Wandering Eyes

Exciting youngster Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) will be hoping to end his juvenile season this Saturday the way he started it, winning at Trentham. The son of Savabeel was an emphatic four-length winner at the Upper Hutt track when on debut in October and trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard would be delighted if he could bookend the season with a winning result in Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Bred by Waikato Stud, Savaglee was purchased by The Oaks Stud at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for $400,000, and he has been living up to his price tag with some pleasing early results in the colours of The Oaks Stud principal Dick Karreman. From six starts to date he has posted two victories, including the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), and his connections were pleased with his fourth placed run in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie last start. “It was a super run in the Sistema,” Gerard said. “He got a long way back and his sectionals were very good. He came pretty wide as well, so he covered a lot of extra ground. Realistically, I think the horses that led on that day dictated in front, which made it even harder for him from behind, so his effort was very good.” Gerard believes Savaglee has matured a lot this preparation and she said that will hold him in good stead in seasons to come. “Early on he was pretty electric and he thought he was probably bigger than he was,” she said. “He did a few things wrong and it has taken him a little bit of time to settle down and start doing things right. He was super-fast and he just wanted to get on with it, being a colt, but he has learned to settle now, he relaxes and it is going to take him a long way. “His constitution is amazing, he just loves racing. He never takes a backwards step, he has been up for a long time and you wouldn’t even know looking at him – he eats everything and gets on and gets his work done. “He has worked up nicely, he has come through that last run well. I am happy with him and I think the distance (1400m) will be ideal.” Savaglee will be joined on the float trip south by stablemate Lingjun Xiongfeng (The Factor), who will tackle the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “He is a really nice horse and I am looking forward to getting him up over a longer trip,” Gerard said. “He was very good down at Wellington last time when the track wasn’t so good. We know he is not the best on wet tracks, so we are going to have to monitor that, but I think over 2000m he comes to another level yet again.” Meanwhile, the stable will take two good chances to Ashburton on Thursday, including Group One performer Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma). The seven-year-old gelding is on a path towards the Gr.3 Coca-cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton in 10 days, and he will ready for his stakes assignment with a hit-out in the Greg Jones Memorial (1300m) on Thursday. “Harlech was always down there for the Canterbury Gold Cup, but it was a month between runs and there wasn’t another race for him to run in, that is why he is dropping back to the 1300m,” Gerard said. “It looks a bit strange but there are no other options for us. He is doing that well down there he needed to have another run.” The son of Darci Brahma returned to form when placing in the Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton last start, and Gerard is hoping he can continue that form in the south. “He probably looks a bit grey on paper, but he had a really good run last time, he was unlucky not to win,” she said. “He is still showing us around the stables that he wants to be there. We were just in search of that better track, we went down and got one and he showed us that he is still in form.” Sassy Merlot (NZ) (Burgundy) is another stable runner that has headed south in search of stakes targets and will be kept up to the mark with a hit-out in the Agraforum Growing Innovation (1600m). There are 1400s (stakes races) down there on the last couple of days, which we will certainly look at if she can put her hand up,” Gerard said. “She got caught a bit wide after a long trip and worked a bit too much up the straight last time and I thought she was a bit unlucky. “We are trying her at the mile, I think she has showed us at times that she has wanted to get the mile, and there probably won’t be an easier mile than around Ashburton. “She has drawn a bit wide, which is not ideal, but let’s see what she can do tomorrow.” View the full article

What Muswellbrook Gold Cup Day Where Muswellbrook Race Club – Skellatar Park, 15 Racecourse Rd, Muswellbrook NSW 2333 When Friday, April 5, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The $150,000 Muswellbrook Gold Cup (1500m) is the headline act in a massive eight-race program at Skellatar Park this Friday. The track is already rated Heavy 8, and with more showers predicted to hit the course throughout the week, that rating may only worsen as we get closer to the day. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, with racing set to commence at 1:15pm AEDT. Muswellbrook Gold Cup Tips: Acquitted Acquitted went to another level last campaign, putting together back-to-back victories at Listed level before being tipped out. The gelding by Night Of Thunder doesn’t seem to have lost his stride during the 103-day spell, hitting the line best in a recent jump-out at Newcastle on March 27. He needs to lug 61kg first-up, but Acquitted should be classy enough to get the job done in the Muswellbrook Gold Cup. Muswellbrook Gold Cup Race 7 – #2 Acquitted (2) 7yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Aaron Bullock (61kg) Bet with Neds Best Bet at Muswellbrook: Mogul Monarch The Kim Waugh-trained Mogul Monarch has caught the eye at the barrier trials heading into his debut. He circled his rivals under his own steam in his latest piece of work at Newcastle on March 27, going on to score by a dominant 2.3 lengths. It’s unknown if the two-year-old can handle these bottomless conditions, but based on what he has produced at the trials, it’s worth taking the risk on Mogul Monarch. Best Bet Race 1 – #2 Mogul Monarch (11) 2yo Colt | T: Kim Waugh | J: Rory Hutchings (58kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Muswellbrook: Silvanito Silvanito was sensational when finishing runner-up behind Commemorative at Wyong on March 20. While he was no match for the winner, the four-year-old produced a gallant effort considering he was first-up after 26 weeks off the scene. Barrier two should help Koby Jennings slot in for cover behind the leading pair, and when asked for the ultimate effort, expect Silvanito to be finishing off best. Next Best Race 6 – #2 Silvanito (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Koby Jennings (58kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Muswellbrook: Bestower Bestower rounded up a relatively weak field in her maiden victory at Taree on January 9, and this BM58 is likely to be testing for the daughter of Contributor as she returns from an 86-day spell. The three-year-old filly likes to get back and run on, so she will be giving her rivals four or five lengths when turning for home. However, with a solid tempo expected, watch for Bestower to be doing her best work late down the centre of the track. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Bestower (9) 3yo Filly | T: Kris Lees | J: Darryl McLellan (60kg) Bet with Unibet Friday quaddie tips – Muswellbrook Gold Cup 2024 Muswellbrook quadrella selections Friday, April 5, 2024 1-3-8-11-13 1-2-13-14 2-3-11-12 1-2-3-9-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Belclare winning the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie last Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Last start Group 1 winner Belclare looks to have run her last race, with the Lisa Latta-trained mare entered for next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare sale. The daughter of Per Incanto was bred by David Woodhouse, who races the mare in partnership with John Clark and the Rusties Syndicate, for whom she has won 11 of her 36 starts and nearly $1 million in prizemoney. Belclare had a fitting send-off at Ellerslie last Saturday when defending her crown in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), adding to her previous stakes victories in the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m), Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I was absolutely rapt with the win on Saturday, we had set her for that a long way out,” Latta said. “We scratched her from Wellington when the track was wet and backed ourselves going in there with five weeks between runs. “She has gone to the paddock and is entered in the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast on the 31st of May. It is sad to lose her, but you have got to see it from the owners’ perspective, and she is a valuable mare.” Latta is now hoping to continue her stables’ good run of form at Trentham on Saturday where she will have several stakes chances, including Diss Is Dramatic in the Group 3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m). The four-year-old mare was a last start victor of the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga 10 days ago and Latta is looking forward to stepping her up over ground. “She has come through it really well and I am really looking forward to getting her up to the 2000m,” Latta said. “She looks like she is ready for it after that win and she has trained on nicely.” Latta’s Group 1 winner He’s A Doozy returned to winning form last start at Trentham and will return to the Upper Hutt venue to try and replicate that result in the Group 2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “It was a big relief (to get that win),” Latta said. “He has just had a few niggly problems but we think we are pretty much on top of them. He had a really quiet trial at Foxton yesterday and I am really happy with him.” Latta’s final stakes representative at the meeting will be last start winner Platinumgeneration in the Group 3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). “I have got a fair bit of time for Platinumgeneration,” Latta said. “It is a big jump from a maiden race to where we have got him on Saturday, but I am looking forward to getting him up over ground and he certainly is a very nice, promising horse.” Latta is also excited about the prospects of Platinum Attack, who will be shooting for his fourth consecutive win in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m). “He is a promising horse,” Latta said. “It is a stronger field again on Saturday, but I am looking forward to seeing where he sits after this.” Horse racing news View the full article

Our Echo will contest the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Canterbury sprinter Our Echo will make the trip across the Cook Strait once more this week to take his place in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. The seven-year-old gelding has recorded two of his six wins at the Upper Hutt track, including his last start heroics in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). That result may have come as a bit of a surprise to punters, but not trainer and part-owner Danny Frye, who has had a high opinion of the horse for some time. “It (Lightning win) is what we have been expecting from the horse,” Frye said. “He has tended to float under peoples radar a wee bit, but his last two wins have justified our faith in him. He is a lot better horse than people give him credit for.” The son of Echoes Of Heaven is in a purple patch of form, having won his last two outings, and Frye is hopeful he can continue that at Trentham this weekend when he steps up to 1400m. “We are up to 1400m this time,” Frye said. “He did win his first start at Trentham over that distance, but in saying that he did get a soft lead that day. He has got the stats there to say he should go another nice race.” Our Echo will jump from barrier six and will be ridden for the first time by northern hoop Joe Doyle. “I see he has only got 54kg, I was pleasantly surprised by that,” Frye said. “The only thing is he can get a bit anxious in the barriers and the odd time he has missed the jump, which has been detrimental to his racing. “We have got a fresh rider on in Joe Doyle. From what I have seen and heard, he is a lovely soft rider in the hands I am pretty sure he will suit the horse. “The horse is well and at this stage the track conditions (rated a Soft5 on Wednesday morning) are playing into our favour, we are really keen to be there on Saturday.” Following his weekend assignment, Our Echo will return to Canterbury where he will have one final run before heading for a spell ahead of what could be an exciting preparation next season. “While the weather stays well, we are going to give him one more go in the Easter Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Riccarton and then he will definitely have a holiday after that, and we will look at spring and summer racing with him next season,” Frye said. “If we are adventurous enough, we could even take him overseas next year if he holds the form we think he is capable of. “We would have to change his training regime around, he tends to be free-range paddock trained, so we would need to make some changes so it wouldn’t be so much of a culture shock.” Stablemate Aquattack will also make the trip to Trentham, although she needs a scratching in order to make the field for the Happy 50th Birthday Caryn Premier (2100m). “She is capable enough, but she has tended to be a travelling mate for Echo,” Frye said. “She has got another race or two in her, but we will be looking at retiring her next season.” Horse racing news View the full article

Archaic Smile will chase Group 1 glory in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images PN Tony Pike is confident of another bold showing on Saturday from Archaic Smile at Trentham where she has already enjoyed black type success. The Cambridge trainer can’t fault his daughter of Saxon Warrior who will attempt to turn the tables on Velocious in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Archaic Smile finished a gallant second behind this season’s leading juvenile in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie and Pike is sure his charge will again press the issue at the weekend. “She has been consistent all season and she worked well at Ellerslie in an exhibition gallop with Full Force and she’ll be right in the finish,” he said. “Obviously, there are three or four good two-year-olds with Velocious the benchmark, but our filly has been close up in all the good races and I’m sure she’ll run well again on Saturday. “She is a tough filly and eats well and she’s handled everything well and winning at Trentham (Listed, Wellesley Stakes, 1100m) is always an advantage and I think she’ll run a strong 1400m.” Pike is currently in Sydney carrying out inspections ahead of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on April 7-8 and will be at Randwick on Saturday for Witz End’s Australian debut in the Group 3 HKJC World Pool Frank Packer Plate (1600m) with James McDonald booked for the ride. “They are talking about a lot of rain on Friday and Saturday morning, but he will probably have to run, it’s a race we targeted after the Wellington Guineas (Group 2, 1400m),” he said. “It looks the ideal race for him, but it will be a bit of a mystery if he handles the track. “We’ll have to wait and see what happens and we’ll decide afterwards whether he runs in the Frank Packer Plate (Group 3, 2000m) two weeks’ later.” The winner of two of his four starts, Witz End finished runner-up in the Guineas at Trentham and travelled without incident to Sydney. Archaic Smile aside, Pike will also be represented at Trentham by Val Di Zoldo in the Group 3 Martin Collins New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) and Investigate in the Group 3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). War Decree four-year-old Val Di Zoldo was also nominated for the Group 2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “She will have more weight in the fillies and mares but it looks a better fit for her,” Pike said. “It doesn’t look an overly strong race and she’s knocking on the door and looks like a race she will be competitive in.” Last season’s Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner has finished third in her last two appearances at Matamata and Ellerslie. Investigate stepped up to a middle distance at his latest outing and the Dundeel three-year-old thumped his rivals. “It’s a big step up in class for him, but he’ll stay better than most as he showed at New Plymouth,” Pike said. “It was a weak field, but he did it nicely and deserves his chance.” Meanwhile, Rudyard won’t follow through on his nomination in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) in favour of a start closer to home. “He’s been very consistent but with the compression of the weights meant Michael (McNab) couldn’t ride him,” Pike said. “We’ve changed tack and he’ll go to Counties as a lead-up to the Easter Handicap (Group 3, 1600m) in two weeks’ time.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, April 4, 2024 First Race 5:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Pakenham Racecourse is the destination once again for Thursday night racing in Victoria. With a deluge of rain in the lead-up to the meeting, the track has come up a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances. The rail comes out 9m for the entire circuit, and the first of eight races is scheduled to jump at 5:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Pakenham: Kooky Kooky was only grabbed in the final stride at Geelong after leading for 1411m of a 1412m event. The four-year-old mare was first-up from a spell on that day, and second-up at the 1600m looks to be ideal for the Turn Me Loose mare. Damian Lane will use the mare’s gate speed to have her lead the field upon settling, and Kooky should have no issue getting a cheap sectional or two as she looks to go one better than last time. Best Bet Race 6 – #7 Kooky (8) 4yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (57.5kg) +120 with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Grid Girl Grid Girl has been impressive on both starts in Australia, winning first-up before peaking on her run late to finish third when beaten under a length at Sandown. The three-year-old Kiwi filly tends to settle in the first four and has a slick turn of foot. If Blaike McChief Stipeall can land her in a prominent position from barrier 10, Grid Girl looks the best horse in the field and should have no issue disposing of her rivals. Next Best Race 8 – #10 Grid Girl (10) 3yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (57.5kg) +160 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Pakenham: Araletta Araletta from the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman barn was only gunned down late by a smart one at Sandown on March 20, and a repeat performance will have her fighting out the finish in the quaddie opener. From barrier 12, Thomas Stockdale will have the Pierro filly settled up on speed throughout. With this being her third run this campaign, Araletta has race fitness on her side, while she should have no issues handling the going. Next Best Again Race 5 – #1 Araletta (12) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Thomas Stockdale (57.5kg) +400 with PlayUp Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Thursday, April 4, 2024 1-11-12 7 1-2-3-4-5-6 2-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Susan Moulton's grade 2 winner Manny Wah is poised to become a millionaire in the $300,000 Commonwealth Stakes (G3) April 6 at Keeneland. The seven-furlong dirt race for 4-year-olds and up drew a field of nine. View the full article

The next version of Belmont Park features infield tunnels, new racing surfaces that include an all-weather track, and a facility that will give New York racing a proper downstate home to complement beloved Saratoga Race Course in the 21st Century.View the full article

Horse Racing on Wednesday, April 3 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meetings at Doomben, Newcastle & Sha Tin (HK). Wednesday Horse Racing Tips – April 3, 2024 Doomben Racing Tips Newcastle Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) 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 3, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

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Connections of grade 1 winner Timberlake have chosen to skip an opportunity to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 4, according to trainer Brad Cox in a report from the Daily Racing Form April 2.View the full article

First World War, last seen Feb. 3 winning the Kitten's Joy Stakes (G3T), returns April 5 in the Transylvania Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland.View the full article

Five months after finishing noses apart in the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) Dec. 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Dornoch and Sierra Leone are rematched April 6 in the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.View the full article

The return of springtime racing in Kentucky has brought a wide-open field of 12 fillies to Keeneland April 6 as they look to claim leadership over the 3-year-old turf division in the one-mile, $400,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2T).View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), fourth as the favorite in last Saturday's GI Arkansas Derby, will not be pointed to the GI Kentucky Derby, according to a report in Daily Racing Form. The GI Champagne S. winner and GII Rebel S. winner is currently ranked fifth with 81 points for the Kentucky Derby. “Based on the performance over the weekend, we are not going to run in the Kentucky Derby,” trainer Brad Cox told DRF. “We are thinking about cutting him back in distance.” Cox added, “He came out of it in good order, very sound, and ships back to Churchill Downs today. We still feel it's in his best interest not to try a mile and a quarter in four and a half weeks.” The post No Kentucky Derby for Timberlake appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Check out this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of March 25-March 31View the full article

Hronis Racing's Tapalo, the El Camino Real Derby runner-up and pointed to the April 6 Santa Anita Derby (G1), is among nine 3-year-olds made eligible to compete in the 2024 Triple Crown with a late $6,000 payment that was due April 1.View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), winner of the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 17, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a field of 11 3-year-olds entered for Saturday's 100th running of the $1-million GI Toyota Blue Grass. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount on Sierra Leone and will exit from post 10. Dornoch (Good Magic) (post four), a full-brother to GI 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, is the second choice on the morning line at 3-1. Trained by Danny Gargan, Dornoch enters off a front-running victory in the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Mar. 2. Dornoch defeated Sierra Leone by a nose in the GII Remsen S. “That's a good spot,” Gargan said. “He came out of the three hole in the Fountain of Youth and the Remsen. He will come out of there running and make his way through.” Third choice on the morning line at 7-2 is Just a Touch (Justify), who enters off a runner-up effort in the GIII Gotham S. at Aqueduct Mar. 2. Florent Geroux has the mount from post position 6. The Toyota Blue Grass offers 200 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. Here's the field for the 100th running of the @Toyota Blue Grass (G1) on Saturday, April 6! pic.twitter.com/RmbtAvmLWJ — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 2, 2024 The post Sierra Leone Installed as 2-1 Morning-Line Favorite for Blue Grass appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent horsemen as they travel the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1). This installment features Dennis Albaugh, whose Iowa-based Albaugh Family Stables has reached the Kentucky Derby with remarkable regularity.View the full article

Hronis Racing's Tapalo (Tapiture), the El Camino Real Derby runner-up and a contender in Saturday's GI Santa Anita Derby, leads a cast of nine 3-year-olds that were made eligible to compete in the 2024 Triple Crown with a late $6,000 payment that was due Monday. Trained by John Sadler, Tapalo is expected to enter Saturday's Santa Anita Derby. The nine late nominees (pending late mail): Hronis Racing's Tapalo; Tri Star Racing & Cimarron TTT's Awesome Ruta (Mendelssohn); Lewis Family Racing Stables' Celtic Contender (Irish War Cry); Ten Strike Racing, Four Cornerss Racing, Broadview Stables, Cory Moelis Racing and Jeremy Sussman's D Day Sky (Omaha Bech); Travin Stables' Evening News (Nyquist); Vicente Stables' Le Dom Bro (Mucho Macho Man); John Parker's Lonesome Boy (Nationhood); Average Joe Racing Stables and Dan Wells' Mugatu (Blofeld); and Gelfenstein Farm's Secret Chat (Union Rags). In total, there are now 354 eligible 3-year-olds to compete in the Triple Crown series which consists of the $5-million GI Kentucky Derby, $1.5-million GI Preakness S. and $1.5-million GI Belmont S. Any horse not nominated during the early or late phases can become Triple Crown eligible through a supplemental nomination payment due at the time of entry for each Triple Crown race: Kentucky Derby ($200,000 for all three Triple Crown races or $50,000 for the Kentucky Derby only), Preakness ($150,000) and Belmont ($50,000). The post El Camino Real Derby Runner-Up Tapalo Leads Nine Late Triple Crown Nominees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Caretaker trainer Cran Dalgety admits Thursday night will be a big learning curve for Aussie raider Rock N Roll Doo. The former Victoria Cup and Len Smith Mile winner opens his NZ campaign from a back row draw in the star-studded $60,000 McMillan Equine Feeds Pacers Flying Mile at Cambridge, against the likes of Don’t Stop Dreaming and Merlin. It’s a key race, just eight days out from the $1m Race by Grins, also at Cambridge. “He hasn’t been here long, but he’s a big, raw, rubber-neck sort of fella and we’re going to learn a lot more about him in this race,” Dalgety said. “I’ve been chatting a lot with Mick (Stanley, trainer) and he’s told me about his quirks, but the ability is obviously there. “I’d be pleasantly surprised if he came out and won this week, but, equally, he should run well on his form before leaving Aussie and what we’ve seen here so far. “I like the draw, two-out on the back row. He’ll be in the running line without doing any work and you can’t say that for quite a few others draw wide on a track where the first bend comes up really quickly. “It’s a hard race to read, but there’s no shortage of nice horses in it. “We’re just looking forward to getting him to the races and seeing where we sit. “The main reason we’re going this week is to find out more about him and then we can tinker with anything we might need to before the big one the week after.” Owner Brendan James confirmed Anthony Butt had booked to drive Rock N Roll Doo in his NZ races. Butt has driven him at his past three Aussie runs, including a close second in the Group 1 Lighthorse free-for-all – basically a Miracle Mile consolation – at Menangle on March 9. “He’s been here about a week and settled in well,” Dalgety said. “Now it’s time to find out more about where we sit with him.” Rock N Roll Doo won the Group 1 Len Smith Mile on September 2, last year and backed-up to add the Maryborough Cup 13 days later. But the big, rangy pacer has been winless in 10 starts since. For James, returning to NZ comes with mixed emotions. Rock N Roll Doo had an unsuccessful NZ Cup campaign in late 2022 and then landed the “Aussie Lads” slot in last year’s Race By Grins before health issues and form slump saw his trip aborted. “We’re thrilled he got a slot (Barrett Homes) this year and there’s definitely some unfinished business,” James said. “We’ve also got the option to stay for races like the Taylor Mile, Messenger and even the Auckland Cup if we’re happy with him over there.” To see the Flying Mile field click here View the full article

What Gosford Races Where The Entertainment Grounds – 4 Racecourse Rd, West Gosford NSW 2250 When Thursday, March 4, 2024 First Race 1:25pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing in New South Wales on Thursday heads to Gosford, where a seven-race meeting awaits punters. A fair amount of rain is forecast for raceday in the area, but with the track starting as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, the track should get to a Soft 7-Heavy 8 come the opening event. The rail sticks in its true position, with action commencing at 1:25pm AEDT. Best Bet at Gosford: Sicilian Form lines do not read much better than what the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Sicilian brings to the Gosford finale. The three-year-old filly was beaten 1.7 lengths by Charm Stone in Group 3 company in the spring, and finished 1.5 lengths off the classy Estriella at the Gosford 1100m when first-up last campaign. This is obviously easier, and at a $5 quote with horse racing bookmakers, if Sicilian can hold the rail and lead from barrier one, she looks a great bet in the last. Best Bet Race 7 – #2 Sicilian (1) 3yo Filly | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Adam Hyeronimus (61kg) +400 with Picklebet Next Best at Gosford: Impulsivity Peter & Paul Snowden’s Impulsivity has hardly put a foot wrong in three runs this time, registering a win and a third in decent company. The three-year-old filly sprinted sharply at Newcastle over 1200m on March 8 to get the job done, and a repeat effort can have her featuring in the finish once again. Last campaign, she wasn’t beaten far behind the likes of Nadal and Makarena, and if Impulsivity is anywhere near her best, it should be more than good enough to salute over 1200m. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Impulsivity (5) 3yo Filly | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Tom Sherry (60.5kg) +350 with Bet365 Next Best Again at Gosford: Royal Standard James Cummings’ Royal Standard caught the eye without threatening, and his first-up run in close to a year was much the same. The three-year-old gelding made up a stack of ground from the rear of the field over 1300m, so the step-up to the mile second-up looks ideal. The small field of eight should suit the son of Dundeel perfectly, and if Zac Lloyd can have him within four-lengths of the lead on the home turn, Royal Standard has shown enough to suggest he can blouse his rivals late. Next Best Again Race 1 – #4 Royal Standard (5) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (58.5kg) +400 with Neds Gosford Thursday quaddie tips – 4/4/2024 Gosford quadrella selections Thursday, April 4, 2024 1-3-4-6-7 2-4 2-4-6 2-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

By Francis LaBelle, courtesy Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Celestial City learned how to be a racehorse by continually proving himself against top competition. Each time he raced, he showed that the lessons he was learning were taking hold. Celestial City became a graded stakes winner, but just when his promising career was finally taking flight, he sustained an injury that ended his days as a racehorse. Now, he has a new home and a new purpose. On February 12, Celestial City joined the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's (TRF) herd at the Lowell Correctional Institution for Women in Ocala, FL. He will provide vocational training in equine care and stable management as part of the TRF's Second Chances Program. The TRF is the nation's oldest and largest Thoroughbred rescue organization. Forty years ago, the TRF started Second Chances at the Wallkill Correctional Facility in New York. The idea was that inmates would learn how to take care of horses and maintain the stable and grounds, while the horses got daily, supervised care. Many Second Chances graduates have gone on to find careers as farriers, veterinary technicians, and even farm managers. Since its start in 1984, Second Chances has expanded to several states. TRF expanded to Lowell in 2002 and has since added a Second Chances Youth Program located near the women's prison. Both the women's and youth programs have achieved deserving praise for helping horses and people find better lives. At five years old, Celestial City is the youngest member of the TRF's national herd, half of which are 20 years or older, and average a stay of 15 years. Unlike the majority of other horses, Celestial City had a standout pedigree, terrific connections, and every reason to succeed. A son of Uncle Mo, Celestial City's racing education was the responsibility of Hall of Fame trainer Claude “Shug” McGaughey. Under McGaughey's management, Celestial City had a record of 3-2-2 from 10 starts and earnings of just under $350,000. Two years ago, Celestial City came up short in a pair of stakes races at Saratoga Race Course. Both times, Celestial City's efforts were encouraging. He was figuring out racing while McGaughey was figuring him out. Then in late October of 2022, Celestial City overcame a stumble at the start and posted a 2 1/4-length victory in the GII Hill Prince S. at Aqueduct. There was plenty of reason to be optimistic about Celestial City's 2023 racing season. “He was doing well, and we gave him a blowout,” McGaughey said. “He was on the training track at Belmont and he fractured his right-hind ankle. He had surgery, and he would look like he was doing good, but then he would have a setback. We finally decided to pull the plug and not race him anymore.” Celestial City's ankle was operated on by Dr. Patty Hogan, a noted veterinary surgeon who works with Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. She is also a staunch advocate of aftercare for racehorses and encourages owners to include an aftercare plan for each horse they race. McGaughey had such a plan already in place. Since Celestial City had his early racing education at Niall Brennan Stable in Ocala, he was assured a safe landing after he could no longer race. Niall Brennan and his wife, Stephanie, have developed racehorses since they went into business 33 years ago. In 2009, they started their own non-profit Thoroughbred aftercare program, Final Furlong Horse Retirement, to make sure that any horse that had been in their care for any length of time would find a decent home and, perhaps, a new career. While most of McGaughey's retirees join Final Furlong, Stephanie had her own plan for Celestial City. As a TRF board member since 2022, she felt that Celestial City would be a perfect fit at TRF's Second Chances at Lowell. “The inmates would learn how to 'let down' a racehorse and down the line, he will be a great horse for their riding program,” Stephanie said. While TRF and Final Furlong are independent of one another, the chance to work together for the good of a horse will always be accepted. “Later on, if Celestial City gets adopted, his connections will know that he is guaranteed a lifetime placement with TRF,” she added. “So, if circumstances should change, he can always come home to TRF. That is a huge selling point. Very few aftercare programs offer that safety net.” Celestial City wasted no time in winning over everyone over at Lowell. “The women are used to working with much older horses,” Stephanie said. “Along comes Celestial City and he is young, slick and fit. They were excited to meet him and they have taken good care of him. Now, they are helping him get used to being around other horses.” “That shouldn't be a problem. He has always been such a cool horse.” The post A Quick Study on Track, Celestial City Now Teaches at Lowell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article