurant Handicap (2200m). “She is going well,” Dennis said. “Once she stepped up to a staying trip she has really come into her own. I would expect more of the same for her on Sunday.” Dennis has received plenty of support from North Island stud farms since his brief stint in the North Island last year and will showcase that backing in the ILT Centepoint & Southcity Liquorland Maiden (1400m) where he will line-up Glitzal for Cambridge Stud and Missoni for Waikato Stud. “Glitzal was disappointing on Saturday at Riverton,” Dennis said. “Sam (Wynne, jockey) said she didn’t handle the track and she got a check in the final stage of the race, but she looks to have bounced through it well. From a wider draw (8), if she can put her best foot forward she should be right there in the finish. “It was a big improvement last start from Missoni to run second on a heavy track, which she did cop. The track is going to be better this Sunday. It is the same distance on a tighter turning track, I am just hoping that the improved performance has woken her up and she is starting to figure it out a bit now and putting it all together. She is going to need to be a bit sharper around Invercargill over 1400m to be in the finish, but she very well may be.” Dennis said he is enjoying the support from his northern clients. “Windsor Park have got a horse here as well and quite a few North Island owners do,” he said. “We had a couple of winners for Markwood Lodge on Monday. We all need support like that and we are only as good as the horses we have got to train.” Dennis is also looking forward to resuming The Princie One in The Ave Sports Bar Maiden (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Savabeel had three starts as a juvenile, for two placings and a fourth in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m). It’s been nearly a year since that last start, with her return to racing being hindered by a barrier incident at the start of the year. “She had a mishap in the barriers on New Year’s Day at Riverton,” Dennis said. “I had her back at the jumpouts last week and she won her heat pretty comfortably and had no incident in the barrier. All is positive. “She will get some weight relief with Donovan Cooper (apprentice jockey), and we would expect to see her pretty prominent in the running and fighting out the finish. “There is no doubt that she has got ability and if she can front up like we expect her to, there may be bigger things on her horizon in the coming 12 to 18 months.” In the following race, the Ascot Sports Bar Handicap (1200m), Dennis will have a two-pronged attack courtesy of Helly Belly and Medina. “Helly Belly won a jumpout last week. The horses that finished second, third and fourth all won at Riverton, so that is very encouraging,” Dennis said. “I know she has never raced over 1200m before but she is looking pretty sharp. “Medina unfortunately lunged at the gates before they opened at Riverton and that meant she was slow away, but came with a massive finish for sixth. If she gets out of the gates and is in a prominent position, she should be right there in the finish too.” Dennis’ representation on Sunday will be rounded out by The Royal Diva in the Northern Sports Bar & TAB Handicap (1600m). “The Royal Diva has had a brief let-up and has come back in looking well,” Dennis said. “She has got weight relief too so she will look to push forward and be handy. The cut out of the track is only going to help her as we get into the wetter months.” View the full article

In the gap between two enormously exciting weekends in Australia, Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hoping to maintain their winning form in the two domestic meetings in New Zealand on Saturday. Last weekend produced one of the most remarkable hours in the history of Kingsclere Stables. First up was superstar filly Orchestral, who continued her stellar three-year-old season with another Group One victory in the A$750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill. Mark Twain followed suit soon afterwards in Melbourne, winning the A$500,000 Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington and securing a ballot-free entry into the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. “That was a very special afternoon for our stable,” Wellwood said. “It’s always a big thrill to win any race in Australia, let alone a Group One and also a major staying race that carries a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup. It’s a day that we’ll remember for a long time. “Both horses have come through it really well. Mark Twain got back to the stable on Thursday morning. He’ll have a canter on Friday before heading out into the paddock. “Orchestral is just thriving in Sydney. She’s in great order and we can’t fault her.” Orchestral will be the headline act again next weekend when she lines up as a hot favourite in the A$1 million Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on the second day of The Championships at Randwick. “We’re hoping the Sydney weather might improve a little bit between now and then,” Wellwood said. “It doesn’t look great for the first day this weekend, but the forecast is a bit better next week. We think she’ll handle some cut in the ground, but we’d rather see the track dry out a little bit.” James and Wellwood have another feature-race favourite to saddle in the meantime, with Apostrophe rated a $3.50 chance for the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. The Tavistock mare has an outstanding record at the Wellington course, where her three previous starts have produced a win in Rating 75 grade in December of 2022, a second in a photo finish to the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) in January, and a strong-finishing second in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) two weeks ago. “She goes particularly well at Trentham,” Wellwood said. “She’s a mare that’s been crying out for this sort of distance as well, and we just haven’t had the chance to get her there. It’s exciting to see her finally getting up over 2100m for this race. “She’s in good order and it looks like a very nice race for her. We’d love to see her pick up a black-type win – firstly for the mare herself, because she really deserves it, but also for an owner (Inglewood Partnership) that has been a great supporter of the stable.” James and Wellwood also have a strong hand at Pukekohe on Saturday, including high-priced yearling purchase Northeasterly in the Shaw’s Wire Ropes (1600m). By The Autumn Sun out of the More Than Ready mare Pristino, Northeasterly is a half-brother to three stakes performers, headed by the Group Two winner and Group One-placed Dijon Bleu. He was bought for $900,000 from Landsdowne Park’s draft at Karaka 2022. Northeasterly made his eagerly anticipated debut at New Plymouth on March 22, finishing a close second over 1400m. “He’s a really nice horse who’s just taken a little bit of time,” Wellwood said. “We thought his first-up run was very good. He should take some nice improvement out of that, and the step up to the mile on Saturday should suit him.” Hasstobeawinner won or placed in all of his first six starts this season, including a four-length maiden win at Tauranga in December and a second to Wallen in the $350,000 Karapiro Classic (1600m). He has also placed behind classy three-year-old Witz End. The four-year-old Vadamos gelding blotted his copybook with a well-beaten fifth on heavy ground at Tauranga last start, but James and Wellwood are expecting improvement in Saturday’s Ellerslie Events (1600m). “That heavy track tripped him up last time,” Wellwood said. “We weren’t sure going into the race how he’d handle that ground, but now we’ve learned that he’s definitely not a wet-track horse. “Hopefully, on some firmer footing on Saturday, he’ll produce an improved performance and get back into some of that good form he was showing earlier in the preparation.” View the full article

A future in Hong Kong could be on the cards for consistent three-year-old Just As Sharp if he performs up to expectations in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. The son of Swiss Ace has featured prominently in the key three-year-old contests this season, winning the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) second-up at Te Rapa in December before placing in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), and was fourth behind glamour filly Orchestral in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) last month. “That filly (Orchestral) that beat him in the Derby, we followed her, and he got held up a bit. He wouldn’t have beaten her, but he ran a really respectable race in that Group One,” said Graeme Rogerson, who trains in partnership with his wife Debbie. Just As Sharp has subsequently been freshened and is favoured to breakthrough for his first Group victory this weekend, with TAB bookmakers rating him a $2.30 favourite ahead of Moonlight Magic at $6.50 and Monday Melody at $9. Rogerson is expecting him to live up to his odds and said he may continue his racing career in Hong Kong, with a number of parties interested in the gelding. “He is going to be a good horse, he keeps improving,” he said. “There are a few offers from Hong Kong for him and I will just wait and see what happens on Saturday. “I think he is an ideal Hong Kong horse because he can sprint and he can stay. He can win from 1200m to a mile-and-a-quarter.” Meanwhile, the Hamilton stable will also head to Pukekohe on Saturday where they will line-up Solidify in the Stella Artois 1600 and All The Rage in the Hallmark Stud 1600, with both horses benefiting from stable apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson’s two-kilogram claim. “Solidify went well in the Derby, he just got caught out wide,” Rogerson said. He had a good win at Otaki (in his previous run). I have put Bailey on him to claim two (kilograms) and I think he will run a really good race. If there is a shower of rain it will certainly help him. “All The Rage is a chance in that race. He doesn’t like it too heavy, but 65 is his rating.” View the full article

The 2023-24 season has already delivered countless highlights in both New Zealand and Australia for Te Akau Racing, and the powerhouse Kiwi syndicators are hoping the next few days will produce more of the same. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are dominating the domestic premiership with 131 wins, no fewer than 18 black-type successes and more than $6.7 million in total prizemoney. Meanwhile, Walker’s Cranbourne stable has produced 13 wins in metropolitan Melbourne at an astonishing and unparalleled strike rate of 31 percent. Te Akau is set to feature prominently on the big stage again on both sides of the Tasman this weekend, with six runners in black-type features at Trentham on Saturday afternoon before their incredible sprinting mare Imperatriz shoots for her 11th Group One win in the James Squire T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. Focus then shifts to the Riverside Stables sales complex, where David Ellis is set to be a major player on the buyers’ bench during the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Sunday and Monday. Bergerson has held down the fort on home soil this week, overseeing the build-ups of a Trentham team that includes Captured By Love, Move To Strike and Unbridled Joy in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Captured By Love won all of her first four starts including the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m). The Written Tycoon filly had her first taste of defeat with a third placing in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m), where she had a less-than-ideal run but still finished a close third behind Sires’ Produce Stakes favourite Velocious. “It all just went a little bit wrong for her,” Bergerson said. “She jumped well, but then it was looking like Warren (Kennedy, jockey) might get posted wide, so he started to slide back. In the end, he had to go right the way back. “Warren briefly lost an iron in the straight as well, so we didn’t have much luck in the running, but she still ran a really good race. She seems to have come through it in good shape, and the way she attacked the line at the end of 1200m suggests the step up to 1400m should suit her.” I Am Invincible colt Move To Strike announced himself as one of the brightest talents of his generation with a stunning five-length romp on debut at Te Rapa in December. He has been beaten in both of his starts since then, splitting Bellatrix Star and Velocious on rain-affected ground in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and then suffering cardiac arrhythmia when fifth in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m). “He pulled up with a bit of a funny heart after Matamata,” Bergerson said. “We gave him a bit of a quiet time after that, and he’s gone through all of the tests leading into this race and ticked all the boxes. “His work on Tuesday was top-notch. He worked with Unbridled Joy and had the better of him there with a gallop that was really eye-catching. We can’t see any reason why he won’t run a really big race this weekend.” Unbridled Joy finished second on debut behind stablemate When Stars Align, then scored a stylish come-from-behind win at Matamata in late January. His only subsequent appearance was a strong-finishing third in the Matamata Slipper. “We thought he was really good late in the Slipper and he seems to be crying out for 1400m,” Bergerson said. “We’ve put some blinkers on to sharpen him up a bit, and we’re really happy with how he’s been going leading into the race. “Obviously it’s a Group One field and there’s some real quality there, but we think we’re going into it with three very nice two-year-olds who all deserve their chance.” Well-performed seven-year-old Aotea Lad will contest the Gr.2 City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). The Savabeel gelding raced in strong form through the summer, including an eye-catching third in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m). He was a last-start seventh in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) on a Heavy8 track at Tauranga. “His form has been really good,” Bergerson said. “He struck a bottomless track at Tauranga, but still ran very well there. The start before that, he looked the winner 100m out in the Kaimai and ended up a close third. His work has been excellent this week.” Petrucci will have her first attempt at 1400m in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap, having finished strongly in recent starts for second in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m), fourth in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) and fifth in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). “She races quite keenly, which made us think she might just be a 1200m horse,” Bergerson said. “But the way she’s been hitting the line suggests she might want 1400m. Michael McNab, even though he’s not riding her this week, has always thought that’s the case. So we’re excited to see her take that step. “She’s drawn out, but we normally go back anyway. We’ve taken the blinkers off and added the shadow roll, and hopefully we’ll see her relax a bit better in the running.” Balance Of Power will also take a step up in distance, moving up beyond 1600m for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). “We think the 2100m will suit him,” Bergerson said. “He’s shown glimpses of being a really nice horse at times, but then throws in a disappointing run. His work this week has probably been some of the best he’s ever done. “Team Rogerson’s horse Just As Sharp looks very hard to beat, but it’s a fairly even line-up apart from him. We think he’s got a nice chance to pick up some black type.” Te Akau’s day kicks off with promising fillies Egyptian Queen and Tightly Laced in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m). “Egyptian Queen has just had a habit of missing the kick, so we tried taking the nose band off in a trial and she jumped better,” Bergerson said. “She’s been running well in good company and might be hard to beat if she jumps well. “Tightly Laced has shown some good ability as well, so those two might be a couple of nice chances in the opening race on the card.” Walker is in Sydney overseeing the T J Smith Stakes build-up with Imperatriz, along with doing yearling inspections alongside Ellis in the countdown to the Easter Sale. He has been delighted with everything Imperatriz has done since her last-start win in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). “Everything’s gone to plan since her last run and she’s heading into the weekend in great shape,” Walker said. “I don’t have any concerns about her switching to a right-handed track. “The thing that does worry me is the weather. They’re meant to get a lot of rain in Sydney. A wet track isn’t going to be ideal at all, but we’re all in the same boat. One advantage for us is that she’s got plenty of race fitness under her belt. “We’re happy with how we’re drawn (gate six), it should give Opie a few options.” View the full article

Team Valor International's Nadette (FR) displayed a flashy turn of foot as she skimmed the rail to go last to first in the $100,000 Wilshire Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park April 4.View the full article

Race 6 FLIPPIN’ FRESH FISH / TNT MORRIS DAIRIES LONGWOOD HANDICAP (2147m) MRS LAWRENCE (C Campbell) – Trainer Mrs. L Beck advised Stewards, MRS LAWRENCE, will no longer be considered as a racing proposition at her stable. The post Riverton Racing Club at Riverton, Monday, 1 April 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 NZEA NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ STAKES 1600 (G1) MUSTANG VALLEY (J Doyle) – Trainer Mr. A Forsman advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, and at this stage, MUSTANG VALLEY will head to Sydney next week to race at Randwick on Saturday 13 April, however, if the mare does not race then his intention will be to send the mare for a spell. PEARL OF ALSACE (M McNab) – Trainer Mr. S Ritchie advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, in his opinion PEARL OF ALSACE may have been feeling the effects of the firmer track. S Ritchie further advised the mare has now been sent for a spell. Race 7 ELSDON PARK 2200 SUPER SID (D Danis) – Trainer Mr. D Hollinshead advised Stewards, SUPER SID pulled up lame in the fetlocks and has now been retired from racing. Race 8 SKYCITY HORIZON 1600 SUN AND HEIR (C Grylls) – Trainer Mr. M Van Lierde advised Stewards, that upon return to the stable the entire underwent a veterinary examination which included x-rays, with results showing a fracture to the lower lateral aspect cannon bone of the off foreleg with the entire undergoing surgery with pins being put in place. M Van Lierde further advised SUN AND HEIR has now been sent for spell and connections will also be reassessing its racing future. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie, Saturday, 30 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Hong Kong’s champion jockey bullish about his chances on star colt in famous Australian mileView the full article

Johannes stamped himself as a horse to watch in the turf mile division with an explosive win in the $100,000 American Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita April 4.View the full article

Stakes performers Saint Bathans and Devastate will take an important step towards an Ellerslie feature when contesting the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 at Pukekohe on Saturday. The Andrew Forsman-trained pair are at different stages of their preparation, with in-form Maurice gelding Saint Bathans dropping back in distance after finishing a creditable fourth in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga, adding to his narrow runner-up finish in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Cambridge-based Forsman is wary of the step-back in distance for the five-year-old, while indicating it proved the ideal lead-in for the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie two weeks later. “He’s come through Tauranga well, we’re aiming for an Easter with him and didn’t want to go a month between runs,” he said. “Dropping back to 1300m on a quick track will be tough on him, but I think it’ll be a nice run for him to keep ticking over for the mile.” A Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) winner at three, Devastate maintained his consistent record through the spring, culminating in a second-placed effort in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m), and will resume from a 128-day hiatus. “He’s actually trialled up well, and he’s got the ability to jump and put himself in the race. He could be a horse that could run a cheeky race, and of those three, he may be quite sharp over 1300m fresh-up,” Forsman said. “Ideally, this will set him up for the Easter as well.” Meanwhile, Ethereal Star avoided the heavy conditions at Tauranga a fortnight ago, and the talented daughter of Snitzel will represent Forsman in the Stella Artois 1600. “We’ve just been trying to find the right race for her, and this looks suitable to give her a chance to prove whether she can run out a strong mile, and possibly further,” he said. A runner-up in last year’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), Ethereal Star will be joined by Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) placegetter Rebecchi, who showed promise as a Derby prospect before suffering a pair of cardiac arrythmias. “We can’t really fault him in trackwork, we gave him a trial the other day and I thought he was okay over a distance that was too short for him,” Forsman said. “We’ve taken the blinkers off and we just want to see him in a race-day scenario running well and pulling up well. If so, then he could be a contender for the Championship Stakes (Gr.3, 2100m). Undefeated in three trials, Ardrossan juvenile Yaldi will be among several first-starters in the TAB 1200, and Forsman is looking forward to testing his ability from the ace draw. “It’s hard to know where he sits with two trials on the polytrack, he was good at Taupo, but trials are one thing and race-day is another,” he said. “He has trained on well, and he’s drawn one, so he’ll get his chance to prove whether he’s a real two-year-old. He’s a big scopey type, so we’ll know after Saturday if he will press on to further two-year-old racing, or he may take a bit more time.” Later on the eight-race card, Mr Mojo Risin’ and Armino have accepted in the Sistema 1500, while Shocking mare Blissfull Lady returns to a staying trip in SkyCity Horizon 2200, contending with the extreme outside draw. View the full article

South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) He had a big win at Oakbank last Saturday, and now leading South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott is eyeing the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m). Hickmott, based at Wellington, south of Murray Bridge, will start seven-year-old gelding Lake’s Folly and six-year-old gelding Exalted Fire at Pioneer Park on Sunday. It’s the final meeting (Day 5) of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival, with Hickmott aiming to win his second Cup following Lieder’s 2019 triumph. Oath Of Omerta, who was nominated for the Alice Springs Cup, saluted for Hickmott in the $107,250 Onkaparinga Cup (2150m) at Oakbank last weekend. Lake’s Folly has returned to the Red Centre for another crack at the Cup after finishing fourth behind Write Your Name last year. The son of Pierro raced during the Darwin Cup Carnival and after two poor runs, he won the Buntine Cup (2050m) before finishing fourth in the Darwin Cup (2050m) behind Write Your Name. After finishing second over 1800m (BM68) at Murray Bridge on March 9, Lake’s Folly was a last start seventh over 1600m (BM82) at Morphettville two weeks ago. Exalted Fire, the son of Valentia, starred in SA last winter, but in his last three starts at Morphettville during February and March, he was fourth over 1400m (BM82), seventh over 1400m (BM86) and eighth over 1600m (BM82). He will have the services of in-form Darwin jockey Sonja Logan, high-profile SA jockey Todd Pannell will ride Lake’s Folly. Hickmott, fresh from a winning treble at Ballarat on Wednesday, is heading to Alice Springs for the Cup and remains hopeful of success. “Really looking forward to Sunday,” Hickmott said. “Very tough race, there’s some really good horses that are in great form. “I think my runners will need to run at their best, they might find it a bit tough this year. “Lake’s Folly didn’t have much luck last year in the Cup in Alice Springs or Darwin. “He’s proven that he can handle the surface, he’s travelled well and has arrived in Alice Springs in great order. “We’re hoping for the best with Exalted Fire, his last preparation was fantastic. “First up was really good, he pulled up with a minor issue second up and his last race probably wasn’t run to suit him. “It’s fantastic to get back up to Alice, the Turf Club do a great job. “For all the other issues that are going on around Alice Springs at the moment, the Carnival is one positive thing that you can look forward to.” Hickmott, who started his training career in the Top End in 2006, won the 2007 Darwin Cup with General Market before two further wins with Activation (2009) and Canny Ballad (2016). Horse racing news View the full article

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Tapalo exits a second-place effort in the El Camino Real Derby Feb. 10. While that race was on synthetic, the Tapiture ridgling has also shown an affinity for Santa Anita Park's dirt main track ahead of the Santa Anita Derby (G1).View the full article